qe2 luxury cruise liner

Vintage photos show the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship in its heyday during the 1960s and 1970s

• The Queen Elizabeth 2 was a luxury cruise liner launched in 1967.
• When it completed its maiden voyage in 1969, the QE2 was a marvel of modern cruising and design.
• The ship was retired in 2008 and later turned into a luxury hotel in Dubai.

Named for Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship is remembered as one of the most luxurious ships to ever sail the sea.

The ship was launched on September 20, 1967, by Queen Elizabeth herself, and it completed her maiden voyage the following year. 

Here's a look back at what the Queen Elizabeth 2 looked like when it first launched and during its heyday during the 1960s and '70s.

The Queen Elizabeth 2 was a British ocean liner and cruise ship that set new standards in luxury travel.

The Queen Elizabeth 2, or QE2, was launched on September 20, 1967. It cost £30 million, or $36.5 million, to build, according to Royal Museums Greenwich .

"There are no ships like it today, quite frankly," Andy Dinsdale, a former cruise director on the QE2, told Condé Nast Travel in 2021. "She was the fastest ship of her type in the world at that time. You look at the ships nowadays, they're all sky rises on ship bases. The QE2 was sleek, she was slim. She was made to cut through the ocean waves and she did it beautifully — fast and elegantly."

While flying was becoming an increasingly popular way to travel, cruising was still a way to cross the Atlantic for many people.

The ship was built by John Brown & Company of Clydebank, Scotland, for the Cunard Line.

It measured 963 feet long, which is 80 feet longer than the infamous Titanic that sailed in 1912. The QE2 weighed 65,863 tons and was fitted to carry 2,000 passengers. 

The ship was named after Queen Elizabeth II, who attended its launch.

In the photo above, Queen Elizabeth II and John Rannie, the managing director of the Clydebank shipyard, can be seen attending the launch of the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Roughly 30,000 spectators attended the ceremony and a bottle of Australian wine was smashed against the ship's bow. 

The ship completed her full maiden voyage in May 1969, after her maiden voyage in December 1968 was cut short due to turbine trouble.

For her maiden voyage, the QE2 sailed between Southampton, England, and New York. The voyage lasted about four days. 

Designed by Dennis Lennon, the ship's interiors were perfectly in keeping with the funky, modern design styles of the 1960s.

The photo above shows the interior of the Queen's Room, a large reception and dining area, on the QE2 in 1969.

The room featured carpeting and modernist furnishings that epitomized style and luxury at the time, which appeared inspired by the aesthetic of the jet and space age, The RIBA Journal reported.

Cruise liners like the QE2 set a new standard for luxury travel.

Above, passengers converse in the VIP lounge aboard the QE2 luxury liner in 1969.

The ship had a number of different dining rooms, which were seated according to which class ticket a passenger held, according to Condé Naste Travel. Afternoon tea took place each day with white-glove service, or guests could enjoy a cocktail at the piano bar.

The ship also offered guests the opportunity to attend classical music or jazz orchestra performances, take ballroom-dance classes, or attend lectures given by prominent filmmakers. 

There were multiple restaurants on board the QE2, including the Britannia Restaurant, which is still on board the ship today, and the Columbia Restaurant.

It was also typical for people to dress in suits, cocktail dresses, and gowns to eat dinner — something you rarely see on cruise ships today .

A photo of a recent menu that recreated the one served during the maiden voyage of the QE2 showed that guests dined on dishes like pan-seared scallops, fois gras parfait, halibut, and lamb. 

Many celebrities sailed on the QE2 during the height of its fame.

Actress Elizabeth Taylor and her husband Richard Burton sailed aboard the ship in 1970.

Audrey Hepburn, Carrie Fisher, Jane Seymour, and Meryl Streep are just a few other notable celebrities who have sailed on the QE2, according to Cunard.

By the 1970s, many of the modernist, space-age-inspired furnishings of '60s were replaced with simpler styles.

In 1972, the QE2 was refitted for the first time, and many of the original interior-design elements were removed. 

"In its original condition, which only lasted for three years, it was one of the great unsung masterpieces of the post-war era," Bruce Peter, a professor of design history at the Glasgow School of Art, told The RIBA Journal in 2018.

The cabins were still luxurious and spacious, but not as striking as they were when the ship first launched.

In the photo above, an employee makes the bed of one of the ship's cabins in 1975.

In the early 1970s, some of the ship's lounge areas were turned into restaurants and a casino in order to be more lucrative for the ship's owners.

As The RIBA Journal reported, "wear and tear" was another reason for the ship's redesign, thanks to years of cigarette smoke and the natural deterioration of the furnishings due to the thousands of passengers that sailed the ship during its first three years at sea.

In 1975, the QE2 set sail from Southampton on her first world cruise.

The ship sailed 38,000 miles and visited 23 ports in 92 days. The QE2 would go on to complete 25 world cruises during her career.

While the ship looks drastically different than many modern, luxury cruise lines of today, it still gave its passengers plenty of space to lounge, relax, and soak up the sun.

The photo above shows the original pool deck aboard the QE2. The original pool, where aqua aerobics classes once took place, is still there today.

In April 1982, the QE2 was briefly used as a troopship to carry members of the British military to the Falkland Islands during the war with Argentina.

The ship sailed to South Georgia with 3,000 troops aboard, and it arrived back in Southampton in June 1982. 

Throughout her life as an operating cruise liner, the QE2 traveled more than 6 million miles and carried more than 2.5 million passengers.

The ship was officially retired and sold in 2008. 

In 2018, after millions of dollars was spent refurbishing and restoring the ship to its former glory, the QE2 opened as a luxury hotel in Dubai. 

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What It Was Like to Cross the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth 2

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In the last decade, cruising has grown immensely , with hundreds of ships regularly ferrying passengers to nearly every corner of the globe: from Miami to the Caribbean, around the Cape Peninsula, through the Panama Canal, up and down the Mediterranean Sea. There’s a route, and a cruise line , for every type of traveler. But for many seasoned cruisers, one ship, and one iconic route, will always stand out as the crown jewel: Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 , more affectionately known as the QE2 .

In operation from 1969 to 2008, the QE2 brought the rich and famous— Neil Diamond, Nelson Mandela, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, and several members of the Royal Family among them—from New York to Southampton, England, and vice versa. The ocean liner was a luxurious—and for some, less nerve-wracking—way to cross the Atlantic, and, at one time, was the only way to do so by sea.

When she was finally taken out of service, and eventually brought to Dubai to be turned into a floating hotel , crew and former passengers alike were “distraught.” We spoke to some of those former crew members and guests to find out what it was like to be on board, and what exactly made the ocean liner so alluring.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Sleek, streamlined, and elegant

The QE2 ’s design stands in stark contrast to the ships most travelers see today. “There are no ships like it today, quite frankly,” says Andy Dinsdale, a former cruise director on the QE2 . “She was the fastest ship of her type in the world at that time. You look at the ships nowadays, they're all sky rises on ship bases. The QE2 was sleek, she was slim. She was made to cut through the ocean waves and she did it beautifully—fast and elegantly.”

Tim Davey, who worked as a crew purser and hotel officer onboard the QE2 in the early 90s, echoes the importance of the ship's design. “This thing had some really sexy shapes about it, you know? It was well maintained, always immaculate. And it was the pride and joy of Cunard every time it came into port. You knew you were on something special, whether you were a passenger, or a crew member.”

When she first came into service, the QE2 had a slick modern '70s “space-age-y” design, Dinsdale says. Public spaces were decorated with plastic laminates, modular furniture, and abstract art. Over the years, refurbishments led to a slightly more grandiose aesthetic, but many original structural elements remained.

Christian Reay , who sailed as a passenger in early 2007 and has since been on 17 cruises, said in an email that he remembers the ship’s “sleek, yacht-like” design, the “intricate ceilings and space-age pillars” of The Queen’s Room, where afternoon tea was served, as well as “her funnel in the traditional Cunard red and black livery, and the beautifully tiered aft decks and superstructure.” 

