Saudi Gazette

Have you ever dreamed of traveling in a ship as luxurious and glamorous as the Titanic? If you’re out to experience similar luxury minus the tragic ending, then look no further than Queen Elizabith 2 (QE2) – a luxury liner that is almost twice the weight of what the Titanic was and is now docked in Dubai.

The QE2 was launched in 1967 and retired after approximately 40 years. It is presently situated in Dubai's Port Rashid and is scheduled to open as a luxury hotel in October. And to commemorate this, the QE2 has teamed up with Flydubai to offer people across the Middle East special packages to travel to Dubai. This is part of a wider program launched by Flydubai to offer holiday packages across the Gulf.

Visitors from Riyadh can fly economy with two nights stay at the QE2 for around SR1,916 while the same package for people traveling from Jeddah is around SR1,709. For travelers who prefer business class, two nights from Riyadh is SR3,267 and from Jeddah around SR3,695.

During our visit to the QE2, we met tour guide Peter who travelled on the ship as a guest for around 10 years and also worked on it for eight years until 2001.

For guests, the tour is free whereas day visitors to the hotel can enjoy the same visit for 150 dirhams. The tour was interesting with Peter narrating a host of engaging stories such as that of a lady who once travelled on the ship and after her husband died sold her house and lived on the ship for 13 years.

There is an extensive collection of books in the lobby that were once part of the ship’s main library in its previous use and still have the QE2 marks on them. Today, guests can read these books while sitting in the lobby with their drinks.

The ship has also seen its share of famous guests and public figures, including Nelson Mandela and David Bowie.

Once the hotel officially opens a number of services that are usually offered at good hotels will be available to guests, including a kids club, swimming pools, gyms and cinemas. Access will be provided to the beach and buses that will drop guests off to malls and Dubai’s old souk.

Guests can also book afternoon tea and experience traditional British tea culture. Snacks served with the tea are especially delicious. For elegant dinner, guests can eat in The Queen Grill restaurant, where semi formal dress is a must and the menu extraordinary, something that elicits a sense of nostalgia.

The hotel also provides guests with a mobile phone app that enables them to control the TVs and lights in their rooms, call room service and order food. Staff are friendly, smiley and very welcoming. The interior is lavishly decorated while maintaining many original features, furniture and light fittings.