Is the QE2 pining for home?

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The distinctive red funnel of the liner Queen Elizabeth 2 still stands proudly – if a little incongruously – in Dubai’s Port Rashid. It rose through the mist and dust as I arrived at the port last Monday, although much of the ship was concealed behind huge heaps of stone and rubble on the quayside.
It was almost as if Nakheel, who bought the ship for $50 million, and had ambitious plans to spend millions more converting it into a luxury hotel, had grown ashamed of the vessel and their ownership of it.
As Rob Lightbody, of The QE2 Story internet forum, has reminded me, it is 800 days since QE2 arrived in Dubai after an emotional final voyage from Southampton.
And if his latest report is correct, it might only be by good fortune that the ship is still afloat in the harbour.
A violent sandstorm ripped through Dubai last Friday and it is believed QE2’s mooring ropes gave way under the strain. Tugs were brought in to pin her to the berth until they could be secured again.
According to Rob, those fans of the ship who believe she demonstrated her reluctance to leave her former home port of by running aground on The Brambles on entering Southampton Water for the last time in November 2008, now see the latest events as proof that she is anxious to leave Dubai.
Whatever is the case, I’m hoping for fairer weather when I sail into Dubai on Sunday so I can grab some pictures of the old dear – if she’s still there.

By | 2011-02-04T08:22:56+00:00 4 February 2011|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News, Cruise Ships|2 Comments

About the Author:

John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.

2 Comments

  1. Chris Frame 4 February 2011 at 1:00 pm - Reply

    Great to see you’re still keeping us in the loop with QE2 news John!
    It’s time this magnificent ship was saved! QE2 can not be allowed to end up as the SS United States for the next 40 years!! The time to save QE2 is now!
    Chris.

  2. James 7 February 2011 at 2:24 pm - Reply

    QE2 was going to be used for last years Football World Cup on SA, won’t it be great if she was used for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, then after used as a permanent floating hotel on the Thames.
    James

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