“I still remember being in the taxi, approaching the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal at Southampton docks, and seeing QE2 for the first time, and being completely in awe,” Reay said.

The interior of the Queen's Room, where afternoon tea was served and cocktail parties were hosted, 1969

A dining experience ‘second-to-none’

Guests on the QE2 dined according to the tier of room they paid for. Still, though, the food in any dining room was considered five-star. “From top to bottom—even if you're in the Columbia Dining Room, which was for those in the lower cabins, the food and the experience were still magic,” Davey says.

Drinks were a given, too. “The cocktail waiters were just magnificent. I've never seen mixologists like that before,” Dinsdale says.

Former guests concur. “No midnight buffet has ever been the same since,” Benedict Montgomery , who sailed with his family around the Norwegian Fjords aboard the QE2 in 2006, said in an email. “From elaborate ice sculptures to fresh oysters and lobster to whatever your heart desired, there was so much choice.”

British traditions were a highlight, too. “Afternoon Tea took place each day, promptly at 3 p.m., and it was an event not to be missed,” Reay says. “Immaculate white gloved waiter service, and a vast selection of finger sandwiches, cakes, French fancies, and scones with jam and clotted cream.” Altogether, “The dining experience was second to none,” he says.

Passengers in a VIP lounge during the QE2's first year of service, 1969

An elaborate event

Entertainment abounded on the QE2 , especially for Atlantic crossings. Guests could enjoy a drink at the piano bar, listen to classical music or jazz orchestras, practice ballroom dancing, or attend lectures given by filmmakers, former Concorde pilots , and more. “When you're doing a five day transatlantic, you want to know that you're going to have the opportunity to meet a famous author and do some education across the pond as well,” Davey says.

Occasionally, a themed cruise would be on offer, sailing with soap opera stars, former Olympians, or comedians. Beyond the notable names, guests mingled with one another—“The QE2 had this way of attracting people from all around the world who would come to sail on here, so there were always interesting people around,” Davey says. And guests dressed for the occasion, wearing suits and gowns to dinners. “You were really going on the QE2 to be part of an elaborate event, and it made it special.”

Luxury from start to finish

Also unique to the QE2 ? Its partnerships with other luxury modes of travel at the time. Packages were available to allow guests to travel on the Orient-Express train to Southampton, sail over to America, stay a night or two at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, then fly a chartered Concorde plane back to London. “That means of traveling the world—you’re going in the lap of luxury on all three” modes of transport, Dinsdale says.

Janice Jeffery, who took the Concorde to Singapore on her 21st birthday while working for Cunard, and arranged these packages for guests, says the experiences helped to put the cruise line back on the map.

“Now I meet people, and they always say, ‘my big regret was I never did Concorde and I never did QE2 ’ because they were iconic," she says. "I don't think we'll see anything like that again. There are too many ships and too many planes.”

Sailing out of New York, 2008 

A warm welcome

In the QE2 ’s heyday, world cruises were still somewhat of a novelty—so much so that locals would crowd into ports to see the ocean liner coming in. Jeffery and Davey recall hundreds of small sailing boats and motor vessels that would sail in with them in ports like Rio de Janeiro and Sydney , and the excited crowds that would greet them, lining the decks as they sailed into places like South Africa ’s Port Elizabeth.

Davey remembers sailing into New Zealand , “and just the flotilla of boats that would come and greet you and sail into the harbor with you was amazing.” Stateside, locals would stand on their balconies around Fort Lauderdale ’s port with air horns and flashlights. ”The captain would sound the QE2 horn three times, and then they would all answer with their horns. And it became a ritual sailing out of Fort Lauderdale,” he says.

The end of an era

The nostalgia for the QE2 is evident, carved out of her long history, penchant for carrying notable guests, and white glove service. "It reminded people of a bygone era which sadly none of us will ever experience again,” Montgomery, who has since sailed on 13 more cruises, says of the fanfare over the liner. “She evoked a lot of real love in passengers and crew,” says Jeffery.

With 1,800 passengers and 1,200 crew, there was much more attention paid to each guest, too. “It didn't matter what level of cabin you were in, you were treated like royalty,” Davey says. Montgomery, who sailed at age 11, recalls the wait staff “always went out of their way to ensure a fussy child, like I was, enjoyed the experience.”

That level of service is at the core of the QE2 ’s legacy. “Why do [travelers] go to The Savoy in London? Why do they go to The Ritz ? They want to have that feeling of being looked after in a way that the Romantic era of the Victorians were,” Dinsdale says.

While cruisers can no longer experience a transatlantic crossing or world cruise on the famed liner, they can still spend a night on board , docked in Dubai's Port Rashid; former crew say she’s been well looked after, too. Says Davey: “If you have that hankering to go and see the traditional old lady, you still can, and that's a great way for it to end up.”

A Legendary Ocean Liner Is Rechristened as Dubai’s Most Unusual Hotel

The retired “queen elizabeth 2,” permanently moored in mina rashid, has debuted as a 224-room floating resort..

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A part of the Dubai skyline since 2008, the “Queen Elizabeth 2” is now the city’s newest novelty hotel.

Courtesy of Queen Elizabeth 2

Dubai does glam tourism like few other cities. There’s a mall with a ski slope blanketed in faux snow, an 18-acre flower garden with 45 million blooms, and the world’s tallest performing fountain. This year, we add to the list the world’s most famous retired cruise liner, newly remade as a permanently moored hotel.

Still getting up to speed after a limited launch last month, the Queen Elizabeth 2 hotel will see an official grand opening in October, with 224 thoroughly remodeled and modernized rooms and suites, more than a dozen bars and restaurants, a shopping promenade, and a movie theater.

The QE2’s staterooms are bright and modern, but retain some classic nautical features.

After 39 years of transatlantic service, the 963-foot-long Queen Elizabeth 2 steamed into Mina Rashid in 2008 and embarked on a 10-year, on-again/off-again renovation. The project mimics the hotel transformation of the RMS Queen Mary , which sailed on the Cunard Line between 1936 and 1967 (minus a stint as an Allied troop carrier during World War II). Permanently stationed in Long Beach, California, that famous ship is now a 355-room tourist resort and museum.

In its heyday, the QE2 accommodated some 1,900 passengers, served by 1,000 crew members.

QE2 hotel booking is open now, with standard rooms coming in under the AED700 mark (about US$190), so despite its regal reputation, Dubai’s floating Parent Trap is no rival to the Burj al Arab Jumeirah . Only five dining venues are presently open, including the Golden Lion pub, the topside Yacht Club, and, when you’re in the mood for a good Beef Wellington, the posh Queens Grill, once frequented by the ship’s royal namesake. If you want the full QE2 effect, you’ll have to wait until October. >> Next: The Best Cruise Lines You’ve Never Heard Of

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Timeline: a look back at the life of the QE2

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the iconic QE2 cruise liner. Now moored as a floating hotel in Dubai’s Port Rashid, we look back at her colourful history, from playing a pivotal role in the Falklands conflict to surviving 95ft rogue waves.

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By the time the QE2 left the docks of Southampton in late 2008 – for what would be her final ever voyage – she had sailed over six million nautical miles and hosted 2.5 million passengers over a 39-year career.

It brought to a close what had been a colourful history. Over the years, the iconic liner counted amongst its well-heeled patrons various members of the British royal family, as well as Nelson Mandela, Elizabeth Taylor and George Harrison.

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Across its lifetime, the QE2 also encountered bomb threats; played a role in the Falklands conflict; rescued 500 passengers from a burning naval ship; and survived a 95ft rogue wave – all before finally being decommissioned and sold to become a floating hotel in Dubai in the year of the great recession.

Then the story went cold. Years passed and many wondered whether the QE2, moored and inactive the Gulf city state, would ever see life again. Rumours persisted of those hotel conversion plans having fallen through; instead, it appeared, she was doomed for the scrapyard.

But in a case of better late than never, the QE2 did finally open its doors as a hotel on Port Rashid in 2018, and this year celebrated its 50th birthday.

