Dubai is filled with 5+ star accommodations designed to wow however if you’re in search of an iconic place to stick with a little bit of historical past to it, the QE2 lodge delivers.
As a fan of cruising and a little bit of a historical past geek I used to be greater than a bit excited so as to add the Queen Elizabeth 2 to our 5 day break in Dubai.
This ocean liner turned floating lodge was precisely what we’re in search of after three nights at LEGOLAND Dubai. We wished to relocate to a lodge near Downtown Dubai to see the town sights but in addition benefit from the character of our lodging.
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Spoiler alert, we liked it. A lot in order that we booked one other evening whereas onboard.
Nonetheless, I don’t suppose it’s for everybody. Should you’re considering a keep on the Queen Elizabeth 2 there’s just a few issues it is best to know earlier than you guide. I’ll be masking them on this evaluate.
However first, forgive me for indulging in a little bit of scene setting.
*This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
The QE2 – ocean liner to lodge
This former Cunard ocean liner grew to become Dubai’s first floating lodge in 2018, ten years after arriving in Dubai and 50 years after being launched by Queen Elizabeth II in Clydebank, Scotland.
Once we determined to guide our keep I sat down with our youngsters to look at a Historical past Channel documentary in regards to the QE2 so that they knew the significance of the ship.
One thing talked about greater than as soon as was how the QE2 broke the mould for cruise ship design.
Numerous options that made it so widespread are nonetheless replicated throughout trendy cruise ships. Its leisure areas, balcony cabins and splendid model have been what set it aside, giving it an iconic standing that resonated for many years.
It additionally hogged the headlines with a trans-atlantic bomb scare, a number of mechanical meltdowns and its function as a troop ship throughout the Falkland Struggle.
The place is the QE2 now?
The QE2 is moored in Mina Rashid Port in Dubai. She has a everlasting berth alongside her personal terminal constructing the place you’ll find the Queen Elizabeth 2 lodge reception which is furnished with unique seating from the ship and shows about its service.
Who owns the QE2 now?
The QE2 cruise ship is owned by Ports, Customs and Free Zone Company (PCFC), a subsidiary of Dubai World. It’s managed by French hospitality firm, Accor, which took over the working of Dubai’s floating lodge in 2022.
The ship was beforehand owned by Cunard from its launch in 1967 to 2008 when it was offered to Dubai World for $100m. After a number of years of hypothesis, the QE2 lodge opened to friends in 2018.
Need to know extra? In a while on this put up, I’ll share extra information and figures that made the QE2 one of many UK’s most well-known vessels.
Our keep on the QE2
We booked the Queen Elizabeth 2 ship* after spending three nights at LEGOLAND Dubai* – one thing very a lot aimed on the youngsters.
It will be unfair to match the QE2 – it’s not aimed toward kids – however our younger cruise followers aged eight and 11-years-old nonetheless liked it. And us adults relished mixing up our Dubai expertise.
Arriving on the ship is much like arriving for a cruise, simply with out the lengthy passenger queues and doc checks to arrange your cruise account.
There’s a devoted terminal constructing in Mina Rashid Port the place the check-in staff take your particulars precisely like they might at a lodge and your luggage are whisked away to your cabin.
Earlier than going onboard you’ll be able to browse across the ship’s memorabilia which incorporates among the 6,000 books that have been as soon as a part of the QE2 library.
You’re free to take any of the gangways – we stumbled throughout the automotive carry, full with a shiny Rolls Royce, and wandered by the vacationer class cabins earlier than discovering the steps upwards.
There are deck plans at most junctions across the ship however don’t anticipate to get to know your manner round in 24 hours. We struggled even with 48 hours onboard. So, if you happen to’re into cruising that’s fairly acquainted.
Should you’re not an everyday cruiser you’ll wish to give yourselves a while to get between locations – don’t stress, simply flow. We discovered plenty of superb areas by simply following our noses.
Issues common cruisers will discover (and presumably miss)
The QE2 is run by the Accor group which suggests it operates extra like a lodge than a ship, so that you’ll discover there’s:
- no cruise accounts for friends. You may pay as you go or add bills to your room
- no photograph playing cards for friends, however you’ll get a key card to your room
- no muster stations drill or life vests in your cabin
- no bulletins out of your captain or cruise director. The ship now has a microphone shy lodge supervisor
- no cabin steward. Your room is serviced every day by housekeeping however you’re unlikely to fulfill them
- no every day e-newsletter, however there may be a web based information to your keep onboard
- not full board as customary, however there are offers so as to add breakfast and different meals to your reserving
- no daytime or night leisure. There are theatres however tickets for exhibits need to be purchased individually to your keep
- no excursions, though here’s a shuttle bus to the Mall of Dubai and Previous Dubai.
One thing you’ll discover, whether or not you’re a cruise fan or not, is that the QE2 smells like a ship quite than a lodge. That is totally different to trendy cruise ships that we now have sailed on the place the communal areas have a scent extra like a lodge.
It’s not disagreeable – we’ve been on ships which have had dangerous stink points. I’d liken the scent to an previous stately residence with a whiff of diesel engine. It’s a reminder that the QE2 is an previous lady.
