Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)

Queen Elizabeth 2 is the legendary Cunard ocean liner that has been permanently moored at Mina Rashid port in Dubai since 2008. Since 2018 it has been the city's only floating hotel, and visitors can explore the ship on a guided tour.

What to see

The liner was launched by Queen Elizabeth II herself on 20 September 1967 at the John Brown shipyard in Scotland and made her maiden voyage on 2 May 1969. In 1982 she carried around 3,000 troops during the Falklands War, and her final voyage from Southampton ended in Dubai on 26 November 2008.

The Legacy Tour lasts about an hour and a half: a recreated passenger cabin, the captain's quarters, the flag room, an original garage with a vintage Rolls-Royce, the lobby murals of Cunard history since the 1840s, the Golden Lion pub, the Boat Deck and the Captain's Bridge with city views. Without the tour you can visit the free Travellers Cove exhibition, once the first Harrods outside Knightsbridge. The ship has 447 rooms, restaurants, a theatre, a spa and an indoor pool.

Getting there

A taxi is easiest — ask for QE2, Mina Rashid. Parking is free for guests and visitors. The nearest metro station is Al Ghubaiba on the Green Line, and the hotel runs a free shuttle by prior booking to Al Ghubaiba station, Dubai Mall, La Mer and Mercato Mall.

Planning your visit

The tour costs AED 85 per person and can be combined with afternoon tea at the Queens Grill as a package. Walk-ins are accepted subject to availability, so booking ahead is best. Allow one and a half to three hours for the tour and a look around the ship.

Before you go

The tour is not wheelchair accessible: expect plenty of walking, stairs and narrow passages, so wear comfortable shoes. The engine room is not part of the route.