Thankfully, the property doffs its cap to its heritage, its refurbishments based on the ship’s original design, from its porthole windows and artwork to carpets and even restaurant menus.

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That said, in its stationary capacity, it is doubtful the QE2 will ever lead such an evocative existence as she did on the high seas. Below is a timeline of the liner’s most memorable moments.

2 May 1969: the maiden voyage

The Cunard liner embarks on her maiden transatlantic voyage. Despite persistent rain, well-wishers descend upon the port of Southampton – amid a sea of balloons and streamers – to wave the ship off from her berth towards New York.

Carrying 1,400 passengers and a 928-strong crew, the QE2 arrives in Manhattan exactly four days, 16 hours and 35 minutes later, making her the world’s fastest passenger ship.

8 January 1971: the rescue of the Antilles

While passing through the Caribbean, the QE2 rescues passengers from Antilles, a French liner, which had run aground on fire close to Mustique.

Braving heavy seas and strong winds in the middle of the night, the liner successfully conducts the transfer aboard of 501 Antilles passengers from the beaches of the tiny island.

17 May 1972: bomb threats and a hoax

En route from Southampton to New York, the QE2 receives a bomb threat as part of a ransom demand. SAS and bomb disposal officers are scrambled to the middle of the Atlantic.

While the threat is soon proven by the FBI to be a hoax – played a by a New York shoe salesman – the episode serves as a valuable lesson in interservice cooperation and maritime security.

April 1973: panic as Gaddafi threatens attack

The liner sets sail for Haifa to mark the 25 th anniversary of the state of Israel, with Jewish passengers invited to celebrate Passover festivities onboard.

The QE2, however, soon finds itself at the centre of an international diplomatic crisis, with Libya’s leader Colonel Gaddafi threating to attack the ship in retaliation for Israel’s downing of a Libyan aircraft. The threat is taken seriously with 26 specially-trained commandos brought in to join the cruise.

The incident has been subject to much speculation since. Some historians credit Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat with talking Gaddafi down from carrying out his threat.

25 March 1975: Through the Panama canal with a foot to spare

The QE2 makes its first passage through the Panama Canal. With less than a foot to spare as it passes through the canal locks, it is the biggest ship ever to pass through the famous canal.

May 1982: QE2 turned troop carrier

As conflict escalates in the Falklands between British and Argentinian forces, the QE2 is requisitioned from cruising duties by Margaret Thatcher’s government in order to transport 3,000 troops to the South Atlantic. They are joined 650 volunteers belonging to the Cunard crew.

In anticipation of service, much of the liner is reinforced with steel plating, while two helicopter pads are installed. It arrives back in Southampton June 11, on the whole unscathed.

11 September 1995: 95ft waves strike

While in the North Atlantic, roughly 200 miles south of eastern Newfoundland, the QE2 runs into a rampaging Hurricane Luis.

While passengers are ordered to remain in their quarters, the ship’s bow is hit by a 95ft rogue wave at around 4am. From the vantage point of the bridge, the wave is akin to a large wall of water, leading Captain Ronald Warwick to comment later: “It looked as though the ship was headed for the white cliffs of Dover.”

2007-2008: time to retire

In June 2007, Carnival, the Cunard Line’s owner, announces the QE2 is to be retired from service. The move is attributed to incoming regulations, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which would necessitate large and expensive levels of retrofitting to the vessel.

That same month, the vessel is bought for £50 million by Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World, which reveals plans for it to become a luxury floating hotel in the city state.

A farewell voyage is pencilled in for the following year, with the QE2 leaving Southampton docks for the final time on November 11, 2008, bound for the Gulf.

18 April 2018: rest in peace, luxury floating hotel

After almost a decade of being moored at Dubai’s Port Rashid, in which it has remained inactive, the QE2 finally opens its doors as a luxury floating hotel.

According to owner PCFC Hotels, the renovation has brought the ship “back to life”, while retaining several of its original features, including porthole windows and paintings.

The launch puts to bed years of rumours in which the QE2 was supposedly bound for a Chinese scrapyard. Former London Mayor Boris Johnson is also said to have given his backing, whilst in office, for the QE2 to be returned “home” to the UK capital.

2 May 2019: The QE2 celebrates its 50 th birthday

To celebrate its anniversary, the QE2 puts on a show with a selection of theatre experiences and gala dinners. Cunard also launches the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship – the youngest vessel in its fleet – on a 17-night Mediterranean voyage, starting from Southampton, UK. Guests and former QE2 captains enjoy historical talks, gatherings of past passengers, and even QE2-inspired menus and quizzes.

“When QE2 came into service in the 1960s, many critics said she wouldn’t last a decade in the age of the jet, but her unique design as a dual-purpose ship meant that she was versatile enough to operate both as a transatlantic liner and a cruise ship,” said Cunard vice-president Angus Struthers prior to the voyage.

Ian McNaught, the last captain to ever set a course on the QE2, payed a fitting tribute to the perennial cruise liner: “QE2 has been gone for nearly a decade now, however on her 50th anniversary the memory of her is still strong.”

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Explore the Logs of Every Sailing of the Revered QE2 Ocean Liner on This Interactive Website

By Zac Thompson

01/03/2022, 12:45 PM

During its 40 years in service starting in 1968, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner sailed a total of nearly 6 million miles, stopping at 312 ports around the world and crossing the Atlantic Ocean 805 times. 

Now permanently docked in Dubai , the QE2, as it's commonly known, has been transformed into a 13-deck, 215-room floating hotel in the city's Port Rashid district.

But you don't have to go to the United Arab Emirates to delve into the ship's storied past, thanks to an absorbing online project created by a former captain of the QE2 and his son. 

According to The Telegraph , Commodore Ron Warwick, who captained the vessel from 1990 to 2003, and his son, Sam, an IT consultant and author, have worked for more than two decades to log every single one of the QE2's voyages, from the sea trials in 1968—when Ron's father, William, served as the ship's first captain—to the farewell cruise around the world in 2008 (the ship's approach to Fremantle, Australia, during that trip is pictured above).

The result of the Warwicks' painstaking labor is the QE2 Abstract Log , an exhaustive record of the ship's 232,129.02 hours at sea. 

The data, compiled from more than 16,000 entries in log books as well as captains' diaries, public records, and documents from the Cunard Archive at the University of Liverpool, is estimated to be at least 99.5% accurate, according to the website.

The info is interactive, too. You can search for specific voyages —perhaps to jog your memory with the details of a past vacation—or scroll through annual reports detailing how far the ship sailed, where it went, and what happened on board for each year the QE2 was active.

The list of notable events at the end of each annual report is perhaps the site's most fascinating feature, especially given the terse, matter-of-fact way that strange incidents, A-list passengers, and even big geopolitical conflicts are notated.

Amid entries for engine trouble, birthday celebrations, and rescues of people who fell overboard, you'll suddenly find intriguing jottings such as " Jellyfish breakdown off Trinidad " (March 5, 1971), " Princess Diana visit off Cowes " (April 29, 1987), " Lost racing pigeon " (June 25, 2000), the alarming " Crew rampage - damaged tapestries " (April 13, 2005), and, when the QE2 was briefly used to transport British soldiers, " Requisitioned for Falklands War " (May 3, 1982). 

Site users can also peruse stats about the ship's 25 captains and the most-visited ports. If you have additional details to share about the QE2, you're invited to submit info via the website's contact page .  

Cunard, for its part, still offers transatlantic journeys aboard the Queen Mary 2, which travels between New York City and Southampton in the U.K.—though New York service is temporarily disrupted  due to the Omicron surge.

To experience the Queen Mary 2 virtually, you can watch Steven Soderbergh's  Let Them All Talk on HBO Max. Much of the film, which stars Meryl Streep as a famous author on a trip with lifelong friends, was shot on board the ship during a regular transatlantic voyage in 2019.

Then, of course, there's the original Queen Mary . Put out of commission in 1967, it was turned into a tourist attraction and later a hotel in Long Beach, California, but access to the moldering vessel is currently barred to the public as city officials try to figure out how to come up with the millions of dollars needed for repairs.  

