Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Completes Two Decades at Sea

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Completes Two Decades at Sea

The Queen Mary 2 is completing its second decade at sea in 2024.

Having started sailing in early 2004, the 151,400-ton vessel was the result of the “Queen Mary Project.”

Announced by Cunard Line in 1998, the project called for the construction of the “the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner ever.”

After being built by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the Queen Mary 2 was christened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in Southampton on Jan. 8, 2004.

A few days after the ceremony, which celebrated Cunard’s British heritage with performances of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Marines band, the ship set sail on its first voyage: a transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale.

Before starting its transatlantic service, the Queen Mary 2 offered a media preview cruise, in addition an 11-night cruise to the Caribbean.

As the world’s last ocean liner, the ship traditionally spends most of the year offering one-way Atlantic crossings that sail between New York City, and Southampton, in the United Kingdom. Guests can also embark or disembark on the German port of Hamburg on some of the sailings.

Most of the six- to eight-night voyages feature only sea days and sail at higher speeds when compared to regular cruising.

In 2024, after returning from its 108-night world tour, the vessel is set to offer two- to 13-night cruises to Western Europe, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, and more.

Cunard’s website describes the Queen Mary 2 as its “legendary flagship,” a “true icon,” and a “astonishing liner.”

According to the company, the 2,620-guest vessel offers several unique features, including a vast library, an indulging spa, and more.

Iconic QE2 finally set for debut as floating Hotel

Iconic QE2 finally set for debut as floating Hotel

Image via Rocky Grimes / Shutterstock.com

The long-awaited opening of former Cunard flagship QE2 as a floating hotel in Dubai is expected next Wednesday.

Local reports point to April 18 being a soft launch date, followed by a more formal opening later in the year.

According to an updated website, QE2 has 224 refurbished rooms and suites, 13 restaurants and nightlife venues, a shopping arcade and 25 meeting rooms and conferencing facilities.

The 13-deck ship is docked permanently at Port Rashid in Dubai as the first floating hotel in the Gulf region.

Guests will enter the ship from a terminal, which has been turned into a maritime museum featuring artworks from the ship, which was sold by Cunard to Dubai government investment company Istithmar World in 2007.

The ship travelled to Dubai a year later following a farewell voyage around the UK.

QE2 Shipping and PCFC Hotels are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Government of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation.

PCFC Hotels, with investment in the hospitality, retail, real estate and technology sectors, is the operator of the QE2.

The website says: “Docked permanently at Dubai’s Mina Rashid, she has been lovingly restored to her former glory – revitalized with all the latest in smart technology.

“Step aboard and relax in her comfortable rooms and suites that offer an imposing backdrop of Dubai’s iconic skyline or the ocean beyond.

“Embark on a culinary journey across her 13 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Immerse yourself in her rich past at the onsite QE2 Exhibition.

“We’ve curated a seamless and unforgettable journey that blends old-world sophistication with a new level in hospitality.”

Cunard announces plans for its first new ship in 12 years

Cunard announces plans for its first new ship in 12 years

Cunard has announced plans to add a fourth ship to its fleet – its first new ship in 12 years.

The new 3,000 passenger ship, which will be built at the Fincantieri shipyard, was announced as Cunard marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the legendary QE2.

The new ship will join the fleet in 2022, joining Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

It will be the first time since 1998 that the brand has had four ships in service at the same time. The new build will be the 249th ship to fly the Cunard flag, according to the line.

Simon Palethorpe, senior vice president of Cunard, said: “We have only recently marked the 50th anniversary of one of Cunard’s much-loved ocean liners, the legendary QE2.

“What better way to celebrate her important role in Cunard’s past than by announcing our commitment to Cunard’s future with the commissioning of a new ship. Cunard offers unrivalled luxury ocean experiences and the new ship firmly underpins our plans to continue our growth across international markets.”

The news of Cunard’s expansion comes just a week after Silversea announced a new ship order.

Silversea said the move signalled buoyancy in the market. These two announcements are the latest sign of the strength of the luxury cruise sector, with Ritz-Carlton recently announcing its plans to enter the cruise sector with three yachts. Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises has three ships on order, Ponant has four, and Crystal Cruises, Scenic, Seabourn and Star Clippers also have new vessels set to launch.

Thomson Purchase QE2 From Cunard

Thomson Purchase QE2 From Cunard

QE2 Left to rust in Dubai

The www.CRUISE.co.uk team can exclusively reveal that the Queen Elizabeth 2 (the famous former flagship of Cunard) is set to be bought by Thomson Cruises.

