QE2 to be taken to Asia (From Daily Echo)
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QE2 to become a floating hotel in the Far East
9:47am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Shipping
By Keith Hamilton, Shipping & Heritage Reporter
QE2 to be taken to Asia
Southampton's most famous liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, is to be converted into a five star luxury hotel in the Far East.
For the past four years Cunard's former QE2 has been in Dubai, a victim of the global recession, but now it seems likely she will soon find a new home in either Hong Kong or Singapore.
The elaborate refurbishment will see the grand dame of the sea fitted with some 500 rooms, a shopping mall stocking the finest UK and European brands and three Michelin-starred restaurants.
Daniel Chui, managing director of Oceanic Group, which is helping to convert the ship, said the QE2 would become a ''beacon of luxury, glamour, quality and tradition'', and will be given the ''prominent waterfront home she deserves''.
The deal marks the latest twist in the fate of QE2, which left Southampton for the last time in November, 2008, when she was acquired by Dubai's state investment company, Istithmar World at the height of the city-state's economic power.
However ambitious plans to turn her into an international tourist attraction in Dubai were abandoned when the recession bit deeper into the local economy.
It is expected that the vessel, which was based in Southampton for almost 40 years, will undergo a period of dry-docking in China in preparation for her conversion into a floating hotel.
QE2 now seems set to begin operating as a hotel, with 500 rooms and 100 luxury suites, later this year.
New designs include an onboard maritime museum displaying QE2 memorabilia, convention and meeting facilities and a QE2 cafe offering meals similar to those served during cruises.
Mr Chui added: ''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.
''Our vision for the Queen Elizabeth 2 is to become a landmark cultural and tourist attraction - a beacon of luxury, glamour, 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 deserves.
''We are impressed that the chosen city shares our passion for preserving the history and reputation of this great ship that has journeyed more than six million miles, and holds a special place in the collective memory of the two-and-a-half million passengers that have sailed on her during nearly 40 years of service.
''Rest assured the upgrade process will respect and safeguard the immense heritage embodied in her fine lines and luxurious fittings.''
Ironically, if QE2 does end her days in Hong Kong, she will be following in the wake of her famous predecessor, the original Queen Elizabeth, another Southampton liner, which caught fire and capsized in the former British colony in 1972.
The Daily Echo previously reported how a British consortium were hoping to bring the ship back to Britain and moor her in the Thames as an exclusive hotel in London.
Comments(31)
ac1947
says...
11:12am Thu 17 Jan 13
After all it's only a boat, (in camparison to the new breed of liners)
oldboy67
says...
11:13am Thu 17 Jan 13
ac1947
says...
11:14am Thu 17 Jan 13
oldboy67
says...
11:14am Thu 17 Jan 13
southy
says...
11:33am Thu 17 Jan 13
ac1947 wrote:Carry the same name Elizabeth to, there are still bits of her on the bottom of the Harbour where she finally sank, before being cut up and scrap.
AND.... What happened to one of the old queens when it got to Hong Kong ? Was that an accident ?
Stephen J
says...
11:36am Thu 17 Jan 13
ac1947 wrote:No, it was deliberate. But it wasn't the owner that did it.
AND.... What happened to one of the old queens when it got to Hong Kong ? Was that an accident ?
Huey
says...
11:36am Thu 17 Jan 13
It's like seeing a mangy lame old dog that can't walk anymore, put her out of her misery.
Hdg end mo
says...
11:44am Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel
says...
12:30pm Thu 17 Jan 13
southy
says...
12:57pm Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel wrote:You got a poor memory if you can't remember the news and the final pictures of the QE1 laying on her side in the harbour after the fire.
Southy, how do you know that? were you there/
Lone Ranger.
says...
2:40pm Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel
says...
3:02pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Bargate Bill
says...
3:09pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Stephen J
says...
3:23pm Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel wrote:"QE1" is how the Queen Elizabeth is often referred to around Southampton and the QE2 was indeed "RMS".
Southy, there was no QE1 it was the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Somebody in there wisdom when they built the second one they thought they would call it QE2 and no RMS.
Northamboy
says...
4:03pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Stephen J wrote:I have never heard of the Queen Elizabeth called QE1 in Southampton or anywhere else for that matter. She was always called the 'Lizzie' and the Queen Mary was called 'The Mary'
espanuel wrote:"QE1" is how the Queen Elizabeth is often referred to around Southampton and the QE2 was indeed "RMS".
