Know Before You Go
Heritage tours are available on a daily basis, not just for those who stay on the ship. You can book your tour in the lobby. The guide is a former steward on QE2.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Queen Elizabeth 2
This living legend of maritime history is enjoying a second life.
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After almost 40 years of service, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) has begun a new chapter of life after being rescued from retirement and the breaker’s yard. In 2008, the ship was permanently docked in Dubai’s Mina Rashid. It was then converted into a 224-room floating hotel. The refurbished vessel is open for all who want to experience a night or two on a historic ocean liner.
The floating hotel has plenty to offer. The British pub, The Golden Lion, deemed to be the oldest pub in Dubai can be found inside the ship. The Chart Room is a real time-capsule, containing the original nautical interior and furniture. At the bar is the original glass route-map, where passengers could track the progress of the ship’s Atlantic crossing. The Grand Lounge is a showroom decorated with red curtains, where you can enjoy a dinner while catching a show. With over 6,000 books, the QE2 had one of the largest libraries at sea. The extensive book collection now is displayed in the lobby area.
On the heritage tour, you will get to know more about the history of the vessel, the exciting life of the crews and passengers, and the celebrities that showed up on QE2. Among some of the ship’s more famous guest were Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, Buzz Aldrin, and even Rod Stewart.
The QE2 was the longest-serving Cunard Ocean Liner, and was one of the fastest passenger ships to sail in the 21st-century. She carried 2.5 million passengers, made 806 transatlantic crossings, sailed 5.6 million miles. On her last voyage, the tickets were sold in just 36 minutes. With its rich history and unique atmosphere, the QE2 is a very special experience.
