QE2 NEW HOME ANNOUNCED

An article appeared in this week's cruisepages.com (http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/cruiselines/index.asp) about the new home for the QE2 and some worrying news for people hoping the integrity of the ship will be maintained....

This is what it said:

"According to Nakheel, the real estate company in charge of building the development in Dubai where QE2 will end up in November, the former ocean liner will serve as the anchor of a luxury marina development on the eastern trunk side of Palm Jumeirah.

Purchased last year by Nakheel's parent organization Dubai World, QE2 will embark on her ultimate journey from Southampton, England to Dubai in November. Nakheel will commence construction on her eventual home in September.

Plans for the QE2 include its transformation into an ultra-luxury floating hotel, featuring public promenades, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, as well as a heritage museum displaying artifacts from the QE2 and maritime history.

It will be interesting to see how much of the current QE2 survives the conversion into a "ultra-luxury floating hotel". While ship enthusiasts were hopeful following the initial announcement that stated the project would "...aim to recreate QE2's original interior décor and fittings..." it is unlikely that this can be done while at the same time creating a luxury hotel. One clue as to QE2's future appearance might be found in the initial renderings released by Nakheel, where the converted QE2 bears a striking resemblance to Cunard's Queen Mary 2, with at least three decks of new balconies.

"The arrival of QE2 is one of the most anticipated events of the year and Nakheel is proud to be the custodian of such a historic treasure. The world's most famous ocean liner will form the focal point of an exciting new development that will be a must-see attraction on Palm Jumeirah," said Johann Schumacher, Director of Palm Jumeirah.

QE2 is one of the world's most famous ships. She has circumnavigated the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers including kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, astronauts and The Beatles. She survived a 95 ft wave during Hurricane Luis, carried 3,000 troops to the Falklands War and helped evacuate 500 passengers from a burning ship.

Reclamation for the pier is expected to finish by the end of 2008, with the entire project scheduled for completion in 2011."

Links
Sign up for the cruiseclub.com newsletters:
http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/deals/cruise_club_form.asp