The QE2 (as she is known) is currently floating in Dubai and her lease expires in November this year.

She left the Cunard fleet in 2008 and was previously bought by a company that intended to turn her into a hotel. She has since been left to rust in Dubai and there had been rumours she would be scrapped after pictures emerged of the disrepair she was falling into.

However, Thomson Cruises have announced that they will be purchasing her once her lease is up.

Helen Caron, Managing Director of Thomson Cruises said: “We are excited to have another new ship join our fantastic fleet. Passengers have already told us how excited they are for our newest ship [the Thomson Discovery] and they now have another new launch to look forward to.

“We will be making adaptations to increase the family friendly aspect of the QE2 and look forward to introducing families, couples and cruisers from all walks of life to a true ocean liner.”

It has not yet been revealed what these adaptations may be, but the ship can currently accommodate 1,892 passengers and 1,040 crew. There are five restaurants, two cafes, three swimming pools, a cinema and a casino.

It has also been rumoured that the ship will be called the Thomson Triumph but this has not yet been confirmed by the cruise line.

Traditionally the QE2 has made transatlantic sailings, however it seems likely that she could be sailing on Mediterranean itineraries once under Thomson’s control.

Can the QE2 be saved from its 'filthy' state in Dubai?

The QE2 is apparently falling into disrepair in a dock in Dubai, but plans are afoot to save it.

Queen Elizabeth 2 docked in Dubai.

Calls to save the historic QE2 ocean liner from the scrapyard are growing louder as campaigners say it lies “filthy, forlorn and neglected” in a Dubai dock.

ADVERTISING

The Queen Elizabeth 2, launched by the Queen in 1967 and Cunard’s flagship liner for 40 years, was retired and sold to the UAE government conglomerate Dubai World for £64million in 2008. The ship was destined to become a luxury hotel but since plans stalled in 2013 after the economic downturn, it has languished in Port Rashid.

• Is Glasgow going to save the QE2?

The engine was turned off in 2013 and the ship has since suffered from mould thanks to the country’s hot, humid conditions. Concerned campaigners say they have heard nothing from Dubai to suggest that the QE2's future lies anywhere but in the scrapyard and argue that to let such an iconic ship go to ruin would be a travesty.

The QE2 "forlorn and neglected" in Dubai 

One campaigner even believes that the QE2 could be saved for just £3million.

“Its scrap value is decreasing, and weighted against the cost of decontaminating the ship – as it’s got asbestos – it could probably be bought for about £3million,” said Rob Lightbody, a member of online campaign group The QE2 Story

.

“The options now are to scrap it – but clearing it out would cost millions and millions – or just leave it somewhere.

“It’s just sitting in Dubai. Nothing has happened to it in the last two and a half years. There’s no power. There’s no air. She’s filthy."

Mr Lightbody wrote in a report on the QE2's history that the ship now "looks forlorn and neglected.”

He said that if she were sat in a dock in Southampton she would not have been treated like this, adding that she is just seen as an inconvenient problem in Dubai.

The original planned hotel in Dubai.

The QE2 was in fine shape in 2011, according to Mr Lightbody, who said that it was only once the engines were turned off in 2013 that she fell into disrepair. He said tourists are kept away from the ship.

He added that he would be happy to see the liner to rest somewhere associated with its history: Southampton, Liverpool, London or New York.

Louis De Sousa worked on the QE2 as a bartender between 1990 and 1999.

He told Telegraph Travel the situation surrounding her ownership was confusing as nobody seemed to be taking responsibility for her.

• The farewell cruise of the world's most famous cruise ship, the QE2

“Her future most likely will be the scrapyard,” he said.

“Of course it is sad. But I truly don’t believe in hotel ships. If you are going to save a ship then have her as such. Dubai just wanted to rip her apart and turn her to into something like Las Vegas.”

Drydocks World, which is owned by the Dubai government and where she is currently docked, did not respond to a request for comment.

Last weekend another QE2 campaigner used Cunard’s 175th anniversary celebration in Liverpool as an opportunity to raise awareness of the liner’s plight and hand out flyers.

If the QE2 were to be saved, it would not be the first time the Telegraph had had a hand in the salvaging of an old liner. In 2006 the Swan Hellenic, a floundering P&O liner, was purchased and revived by Lord Sterling after a “Save our Swan” campaign run by Telegraph Travel was firmly supported by its readers.