Nakheel Hotels, the new owner of the QE2, has unveiled details of its plans for the iconic liner which left Southampton last week for its new home in Dubai.
The ship, which is due to arrive at the Dubai port of Mina Rashid November 26, will be greeted by a flotilla of local yachts, boats and leisure craft led by a Royal Navy frigate before undergoing extensive refurbishment to transform her into an ultra-luxury floating hotel.
Once refurbishment is complete, the QE2 will dock on the eastern side of the trunk of Palm Jumeirah where it will form the centrepiece of a residential, entertainment, marina and hotel development.
A heritage museum displaying artefacts from the ship and local maritime history is also planned.
Commenting on the liner’s future, Nakheel Hotels ceo of QE2 Enterprises, Manfred Ursprunger, said the company’s investment in the QE2 will ensure the liner’s future and preserve her heritage.
“QE2 has always been synonymous with luxury, elegance and exclusivity and these are the characteristics that we are taking as the inspiration for her future.
“We are proud to be the custodian of such a magnificent British icon and will utilise our resources to maintain the integrity and spirit of QE2, as envisioned by her original design team led by Dennis Lennon, and usher in the next exciting chapter of her rich and dignified life,” said Ursprunger.
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- Dubai gets ready to welcome QE2 – from the Cruise lines blog