VINTAGE British cruise liner the QE2 and iftar may seem an unlikely pairing at a glance.
But when you remember the Queen Elizabeth II – to give her the full title – is now resident in Dubai, it starts to make a little more sense.
But when you remember the Queen Elizabeth II – to give her the full title – is now resident in Dubai, it starts to make a little more sense.
THE permanent mooring of the QE2 in Mina Rashid has certainly caught global interest.
And with the restored luxury liner now open to the public as a floating hotel, it is showcasing its unique attributes by serving its version of the fast-breaking supper.
And with the restored luxury liner now open to the public as a floating hotel, it is showcasing its unique attributes by serving its version of the fast-breaking supper.
Entry is via a dedicated visitors centre a short walk across from ample free parking, although valet parking is available should you wish.
Iftar is hosted in a specially erected majlis tent on an upper deck, although with limited views out towards the sea or Deira, and comprises all the food and drink fixtures you would expect of the season.
Billed as Dubai’s “first floating iftar”, tables are pre-loaded with hummous, pickles, moutabal and water, with traditional Ramadan drinks available via self service or on request.
Iftar is hosted in a specially erected majlis tent on an upper deck, although with limited views out towards the sea or Deira, and comprises all the food and drink fixtures you would expect of the season.
Billed as Dubai’s “first floating iftar”, tables are pre-loaded with hummous, pickles, moutabal and water, with traditional Ramadan drinks available via self service or on request.
DUBAI DOCKED: After a career of cruising the world's waves, the QE2 is now providing pleasure in one place
The remaining food is served via cooking stations and tureens and a central dessert island.
Soup and appetizers include a very moreish red moujadara (rice and lentils), well-presented salads, shanklish (sheep’s cheese) and zesty pepper and eggplant Levant family favourite moukhalalat.
You’ll always have this scribe’s attention with warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) and kofta kish kash this good, the latter’s sauce perky and with depth.
The tasty fish option remained nicely firm in its coriander and garlic sauce and lamb ouzi and chicken molokhia also make an appearance alongside enticing chicken shawarma.
Dessert choice is mercifully limited, but yummy umm ali and sticky date pudding are more than enough, although you’ll have to pace yourself to get that far.
Food here is good and plentiful, but the star of the show is the approach to and boarding of the QE2 itself.
Soup and appetizers include a very moreish red moujadara (rice and lentils), well-presented salads, shanklish (sheep’s cheese) and zesty pepper and eggplant Levant family favourite moukhalalat.
You’ll always have this scribe’s attention with warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) and kofta kish kash this good, the latter’s sauce perky and with depth.
The tasty fish option remained nicely firm in its coriander and garlic sauce and lamb ouzi and chicken molokhia also make an appearance alongside enticing chicken shawarma.
Dessert choice is mercifully limited, but yummy umm ali and sticky date pudding are more than enough, although you’ll have to pace yourself to get that far.
Food here is good and plentiful, but the star of the show is the approach to and boarding of the QE2 itself.
LOUNGE LUXURY: When Eid arrives this classic venue, The Yacht Club, will be ready to impress new guests
You can also choose to eat in The Lido, the Quarter Deck restaurant, should you not wish to use the majlis.
Whether you are heading on board for iftar or simply to be inquisitive, the QE2 does offer official guided tours, including the restaurants, theatre, rooms and the plush Yacht Club lounge, for AED100 per person.
Alternatively, there’s a reduced rate chance to stay as a guest on the vessel, thanks for a UAE resident summer offer for the ‘QE2 Experience’.
Until September 30, you can secure 15 per cent off the best flexible online rate, including buffet breakfast for two, upgrade to a higher room category and 25 per cent off food and beverages during your stay.
With Ramadan coming to an end this week, the QE2 has also revealed a weekend of activities for passengers of all ages on board during Eid.
Whether you are heading on board for iftar or simply to be inquisitive, the QE2 does offer official guided tours, including the restaurants, theatre, rooms and the plush Yacht Club lounge, for AED100 per person.
Alternatively, there’s a reduced rate chance to stay as a guest on the vessel, thanks for a UAE resident summer offer for the ‘QE2 Experience’.
Until September 30, you can secure 15 per cent off the best flexible online rate, including buffet breakfast for two, upgrade to a higher room category and 25 per cent off food and beverages during your stay.
With Ramadan coming to an end this week, the QE2 has also revealed a weekend of activities for passengers of all ages on board during Eid.
FLOATING FINESSE: You can now enjoy all the facilities and an overnight stay aboard the QE2 without leaving the UAE
This includes a Family Unfair Feast in The Lido with a live band and a fully interactive play area accompanying the world culinary tour of fancy eats.
The kids’ fair will feature a programme of activities including an Under The Sea dance show, an obstacle course, a bouncy castle, face painting, a magician, interactive games and shows, courtesy of kids entertainment company The Cheeky Monkeys.
