Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2013 by Peter Knego
Finally, could this be the real deal that seals the fate of the QE2?
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2013 Passenger Ships Desk Calendar by Peter Knego
All photos by and copyright Peter Knego 2008.
Final outbound for QE2 in Los Angeles, 2008.
These past few years have been a bumpy ride for fans of the once-Mod, chic 1968-built QE2, successor to Cunard’s QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH on the Atlantic run.
Embarking QE2.
QE2 Lobby.
First, the ship’s active life was cut short by several years when Cunard’s parent company, Carnival Corp. received an irresistible $100 million offer from Dubai’s Isthimar to convert the ship into a ghoulish mockery of her former self at Palm Jumierah in Dubai. The liner, which was anticipated to sail at least through 2014, quickly wrapped up her forty year career at premium rates many of her longtime fans could not pony out in November 2008, then settled in at a berth at Dubai awaiting a refurbishment that was never to come. The economy subsequently crashed, sparing the ship from being cut in half, extended by 100 feet, having all of her public spaces and accommodation gutted and rebuilt into “stylish” new venues and worst of all, being crowned with a glass funnel penthouse suite complex, all for the sake of capitalizing on her celebrated name.
Reflections of a liner.
Instead, QE2 lingered. A crew reportedly kept her in prime cosmetic condition at considerable cost to her disgruntled owners. She was “spotted” by world cruise travelers berthing within sight of the ship and the subject of a constant swirl of rumors. Many presumed that she would sit for a few years, wither away and quietly sail off to Alang to be broken up like the BLUE LADY (ex FRANCE, NORWAY).
There were reports she would become a casino at Macau and, more recently a well-conceived plan was hatched to bring the ship to London for preservation. Funding on that was not quick enough to appease the ship’s owners and in recent weeks, reports illogically implied that she had been purchased by Asian interests to be drydocked and then proceed to a Chinese scrapyard. And, then, most recently, there were completely unconfirmed rumors that she would be heading to Alang, although no one we reached at Alang had any notion such a transaction was in the works.
It would appear that QE2′s current owners, QE2 Dubai, have finally unleashed some potentially encouraging plans for the old girl. The ship will proceed today to Drydocks World Dubai to be inspected and prepared for classification to undertake a voyage to the Far East to become a floating hotel.
Their press release states: “QE2 Dubai has created a large consortium to convert the QE2 into a five-star hotel with 500 rooms managed by a prestigious international hotel as an operator. The Oceanic Group, a group of deeply-experienced advisers to cruise operators and managers in Asia, will take the lead in managing this project while Drydocks World Dubai will carry out extensive technical and operational checks prior to her move into Asia.
The vision for the QE2 is for her to become a landmark cultural and tourist attraction-a beacon of luxury, glamor, quality and tradition in the heart of a leading Asian city that shares her rich maritime heritage and is prepared to give this very special ship the prominent waterfront home she so richly deserves. The consortium will lavish many millions of dollars on this magnificent ship to restore her to the splendor of her glory days as an icon of the very best the world has to offer. Plans for the upgrading of the QE2 also include a shopping mall with the finest world leading brands, a QE2 Café offering meals similar to those served during cruises, three Michelin-starred restaurants, convention and meeting facilities. There will also be an on board maritime museum displaying QE2 memorabilia and her rich history, along with a collection of treasures of Dubai.”
Tea time in the Queen’s Lounge.
Totally random QE2 carpet shot.
Bronze relief from the QUEEN ELIZABETH, last sighted aboard QE2.
QE2 Lido.
So, now, QE2 fans can debate not so much her preservation from the scrappers, but what will become of her remaining originality and the Heritage Trail filled with priceless Cunard artifacts that should never have left Cunard’s ownership. Will these new changes alter what we have all come to love about QE2 or could they somehow preserve the best of her while converting spaces and accommodation that would not be sorely missed. And then there is this statement from Khamis Juma Buamin, Chairman of Drydocks World and Martime World:
“A number of Asian cities have expressed interest in securing this historic attraction. We have firmed up with an international tourist city in the Far East as her first destination. The chosen city shares the passion of the partnership for preserving the history and reputation of this great ship that holds a special place in the collective memory of the many a million passengers that have sailed on her during nearly 40 years of service. The renovations and upgrades planned will respect and safeguard the immense heritage embodied in her fine lines and luxurious fittings.”