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Luxury liner QE2 reopens as floating hotel in Dubai

DUBAI (REUTERS) - The Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) ocean liner has been given a new lease of life as a floating hotel in Dubai, 10 years after the Gulf Arab emirate bought it for US$100 million (S$130 million).

State-owned Dubai World bought the QE2 from Cunard Line in 2007, but the 2008 financial crisis delayed any plans for the 40-year-old vessel, one of the world's most famous ships.

Now the QE2, permanently moored at Mina Rashid port, has been refurbished based on the original design, from its carpets to the theatre and even restaurant menus featuring dishes served in the liner's heyday.

A reception housed in a boat-shaped structure at the quay welcomed guests to Wednesday's official opening.

Large portraits of United Arab Emirates rulers hang opposite portraits of a young Queen Elizabeth II and Samuel Cunard, founder of the company that built the ship.

"There is a huge following around the world for the QE2 because of how famous she is and what she stands for," said Hamza Mustafa, chief executive of PCFC Hotels, the Dubai World subsidiary that owns the ship.

The QE2 first entered service in 1969 and has sailed around the world 25 times, carrying more than 2.5 million passengers, the company said.

In its new incarnation, it has 1,300 rooms, with rates ranging from less than US$200 to as much as US$15,000 for a suite. It also has a musueum and 13 restaurants and bars.

Dubai hopes the QE2 will boost tourism in the most visited city in the Middle East, which welcomed over 15 million tourists in 2017. Officials say they are targeting 20 million by 2020.

PCFC Hotels spent an additional US$100 million renovating the liner and has plans to convert Mina Rashid into a complex of luxury residences and a yachting marina.

"Although we kept everything as it was in 1969, you also have the most advanced technology in the tourism industry in Dubai," said Kenneth Todd, director of sales at PCFC Hotels.

"For example, you can control everything with your phone, including check-in, room key, lights and TV," he said while showing reporters a duplex suite.

Cunard's Queen Mary 2, the world's largest ocean liner, was also docked at Mina Rashid on Wednesday and sounded its horns to mark the occasion.

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• Seattle (Washington)
• Yokohama (Tokyo, Japan Kanagawa)
• Vancouver (BC Canada)

Queen Elizabeth current position

Queen Elizabeth current location is at North America West Coast (coordinates 49.32252 N / -123.23904 W) cruising at speed of 10.3 kn (19 km/h | 12 mph) en route to KETCHIKAN. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth current cruise is 39 days, one-way from Vancouver to Sydney . The itinerary starts on 09 Sep, 2024 and ends on 18 Oct, 2024 .

Specifications of Queen Elizabeth

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Queen Elizabeth Itineraries

Queen elizabeth review, review of queen elizabeth.

The 2010-built MS Queen Elizabeth cruise ship is same-designed as MS Queen Victoria (2007) and has as fleetmates the Cunard liners RMS Queen Mary 2 (2004) and the fleet's newest boat (2024-built) Queen Anne .

The vessel (IMO number 9477438) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310625000) and registered in Hamilton . The flag state/registry was changed from Southampton (UK) to Bermuda in order to be able to host onboard weddings.

On the 10th of October 2007, Cunard announced the ship's name. Cunard's last traditional-design Atlantic Ocean liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (1969-built, IMO 6725418) retired in 2008 (on Nov 27th).

The cruise ship was named after and christened by HM Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). The namesake is the Royal Navy battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier (2014-built).

History - construction and ownership

Cunard Line is a British-American cruise brand, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Cunard is headquartered in Southampton (England UK) and is among the world's oldest passenger shipping companies . In 2015, Cunard Line celebrated its 175th anniversary.

The 2300-passenger liner Queen Elizabeth is a luxurious ocean liner. QE appeared in October 2010 when she was named in a grandiose ceremony by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Reminding the rich inheritance of the first Cunarder to bear the name, her stylishness both echoes that legendary age and improves her luxury modern charm. QE- the running mate to Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria has a modified design and is slightly larger than Queen Victoria, having more vertical stern.

With her black hull, white structure and red funnel signals, externally Cunard Queen Elizabeth has the charm of the company's British heritage, following Cunard's tradition. Modern luxury and the best of Cunard's values are what guests can expect onboard.

The ship is identical in design to MS Queen Victoria, although the max passenger capacity is slightly higher because of the steeper stern. This difference is the reason why the largest suites (at the stern) have smaller balconies. The games deck is covered by a roof at the end of deck 11, which is not similar to the sports deck on Queen Victoria with her not continuous canvas covering. RMS Queen Elizabeth's original whistle was used to make a copy of it for the new ship.

Unlike previous Cunard ships, this is not a true liner, as it doesn't have a heavy plating (throughout the hull). The bow is constructed with heavier plating in order to cope with Transatlantic crossings. Also, the ship has a high freeboard.

The ship's decor is different from Queen Victoria's, although with identical interior arrangements. As a tribute to the previous Elizabeths (the original one and the QE2), this cruiser evokes the 1930s, when Cunard's first QE was launched. A feature on Queen Mary 2 (not available on Queen Victoria) is the Britannia Club section of the restaurant, featured on Queen Elizabeth. This way passengers in Britannia staterooms are allowed to use single-seating dining arrangements, not having to upgrade to the more expensive Grill cabin grades.

Decks and Cabins

Cunard Queen Elizabeth staterooms (1043 total) include 127 Suites, 611 Balcony, 146 Oceanview and 162 Inside cabins, in all 9 types and 34 categories. The ship has 20 wheelchair-accessible and 9 studios (single-occupancy cabins). The largest are the Grand Suites (1495 ft2 / 139 m2 plus 970 ft2 / 90 m2 terrace).

Cabin types include Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia, Suites (Grand, Master, Penthouse, Queen, Princess), Standard Balcony staterooms, Outside and Interior (windowless). Most cabins (Britannia Balcony) are sized 190-420 ft2 / 18-39 m2, with cabin balconies sized 70 ft2 / 7 m2.

The boat has 12 decks (all passenger-accessible) of which 7 are with cabins. Of all staterooms, ~85% are outside, with 71% of them with step-out balconies.

The Princess and Queens Grill suites are situated around the ship, with excellent views, or in the midships, where balconies are deeper. Most of the top suites are on Deck 7, in addition to Queens Grill penthouses, two Master and two Grand Suites which include huge balconies, separate dining areas, and whirlpool baths. These are named after the knighted Cunard Commodores. The Master Suites have a bath with a sea view, and the top category- the Grand Suites offer outdoor dining and a wraparound balcony. Queens and Princess Grill offer personalized stationery and marble bathrooms. The intimate Grill restaurants offer exceptional menus (with sophisticated creams and browns that glitter crystal and gold) and exciting sea views- located on Deck 11. The doors open to the Courtyard, and steps will lead you to the upper Grills Terrace, providing more exclusivity than the lower one, available for all guests.

Theoretically, MS Queen Elizabeth is a classless ship, but passengers are actually separated (like on all Cunard liners) as their onboard dining locations are according to their cabin's category/cruise fares paid. Britannia Restaurant is for regular cabins, Princess Grill - for junior suites, and the Queen's Grill is for deluxe suites. All the other public rooms are free to be used by all passengers.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Four main dining rooms and the Verandah- an alternative restaurant, the Lido- a buffet and a changing specialty option, are Queen Elizabeth suggestions. The Britannia Restaurant is the main dining room on board the ship, where everyone dines except the Grills and Britannia Club cabins. You may choose between two seating- 6,00p.m. and 8,30p.m. Britannia is open for full served breakfast on sea days from 8,00a.m. to 9,30a.m., on port days from 7,30a.m. to 9,00a.m.; lunch is from 12,30p.m. to 2,00p.m., open seating at both. A wide choice is on the dinner menu- five appetizers, six entrees (two of which vegetarian choices), two salads, six desserts, including cheese.

