QE2 prepares for her new life in Dubai

ONE of the world’s greatest liners, QE2, will end her seafaring days with a semiregal retirement on Dubai’s Palm Island at Jumeirah, where she is due to dock on November 27 this year.

The 40-year-old liner, launched in Scotland, completed 25 circumnavigations of the globe, 800 Atlantic crossing and welcomed 2.5 million passengers on board before heading for Dubai and a new life as a five-star hotel, retail and entertainment hub – part of the QE2 Experience.

The ship will have a complete refurbishment before taking on her new role with public rooms restored to their original 1960s grandeur during her heyday as one of the best – and last – great transatlantic liners.

Manfred Ursprunger, Nakheel Hotel QE2 Enterprises chief executive, said there would be no gimmicks in restoring the 400-room ship to an authentic condition.

“It will be a high-end refurbishment using the ship’s heritage as the platform,” said Ursprunger, who has had considerable experience working in executive positions for several cruise lines.

He said the QE2 Experience would be all about creating the glamour and timeless elegance of transatlantic cruising, including dinner dances and a Broadway-style theatre where original shows would be performed.

“We have done a lot of research on the project, talking to former crew members, historians and P&O’s heritage department,” he said.

The restoration will retain the ship’s memorabilia and artifacts, and will include a museum celebrating QE2’s life.

The liner was bought for US$100 million by the Dubai government-owned private equity firm, Istithmar, an investment arm of Dubai World.

The QE2 is not the first Cunard liner to take on a new life as a floating hotel. Queen Mary is moored at Long Beach California.

On her farewell transatlantic crossings from New York to London in October, the QE2 will accompanied by Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s new flagship.

Finally, on November 11, she will depart Southampton for the very last time on a 16-day voyage to Dubai. Berths on the final cruise were sold out within minutes of it being announced.

Ursprunger said he believes there will be a big market for the QE2 Experience. “We will have meeting room facilities, so we see it as a big attraction for corporate business. A company might want to offer its guests cocktails in the Yacht Club, a heritage tour of the ship and dinner in the Queen’s Grill. We also expect it to be a great venue for weddings, and for people who have previously sailed on the ship and want to revive their memories.”