Business | Tourism
Nakheel prepares to greet legendary liner's arrival
Dubai's master-developer Nakheel said excited preparations are underway for the arrival of the world's best loved ocean liner - the Queen Elizabeth 2.
- Staff Report
- Published: 15:32 November 16, 2008
- Image Credit:
Dubai: Dubai's master-developer Nakheel, which is set to take over the operations and management of the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2, said on Sunday excited preparations are underway for the arrival of the world's best loved ocean liner.
The ship left Southampton last week on her final voyage and is now en route to her new home here. Nakheel will provide a fitting welcome for this queen of the waves, and its investment will safeguard the future of an icon of global maritime history.
Manfred Ursprunger, CEO of QE2 Enterprises, Nakheel Hotels, said: "The investment Nakheel will be making in the QE2 will ensure that she continues to be a beacon of sophistication for generations to come and maintains her rich heritage and iconic stature.
"QE2 has always been synonymous with luxury, elegance and exclusivity, and these are the characteristics that we are taking as the inspiration for her future. We are proud to be the custodian of such a magnificent British icon and will utilise our resources to maintain the integrity and spirit of QE2, as envisioned by her original design team led by Dennis Lennon, and usher in the next exciting chapter of her rich and dignified life."
QE2 is set to arrive at Dubai Port Rashid on November 26. Upon arrival, she will be greeted at The World islands by a flotilla of local yachts, boats and leisure craft led by a Royal Navy frigate.
Heritage museum
Once refurbished, QE2 will be set afloat on the eastern side of the trunk of Palm Jumeirah at the end of a specially designed, prestigious land bridge that will evoke the grandeur, luxury and exclusivity associated with ocean liners.
Plans for QE2 include her transformation into an ultra-luxury floating hotel where she will form the centre-piece of a luxurious residential, entertainment, marina, and hotel development off the trunk of Palm Jumeirah.
A heritage museum displaying artefacts from QE2 and local maritime history will also be a prominent feature in the precinct, which will also contain a luxurious, West-end style theatre capable of staging West-end and Broadway productions.
QE2 was purchased last year by Nakheel's parent company, Dubai World. She is arguably one of the world's most famous ships and has circumnavigated the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers including kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, astronauts and many international celebrities.
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