A step up from Britannia is the Britannia Club, which is a separate room for inhabitants of top-grade Britannia cabins. The menu is as, in Britannia, the atmosphere- more exclusive, dinner is from 6,30p.m. to 9,00p.m., open seating, breakfast and lunch served also there. The two Grill restaurants are on Deck 10, accessible with special keycards, sharing the outdoor terrace with a splashing fountain, sheltered by high walls. The Princess Grill's menu is similar to Britannia, but with more items and a la carte menu. Queens Grill's menu is with bigger a la carte menu and you can have what you want.

The Verandah Restaurant on Deck 2 offers really outstanding food and is available to all passengers. It is open from 6,30p.m. to 9,00p.m., for lunch from 12,00p.m. to 1,30p.m. If you dine there you will enjoy a real luxury cruise. The Lido is a 24-hour casual dining venue on Deck 9. Breakfast is served from 4,00a.m. to 11,30a.m., and is followed by lunch until 3,00p.m., afternoon tea is at 6,00p.m., dinner- from 6,00p.m. to 11,00p.m., snacks available through the night. Other dining venues are Cafe Carinthia on Deck 3, which is open from 7,00a.m. and serves breakfast- pastries, lunch- quiches and salads, and afternoon tea. The Lido and the Queens Room offer afternoon tea and sandwiches, burgers, pasta and other, as well as the menu from dining rooms.

The Britannia Club, which is one of the four basic QE dining rooms, replaced the Chart Room bar which is available on Cunard's Queen Victoria, while the Todd English specialty restaurant, featured on both QM2 and QV, became The Verandah. This restaurant, managed by Cunard's executive chef, is remindful of the glory days of the first Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, on which The Verandah Grill was regarded as the finest restaurant at sea. The Midships Bar, which is another much-loved Cunard's feature, is back, as is the Yacht Club nightspot, which is a lounge fondly remembered by fans of QE2 for its late-night dancing. Despite that Cunard is American owned cruise company, there's no lack of British icons such as a Fortnum & Mason hamper ordering service, Harris Tweed for sale and a sunlit Garden Lounge that's spiritual by the glass houses of Kew Gardens.

When you book you may request a sitting. The Britannia restaurant has two for dinner - at 6 p.m. and at 8.30 p.m. Princess Grill and Queens Grill do not have sittings - when they are open, you can dine any time you choose. A note for confirmation sitting and table number will be left in your stateroom when you board. Lunch and breakfast do not require allocated tables or sittings.

During the day, passengers definitely tend towards country club casual dress code. At night, even when it isn't a formal-designated evening, people dress anyway. There are three dress codes in the main restaurants after 6 p.m. each evening - which one applies each night you will be told in pre-voyage documentation and daily program in your stateroom: Formal (men - dinner jacket with a black tie or dark business suit; women- evening dress); Semi-formal (men- jacket and a tie; women - cocktail dress/trouser suit); Elegant casual (men - a jacket, tie is optional; women - skirt, dress or trousers). Shorts and T-shirts or shorts are not permitted!

Follows the complete list of Queen Elizabeth restaurants and food bars.

• Verandah Restaurant (French specialty restaurant at a surcharge)
• Britannia Restaurant (1351-seat, 2-level Dining Room; serves open-seating Breakfast and Lunch. Dinners are waiter-served, with 2 assigned sittings at 6 or 8:30 p.m. Inside is the Britannia Club which is a private dining room for Britannia Club Balcony guests)
• Britannia Club Restaurant (single-seating, complimentary dining venue for AA-Balcony Room guests only)
• Lido Restaurant (450-seat buffet-style restaurant for Breakfast and Lunch; In two of its sections are offered itinerary-inspired dishes for dinner)
• Winter Garden Lounge (supper club/formal dining venue; features gourmet food and Afternoon Champagne Tea)
• Queens Grill Restaurant (142-seat, for Queens Grill Suite guests; with regular and an a-la-carte-priced menu)
• Princess Grill Restaurant (132-seat, Princess Grill Suite guests only; open-sitting, with the same menu as at the Queens Grill)
• The Courtyard Restaurant (40-seat; serves Grills staterooms guests only).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Queen Elizabeth cruise liner is quite similar in many aspects to her sibling, Queen Victoria, in most of the design, cabins and enrichment programs. The decor indefinably feels lighter; chic, geometric Art Deco-inspired interiors unlike to the heavier Victoriana. There is beautiful artwork, rich Italian marble, polished wood and soft light everywhere, diffused by glittering chandeliers. The rippling sounds of a harp, soft piano or gentle jazz trio throughout the public places emphasize the whole feeling of old-fashioned glamour. There isn't neon or glitz on this vessel, and there are some gimmicks. Instead of capturing the public's imagination with water slides and high-tech discos, Cunard cruise company cashes in on its awesome inheritance, a sense of cause and old-fashioned pursuits like ballroom dancing, lawn bowls or afternoon tea in the Garden Lounge.

Live music is played all over the ship. If you enjoy evening drinks in Midships bar or Cafe Carinthia, listen to the pianist and the harpist in the Grand Lobby. The Golden Lion pub presents a singing pianist, quizzes, karaoke. Every day dancing, morning, noon and night on Queen Elizabeth- most in the Queens Room built for the purpose, gold and blue. A large dance floor and stage for band complete the picture. Single ladies are accompanied by gentleman hosts. Jazz concerts and piano recitals are also held there. Every few nights Royal Balls are organized in the Queens Room. Other evening events are shows in the theatre, with 20 V.I.P. boxes. Forward is the Empire Casino and the Golden Lion pub. The pub is cozy and modeled as a British pub, is cozy enough. Roulette, Texas Hold'em, BlackJack and numerous slots are available in the casino- a nonsmoking area. The only smokers places are on balconies, the starboard side on Decks 3 and 10, in Churchill's Lounge on Deck 10. The Midships Bar has seating around a marble bar and comfortable armchairs. In Queens Room, where a lot of people gather each evening drinks are also served. Bigger lounges and bars are on Decks 9 and 10.

Family-oriented in terms of facilities, Queen Elizabeth has the look of a "grown-up" ship. For that reason, families might feel better on P&O or Princess lines. The Zone on Deck 10 is a teenagers' room for computer games, air hockey, Xbox, and for the smaller ones QE suggests a colorful children's playroom full with toys. Outdoor deck space is featured, as well. These operate on port days only, but you better book in advance.

Cunard cruise ship weddings, ceremonies, and parties could be held in some of the QE's lounges. There is no chapel on board the QE ship.

Follows the complete list of Queen Elizabeth lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Royal Court Theatre (832-seat, 3-deck, with a giant movie screen; hosts high-tech visual programs, grand musical productions, and shows, as well as theatrical spectacles, performances by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
• iStudy (Cunard ConneXions; separate meeting rooms featuring Internet computers); Internet Centre
• Grand Lobby Atrium (with a grand piano, grand sweeping staircase, interior glass-wall lifts)
• Golden Lion Pub (116-seat traditional British pub bar; features a large selection of the UK and international beers, large-size TVs, live entertainment, small dance floor)
• Empire Casino (222-seat, 6000 ft2 / 610 m2; with 115 slots and 11 gambling tables, served by Casino Bar)
• Queens Arcade (quiet area for relaxation with panoramic views)
• Cunard Place (nautically themed museum); Clarendon Fine Art gallery; Images Gallery (photo gallery)
• Cunard ConneXions (a complex of 3 rooms which host onboard events)
• Chart Room (cocktail bar with live jazz)
• Queens Room (2-level formal dancing ballroom; hosts evening dancing parties and daily dance lessons)
• Veuve Cliquot (Champagne Bar); Cafe Carinthia (patisserie, specialty teas and coffees bar); Midships Bar & Lounge
• Royal Arcade (boutique shops, top name brands); Fortnum and Mason Shop
• The Alcove (a quiet room with a big jigsaw puzzle); Card Room
• Royal Spa & Fitness Centre (size 20000 ft2 / 1860 m2, 2-level; with a Spa, Thalassotherapy Pool, Thermal Suite, Finnish and Herbal Saunas, Treatment Rooms, Relaxation Lounge, Aromatic Steam Room, Beauty Salon)
• Fitness Centre (Gym Room and Weights area; with exercise bikes, Elliptical machines, treadmills, steppers, rowing machines, yoga mats; has Aerobics Room for classes)
• The Library (with a large book selection - over 6000 volumes)
• Pavilion Pool (with 2 Whirlpools and poolside Bar); Lido Pool (with 2 Whirlpools, Bar and Grill)
• Commodore Club (indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows and live piano music)
• Admiral's Lounge (premium liquors)
• Churchill's Cigar Lounge (smokers room with a selection of fine liquors and cigars)
• The Yacht Club Lounge & Disco (nautically themed, glass-domed)
• The PlayZone (indoor/outdoor kids area for children 7+ yo); The Zone (for children 8 to 12 yo); Teen Zone (teenagers club area)
• Games Deck (glass-domed; with tennis court, shuffleboard, croquet, quoits, giant chess, golf simulators, first time at sea complimentary fencing lessons)
• The Terrace (private outdoor area, Grill passengers only); The Grills Lounge (Grill Suites guests only).