Southy, there was no QE1 it was the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Somebody in there wisdom when they built the second one they thought they would call it QE2 and no RMS.
Stephen J
says...
4:19pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Northamboy wrote:Oh well. You haven't heard it and I have. Just one of those things.
Stephen J wrote:I have never heard of the Queen Elizabeth called QE1 in Southampton or anywhere else for that matter. She was always called the 'Lizzie' and the Queen Mary was called 'The Mary'
espanuel wrote:"QE1" is how the Queen Elizabeth is often referred to around Southampton and the QE2 was indeed "RMS".
Southy, there was no QE1 it was the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Somebody in there wisdom when they built the second one they thought they would call it QE2 and no RMS.
espanuel
says...
4:34pm Thu 17 Jan 13
QE2 was not RMS and the RMS QE as rightly said was called the Lizzie and The Mary she was also an RMS. I do know that as I crewed both ships something you probably hav'nt done except the IOW ferry as a passenger. By the way the new QM2 is RMS. The QE original was never referred as QE1.
Stephen J
says...
4:52pm Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel wrote:So all the "RMS Queen Elizabeth 2" references in the historical literature, and the official 1969 Royal Mail stamps which commemorate the QE2's entry into service are wrong? The Lizzie was referred to as the "QE1" but only after the QE2 entered service.
Stephen J.
QE2 was not RMS and the RMS QE as rightly said was called the Lizzie and The Mary she was also an RMS. I do know that as I crewed both ships something you probably hav'nt done except the IOW ferry as a passenger. By the way the new QM2 is RMS. The QE original was never referred as QE1.
southy
says...
4:56pm Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel wrote:QE1 yes there was its just cutting the name short, just like QE2, if theres no such thing as QE1 then there is no such thing as QE2
Southy, there was no QE1 it was the RMS Queen Elizabeth. Somebody in there wisdom when they built the second one they thought they would call it QE2 and no RMS.
southy
says...
5:01pm Thu 17 Jan 13
southy
says...
5:07pm Thu 17 Jan 13
espanuel wrote:QE2 was RMS in her early days as she done the Southampton to New York mail run, She was not a hales trophy or blue ribband holder, as the record was held by SS United States.
Stephen J.
QE2 was not RMS and the RMS QE as rightly said was called the Lizzie and The Mary she was also an RMS. I do know that as I crewed both ships something you probably hav'nt done except the IOW ferry as a passenger. By the way the new QM2 is RMS. The QE original was never referred as QE1.
QE1 only came about after the QE2 set sail on her first trip, these are only abbreviations of the full name, Lizzy or Beth and Mary are nick names or pet names.
ac1947
says...
5:21pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Stephen J
says...
5:32pm Thu 17 Jan 13
ac1947 wrote:It's not Southy's fault. He was quite right in what he said!
Why is it that when ever southy appears the subject matter goes out of the window ??
WoolstonSean
says...
6:55pm Thu 17 Jan 13
southy wrote:There are NO bits left of the old Queen Elizabeth on the bottom of the harbour in Hong Kong, she was totally scrapped down to her keel and what was left is now under 1000s of tonnes of cement that make up part of the Lai Chi Kok Container Terminal near to Stonecutters Island where she was at anchor during her fatefull refit by C Y Tung owner at the time of OOL Orient Overseas Lines into the Seawise University.
ac1947 wrote: AND.... What happened to one of the old queens when it got to Hong Kong ? Was that an accident ?Carry the same name Elizabeth to, there are still bits of her on the bottom of the Harbour where she finally sank, before being cut up and scrap.
Fatty x Ford Worker
says...
7:43pm Thu 17 Jan 13
WoolstonSean wrote:When is that rust bucket joining the same fate then!
southy wrote:There are NO bits left of the old Queen Elizabeth on the bottom of the harbour in Hong Kong, she was totally scrapped down to her keel and what was left is now under 1000s of tonnes of cement that make up part of the Lai Chi Kok Container Terminal near to Stonecutters Island where she was at anchor during her fatefull refit by C Y Tung owner at the time of OOL Orient Overseas Lines into the Seawise University.
ac1947 wrote: AND.... What happened to one of the old queens when it got to Hong Kong ? Was that an accident ?Carry the same name Elizabeth to, there are still bits of her on the bottom of the Harbour where she finally sank, before being cut up and scrap.
blackmasquerade
says...