QE2 departs Los Angeles for the final time in 2008.
All indications are that her destiny will be Hong Kong, a city in need of hotel berths and the ironic final setting for QE2′s namesake, the QUEEN ELIZABETH of 1940, which burned and capsized while undergoing conversion to the SEAWISE UNIVERSITY in 1972.
Mr Daniel Chui, Managing Director, Oceanic Group, adds:
“The QE2 is starting the next exciting journey of her long and illustrious career. We feel truly privileged to be part of the consortium that will take responsibility of this incredibly important piece of maritime history. We are honored that we have been chosen to manage this project to restore a truly historical icon to the days of her former glory. We promise to give the world a truly spectacular attraction.”
Stern view of QE2 departing Los Angeles on her final visit in 2008.
For further information about the future of the QE2, please visit www.qe2hotels.com.
matt arruda
January 17, 2013 at 2:40 pm
good to hear about not being put to the breakers…but….asian floating hotels bring back memories of tacky interiors on the Oriana and the Augustus. look how those two ended up. i wish the London plan had worked out but we shall see.
Rob Lightbody
January 17, 2013 at 2:41 pm
I’ll believe it when I see it. Dubai have a rather poor record of announcing things that actually come true.
craig
January 17, 2013 at 2:56 pm
to be honest with you what ever goes to asia goes very wrong why asia has interest in qe2 i will never know its not going to bring tourist their as alot of people dont like them she should be in the uk on the thames where she belongs cunard should open their mouth turn her around and let her come home
asia for qe2 what a joke
desirod
January 17, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Running until 2014? My understanding is that when P&O took over Cunard, Peter Ratcliffe, the pres wanted QE2 out of the fleet ASAP.
There were cracks in her bridge wings so she could not run full speed across the Atlantic.
I sailed her in 2003, and she was having mechanical issues. Aircon was dodgy, and brown water came out of my hot water taps.
2 voyages later she lost all power and was adrift for 4 hours.
A few years later she popped a sea chest, and would have sank if not for the fancy footwork of the crew.
I think she retired just at the right time before a major mishap occured.
SOLAS would have put her out to pasture with all of her dead end corridors and partial deck coverage passenger stairwells.
Lofty Baker
January 17, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Having seen how the ‘Oriana’ eventually ended up in Asia, I dread to think what can happen to the QE2. When my old ship ( I was a baker on her 1962 ) was saved to Japan,, I thought it would be terific, but as we know she ended her proud career looking like a painted graffetti signboard in an amusment park, yuk. All the same promises where made about looking after her history, etc, but lets face it why would Japanese and Chinese people be the slightest bit interested in a British ship. Rule Brittania
Patrick Le BIhan
January 18, 2013 at 6:40 am
Well we will see if first she goes really to Dubai Drydock for hull check before a towing to the beach ??
Kenneth Eden
January 18, 2013 at 8:32 am
Two other e-mails were received on this heated subject.
I tend to agree with the comments above, Asian projects do often have very tacky results. Will there be a salute of sorts if the ship sails over her former namesake if Hong Kong is the plan? NOT>
I suppose one needs only critique the decor of most Chinese restaurants to assure a lack of taste in decor, at least, with regard to most western tastes. MY sentiment.
Whatever, wherever, however, and if ever, this is one hot topic, for a ship that probably is not even known of by 99.8% of the worlds populace.
Ed Bennett
January 18, 2013 at 8:39 am
Hi Peter,
I am hoping this is true. However, as you and I both know, things have a strange way of going wrong. I do not believe that she will ever see a day as a hotel. She will end up in the hands of the people in that area, they will start doing something and all of the sudden sold to scrappers because the investors will want instant gratification.
This has happened before with other great Ocean Liners and I do not trust them. She belongs in London where she will be safe.