Itineraries

Queen Elizabeth itinerary program each year has a World Cruise leaving roundtrip from Southampton UK , with several one-way itinerary segments. The liner also sails in Europe (Canaries, Mediterranean and UK mini cruises), leaving from Southampton.

In February 2018, Cunard announced that for season 2019-2020, the cruise liner will be deployed in Australia to serve a 101-day program. During this season (December 2019 through March 2020), the ship had scheduled 6 roundtrips from Melbourne and 2 roundtrips from Sydney NSW on itineraries to Tasmania, New Zealand, South Australia, Papua New Guinea (14-day from Sydney, with maiden port calls to Conflict Islands and Kiriwina / Trobriand Islands).

For season 2019 (February-March), the ship had a 54-day long Australian season with homeporting in Sydney NSW and Melbourne. In 2019 and 2020, the liner offered a unique for Cunard Alaskan program based on roundtrips from Vancouver BC Canada (read more in the Wiki section).

In summer 2021 (July through October), Cunard scheduled for Queen Elizabeth an ex-UK season with 10 "British Isles Voyages" and 3 "Sun Voyages" (3- to 12-nights itineraries). "British Isles Voyages" offered scenic coastal cruising including Jurassic Coast (Dorset England), Land's End (Cornwall England), Scotland's Isle of Arran , Kintyre Peninsula, Sound of Mull. Four ex-UK voyages visited Belfast Ireland , Greenock , Invergordon , Liverpool , Newcastle , Holyhead Wales (first-time for Cunard). Balcony cabin prices per person (with double occupancy) started from GBP 600/EUR 700/USD 830 (4-night British Isles Voyages), GBP 900/EUR 1050/USD 1240 (7-night Sun Voyages), GBP 1300/EUR 1520/USD 1790 (10-night British Isles Voyage). Bookings were opened only for UK residents.

In late-October 2021, Cunard canceled Queen Elizabeth's Asia 2022 program (a total of 19 itineraries planned between Feb 20 - May 17) which was based on homeporting in Yokohama Japan . The revised 2022 schedule included roundtrips from homeport Southampton to Norway, Spain's Canary Islands, and Western Mediterranean ports, ending with a Grand Voyage (westbound Transatlantic crossing and Panama Canal transit) ending in Vancouver (BC Canada) .

Photos of Queen Elizabeth

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Other Cunard cruise ships

• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria

Queen Elizabeth Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Queen Elizabeth as vessel design is similar to P&O UK's Arcadia , Princess' Coral and Island , and Costa's Luminosa and Deliziosa . HM Queen Elizabeth II is the ship's Godmother. The naming ceremony was on October 11, 2010. The British monarch also christened Cunard's RMS Queen Mary 2 (2004), and in 1967 - Queen Elizabeth II (QE2 ship ceased operations in 2008).

The inaugural cruise/maiden voyage started on October 12, 2010, leaving from homeport Southampton to Canaries (Spanish autonomy territory). The itinerary visited Lisbon , Cadiz , Tenerife , Santa Cruz de la Palma and also Funchal (Madeira Island, Portugal) . For its first year of service, Queen Elizabeth did around 142,000 mi (230,000 km) of cruising to 100+ different destinations. Among the many celebrities who participated in the onboard show programs were Ruth Scott, Lord Jeffrey Archer, Brian Hoey.

The ship's first birthday was celebrated in Malta (Port Valletta) on October 12, 2011.

On January 13, 2011, the 3 Cunard liners met in the USA ( New York City ) on a second "Royal Rendezvous" to commemorate the second year after the first Royal Rendezvous. On this occasion, Elizabeth and Victoria crossed together the Atlantic Ocean. All Cunard ships gathered again in Southampton on June 5, 2012, to celebrate HM's diamond jubilee. A month later (on July 15), for the first time ever, Queen Elizabeth and QM2 docked together in Hamburg (Germany) .

In October 2011, the vessel changed its registry/flagstate  from the UK to Bermuda, which allows cruise wedding ceremonies to be held on the ship. The word “Southampton” on the stern was replaced with “Hamilton”.

On March 12, 2013, the liner passed by RMS Queen Mary - an earlier Cunard fleet member. QM is now permanently docked at Long Beach CA (Los Angeles) , serving as a ship hotel. On March 13, 2017, the ship departed on its ever first cruise leaving roundtrip from Japan ( Kobe-Osaka ). The 7-day itinerary (March 13-20) came after the local municipal government asked Cunard to schedule a Kobe-based cruise as in 2017 Port Kobe celebrated its 150th anniversary. The voyage included the Japanese ports Kagoshima , Busan , Hiroshima  and Kochi . This "surprise cruise" became part of the 2017 world voyage. CLIA's "2017 Summit at Sea" conference (May 9-17, 2017) was held onboard the ship. The itinerary (May 8-12) was roundtrip from Southampton to Hamburg .

In 2019, Cunard repositioned the liner for a 2-month long season in Australia (February-March), with departures from homeports Melbourne and Sydney on 7 cruises to NZ, South Australia, and Tasmania. For the liner's Australian deployment, Cunard partnered with 4 local brands (R.M.Williams / fashion, Akubra Hats, Starward Whisky/distillery, and Australian Dance Theatre). Under the Starward distillery partnership, the ship carried "The Seafarer" (a 225-litre barrel of the boutique whisky). It was loaded in Sydney NSW and positioned on the top deck to spend 12 months around the world, and will be opened in February 2019 at the Australian season's start. The partnership with Australian Dance Theatre will result in live performances, along with onboard dance classes and workshops.

Operated regularly and starting in January each year, Queen Elizabeth offers Cunard World Cruise deals with affordable pricing, popular destinations, and big-city ports to visit around the world.

Cunard cruises Alaska 2019-2020

In 2019, MS Queen Elizabeth had scheduled Cunard's first-ever Alaskan cruise season in over 20 years. The 27-day Pacific Ocean crossing itinerary (Asia-Alaska repositioning, May 5-31, 2019, Yokohama to Vancouver ) included as call ports Aomori , Tomakomai-Sapporo , Kodiak , Juneau , Anchorage , Skagway , Sitka , Ketchikan , Icy Strait Point . Cunard's 2019 Alaskan program included all four 10-night long roundtrips out of Vancouver to Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier .

On Queen Elizabeth, Cunard offers culturally-rich shipboard programming for all 2019 cruises to Alaska. The program includes four 10-day roundtrips (themed ‘The Last Frontier") with departures from Vancouver BC (2019 departure dates - May 21 and 31, June 10 and 20), with call ports Icy Strait Point , Juneau , Ketchikan , Sitka , Victoria BC , Skagway . Highlights include scenic cruising through Inside Passage , Hubbard Glacier , Tracy Arm Fjord . Cunard’s 2019 Alaskan program includes the following special onboard amenities:

• Lectures by Dr. Rachel Cartwright - a naturalist with 20+ years of experience in Alaska
• Live performances by Alaska Native Voices and members of Huna Tinglet tribe
• Presentations by LaDonna Rose Gundersen - cookbook author and commercial fisherwoman
• Dedicated in-cabin TV entertainment, including the documentary series “The Ketchikan Story”
• Complimentary hot cocoa and blankets provided on Sun Deck
• Live Navigation Bridge commentaries

On Queen Elizabeth, Cunard also planned a full 2020 Alaskan season (June through September). Due to high demand, the Alaskan 2020 program was doubled (in comparison to 2019) with 10 roundtrips from Vancouver (ranging 9 to 12 days) plus one roundtrip to San Francisco (overnight on Independence Day).

