QE2 to be a budget hotel?

[Rob Lightbody]

https://cruisearabiaonline.com/2018/03/22/qe2-hotel-to-launch-by-3rd-week-of-april-according-to-reservations-team/

[Rob Lightbody]

By budget, i think we mean relative to the rest of Dubai.

I'd think that's the only way to do it without radically rebuilding the ship (as per the original plan)

[Bob C.]

The article infers that reservations are being taken but I cannot find a website that is doing so.  Is there one?

[Rob Lightbody]

The article infers that reservations are being taken but I cannot find a website that is doing so.  Is there one?

There's a phone number on the website....

[cunardqueen]

  By budget, i think we mean relative to the rest of Dubai. 

Those of us who had cabins on Five deck, Perhaps not Luxury, nor yet Budget.But classic...

[Thomas Hypher]

I wonder, irrespective of what type of hotel she is/becomes, whether she'll be a hit with the large British expat community in the UAE and specifically Dubai?

[Thomas Hypher]

Those of us who had cabins on Five deck, Perhaps not Luxury, nor yet Budget.But classic...

Indeed, I remember the Five Deck cabins me and my parents had well (with all their quirks and hand built uniqueness - particularly in her forward section) - not that they will necessarily be used or are around like they used to be anymore...we will have to see.

[Bob C.]

My family and I stayed on 4 Deck on our crossings - small but that was part of the great experience.  I'm glad it sounds like they may be opening the cabins for occupancy as is.  I need to start planning a trip out there and see if I can get one of our 4 deck rooms!  Plus I need to get back to visit the stairways - last of their kind (class driven locations and destinations).

[Alex Tarry]

Its a mistake if they are...going budget, there are cheaper ways to create a budget hotel than this! 

Getting the brand right has to be key, as does filling the restaurants and holding events on the ship, they've probably only got one chance to get the right, the launch...

Looking at the interiors, although seemingly well restored...those carpets...do look at bit...umm budget!

Will try to get there as soon as possible after it opens, only way to tell for sure...

[Roy Warrender]

My Company travel agent attended a conference a couple of years ago, one of the topics was Boutique & Heritage Hotels     
QE2 could be classed a Heritage Hotel

[Rob Lightbody]

My Company travel agent attended a conference a couple of years ago, one of the topics was Boutique & Heritage Hotels     
QE2 could be classed a Heritage Hotel

Yes I think you've nailed it.  Luxury in Dubai does not mean the kind of luxury QE2 provided.  Luxury in Dubai means big, flashy, impressive.  QE2 was always more understated than that.  They only had 2 routes to go - destroy the original ship and create something completely different that could compete head-on (the original plans, and versions of it) or what they've now done - work with the original ship, and create something different to the normal hotel offering in Dubai.   

The fact that she's so different to everything else there, might just work.