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World's largest floating nightclub opens in Dubai on historic QE2 cruise ship

Oct. 18, 2021
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5 min read
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World's largest floating nightclub opens in Dubai on historic QE2 cruise ship
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Historic ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2, affectionately known in cruise circles as QE2, is now home to the world's largest floating nightclub: Float Dubai.

On October 14, the vessel -- which was purchased in 2008 by Dubai's royal family and is now docked as a floating 215-room hotel in the commercial port of Rashid -- hosted the club's grand opening. According to Float's Instagram page, it included a performance by U.S. rapper DaBaby, a DJ, dancers, acrobats, hula-hoopers and drinks with eye-watering high prices. (About 200 ounces of Dom Perignon Rose Gold set partygoers back more than $107,000, the U.K.'s The Times reports.)


 

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A post shared by FLOAT Dubai (@floatdubai)

Besides loud, dark and exclusive, it's difficult to pinpoint what, exactly Float Dubai is going for. "Float delivers a unique space in the present onboard the Queen Elizabeth II, a vessel steeped in the history and culture of the past, and deploys technologies of the future to guarantee an experience you won't forget," the venue's website claims, offering few other details. It also urges site visitors to "immediately add Float to their list," but besides the three-night grand opening, which has already come and gone, there isn't currently anything else listed on Float's "Events" page.

(Photo courtesy of Float Dubai/Facebook)

Perhaps that's because of COVID-19 restrictions, which The Times said required attendees to reserve tables -- with a minimum spend of nearly $1,100 -- in order to adhere to social distancing protocols. Bizarrely, patrons were also not allowed to stand up or dance, despite the flashy entertainment offerings.

The company's Facebook page has a plethora of photos, which seem to indicate that the venue is outdoors -- something that allowed visitors to remove their masks while seated. Other shots show uplighting on the vessel's funnel and colored spotlights which have been added to the outer decks.

(Photo courtesy of Float Dubai/Facebook)

Designed with a capacity for 1,000 people, Float can accommodate more visitors than the ship's hotel can, and it certainly holds more people than any other ship's nightclub. (For context, Oasis of the Seas, which carries 5,400 passengers as one of the largest cruise ships in the world, has the capacity for fewer than 200 people in its onboard Blaze nightclub.)

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(Photo courtesy of Float Dubai/Facebook)

QE2, launched in 1967 for Cunard Line, specialized in long-haul world cruises and later transitioned to becoming less of an ocean liner and more of a cruise ship, offering voyages from the U.K. that carried many A-list stars. The vessel also functioned as a troopship during 1982's Falklands War before returning to service and finishing out its career with Cunard, which was sold to Carnival Corporation in 1998 -- 10 years before the ship was sold.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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