Floating Iftar on the QE2

Adding to the list of many firsts, this Ramdan in Dubai will see the first floating iftar onboard in Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2). An Arabian majlis will be set up offering a unique iftar and suhoor, combining traditional Middle Eastern flavours with a royal service experience.

The QE2’s Cinderella moment has been a long time coming – 10 years, to be precise: It has been gathering dust at Port Rashid since 2008, where it was docked after its final sail from Southampton. The legendary ocean liner was reopened as a magnificent hotel in Dubai on Wednesday, April 18. Docked permanently at Port Rashid, the ship features 13 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

Before it was retired, the QE2 was a thriving transatlantic ocean liner ship with the Cunard Line Company and sailed the high seas between Southampton and New York; the 70,000-tonne vessel celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and has been touted the ‘world’s greatest ship’ by a TV documentary because of how influential it has been to maritime design. Over the years, the ship has welcomed guests including Nelson Mandela, Elizabeth Taylor, Buzz Aldrin and David Bowie. In her lifetime the QE2 completed 1,400 voyages before retiring in 2008.

The 13-deck hotel boasts 224 refurbished rooms and suites, with introductory prices starting from AED 599 per night. Each of the QE2’s rooms and suites feature the original portholes, floor-to-ceiling-windows or balconies that peer out onto the Arabian Gulf or Dubai’s skyline.

The purpose-built majlis, which is located on the ship's largest deck, can host up to 250 people and offers patrons an expansive Arabian buffet including live cooking stations, traditional Emirati dishes, fresh salads, hot and cold mezze, and abundance of desserts and a selection of classic Arabic juices and coffee. Afterwards, work off the calories with a wander around this landmark vessel that has sailed the seven seas with a floating guest list of celebs, royals and world leaders.

Pricing, Terms and conditions:

The Iftar buffet opens from sunset until 9pm and is priced at Dh250 per person / Dh125 for children below 12 / complimentary for children below 4 - inclusive of buffet, soft drinks and water.
The suhoor buffet is open from 9pm until 1am and costs Dh175 per person / Dh85 for children below 12 / complimentary for children below 4 - inclusive of buffet, soft drinks and water.
Open for both, members of the public and in-house guests, diners can choose to sit in the brand new Lido restaurant or in the air-conditioned Arabic majlis - which will serve a wide selection of shisha.
With ample space and a dedicated service team, the QE2 is the perfect venue for group iftar bookings. From intimate groups of 10 up to large gatherings of 450 people, organizers will benefit from generous group booking discounts.

Individual bookings [email protected]| +971 (0)4 526 8888
Group bookings (10 people or more) [email protected]


Suhoor at the QE2

Dh175 per person (inclusive of buffet and soft beverages)
Dh85 for children below the age of 12
Complimentary for children below the age of 4