Member Reviews of visits on board QE2 Dubai

[Rob Lightbody]

Oh well done Ed!!

Super photos!  Keep them coming!!

[Brandon Sterkel]

What a wonderful review, Ed! Great to see another forum member make the trip out to Dubai! Great photos too!

By looking at the photo of the lobby, It looks like the Aquitania's Bell has been replaced by the QE2's bell.

[Thomas Hypher]

Great review Ed, glad you're having a great time onboard 

I particularly like the Five Deck Gangway photo, such a long time since any of us have seen that view that I didn't remember it until now! That's where the wall of heat and humidity hit me in Gibraltar well over 10 years ago!

[Thomas Hypher]

Am I right in saying the Queen's Room chairs that now reside in the Chart Room have been reupholstered?

Here's one of my photos from August 2007 for reference:

My July 2007 QE2 trip photos and a couple of videos by Thomas Hypher, on Flickr

[Ed Derbyshire]

It’s such a privilege to be here. Yes, Brandon, you are right re the bell. Looks like quite a few objects are moved around judging by what is where as of today.
There is a wall of heat out here as you get near the gangways but the a/c is working well - 37C here today but a balmy 19C in 1018!
I plan to video tomorrow so will try and edit some clips for posting once we are back. I will also cover prices in the next post - but enough of that - just being on board is worth a huge amount.
More to follow....SWMBO is saying she’s hungry....

[June Ingram]

Great photos and commentary, Ed !  Please, more !  Thanks !   

[Rob Lightbody]

I'm just in the process of creating an enormous gallery of images of Alex & Naomi's photos

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=183

[Ed Derbyshire]

Morning all!
Day two starts. Thomas, you are right, a number of chart room chairs are recovered ones from the Queens Room.
Breakfast in the Lido and now off for videos of most of the areas we got to with still photos yesterday.
Will add more photos and video later.
It’s amazing being onboard again! In the meantime here she is - now much more awake than before!

[Lynda Bradford]

Thanks Ed for reporting from QE2 and posting the photos.  It is fantastic to see the ship slowly coming to life as more people stay on board and post about their experience.

[Ed Derbyshire]

Here is a closeup of two of the recovered chairs in the Chart Room with a few other views in the area- morning spent mainly videoing. Talked to one crew member in the Lido and he is ex Carnival and working on board. He said he was on another ship that called into Dubai in 2008 and he could see she was dark and quiet but fell in love with her. So three months ago he applied and is now a crew member living on five deck. Apparently there are 12 ex Carnival seafarers on board. Everyone very nice and friendly with even the security guards very politely asking me not to go in any areas under work currently!

[Ed Derbyshire]

Been up to Sun and Signal decks for a quick peek - here are just a few photos of the time there.

[June Ingram]

Awesome photos and commentary, Ed !  Many thanks !  June   

[Bob C.]

Speaking of "quick peeks" is the staff about the ship restricting guests from going certain places? Are there signs stating as much? If I wanted to venture down to 4 deck for a quick peel to see the rooms I've stayed in (at least the doors), would I be scolded and told to return to the opened public spaces?

[Ed Derbyshire]

Update from end of day 2 onboard. Had a great evening - met with senior staff member in the Golden Lion for a pre-dinner drink. Some people enjoying a glass or two, with a darts game underway. The staff always friendly and in many ways it feels like the old days of courtesy and helpfulness. Most staff are from South Africa or Indonesia and are young compared to us!
A range of draft beer and cider available plus bottled beers. A beverage menu is handed out.
So then onto the Queens grill. The little bar for pre dinner drinks was open and a special gin cocktail offer was open.
The Grill itself was very quiet when we arrrived at 7pm but started to fill as the evening progressed. It was about quarter full by the time we left at 9pm so a low hum of conversation was a nice background to our meal. Very attentive staff who were friendly and helpful. Nice food, based around a 1970’s menu (we understand extensive research has gone on to find all the menus back to maiden voyage). The menu was a set 6 course with a vegetarian option. Portion sizes just right (not too big) and photo of menu attached.
After the Grill we strolled down to the Yacht Club for a look at the city lights over the stern. What a peaceful and pleasant evening. If you closed your eyes you could be back in sailing days. Our only surprise as we opened our curtains this morning was we were still alongside having done another ‘overnighter’.
More to come with update on lifeboats and a special visit to an area normally out of bounds.
Sad to be leaving this morning but what a pleasure and privilege to have been on what the staff call Our Lady. Do come - you won’t regret it.

[Ed Derbyshire]

Bob, in answer to your question Decks 3 & 4 closed off and security staff in place to gently direct you away! Will be open by October for grand opening! That sis we did a few peeks when security were not so evident (but only looking through partly open doors and not going into hard hat areas!).
One nite: at Lido we saw painting ongoing in Pavilion via the access stairway - looks nice and only needs carpets and furnishing so could be open in not too distant future.