The Queen Elizabeth 2 – better known as the QE2 – was once designated the world’s most luxurious ocean liner, a celebrity magnet that navigated some 1,419 voyages.
Built in 1967, the ship loyally carried out 39 years of service traversing more than six million nautical miles. When the historic vessel retired, it was bought by Dubai developer Nakheel. Having undergone extensive refurbishment, it is now permanently moored in the city’s Port Rashid where travellers can check in for a night or two.
The welcome
On the day we check into the hotel, it’s the coronation of King Charles III and the ship is hosting several themed events for the occasion, meaning it's busy on board.
While waiting, we explore the historical displays surrounding the ship's reception. After formalities are completed, we’re led to our upper deck Captain’s Room via an external lift and an entry platform.
The neighbourhood
Moored in Bur Dubai, the QE2’s watery home puts the ship in an ever-evolving district. In some ways, this is great, as it means there’s something new to see any time you visit, but it also means construction is often visible on the approach roads as apartments are added across the way from the distinctive funnels of the area’s prominent vintage resident.
A handful of modern superyachts flank one side of the QE2, while on the other there’s a strip of restaurants and shops, plus the visible cranes of Dubai’s Maritime City – a mixed-use development and working shipyard.
Given the surrounding construction, the drive to the QE2 isn’t all pretty, but that somehow makes the tall, narrow elegance of this classic cruise liner – which is longer than the Titanic – even more impressive.
The room
At one point, the lowest-priced ticket from London to New York – the QE2’s primary route before transatlantic flights forced then owner Cunard Lines to pivot her as a global voyager – cost the equivalent of three months’ average wage. Thankfully, the same level of rates don’t apply for hotel stays on the ship. Despite this, our Captain’s Room lacks neither luxury, style nor modern touches in its reasonable nightly tariff.
Set off a narrow corridor, ash wood flooring yields to block-pattern beige, grey, brown and blue carpets. Low ceiling downlighters illuminate the dark wood of the room’s wardrobe – containing a safe, mini-fridge and two robes – and the bedside units. The king-size bed faces a flat-screen TV.
Subtle Art Deco vibes come via angled marble-base lamps and a fabric-padded footstool facing one of two dress mirrors. There's a small armchair and a grey two-seat sofa with a coffee table that complements the cabin’s textured teal wallpaper. A generous walk-in, two-head shower and twin circular sinks with mirrors occupy the white marble bathroom.
The raised ceiling height confirms the cabin location as does the step-down balcony – a key original feature with wooden decking and a brace of wooden loungers that’s a prime perch from where to take in the city or waterside views.
The service
Genuine enthusiasm for their surroundings appears rife among many staff we encounter, not least our affable guide on the heritage tour (Dh85 per person). It unlocks numerous fascinating facts and many ship "secrets", including a stop on the defunct bridge.
I don’t find the QE2 the easiest hotel to, ahem, navigate, but thankfully there’s usually a member of staff nearby who's happy to assist.
The scene
The QE2 underwent careful restoration to ensure it was equipped with the comforts and facilities expected from a hotel in 2023. But this was all done with care taken not to bury the nautical stardust that once made the ship a must-have experience for moneyed globetrotters.
These days, 447 rooms and suites are on the inventory, from entry-level cabins at surprisingly competitive rates up to decadent Royal Suites, which have hosted famous faces such as Joan Collins and the late Nelson Mandela. If you’re keen to find out more about the people who have travelled on the QE2, there’s a who’s who-style wall map depicting the celebrities, political figures and other notable passengers who would have enjoyed an on-deck stroll.
Hopefully, they had better navigational skills than I do, as finding my way around proves tricky. On the upside, getting lost reveals areas of the ship still frozen in time or awaiting refurbishment. I stumble across an enclave of decommissioned gaming machines and a huge room with designated cooking areas where dining parties would previously have gathered.
The ship’s museum is called the Travellers’ Cove and recalls the QE2’s origins and adventures via books, photos, uniforms and artefacts. Deep in the hull, a small indoor pool is flanked by Technogym-equipped workout zones.
Elsewhere, beside corridors lined with photographs of the late Queen Elizabeth II, a spacious theatre is the venue for everything from Motown and comedy gigs to family pantomimes.
The food
Once the preserve of first-class passengers, the prestigious Queen’s Grill has been beautifully updated and is the hotel’s premium dining destination. It’s also the spot to partake in an afternoon tea of savoury bites, freshly baked scones and a selection of pastries (Dh175 per person).
Less formal, but also exhibiting hard-to-replicate vintage charm, The Golden Lion – which calls itself Dubai’s oldest bar – excels at pub grub favourites, including a commendable steak and onion sandwich (Dh75)
By stark contrast, Lido restaurant has been given the least sympathetic update, although the bright modernity is tempered at night when an international buffet (starting at Dh140 per person) includes a winning butter chicken and great desserts. It’s also where breakfast (Dh99 per person) is served. In-room dining is also available.
Highs and lows
The sheer novelty of being on board this famous ship is a highlight – and an overnight stay here is different to anything else in the UAE. The only low, if you can call it that, is the ease with which we get lost, although this is hardly a chore when something intriguing appears at almost every turn.
The insider tip
The rule with most hotels is the higher you go, the better the view. On the QE2, it's less about how high you are and more about having a balcony as these inevitably pair best with sea views.
The verdict
Given its history, the QE2 might resonate best with British guests but the mix of travellers on board during our stay suggests the lure of this famous vessel remains multinational. An ideal choice for those looking to diversify a city break, or for UAE residents seeking a unique staycation, although perhaps not the best choice for families with young children.
The bottom line
Rooms from Dh223 ($61) per night – based on a room-only stay in summer, including taxes. Check-in is from 3pm; checkout is at noon; www.qe2.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future
More on animal trafficking
More from Neighbourhood Watch
HOW TO WATCH
Facebook: TheNationalNews
Twitter: @thenationalnews
Instagram: @thenationalnews.com
TikTok: @thenationalnews
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More coverage from the Future Forum
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
The five pillars of Islam
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
The five pillars of Islam
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
More on Quran memorisation:
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
BeIN Sports currently has the rights to show
- Champions League
- English Premier League
- Spanish Primera Liga
- Italian, French and Scottish leagues
- Wimbledon and other tennis majors
- Formula One
- Rugby Union - Six Nations and European Cups
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
More on animal trafficking
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
More on animal trafficking
Ferrari
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Michael%20Mann%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adam%20Driver%2C%20Penelope%20Cruz%2C%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Patrick%20Dempsey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