It’s laborious to disregard that the out of doors areas should not very properly maintained. Wooden work may do with a varnish and the decks want a repaint.
The within areas are largely properly sorted, particularly across the eating places, that are open to most people.
The entire ship continues to be a piece in progress, so maintain this in thoughts if you guide.
Captain’s Room with Balcony
We booked two Captain’s Rooms with Balconies with interconnecting doorways. These have been positioned on the Sign Deck on the prime of the ship simply alongside from what would have been the QE2’s Captain’s cabin.
Had we been crusing onboard the QE2 in her heyday these rooms would have value about the identical as a median UK home on the time.
Decor and facilities
Our rooms have been gentle and spacious with massive patio doorways onto a large balcony. The king-sized mattress was very snug and there’s a settee, desk and bench to supply further seating.
One thing I do know will get common cruisers excited is that these cabins include a set of huge attracts in addition to a full size wardrobe. These are sometimes left of cabin design specs for some purpose.
There’s additionally a fridge, espresso machine and protected and all of the lighting is managed with contact display panels.
Within the toilet there’s a big stroll in rainfall bathe with further bathe head, twin sinks and QE2 bathrobes.
It was nice to see a dedication to being plastic free with biodegradable espresso pods and glass water bottles that have been refilled every day. The lavatory toiletry bottles have been additionally refilled.
Love a freebie? You may take residence your QE2 slippers in addition to an assortment of complimentary objects branded with the ship’s identify.
General, the rooms have been very properly maintained and undoubtedly 4 star customary.
Exterior, the balcony railing and furnishings have been in want of a revarnish. Nonetheless the chairs have been unique and really cozy.
How many individuals can a Captain’s Room sleep?
The Captain’s Rooms are marketed as sleeping two adults and as much as two kids or three adults and one little one if you happen to request an additional put-up mattress.
You could possibly match one further single mattress within the room however definitely not two. So, as is the case in a variety of Center East accommodations, what they anticipate you to do is all share the king-sized mattress.
None of us is especially small so we opted for the additional connecting room.
We did contemplate reserving the Officer’s Suite as there’s a king dimension mattress and couch mattress as customary. However once I contacted the lodge about this room’s configuration for a household of 4 they advised the couch mattress was solely large enough for one little one.
There’s additionally a Duplex Room which might match households. This has been created by combining two cabins on on a unique decks. There’s a bed room and a residing space with couch mattress.
And there are additionally two Royal Suites which might sleep households with further beds.
Is the QE2 family-friendly?
I’ve already talked about that our ladies have been very excited to remain on the QE2, particularly after we watched the documentary. Nonetheless, its household amenities should not a patch on those we’ve skilled on trendy cruise ships.
If you need splash parks and children golf equipment the QE2 will not be for you. However, there are plans to reinstate the out of doors swimming pools sooner or later.
Once we visited in April 2024 there was a small indoor pool positioned within the fitness center.
What our youngsters loved was exploring the ship, each independently with us and on a fact-filled organised tour.
Discover out extra about QE2 ship excursions under.
Our ladies additionally love a buffet. We had breakfast and dinner buffets in addition to an al carte lunch within the Lido Restaurant. The fish and chips was one of the best we’ve had outdoors the UK.
There are excessive chairs within the eating places and the restrooms close by have been up to date with child altering amenities. Elsewhere the restrooms are extra retro and fairly small. Count on to see ash trays in the bathroom cubicles!
There are lifts which might accommodate a pushchair.
Dubai is clearly a playground for all ages, so if you’re staying on the QE2 with youngsters there’s loads of leisure ashore.
Take a look at these enjoyable actions for youths in Dubai.
QE2 ship excursions
The entire ship is a residing historical past museum. Many of the fixtures and fittings are unique, and you’ll guide afternoon tea within the Queens Grill precisely how it might have been served when the QE2 was crusing.
One thing we extremely advocate doing throughout your keep is a ship tour. There are two every day, at 11am and 5pm, and they’re out there to lodge friends and day guests.
We lucked in with a tour led by Brandon Clark, the QE2’s Curator and Heritage Coordinator.
Over two hours he entertained us with tales in regards to the historical past of the QE2, its crew and passengers. All of us, together with the youngsters, thought the time flew by as we have been fed information and proven particulars we’d missed whereas exploring by ourselves.
The tour is the one strategy to entry the ship’s bridge and chartroom. They’re fascinating. Charts, log books, CB radios and even the compulsory junk draw have been left simply how they have been on the day the crew stepped ashore for the ultimate time.
There are plans to open the engine rooms later in 2024 and new exhibitions are being created on a regular basis.
The most recent show, ‘Particular Relationship’, was opened by HRH Princess Anne in March 2024 and tells the story of the QE2s bomb hoax of 1972.
British particular forces have been dramatically flown throughout the Atlantic to look the ship. No bombs have been discovered however the army personnel loved an opulent cruise residence.
After our tour we have been free to discover extra of the ship by our ourselves together with the QE2 Theatre, the Grand Lounge, the on line casino (the machines are disabled), Mid Ship Foyer and Chartroom Bar.
