QE2 To Stay in Dubai No UK Return
State-owned developer Nakheel denied on Wednesday the luxury cruise liner QE2 would be returning to her home city in the UK, just eight months after she was sold to Dubai for $83m (£50m).
Responding to UK media reports that Queen Elizabeth 2 could be destined again for Southampton, a company spokesman said: “Nakheel will not be selling the ship or using her as a cruise liner. There is absolutely no truth in these rumours.”
The Daily Echo in Southampton reported on Tuesday that “high-placed sources” had told the paper port bosses had been contacted about the possibility of a comeback by the Grand Old Lady of the Sea towards the end of the year.
In November, Nakheel bought the ship with aim of turning it into a luxury hotel. But the global downturn has thrown these plans into doubt.
The ship, once renovated, will form the centerpiece of the QE2 precinct on Palm Jumeirah.
Plans include 200 rooms, 10 of which will be suites, a 500-seater theatre as well as a 5,000 square metre indoor and outdoor wellness centre and spa.
It will boast five restaurants, with menus devised by the three-star Michelin chef Michel Roux.
Arguably one of the world’s most famous ships, the QE2 has circumnavigated the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic around 800 times and has carried more than 2.5 million passengers.
The QE2 is a thousand times better than qm2 will ever be, After sailing on qm2 I never want to repeat the experience. Cunard dont want QE2 to return because they know that whats left of the cruise customer clientelle would far sooner take QE2 than the modern souless floating piles of poop that they are flogging today.
If QE2 does return, my credit card is at the ready. Are you listening Cunard ?
Having crossed the Atlantic on Sylvania, Queen Elizabeth 2 (5 times) and Queen Mary 2 – and enjoyed them all. I cannot agree with J Pardue that the QM2 is a “modern souless floating piles of poop”. That I’m afraid is utter nonsense.
Technically she is much superior, a better seaship and I found the service excellent, the food excellent and the accommodation much superior. However this is not to say QE2 was wonderful and a fantastic experience as was the Sylvania.
But the ship that has them all beaten is in Long Beach California “Queen Mary” having sailed on her on one of her short cruises to the Canaries, there is nothing else that compares.
WHY DID CUNARD SELL HER TO DUBAI.QE2 should be brought back to great britain or go somewhere else for hotel or made into a ocean liner again this is a joke im getting more in this than titanic lol
June 24, 2009. Interesting note that one. Nakheel states that the QE2 will not be returning to her homeport in the U.K. Well here we are in the first week of February 2011. They appear to have done little if anything to the ship. I cannot help but wonder if they still want to keep her in Dubai. Maybe , just maybe they might want to return her to the U.K. After all the economic downturn which has hit Dubai so hard has yet to ease up very much.
Anyone else have any similar thoughts??
24 june 2009, Nakheel has stated that they will not return QE2 to her homeport in the U.K. Well here we are now, the first week of February 2011 and it appears that little or nothing has been done to this most magnificent ocean liner. I cannot help but to wonder if Nakheel still feels the same. After all the economic downturn that hit Dubai with the arrival of QE2 has yet to disipate.
Anyone else have any thoughts about this??
I totally agree with John M Spicer, QM2 is a fantastic ship and I have travelled on her many times, also Queen Victoria & recently Queen Elizabeth. QE2 is an iconic liner, but although very nostalgic, the time was right to retire her. I was really surprised how much she pitched and rolled when I went on her. Give me Cunards modern fleet anytime!