Venerable QE2 liner returns to service as hotel

Cunard’s former flagship, the 50-year-old Queen Elizabeth 2, returns after 10 years of retirement to serve as a luxury floating hotel and museum at Port Rashid in Dubai

QUEEN ELIZABETH 2: Liner carried around 2.5 million passengers and completed more than 800 Atlantic crossings during its 39-year service

Boat deck: Lifeboats and davits removed

Midship lobby

Length: 293m Decks: 13


Engine room: Power switched off – ship connected to Dubai grid

Gross register tonnage: 65,863

Capacity: 1,892 passengers and 1,040 crew

QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TIMELINE
1967: QE2 launched on Scotland’s River Clyde by Queen Elizabeth

1969: Enters service with maiden voyage from Southampton to New York

1975: Embarks on first world cruise 

1982: Requisitioned as troop carrying ship during Falklands conflict

1986: Ship converted from steam power to diesel electric

2004: Hands title of Cunard flagship to sister ship, Queen Mary 2

2007: QE2 sold to Dubai government for $100 million

2008: Makes final trip around UK before sailing to Dubai

2015-18: Converted into five-star floating hotel

Interior: Original features such as porthole windows, memorabilia and paintings retained

Hotel facilities include 224 refurbished rooms and suites, 10 restaurant and nightlife venues, shopping complex, spa and swimming pool

Dubai
UAE
The Gulf
Deira 
DUBAI
Sharjah 
Dubai airport
Jumeirah

Port Rashid: QE2 permanently docked

8km 5 miles


Sources: BBC, PCFC Hotels, The National Picture: PCFC Hotels © GRAPHIC NEWS