This brunch will take place on Friday, 15 June and Saturday, 16 June from 1pm-4pm.
From 4pm on the Upper Deck, the Yacht Club hosts an after brunch party with a DJ playing until late and special drinks package offering two selected beverages for the price of one until 9pm.
The kids’ fair will feature a programme of activities including an Under The Sea dance show, an obstacle course, a bouncy castle, face painting, a magician, interactive games and shows, courtesy of kids entertainment company The Cheeky Monkeys.
This brunch will take place on Friday, 15 June and Saturday, 16 June from 1pm-4pm.
From 4pm on the Upper Deck, the Yacht Club hosts an after brunch party with a DJ playing until late and special drinks package offering two selected beverages for the price of one until 9pm.
SHOW BOATING: This grand vessel retains many original attributes, including a working theatre
Keep an eye out also this weekend for the Razzle And Dazzle Dinner Show in which the Grand Lounge will transform into a glitzy speakeasy and host a glamorous dinner show with live singers and dancers.
Britain’s Got Talent’s ‘Jack Pack’ sport a tribute line-up of classics made famous by Frank Sinatra, Sammy David Jr. and company, while a troupe of dancers present a series of Charleston performances. The show happens Friday and Saturday.
As the backdrop to this is a 13-deck ship, 224 refurbished rooms and suites, 13 restaurant an nightlife venues, a shopping arcade – and 25 meeting rooms and conferencing facilities.
The maritime museum on approach to the QE2, as well as a display inside, reveal how the vessel was in September 20, 1967 named by Queen Elizabeth after her mother in the company of 30,000 spectators.
Britain’s Got Talent’s ‘Jack Pack’ sport a tribute line-up of classics made famous by Frank Sinatra, Sammy David Jr. and company, while a troupe of dancers present a series of Charleston performances. The show happens Friday and Saturday.
As the backdrop to this is a 13-deck ship, 224 refurbished rooms and suites, 13 restaurant an nightlife venues, a shopping arcade – and 25 meeting rooms and conferencing facilities.
The maritime museum on approach to the QE2, as well as a display inside, reveal how the vessel was in September 20, 1967 named by Queen Elizabeth after her mother in the company of 30,000 spectators.
CREATING HISTORY: An original photograph of the QE2 under construction and preparing to launch an new era of cruising
She made her maiden trans-Atlantic voyage on May 2 two years later and went on to sail a staggering six million nautical miles. She completed 1,400 voyages and hosted almost 2.5m passengers.
In 2008 she retired to Dubai after 25 tours around the world and 39 years of service, including brief participation in the Falklands War.
In the UAE, she has been taken under the wing of PCFC Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Government of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Freezone Corporation.
DETAILS:
IFTAR on the QE2 is from sunset until 9pm.
IT costs AED 250 for adults and AED 125 for children below 12 (under 4s eat for free).
THE Family Funfair Feast brunch costs AED 99 for children below 12; AED 250 for soft beverages; AED 375 for house beverages and bubbles and AED4 95 for premium beverages.
In 2008 she retired to Dubai after 25 tours around the world and 39 years of service, including brief participation in the Falklands War.
In the UAE, she has been taken under the wing of PCFC Hotels, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Government of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Freezone Corporation.
DETAILS:
IFTAR on the QE2 is from sunset until 9pm.
IT costs AED 250 for adults and AED 125 for children below 12 (under 4s eat for free).
THE Family Funfair Feast brunch costs AED 99 for children below 12; AED 250 for soft beverages; AED 375 for house beverages and bubbles and AED4 95 for premium beverages.
AHOY DUBAI: The restored world-famous QE2 makes a fitting addition to a revered destination skyline
RAZZLE And Dazzle Dinner Show packages include entry, dinner and free-flowing beverages and bubbles from 9pm until 12am; priced at AED 495 per person or AED 395 (including soft beverages only). Diners can enjoy a pre-show happy hour from 4pm-9pm in the Yacht Club.
FOR those looking to take their QE2 experience further, a special stay package includes dinner, house beverages, the show and a night’s stay with breakfast for AED 1,500.
YOU can book all the above, rooms and meeting facilities or tours via www.qe2.com or 04-526-8888.
ASK about special Eid Half Board, Full Board or ‘On Board’ packages, including complimentary access to Laguna Water Park, at La Mer, for two people with shuttle bus service. Half board is priced at AED 888, full board AED 999 (excl taxes and tourism dirham).
FOR those looking to take their QE2 experience further, a special stay package includes dinner, house beverages, the show and a night’s stay with breakfast for AED 1,500.
YOU can book all the above, rooms and meeting facilities or tours via www.qe2.com or 04-526-8888.
ASK about special Eid Half Board, Full Board or ‘On Board’ packages, including complimentary access to Laguna Water Park, at La Mer, for two people with shuttle bus service. Half board is priced at AED 888, full board AED 999 (excl taxes and tourism dirham).
