www.CRUISESHIPODYSSEY.com
|
|
|
|
Back to QE 2 page 1 Back to QE2 page 2 All text and photographs (unless stated otherwise) © Paul Timmerman; photographs on this page made during a cruise in 1996. Queen Elizabeth 2 and Canberra received a heroic welcome upon their return to the UK. The Queen was refitted and her funnel colours were now switched to the original Cunard livery of black and red. Nothing much happened the following years, and QE2 divided her time between liner service on the North Atlantic and cruising.
However, by now her engines, her turbines to be exact, would gradually become more and more troublesome. So in 1986, QE2 was sent to Bremerhaven, to the Lloyd Werft and at a cost of $162 mio. she received new engines of the diesel electric type. Although a huge amount of money, it was still only half of what it would have cost to build a new liner. It turned out to be a great success in both speed and cost reduction. In 1992, QE2 ran aground off the coast of Massechussetts, and passengers had to be evacuated. Costly repairs on her keel and bow plating had to be carried out.
Queens Grill Lounge, Boat deck Two years later in 1994, QE2 was refitted, so she could compete again with her more modern competitors and would comply with the new safety regulations. In 1996, another refit followed. Luckily, QE2 has preserved her English charm and atmosphere in the process, and hopefully she will sail for many years to come.
In January 2004, the maiden voyage of her new fleetmate took place, the Queen Mary 2. At present, QM2 is one of the largest and longest liners ever built and with a contract price of $ 780 mio. (!) surely the most expensive. QE2' s transatlantic service has been taken over by the new ship, and she sails as a full time cruise ship from that moment on. In 2007, Cunard took delivery of the new Queen Victoria, and it was rumoured that she would be replaced by this new vessel. But instead, in June 2007, in a surprise move, Cunard announced it had sold the QE2 to Dubai owners who have plans to operate her as a floating hotel and museum. Her interiors will be restored to their original former glory during a refit. QE2 will be berthed at a specially constructed pier at the Palm Jumeirah Island which is the smallest of the three Palm Islands, proclaimed by Dubai to be the eighth wonder of the world. QE2 will be handed over in November 2008 and will celebrate her 40th birthday in 2009, the year she will start her new life in the Middle East.
Click on thumbnail for larger image
Board Room, Boat deck Casino, Upper deck End
|
|
End
|
