QE2 to receive royal welcome in Dubai (From Daily Echo)

QE2 to receive royal welcome in Dubai

8:32am Wednesday 26th November 2008 in News By Keith Hamilton, Shipping & Heritage Reporter

A royal welcome awaits Southampton’s former liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, when she arrives in her new home of Dubai today.

Among the flotilla of local boats and pleasure craft will be one of the world’s biggest private motor yachts, My Dubai, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates.

As QE2 sails into port, overhead will be a flypast by a giant, double-decker A380 Airbus of Emirates Airline to welcome the Cunard liner, which is to be converted into a floating hotel and entertainment centre.

This week, hotels in Dubai have reported a significant increase in bookings from international guests wanting to watch the arrival of QE2.

The liner, which was based in Southampton for almost 40 years, has been bought for £50m by development company Nakheel, part of Dubai World, one of the globe’s largest holding companies.