Photos of QE2 in Port Rashid, Dubai

This page was compiled during the 'dark' months after QE2 arrived in Dubai, when we all thought she was about to be destroyed by an ill-conceived radical rebuild, and every last photo of her intact was precious.

When QE2 arrived in Dubai at the end of 2008, everybody thought the days were numbered until she was moved to dry dock for the radical rebuild to commence.  The original QE2, that we all knew and loved, was about to be lost forever, and QE2 fans the world over scrabbled for any final images of her as we remember her.  That is what this page was set up for - those final images.

However its not over until the fat lady sings, and in June and July 2009, it became clear that the plans for QE2 were radically changing.  She was brought back up to standard to be sent to Cape Town to serve as a hotel there... but still, also, a ship with her engines running and all systems 'live'.  QE2 fans the world over were very, very pleased and looked forward to visiting her there.

THEN - Cape Town appeared to fall through, and the global financial crisis hit Dubai HARD, with them unable to pay back billions of dollars of loans... QE2 was ready to go somewhere... but nobody knew where... Alang?  Cape Town?  Back home to Britain?  Left to rot in Dubai?

Watch The QE2 Story forum for the latest updates as the story continues to unfold.

Last Update to this page : 22/06/2010 10:45

For over 8 months, since she arrived on the 26th of November 2008, when QE2 was handed over to Nakheel in Port Rashid, Dubai; QE2 was stationary.  Her standby crew led was initially led by QE2's former captain, Ron Warwick, until he left the ship in and was replaced by a Polish captain under V-ships management, meaning that she has had no Cunard crew on board at all, for the first time in her long life.  The last Cunard employees left on the 16th of December.  The engines were being run, one at a time, in cycle, to provide power for air-conditioning, and all her safety equipment, not to mention lighting, plumbing etc.  Her interiors are intact.

Below is a selection of photos from this period in QE2's life ... newest first.

For more images and the latest QE2 news and discussions have a look at the QE2 story Discussion Forum

3 Great photos of QE2 in Port Rashid, Dubai, from Gary Buchanan taken on 23rd May 2009

Gary tells me that it was 44C (over 111F) as he took these at 11am in the morning. 
Quite how QE2 and her systems are coping (or not...) with that heat is another question.