1:24am Fri 18 Jan 13
Stephen J wrote:Indeed they are, though a common misconception granted but despite often being referred to as such, Cunard did not seek RMS status for QE2, unlike her predecessors & successor.
espanuel wrote:So all the "RMS Queen Elizabeth 2" references in the historical literature, and the official 1969 Royal Mail stamps which commemorate the QE2's entry into service are wrong? The Lizzie was referred to as the "QE1" but only after the QE2 entered service.
Stephen J.
QE2 was not RMS and the RMS QE as rightly said was called the Lizzie and The Mary she was also an RMS. I do know that as I crewed both ships something you probably hav'nt done except the IOW ferry as a passenger. By the way the new QM2 is RMS. The QE original was never referred as QE1.
For what it matters, her correct designation was initially SS while steam powered, becoming MS/MV following re-engining though neither term was used beyond official records tbh.
southy
says...
10:06am Fri 18 Jan 13
WoolstonSean wrote:I said she was scrap, but lots of bits broke off while they was cutting her up on the spot, yes your right about the the harbour being recliamed for a container port.
southy wrote:There are NO bits left of the old Queen Elizabeth on the bottom of the harbour in Hong Kong, she was totally scrapped down to her keel and what was left is now under 1000s of tonnes of cement that make up part of the Lai Chi Kok Container Terminal near to Stonecutters Island where she was at anchor during her fatefull refit by C Y Tung owner at the time of OOL Orient Overseas Lines into the Seawise University.
ac1947 wrote: AND.... What happened to one of the old queens when it got to Hong Kong ? Was that an accident ?Carry the same name Elizabeth to, there are still bits of her on the bottom of the Harbour where she finally sank, before being cut up and scrap.
southy
says...
10:13am Fri 18 Jan 13
blackmasquerade wrote:Never seek it but was given it because she did carry mail to and from Southampton and New york which is an RMS sea route.
Stephen J wrote:Indeed they are, though a common misconception granted but despite often being referred to as such, Cunard did not seek RMS status for QE2, unlike her predecessors & successor.
espanuel wrote:So all the "RMS Queen Elizabeth 2" references in the historical literature, and the official 1969 Royal Mail stamps which commemorate the QE2's entry into service are wrong? The Lizzie was referred to as the "QE1" but only after the QE2 entered service.
Stephen J.
QE2 was not RMS and the RMS QE as rightly said was called the Lizzie and The Mary she was also an RMS. I do know that as I crewed both ships something you probably hav'nt done except the IOW ferry as a passenger. By the way the new QM2 is RMS. The QE original was never referred as QE1.
For what it matters, her correct designation was initially SS while steam powered, becoming MS/MV following re-engining though neither term was used beyond official records tbh.
blackmasquerade
says...
12:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13
southy wrote:Wrong my friend - speak to Cunard as they should know!
blackmasquerade wrote:Never seek it but was given it because she did carry mail to and from Southampton and New york which is an RMS sea route.Stephen J wrote:Indeed they are, though a common misconception granted but despite often being referred to as such, Cunard did not seek RMS status for QE2, unlike her predecessors & successor. For what it matters, her correct designation was initially SS while steam powered, becoming MS/MV following re-engining though neither term was used beyond official records tbh.espanuel wrote: Stephen J. QE2 was not RMS and the RMS QE as rightly said was called the Lizzie and The Mary she was also an RMS. I do know that as I crewed both ships something you probably hav'nt done except the IOW ferry as a passenger. By the way the new QM2 is RMS. The QE original was never referred as QE1.So all the "RMS Queen Elizabeth 2" references in the historical literature, and the official 1969 Royal Mail stamps which commemorate the QE2's entry into service are wrong? The Lizzie was referred to as the "QE1" but only after the QE2 entered service.
WoolstonSean
says...
10:59pm Sat 19 Jan 13
oldboy67 wrote:She entered dry dock in Dubai on the morning of Friday 18th January 2013 to have her bottom cleaned in preparation for her tow to Hong Kong.
once in hong kong dry dock the only way she will come out is in scrap metal they realy think were thick ,
Check out www.qe2hotels,com
elvisimo says...
10:08am Thu 17 Jan 13