The arrival of Queen Mary 2 in Dubai on Wednesday will coincide with the opening of former Cunard flagship Queen Elizabeth 2 as a floating hotel in the emirate.
Passengers on QM2 will have the opportunity to join VIPs and local media at the opening of the QE2.
Future passengers will also have the chance to visit when QM2 returns to Dubai in January and April 2019 as part of its world voyage.
QE2 is owned by PCFC Hotels – part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation – and will reside permanently at Mina Rashid, Dubai.
Cunard senior vice president, Simon Palethorpe, said: “We feel very privileged that our flagship QM2 is able to join these celebrations and that our guests will have an opportunity to visit QE2.
“We hope that her new permanent home will be enjoyed by many visitors in the years to come and are delighted that her spirit lives on for future generations.”
The QE2 floating hotel soft opening marks the first phase several stages in which segments of the liner will be opened – as reported by Travel Weekly last week.
In the first phase, QE2 will be welcome guests on board to experience restored rooms and suites, five of a planned 13 restaurants and bars and an adjacent QE2 Heritage Exhibition.
PCFC Hotels chief executive, Hamza Mustafa, said: “To finally open the QE2 is a dream come true for my team and I.
“It is one of Dubai’s most highly anticipated projects and we know that a lot of people are going to be very excited to see her for the first time, or to step back on board the vessel that created so many wonderful memories during her 40 years at sea.
“We have dedicated more than 2.7 million man-hours into transforming this legendary ocean liner into the multi-faceted tourist destination that she is today and I am very proud to reintroduce her to the world as she embarks on the next stage of her celebrated journey.”