Each Alaskan voyage offers popular destinations along the coast of British Columbia (Canada) and Alaska (USA), and longer port times in Juneau , Ketchikan , Skagway , Sitka . In addition, these voyages offer scenic cruising in Inside Passage , Hubbard Glacier and along Sawyer Glacier ( Endicott Arm and Tracy Arm ). Cunard customers also can combine these itineraries into B2Bs (back-to-back cruises) . Cunard's 2020 Alaskan cruises include:

• 10-day "Alaska Voyage" roundtrip from Vancouver (June 2-12, 2019), fares start from USD 1600 pp.
• 3-day "Independence Day Celebration" from Vancouver to San Francisco (July 2-5), fares start from USD 600 pp.
• 16-day repositioning from San Francisco to Vancouver (July 5-21), fares start from USD 2660 pp.
• 29-day repositioning from Vancouver to Tokyo (August 29-September 28), fares start from USD 4460 pp.

Cunard Line offers for booking over 140 shore tours in Alaska, including "Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest", "Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest", "Taku Lodge Feast and Five-Glacier Seaplane Discovery", "Dogsled Adventure by Helicopter", "Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure", "Cooking in Alaska's Wildest Kitchen", "Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour", "Scenic Mountain Ascent and World's Largest ZipRider".

Other Alaskan shore excursions are themed as ATV Expedition, Wilderness Cruise and Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast, White Pass Scenic Railway (Luxury Class), Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and Crab Feast, Misty Fjords Seaplane Exploration, Ghosts, and Goodtime Girls Walking Tour, Exclusive Burro Creek Waterfall Lodge and Crab Feast.

Cunard also offers pre- and post-cruise rail tours, that include 3- or 5-day hotel plus 2 full days on the train. Rocky Mountaineer train travels through scenic destinations, such as the glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, mountain passes, tunnels, and river canyons.

MS Queen Elizabeth refurbishments review

The ship's last drydocking was in 2023 (March 16 thru April 3) in Singapore , conducted at Sembawang shipyard (owned by Sembcorp Marine Ltd). The project was for regularly scheduled maintenance works, including hotel upkeep, technical overhauls, steel works, minor machinery updates.

The ship's 12-day drydock refurbishment in 2018 (November 15-27, at Damen Shiprepair Brest in Brest France ) resulted in the following changes:

• All staterooms (cabins and suites) were upgraded.
• (deck 3) Royal Arcade was redesigned.
• (deck 1) Royal Court Theatre (main show lounge) was completely overhauled (its audio and video equipment was upgraded).
• (Lido deck 9) open-deck spaces on Sun Deck were upgraded with new furniture, shaded seating areas were expanded.
• (deck 9) ship's wellness complex "Mareel Wellness & Beauty" (Spa, Beauty Salon) was extensively refurbished, and its treatments menu was upgraded via partnership with Canyon Ranch.

Maintenance works included stabilizers, ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters), water-ballast tanks, EGCS (scrubbers/exhaust gas cleaning system), piping and ducting, safety equipment (lifeboats, liferafts), tender boats, renovations of hallways and corridors, cleaning and repainting the hull. All works were conducted at Damen Shiprepair Brest shipyard.

The boat's drydock 2014 was conducted by Blohm+Voss (in Hamburg Germany ) and resulted in the following changes:

• hull works (cleaning and repainting) and routine maintenance
• technology enhancements: filter system upgrade, scrubbers (new eco-friendly technology to lower exhaust gasses and bettering the fuel efficiency), Azipod (Azimuth thruster) propulsion modifications
• onboard enhancements: new carpeting in all public spaces, passenger cabins (new mattresses and flat TVs), restaurant renovations (plus new coffee-tea makers), new jewelry shops (on Promenade Deck 3), restyling of the Lido buffet area (Deck 9), Photo Studio upgrade (new touch screen photo processing system), new sun-awning systems (on open decks 9 and 12)
• 9 new single cabins were added on Deck 2 (8 Oceanview, 1 Standard Inside) taking some of the Casino space.

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Cunard: up to $2,000 Onboard Credit*

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Cunard Alaska cruises from $899*

4 Ships in the Cunard fleet

Ship:  .

• Destinations
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Queen Elizabeth Overview

A cruise on the Queen Elizabeth , one of Cunard’s three ocean liners, is a chance to step back into the glamorous hey-day of cruising. Passengers can delight in the fabulously British touches of afternoon tea, a game of croquet and a formal royal ball. Queen Elizabeth also has lots of modern features, including a state-of-the-art Computer Centre, relaxing whirlpools and karaoke, for some fun at night. Cunard is also known for its cuisine - we recommend the Lobster Newberg at the Queens Grille and the decadent Cambridge Burnt Cream Tart at the Britannia Restaurant.

• Passenger Capacity: 2,081 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2010
• Last Refurbished:  2023

• The Queens Room The full history and grandeur of the Britain’s aristocracy comes alive on Cunard’s ocean liners. To really immerse yourself in the culture, you must have Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room aboard the Queen Elizabeth. Here you will be served tea along with cucumber sandwiches and scones, all while an orchestra plays. The Queens Room is also where the Royal Nights Themed Ball takes places.  

• Royal Spa Unwind completely at the Royal Spa on your next journey. The facility offers a chance to rejuvenate in the soothing waters of the Hydrotherapy Pool at the Royal Bath House. Renew your skin with a facial and revive your romance with a couple’s massage or body wrap. The spa is also home to the Queen Elizabeth’s fitness programs and salon services.  

• The Royal Court Theatre The Royal Court Theatre is home to the Queen Elizabeth Theater Company, known for their imaginative musicals and stirring production of Shakespeare classics. Some times this gorgeous theater with balcony seating doubles as a movie theater, showing recent hits and classic favorites.  

Queen Elizabeth Cruise Destinations

Cunard Line is famous for its transatlantic sailings, but they offer an impressive set of destinations and some fantastic itineraries all over the world. Visit four continents and hundreds of ports-of-call ranging from Tortola, British Virgin Islands to Tallinn, Estonia. Whether it be a historically enriching cruise to Northern Europe, or a tropical Hawaiian vacation, one of Cunard’s three regal ships will proudly be your vessel. 

Adventure is right around the corner with a Cunard Line cruise to Alaska. 

Delight in the historic treasures and scenic pleasures of the Far East on a cruise through Asia aboard Cunard Line’s world-famous ocean liners.

Immerse yourself in the delightful cultures and exotic locales of Australasia with a Cunard Line voyage to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Eastern Caribbean

Live the island life with Cunard in the Eastern Caribbean, where the sun is always shining. 

South Pacific / Tahiti

Inspire yourself with adventure, grand Sydney attractions, and vibrant marine environments on a cruise to Australasia and the Pacific Islands.

Transatlantic

Enjoy the excellent experience that is a vacation away from the everyday, sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at intriguing ports—try a transatlantic cruise.

Transpacific

Sail to the marvels of the Pacific aboard a marvel of your own with Cunard Line’s exquisite fleet of luxury ocean liners.

U. S. Pacific Coast

Explore some of the most iconic cities in the United States on a Cunard Line cruise to the US Pacific Coast. 

Western Caribbean

Enjoy the allure of a classic cruising experience when sailing with Cunard in the tropical waters of the Eastern Caribbean.

