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

Oct. 18, 2021
5 min read
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.)

(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.

Featured image by (Photo courtesy of Float Dubai/Facebook)
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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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

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  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
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  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees