Cunard's QE2 to become floating hotel following final voyage

[jashermd]

Hello,

Those who never had a chance to sail the QE haven't entirely missed their chance -- following her final voyage (taking place as I write) she will become a floating hotel in Dubai. Here's a nice article in the Telegraph about the history (and future) of this famous cruise ship.

Cheers,
Julian

[lhbrown]

Hi jashermd,

Thanks for posting the article on the QEII. The QEII was a nice ship and I fondly remember our two crossings on her combined with return flights on the Concorde. These were the good old days.... Seems like the old gal is going the same way as Queen Mary I, who has turned hotel and conference center and is anchored in LA.

[imbues]

Hi jashermd,

I've read about this recycling deal too. I sounds like a fantastic idea and I hope they makes loads of money from it. We seem to throw things away so easily these days because it is cheaper to buy new than to fix things. Even houses sometimes...

[omegaet]

jashermd....as a sales incentive, I once offermy top twenty producers a three day voyage to "No Where" aboard the QE2. We sailed out of New York and toward the best weather the captain could find for the next three days. The objective was to let the sales achievers have a "once in a life time experience" aboard one of the most famousships on the seas!



My associate and I took suites (they were added sometime after the original construction of the ship) and basically stayed out of the way of our party winners....as they drank and ate themselves into various states for the voyage.



My butler was great and one of the most memorable components of the three days for me....unpacked my bags, pressed my garments,selected my attire for dinner (gave me a choice of ties each evening, but pointed out the ones he thought would be most appropriate). He selected my shoes and had them properly shined each day....I could become accustomed to thatlifestyle. The butler insisted on serving tea onmy balconyone afternoon to a couple of my guests and myself("your friends are from down below, sir, I hope the appreciate the service being afforded them up here"....."below" as he lovely referred to the lower class accommodations). I must confess I was intrigued and entertained by the fussing about of both the butler and the chamber maid assigned to my suite. No one has drawn a hot bath for me since I disembarked the QE2.



I am not really into cruises and the thought of be aboard a ship for a Trans Atlantic crossing or otherwise extendedperiod of timewould require strong mood alteringmedications.



On the other hand, I am sure cruise people found the QE2 capable of provided service above and beyond expectations.



Dubai will be a proper home for her and many thousands of people will be able to appreicate her history.

[jashermd]

Hello O,

What a great story -- thanks for sharing! Your description really evokes the atmosphere of those days of grand voyages. I have to admit that I'm not sure I understand the appeal of floating hotels (if I'm staying in a room the size of a broom closet I'd like to at least actually be on a cruise ship which is going somewhere) but staying in a suite which evokes the days of the Titanic would be fun. The new owners are supposed to be pouring a lot of money into the QE2 to bring her back to her glory, so she should be a site to see. Hopefully Mary-J will be able to visit her and give us a review on one of her trips to Dubai!

Cheers,
Julian

[claassenam]

This is a great idea. You can do the same on the famous Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, CA (okay docked isn't strong enough a word - I think that it is set into concrete somehow!). I stayed there as a child which was such a fun adventure, especially as there are stories that it is haunted by a couple former passengers! Not exactly the most spacious of rooms, I think one stays in these boats for the novelty more than anything else. Still, a fun way to get a taste for the old glory days of cruising.

[lhbrown]

Hi jashermd and classenam,

Classenam, you mentioned that you stayed at the Queen Mary I as a child. How exiting, you must have found quite a few places to hid.... but that must be quite a few years ago... We visited the QMI about 5 years ago. We were disappointed seeing the once great ship almost disabandoned and in great need of freshening up. Maybe, it looks better when the ship is filled with conference guests and is bustling with life. As it turned out, we encountered very few people during our visit and it looked very sad, giving off only a hint of its former glory.
On the other hand, I am sure, the QEII will be doing quite well in Dubai, its new home. Jashermd, you are probably right, that the QEII will recveive an infusion of "new money" and will be brought back, if not improved, to its former luxuriousness as as a great ocean liner by its present owners to bring it back to what it once was, or perhaps make it even better suited for hotel guests (larger cabins, etc.). I too hope mary-j will get a chance to visit and report back to us, once the QEII - Dubai will be opened as luxury liner/hotel.

[claassenam]

LHBrown - you are right, I just looked at the online photos for the Queen Mary in Long Beach and it looks seedy - how sad! I do remember it being pretty touristy at the time I stayed there with my family - this was a very touristy trip to Disneyland and the Queen Mary and I was only around 10 years old, so I probably didn't notice many details of the accommodations. Still, it is sad that the owners or management have allowed the Queen Mary ship to look so shabby these days. I would imagine that, especially in a location like Dubai, the Queen Elizabeth will be shown off in all her glory - let's hope so!

[curtiejoe]

Hi claasenam



So sad to hear about the once-majestic Queen Mary. I've not been on board her but four years ago on a vacation trip to California with another couple we boarded one of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships at the docks in Long Beach. On our way we caught a distant glipse of the Queen Mary where it was moored further along the harbour area. From our vantage point it looked stately and very imposing. had we had more time after our cruise to fabulous Catalina Island and down to Ensenada, Mexico, we would have gone to see the QM. As it was, we headed north to Los Angeles and from there to Santa Barbara (an amazing town with deep Spanish roots) and further north along the breath-takingly scenic coastal highway. Next time we're in San Diego or LA, we'll make a point of experiencing the Queen Mary to see for ourselves how the "Old Lady" is doing.