QE2 lodge eating places
The Queen Elizabeth 2’s eating places might be booked whether or not you might be staying onboard or not.
Breakfast is served within the Lido Restaurant on the Quarter Deck and is precisely what you’d expertise on every other cruise ship with cold and hot buffet choices and a variety of cuisines for the worldwide market.
The Lido can be open for al a carte lunch and you’ll guide afternoon tea within the well-known Queens Grill on Fridays and Saturdays. Kids over eight can dine on this restaurant. Afternoon tea is on my want listing for after we subsequent go to Dubai.
Dinner is offered as a buffet within the Lido or you’ll be able to guide a desk for extra formal eating within the Queens Grill.
Alternatively there’s mezze, seafood and Arabic combine grill on the menu within the Pavilion out of doors eating area on Deck 1.
For one thing much less formal there’s bar snacks in The Golden Lion which, since arriving within the metropolis, has claimed the title of convey Dubai’s oldest pub. Below 21s should not allowed inside however Mr Tin Field and I snuck in for a fast comfortable hour drink.
The crests of Royal Navy and Service provider Navy ships line the highest of the bar space.
Discover out extra about all of the eating choices for friends and walk-ins.
What’s the gown code for the QE2 in Dubai?
Should you’ve sailed with Cunard you’ll know that there’s a gown code for all events. The identical applies to the QE2 and visiting Dubai basically. Nonetheless, it’s not as formal as you may anticipate.
It’s nice to put on lengthy shorts or a knee size skirt and a t-shirt across the ship throughout the day. Within the evenings lengthy trousers or skirts are anticipated within the eating places. Should you’re eating within the Queen’s Grill you may wish to glam up a bit. The gown code is ‘good informal’, so there’s no want to your black tie or ball robe.
We dined within the Lido throughout Ramadan and friends added a bit of additional sparkle to their Iftar outfits.
Don’t overlook that you’re in a Muslim nation, so brief shorts and strappy tops are much less acceptable. Nonetheless, we discovered Dubai’s clothes norms rather more liberal than Oman the place shorts, uncovered higher arms and, dare I say it, cleavage will offend.
One thing to notice is that carrying swimming costumes across the higher deck would have regarded a bit misplaced after we stayed as there wasn’t an out of doors pool or any solar loungers. Nonetheless, as soon as the pool areas have been reinstated swimwear can be acceptable.
Right here’s some concepts for what to pack for a cruise that can assist you plan for the same journey.
How a lot does it value to remain on the QE2?
We have been stunned at how affordable it was to remain within the QE2 lodge. We anticipated such a novel lodge to return with a premium value level, however it was comparable with and even cheaper than a variety of different 4 star Dubai accommodations*.
There are 447 rooms within the Queen Elizabeth 2 lodge.
Once we booked in April 2024 our Captain’s Rooms with Balcony, together with breakfast and a buffet dinner, value 649 AED per room per evening – that’s about £140.
There are dearer suites and less expensive outdoors cabins. Sooner or later inside cabins are additionally being made out there.
So, if you happen to’re in search of a price range place to remain in Dubai the QE2 lodge is value a glance.
With my cruiser’s head on, there are issues are aren’t included like leisure and full board, so you’ll be able to’t evaluate the value with a cruise. However as a lodge, the value stacks up fairly properly.
Details in regards to the QE2
Right here’s some enjoyable information in regards to the QE2:
- The QE2 accomplished 1,419 voyages between 1969 and 2008, travelling six million miles
- The QE2 is 294m lengthy – 25m longer than the Titanic
- It’s prime velocity was 34 knots after its engine was refitted with a diesel-electric energy plant
- The QE2 welcomed 2.5 million passengers whereas seagoing
- Well-known friends included members of the British Royal Household together with Queen Elizabeth II and the now King Charles III, Elton John, Nelson Mandela and George Harrison.
Summing up our QE2 lodge evaluate
Staying on the QE2 lodge went above and past our expectations. When it was in service it was described as a vacation spot in itself and I feel, for followers of Cunard and cruising, it continues to be simply that.
It’s nostalgic whereas additionally offering excessive customary lodging, meals and repair. It will make a terrific pre-cruise keep if you’re becoming a member of a ship in Dubai.
We’d wholeheartedly advocate staying onboard and hope to have the chance to take action once more, or at the very least return for a type of Queen’s Grill afternoon teas.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re in search of a contemporary cruise expertise with all of the amenities of a model new ship then guide a cruise*.
And if you’re in search of a Dubai lodge with state-of-the-art amenities there are many different choices.
The ship is drained in locations however it’s nonetheless underneath renovation. It will be actually fascinating to see the way it appears to be like in just a few years.
Contained in the Particular Relationship exhibition there’s a mock up of how the QE2 may look sooner or later, full with swimming pools and seating on deck. This may make what’s already a novel Dubai lodge much more interesting to a wider market.
Tempted? E book your keep at Dubai’s floating lodge*
Extra cruise studying
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Disclosure: this put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks marked with a *. Should you click on on considered one of these and make a purchase order I could earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.