Queen Elizabeth Departure Ports

Traveling across the pond, there’s no cruise line better than Cunard, with more than 150 years of history, this brand makes routine cruises from Southampton to New York City and vice versa. However, they offer more than just transatlantic sailings. You can sail around the world with Cunard from Tokyo to Athens to San Francisco. Call The Cruise Web for a great offer on a Cunard cruise.

Darwin, Australia

Darwin is one of the northernmost cities in Australia, offering visitors a beautiful welcome to the great outdoors of Australia.

Melbourne, Australia

Soak up the culture and relaxed environment of Melbourne as you take in the live music, sip some perfect coffee and explore all that this unique city has to offer.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sar, China

One of the world’s most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.

Singapore, Singapore

Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate – all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.

In Miami, you’ll enjoy a small taste of the tropical weather many of you will experience during your cruise, and you’ll see why Miami is one of the most popular places to live in America.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

Known as The Emerald City, Seattle is a beautiful, luscious city with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains and Elliott Bay. The city is full of activities for both water lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Whether it’s your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore.

Yokohama, Japan

See Japanese history in person as you discover Yokohama, Japan’s biggest port city, where the country was first opened to outside trade after more than 200 years of seclusion.

Fremantle, Australia

Beautiful beaches mixed with alternative art and music fill the Western Australia port city of Fremantle.

Queen Elizabeth Deck Plans

Deck eleven, deck twelve, queen elizabeth staterooms.

Balcony (BA)

Enjoy the view from your private balcony and the comfort of your luxurious interior as you relax in your well appointed stateroom. The Britannia Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.

Balcony (BB)

Balcony (bc), balcony (bd), balcony (be), balcony (bf).

Balcony (CA)

Balcony (cb).

Balcony (A1)

Your Britannia Club Balcony stateroom offers the luxury of inside space and a stunning view from your private balcony. You will also dine in the intimate Britannia Club Restaurant, offering you the freedom to choose when you eat each evening. The Britannia Club Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony

Balcony (A2)

Inside (LC)

If you are travelling alone, our Single staterooms offer you the opportunity to enjoy more space for yourself. Each single stateroom offers comfortable accommodation with generous sized single beds, spacious bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas. The Britannia Single Inside staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

Inside (GA)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Deluxe Inside staterooms have two beds, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Inside (GB)

Inside (gc).

Inside (IA)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Standard Inside staterooms have two beds, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Inside (ID)

Inside (ie), inside (if).

Oceanview (FB)

Gaze upon an ever changing seascape from your large window, which offers an abundance of natural light in your spacious stateroom. The Britannia Oceanview staterooms have two beds, a living area and a shower.

Oceanview (FC)

Oceanview (EB)

Oceanview (ec), oceanview (ef).

Oceanview (KC)

If you are travelling alone, our Single staterooms offer you the opportunity to enjoy more space for yourself. Each single stateroom offers comfortable accommodation with generous sized single beds, spacious bathrooms and comfortable lounge areas. The Britannia Single Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

As our guest in a abluxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Master Suites have two beds, a bath and shower, living and dining areas as well as a balcony.

In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Grand Suites have two beds, a bath and shower, living and dining areas as well as a balcony.

In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Penthouse Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

In a luxurious Queens Grill Suite, you will experience the very best of Cunard. A personal butler will see to your every need, a spacious lounge offers space to relax and your suite commands the very best views. The Queens Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

Your Princess Grill Suite is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Luxurious features such as a private balcony, separate seating area and a spacious bedroom make your Princess Grill Suite the ideal home from home. You also enjoy access to the Grills Lounge, Grills Terrace and renowned Princess Grill restaurant. The Princess Suites have two beds, a bath with shower along with a living area and balcony.

Photo Gallery for Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship

Get a glimpse at the regal atmosphere that awaits you on a Cunard Cruise among one of their three Queens: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in this photo gallery. 

Queen Elizabeth

Princess Grill

Top 10 Queen Elizabeth Cruises

• Queen Elizabeth 28 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 3 NIGHT U. S. Pacific Coast CRUISE Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 23 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From San Francisco, California (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 25 NIGHT South Pacific CRUISE Departing From San Francisco, California (Sep 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 30 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Oct 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 18 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Oct 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 7 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Fremantle, Australia (Nov 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 12 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Fremantle, Australia (Nov 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 5 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2024)
• Queen Elizabeth 10 NIGHT Australia CRUISE Departing From Sydney, Australia (Nov 2024)

Learn More About Cunard

Accessibility

Learn about Cunard Line's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.

Savor variety of dining options aboard Cunard Line cruises, including the Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia restaurant, Queens Room, Todd English, Kings Court, Golden Lion Pub and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Cunard Line's onboard entertainment, including live music, the Royal Court Theatre, Commodore Club entertainment, Royal Night Theme Balls, Queens Room dancing, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Participate in Cunard Line's onboard activities, including Cunard Insights lectures, Book Clubs, computer lab, duty-free shopping, sports courts, art galleries, dance classes, afternoon tea, deck games, golf simulators and more.

Service & Awards

Learn about Cunard Line's famous White Star Service and extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Cunard Line's cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Cunard Line's pools, the Royal Spa and Canyon Ranch SpaClub, where spa treatments range from relaxing massages to Ayurvedic experiences.

Special Events

Learn about Cunard Line's special cruises with exclusive speakers, activities and shore excursions, including Wine Lecture and Tasting voyages.

Explore Cunard Line's luxurious staterooms, including Queen and Princess Grill Suites, balconies, oceanviews and inside staterooms - each beautifully appointed in Cunard's classic style.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Cunard Line. Cunard's youth programs are for ages 2 - 17, including the Play Zone (ages 2-7), Kids Zone (ages 8-12) and Teen Zone (ages 13-17).

Cruise Type

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Deluxe Room

Our Deluxe Rooms are light and spacious, perfect for families or larger groups, offering an authentic cruise ship experience with extra home-from-home comforts and luxurious touches. The sitting area provides a place to relax and three original porthole windows offer sea or city views of Dubai.

Size: From 30m² Bed type: King or twin bed Occupancy: 2 adults + 2 children or 3 adults + 1 child (extra bed required)

View: Choose from city skyline or sea view (with supplement)

• Sitting area
• Complimentary Wifi access
• Mini-fridge/cooler
• Flat-screen 49 inch IPTV
• Bathroom with bidet, bathtub and shower
• In room dining
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Complimentary bottled water

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Queen Elizabeth 2 Mina Rashid P.O. Box 6769 Dubai, UAE

Britain's Queen Elizabeth 2 arrives in Dubai

Britain's most famous luxury cruise ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, arrived in Dubai on Wednesday where it will turn into a floating hotel moored off an artificial palm-shaped island.

More than 60 naval vessels and private boats, led by a mega-yacht owned by Dubai's ruler, met the 70,000 ton ship in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday. In the city's Rashid port, the legendary cruise ship was greeted by a police marching band and fireworks.

In 40 years at sea, the luxury liner has traveled 6 million miles, carried 2.5 million passengers and crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times.

"For QE2, we believe that life really does begin at 40," said Manfred Ursprunger, the chief executive of Nakheel's QE2 Enterprises, which is in charge of the ship's transformation.

Ursprunger said it will take two to three years to redesign the ship and make it into a hotel with dozens of rooms, several restaurants, a performance theater and a spa.

Some of the cruiser's famous quarters, like The Queen's Room, The Captain's Quarters and The Bridge will be preserved in their original form.

The ship's owner, Cunard, sold QE2 last year to state-run conglomerate Dubai World for about $100 million.

Nakheel, a Dubai-based developer and part of Dubai World, plans to dock QE2 along Dubai's artificial palm-shaped island.

Queen Elizabeth II launched the QE2 in 1967 and it went into service two years later. In 1982, it was requisitioned as a troop carrier for the Falklands War that Britain fought against Argentina.

QE2 left Southampton, U.K. on Nov. 11 for her last journey to Dubai. It sailed for 16 days to its retirement spot in the Gulf via Lisbon, Rome and the Egyptian port of Alexandria.

On Thursday, Cunard will formally handover the ship's ownership to Nakheel.