Andrew
January 18, 2013 at 10:18 am
Well Patrick, she went into dry dock in Dubai yesterday morning.
As to the state of the ship in 2003, I can only say that on her penultimate cruise in 2008 the water was as clear as a bell, we went through the Straits of Gibraltar (and she left the Isle of Wight on her way to Dubai) at over 30 knots. She was being well maintained to the end, with the exception of a dirty bottom after three years without docking (and still managed that speed). The exterior paintwork, apart from the boot topping, was fine and I saw no cracks on the Bridge. Internally, she was in a better condition than the new Queen Elizabeth after her 2-week maiden voyage with numerous missing handrail caps, feet coming off the tables in the Queens Room, carpets splitting at the joins and, when the toilet flushed in the cabin without the suction working, I noticed that the clever Italian designers forgo to put a deck drain in the bathroom, so the water ended up in the cabin and in the corridor!
I thought that Cunard were going to run her for another 15 years, or 2023. After the refit she may well still be running after that.
Peter Knego
January 18, 2013 at 1:47 pm
From my understanding at the time, David, Cunard was going to do a SOLAS refit that would have kept her running for several years past 2010. And then Dubai popped up… All the best, Peter
Kenneth Eden
January 19, 2013 at 6:46 am
I look upon Peters stunning photographs, both interior and exterior, of the QE2. I personally have seen the many changes indide the ship, and the few to her exterior with many sailings.
Aside from the obvious motel addition, the suites, and the new stack, which I applauded then when the larger stack was added, still do now with her Cunard colors, as for the motel, it grew on me, although when first installed the outrage was overwhelming.
The very brief two class system was abolished, in fact, I sailed on one transatlantic where the class structure was abolished mid – crossing, and it has never retured. We were in first, and were pleased to see the “ropes” removed in all areas of the ship.
Some may lament the removal of her steam propultion, to less fuel guzzling engines. This revamping was to give the ship 25 years more life at sea. So were the new vacuum toilets (I despise them), new HVAC systems, refitted galleys and so forth.
Additionally, new furnishings were installed over the years, each refit merely a staging for what the ship was, a true liner. Hotels have major rennovations, a liner should not be exempted.
Interior fittings aside, the poor ship seemed stuck in a d’d if you do, d’d if you don’t situtation. For every new chair, color scheme – she had to compete with new purpose built cruise ships, not always of the highest in sophistication, save for the Royal Viking and Norwegian America Ships, perhaps, the memory of the SS FRANCE as NORWAY.
In any event, the she is on yet another journey, whatever that may be, and she will surely be redone again, in what way, if any, time will tell.
Peter, your latetst photos are brilliant, showcasing the QE2′s more recent rennovation inside. Two things I took great pleasure in seeing, the once horrid Mid Ships Lobby, that was never really used, with its drab forest green upholstery, compared to the new more restfuil digs that you have presented. And the Queens Room, the chairs are nice, I never liked the redo’s over the years, the original room was serene, ehterial in nature, with an aura that comforted and soothed ones senses. What ever happened to the bust of Her Majesty?
Whatever happens to the ship, the Dubai plans may seem benefiacial, the additions and all, we all must wait and bear this out.
The mashinations hopefully will have an good result, not one of evil.
steve
January 19, 2013 at 8:37 am
There is a new web sight up about here being a hotel, does look very good, lets hope it all works out
Shawn Dake
January 19, 2013 at 1:18 pm
Ken, The bust of Her Majesty from the Queens Room on QE2 is now aboard the new QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Paul Goodwin
January 20, 2013 at 8:56 am
The website is http://www.qe2hotels.com/ , I wouldn’t put too much credence into it, looks amateurish & rushed & is riddled with typos & grammatical errors & tells us very little beyond what we already know. I was surprised to learn though that in 1970 she set the record for fastest Atlantic crossing, and all these years I thought the Big U owned that one
matt arruda
January 20, 2013 at 10:43 am
maybe fastest time ever for a British flagged ship? there is no way she was faster than the big U.
