• QE2 reopened in 2018 as a floating hotel at Port Rashid. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    QE2 reopened in 2018 as a floating hotel at Port Rashid. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A theatre where live entertainment is held on Dubai’s only floating hotel, the Queen Elizabeth 2, which is being taken over by French hospitality group Accor.
    A theatre where live entertainment is held on Dubai’s only floating hotel, the Queen Elizabeth 2, which is being taken over by French hospitality group Accor.
  • The interior of the ship, which is permanently docked at Dubai's Mina Rashid port, has been completely preserved.
    The interior of the ship, which is permanently docked at Dubai's Mina Rashid port, has been completely preserved.
  • The midships lobby area in the restored QE2.
    The midships lobby area in the restored QE2.
  • The old Golden Lion pub.
    The old Golden Lion pub.
  • The casino is filled with slot machines - now purely decorative.
    The casino is filled with slot machines - now purely decorative.
  • A games arcade cluttered with old machines remains.
    A games arcade cluttered with old machines remains.
  • The QE2's stairs have been restored.
    The QE2's stairs have been restored.
  • The hotel has 447 hotel rooms and nine food and beverage outlets.
    The hotel has 447 hotel rooms and nine food and beverage outlets.
  • Inside a deluxe room on the QE2 hotel.
    Inside a deluxe room on the QE2 hotel.
  • Inside the renovated Yacht Club restaurant on the QE2.
    Inside the renovated Yacht Club restaurant on the QE2.
  • The corridors are all soft carpet and 1970s kitsch.
    The corridors are all soft carpet and 1970s kitsch.
  • The ocean liner is named after the late Queen Elizabeth II.
    The ocean liner is named after the late Queen Elizabeth II.
  • The midships lobby area in the restored QE2.
    The midships lobby area in the restored QE2.

All set to make a splash: Dubai’s 'QE2' to reopen to the public on October 1

The historic ocean liner-turned-hotel has been issued the Dubai Assured Stamp

Janice Rodrigues
Janice Rodrigues

September 17, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

It's all aboard as the Queen Elizabeth 2 will reopen on Thursday, October 1.

The world-famous ocean liner-turned-hotel, which is now permanently docked at Dubai's Mina Rashid port, recently announced that it will be back in operation. According to a social media post, it has also been certified as safe and given the Dubai Assured stamp.

The stamp, which was issued by Dubai Tourism, the Department of Economic Development and Dubai Municipality is given to restaurants, stores, hotels, malls and entertainment destinations that are adhering to the government’s safety guidelines.

The news is surely welcome to its many fans who have been awaiting a chance to visit the luxury liner again. The QE2 closed in March to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

"After careful consultation and deliberation, the senior leadership team have decided to close the hotel and all of its facilities to further progress on the existing renovation plans during the anticipated low season. We wish all of our passengers, navigators, fans and partners to stay safe during this time," read the statement issued at the time.

This is also the year the Queens Grill, its historic restaurant that has previously served members of the British royal family and celebrities such as Liza Minnelli and Rod Stewart, reopened as a modern British bistro after undergoing extensive refurbishment.

This year the QE2 also opened its bridge to the public for the first time in 52 years, allowing guests to get a glimpse of the commanding station station of the ship and its old maritime equipment. It also has heritage tours of the ship, although it is unclear whether the tours will be restarting once more.

Scroll through the bottom to see more from the bridge tour:

  • A view of the QE2 in Dubai. The ship recently launched bridge tours for the public for the first time. Pawan Singh / The National
    A view of the QE2 in Dubai. The ship recently launched bridge tours for the public for the first time. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Peter Warwick offers a tour of the QE2's wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
    Peter Warwick offers a tour of the QE2's wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The ship was launched in 1967. Pawan Singh / The National
    The ship was launched in 1967. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A close up of the control panels in the QE2's wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
    A close up of the control panels in the QE2's wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Documents in the staff captain’s room in the QE2. Pawan Singh / The National
    Documents in the staff captain’s room in the QE2. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A view of the staff captain’s room. Pawan Singh / The National
    A view of the staff captain’s room. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Maps in the chart room of the QE2 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Maps in the chart room of the QE2 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The captain’s day room. Pawan Singh / The National
    The captain’s day room. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Peter Warwick offers details about the flag room during the bridge tour. Pawan Singh / The National
    Peter Warwick offers details about the flag room during the bridge tour. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The helm in the QE2 wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
    The helm in the QE2 wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Control panels in the wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
    Control panels in the wheelhouse. Pawan Singh / The National
  • View of the QE2's front deck. Pawan Singh / The National
    View of the QE2's front deck. Pawan Singh / The National
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