Rumour has it that the retired Cunard ocean liner, the QE2, is headed for Cape Town. RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, which was the Cunard flagship from 1969 to 2004, and considered to be one of the greatest transatlantic ocean liners that ever sailed, was bought for £50 million by real estate developer Nakheel, which is a division of Dubai World. The idea was to convert her into a stationary floating hotel moored off Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Island.
She is currently moored at Port Rashid, Dubai, but it seems that the expected refurbishment is not taking place any time soon due to the current economic climate, so the owners are considering moving her to another port before the work starts.
Former captain of the QE2, Commodore Ron Warwick, upon hearing of the move to Cape Town said, "I think it is very viable that the ship could go there.
She is currently moored at Port Rashid, Dubai, but it seems that the expected refurbishment is not taking place any time soon due to the current economic climate, so the owners are considering moving her to another port before the work starts.
Former captain of the QE2, Commodore Ron Warwick, upon hearing of the move to Cape Town said, "I think it is very viable that the ship could go there.
"When I left the ship in March they were still maintaining it, the engines were still running and I don't see any reason why she couldn't go."
All the cabins would be replaced with larger bedrooms, and the space where the engine is currently housed would be changed into a theatre.
But some of the wackier plans afoot include slicing off of the QE2’s well-known red funnel, relocating it to the waterfront, and putting an exclusive glass penthouse where the funnel used to be – a move which would destroy the integral structure and character of the ship, I believe.
Given the fact that the refurbishment is to be put on hold, there is plenty of time for plans to change, and it is good that the QE2 will put to sea yet again in her present unmodified state.
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