Kenenth Eden
January 21, 2013 at 4:46 am
Lets not forget, or, let it be known to some that were unaware, that the SS ORIANA held the Golden Cockerel for fastest P&O liner, a worthy feat indeed.
Hank
January 21, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Okay, I looked it up. The record crossing they were talking about wasn’t the fastest record crossing ever, it was talking about the QE2′s fastest crossing ever of three days, 20 hours, 42 minutes. That’s only about 10 hours longer than the SSUS. However if the SSUS had been brought to full speed it could have beaten any previous record and left any fast liner behind, that being said, I was quite surprised to find out QE2 was able to make a crossing under 4 days. Just goes to show you how well built it is. So is it a factual error to say that QE2 crossed in three days, 20 hours, 42 minutes? No, I don’t think so. Although they need to declare that it was QE2′s record crossing and not an all-time record crossing. So I think it is factual.
Sources: Cruise Critic, the QE2 story forum
Hank
January 22, 2013 at 9:59 am
Yes, I got confirmation that QE2 crossed in under four days.
Sources: Rob Lightbody
Hank
January 22, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Main source: Michael Gallagher
Dave in NJ
January 22, 2013 at 8:38 pm
I was on several QE2 cruises, some before and some after the dieselization. I have a photo taken off the in-room TV which shows date (mont and day only, not year), latitude and longitude, and speed which in this photo was 32.6 knots. Unfortunately I don’t recall which cruise this was from but when need be, she was capable of good turn of speed.
Kenenth Eden
January 23, 2013 at 5:38 am
I agree with Dave abut the QE2 “she was capable of a good turn of speed”
She most certainly was, I doubt that anyone that actually sailed her would argue differently.
We always, by our travel agents suggestion, booked the ‘tween cruise, the one after Christmas/New Year, and prior to the world cruise. Rates were cheap, the ship not all that crowded, and the Caribbean just as lovely as always. We did, however, have to put up with January sailings to and from New York, often with snow on the deck and in the pools, and biting winds, since the cruises left from New York.
Typically, one day down, poof, off of Florida, and warm weather. To stand on the QE2′s decks, the first night out in a howling gale was more than refreshing, spray stung the face, suit or tux jackets blew up over ones head, and the ladies, well, lets say undies were exposed. Those were the days, when reducing speed was not the issue.
Home Lines eventually moved to Florida, with the advent of the fly cruise, yet, Cunard maintained the tradional New York sailings in Juanuary. French Line did as well.
Storms were not rare, huge ocean nor’easters, with waves towering over the Queens Grill. Once we lost a lifeboat, not a tender, to gigantic waves.
I wonder how the new ships will fair from New York, NORWEGIAN BREAKAWAY in particular, with New York winter sailings. We sailed CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE from Port Libery NJ a year ago and had some motion in relatively tame seas.
On a true comparo, we have sailed with grave seas on the QUEEN MARY2 and have never noticed even a ripples worth of motion, from New York, Hamburg and Southampton.
Alan Mackenzie
January 23, 2013 at 6:16 am
Looking at the QE-2 Hotel website, I was amused to see that, amongst other facilities, it is apparently also planned that she should have mice! Wonder what happened to the rats and cockroaches? Maybe they went on strike when she went to Dubai, haha!
Peter Kohler
January 23, 2013 at 9:17 am
Whilst I can appreciate no one wishing to see what happened to ORIANA befall QE2, I don’t think one can ascribe “tacky refits” solely to Asians. Afterall, it was generations of Cunard “management” that destroyed most of QE2′s stunning and original interiors over the years… you can’t blame “Tables of the World” on Orientals or suggest gutting the amazing Midships Lobby, Look-Out Bar, Midships Bar, Q4 Room, Columbia Restaurant etc and replacing them with boring, hotelesque faux “deco” rooms one finds on any cruise ship is the fault of anyone but Cunard over the years in their infinite wisdom.
The real tacky is QE2 right this very minute, neither original or vaguely authentic and “historic” only in her achievements not 80 per cent of her interiors. QE2 was an instant icon of Pop 60s Britain at its most original and amazing, now she’s a moldering idle cruise ship with stick on formica “wood” panelling and a few Cunard “heritage” gee-gaws.
Joseph Sturges
January 23, 2013 at 11:30 am
How many wonderful ships in the past have had plans to be towed somewhere and converted into a hotel? Despite her acknowledged celebrity, if a company hasn’t done this before, despite their reputation, I am massively skeptical. A liner is like no other conversion attempted by man.
I’ll believe it when it happens.
Joe Sturges
Hank
January 23, 2013 at 7:31 pm
I can think of three or four examples of liners being converted to hotels. QUEEN MARY, ROTTERDAM, GREAT BRITAIN, and HIKAWA MARU coming to mind. But those are far and few in between. It is such work to preserve a ship. Most hotel ship schemes fall by the wayside:
ORIANA (1986-2005)
AMERICA (1994)
CANBERRA (1997)
BRITANIS (2000)
GRIPSHOLM (2000)
FRANCE/NORWAY(2004-2008)
WINDSOR CASTLE (2004)
EMPRESS OF BRITAIN (2008)
SAN GIORGIO (2010-2011)
AUGUSTUS (2011)
I must note that the ORIANA could have survived (though not with a popular decor) had the hurricane not knocked her out.
Hank
January 23, 2013 at 7:31 pm
I agree. I’ll believe it when I see it. But one can hope.
Kenenth Eden
January 24, 2013 at 6:08 am
Peter Kohler
Yes, the amazing rennovation of the QE2 were often a sight to behold. True the Mid Ships Lobby was gutted, perhaps on paper it made sense, since it never seemed to be of use while I sailed the ship, except when the god-awful pictures were displayed of the site of the ANTILLES that wre proped on easels. Tacky.
Another rueful area, the Double Up Double Down Room. Built for two class use, the upper level, with extremely limited view to the level below, with the level below to narrow and closed in, was horrid. The sweeping stair way saw many passengers fall, in fact, I saw one man fall off the stairs into the cactus garden – ouch! The cacti were promptly removed, and for several sailings, a plot of dirt was all that remained, to be replaced or worse, saw the placement of plastic plants, which, some passengers deemed worthy of melting the leaves with their cigarettes. As for the original cacti, passengers would stand on the upper level and pour thie remnants of their cocktail down onto the plants. Same done to the plastics, only they just got sticky and full of burn holes.
Once, the Upper level was transformed into a very tacky and shoddy boutique area, with crappy tenting and privacy curtains complete with glaring red, green, blue flashing lights. Another time, it became a computer lab for passengers. Just disgraceful.
Perhaps the worst redo of all time for me was the rennovation of the SS DORIC to the ROYAL ODYSSEY. And, that is truly another story entirely.
Clive Harvey
January 24, 2013 at 11:12 am
Hank, there is something amiss with your list of ships: the Great Britain does not operate as an hotel and neither, I believe, does the Hikawa Maru. Likewise, I do not believe there was ever any plan to turn Canberra into an hotel. Certainly there were many cries for her preservation but her sale to the breakers was P&O’s intention and not because of any failed hotel ship project. I am also unaware of any real plans for either Windsor Castle or the former Empress of Britain to be employed in such roles. Again, people may have talked about their hopes and dreams for such schemes but there was never any real substance to them – no money, no location agreed for the ship/s, no plan on how to market the project.
Barry Evetts
January 24, 2013 at 11:33 am
Interesting that Hong Kong is mentioned as a potential home for QE2 as a floating hotel. As I recall from the time I lived there during the late 1970′s and through to the 90′s, several schemes were mooted for floating hotels – some on a relatively short term basis – but all were turned down by the Hong Kong Government Marine Department because of the risk of damage during the typhoon season – which of course, as others have stated, was the fate that eventually befell (to say nothing of what was done by the Chinese over the years to her interior fittings) the ORIANA in the northern Chinese port of Dalien.
Hank
January 24, 2013 at 6:45 pm
The HIKAWA MARU and GREAT BRITAIN should have been listed as museum ships or not listed at all. My apologies. The CANBERRA bit was something Reuben Goossens said about a failed plan to bring the ship to Australia. He said P&O sold it to the scrappers but the money was there. Maybe he was wrong, but this is a list of proposals or failed hotel projects and it fit the criteria. The WINDSOR CASTLE had plans for preservation but it got nowhere. There was no money up front and all talk. I remember listening to a Cruising Authority interview with Peter Knego who said he had people contact him to put him in touch with people and they were “Crooked.” (correct me if I’ve misquoted you Peter) And that’s what this list is about. Failed hotel schemes. Plans for preservation. Some had money, some had nothing at just dreams. That is why they are on the list. If I excluded them on the list on the basis of “it was just a dream,” there wouldn’t have been a list for me to make (I love lists!). Perhaps my definition of failed hotel schemes is more broad than your definition is. You are the successful author. I realize you have a better understanding of this. I’ve written a book (self published) and am working on a second one (sending it to a publishing company) when I get it done and if they accept it). So I am familiar with your work. Although I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read any. I would use it for research as a source and get your permission, but I don’t have money to buy. And besides, I’m worried about somebody filing a lawsuit despite the fact that everything I write is original research (I list my sources for research but have OCD and can worry about meaningless things), but I have author friends, so I know what I’m doing (curse OCD) Or are you not the author Clive Harvey? Wrong Clive in that case, although I assume you are. How many liner loving Clive Harvey’s are there?
Hank
January 24, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I hope that wasn’t too much for anyone here. I went into way too long of an explanation and kind of rantish… So my apologies if it seems like that.
Lofty Baker
January 24, 2013 at 7:54 pm
Kai Tak & QE2 ?????
Makes sence that the QE2 could not only be a good attraction but a standby hotel as you wait for your cruise in Hong Kong.
Read Below…
Cruise executives take a sneak look at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
Some 90 local and international cruise professionals got a sneak preview of the upcoming Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
This highpoint on the fringes of the Seatrade Hong Kong Cruise Forum included a briefing and tour of the almost one km long terminal apron, still under construction.
The Hong Kong government is developing what promises to be an iconic terminal at the site of the former Kai Tak airport runway. It will have two alongside berths, which can accommodate two ships of 360mtr length simultaneously or three smaller ones.
There is no air draft restriction and its CIQ should be able to clear 3,000 passengers per hour.
Some executives were also pleased to hear the baggage system will not be mechanized (as such systems can sometimes have massive teething problems in their experience).
Site formation works commenced in November 2009. Today there were some 2,500 workers on site beavering away on the first 850mtr long berth, planned to be operational in June this year. They are currently preparing for a fire security inspection next week.
The second berth will be commissioned in 2014 and will also be able to accommodate the largest cruise vessels in 2015, afterdredging works at the seabed are completed.
When completed the terminal will have a massive roof garden the size of four football fields. It affords a 360 degree view of Hong Kong’s scenic Victoria Harbour. The building also includes energy-saving features.
The consensus of the onlooking cruise execs, was it was well worth the visit.
Clive Harvey
January 25, 2013 at 1:55 am
Hank, OK, so your list was what might be described as being ‘rather broad-brush’ in its concept.
The fact that you “like lists” explains a lot.
I have no idea at all what OCD is.
Yes, I am the liner-loving author Clive Harvey – could the world really cope with more than one?????
I’m disappointed to think that you know of me and my books and yet have not read any
I’m amazed and bewildered by the fact that you feel worried having written a book for fear of anyone filing a lawsuit. Just think, if everyone felt that way then no one would ever do anything at all; no books written, no plays or films produced, no music composed or recorded, in fact all creativity stifled.
Back to the ships: there have been many foolish and misguided schemes to preserve redundant liners but there have been successful ones to, you did not mention the cargo/passenger liner Cap San Diego, which acts as hotel and museum and also occasionally still goes to sea or at least along the river Elbe.
Yes you are right, it is such work to preserve a ship and that is the simple fact why, regardless of how good a scheme might initially appear, most never see the light of day. You cannot just buy an old liner, tie her up somewhere and just expect that the public will turn up. It is the creation of the right environment in which to support and showcase the ship that costs the money, quite apart from the sensitive transformation of the ship into a static venue.
Hank
January 25, 2013 at 10:30 am
Sorry I haven’t read your books, Clive. When I said I knew you, I was trying to say I knew about your books even though I haven’t gotten to try them yet. It’s on my to do list!
I looked to see if the county library system has it, but no luck, although for a land-locked state there are a substantial number in the system. I’m surprised how many liner books we have (even excluding Titanic). My one complaint is we need more, but it was nice to know we have a selection. I found them on Amazon! The problem was I had a Barnes and Noble gift card. Everything at B&N is over priced. It’s not worth the hassle. I think when I get some money I will need to read the Saga Sisters or Cruise Britannia. Those are the ones in my price range. The QE and NORMANDIE books look nice but are $75+ and are either out of print or coffee table books (Best Kind!). I would get one of the $75+ books. But January is post-Christmas Cash crunch. So when I get some money I will get the Saga Sisters or Cruise Britannia and shoot for something else later.
I did leave out the CAP SAN DIEGO. I don’t know why. That is a very nice ship. I’ve only seen photo tours, but would love to visit her when I can. It is just interesting to see which liners survive so long and get preserved and which ones do not. I’m glad we have the ones we have. They are all pretty historic. I think the BRAZIL MARU and ANCERVILLE are also with us in the People’s Republic of China, although I don’t know if they are being used as hotels. The ANCERVILLE is the easy one to find out. I don’t have time to look it up because I’m in class and have just enough time to send this. The BRAZIL MARU lives kind of a mysterious life. There are reports that say she was scrapped in the 90′s but some others said it turns out she escaped the scrappers and is being used by the Chinese. It was apparently stated to be in Guangdong, Zhanjiang and I went to Google Earth and saw zoomed in to see a ship that looked like her. I wish the image was better, but it looked like the BRAZIL MARU. It is difficult for me to solve the mystery on that one.
Links: http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/brazil-maru/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museum_ships
HMY BRITANNIA is also preserved, but it is a Royal Yacht, not a liner. It just looks cute.
Good talking with you Clive! I gtg!
Charles R. Sears II
January 28, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I sincerely hope that this plan comes to pass. I would rather that Cunard or some other line bought her and put her back into service for around the world voyages and/or other lengthy cruises of several weeks to months. There is still a demand for that sort of high end cruise. I was privileged to have done two trans-Atlantic crossings on her and that added to my total of 3 in my 61 years. I was on the SS United States when I was a child and went to Europe with my mother.I do not remember that crossing..except that I disappeared and everyone on the ship was looking or me. I was in a closet. I must have caught the cruise bug though..I have since done almost 40 cruises of different lengths.I really hope the new owners preserve the QE2 and take care of her..she is special to me.
Clive Harvey
January 29, 2013 at 7:22 am
Charles, I am bewildered; why would Cunard want to buy the QE2? They sold her and have three ships that can offer round the world voyages and other lengthy cruises! I agree, there is a demand for such cruises, after all each winter there are several ships operating 3 month long world voyages and even through out the year there are many ships operating cruises of several weeks duration.
Hank -to Clive
January 31, 2013 at 2:25 pm
Clive,
Apparently I was familiar with your work. I was reading one of the books I’ve bought within the past few years. The title was the SAXONIA sisters. I glanced on the title and realized your name was on it. I knew it had your name, but had completely forgotten about it…Is Carmania Press even in existence anymore?
Clive Harvey
February 1, 2013 at 1:28 am
Hank, yes, Carmania Press is certainly still in existence and has published many fine books since I wrote The Saxonia Sisters.
Stephen
February 7, 2013 at 10:51 pm
Is there any update or pics of the dry docking?
paul
February 13, 2013 at 1:28 pm
dont you mean cunard should open there pocket well i mean carnival what a good profit sold for 100million and they could have got it back for 20million cheaper than building a new hotel