Opinion | Editorials
The berth of a new era
Gracefully plying through the oceans' waves for the last four decades, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 has been the epitome of a Class A liner that resonates of bygone eras.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:02 November 27, 2008
Gracefully plying through the oceans' waves for the last four decades, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 has been the epitome of a Class A liner that resonates of bygone eras.
Since her launch in 1967, the vessel has hosted kings and queens, princes and presidents, the rich, famous and the infamous, sailing the seas with elegance and luxury, and, above all, an innate and grand sense of history. She bears the heredity of Cunard's Luisitania, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary, and is giving way to a new generation of liners.
Yesterday, amid pomp and ceremony, the QE2 slipped into her final berth on the Palm Jumeirah, dropping anchor on her sea-faring days.
The grand old lady's retirement, though, will be graceful, and will see her becoming a luxury floating hotel, theatre and residence - a permanent presence on Dubai's waterfront. Dubai is a gracious home for the ship, and her presence here adds grace to the Palm. It's a match worthy of both.
More from Editorials
More from Opinions
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Syrian crisis and rumblings of a cold war
By Patrick Seale, Special to Gulf News
With their vetoes, Russia and China are saying they too have interests in the Middle East, which they are bent on protecting
-
Motives for a new regional alignment
By Marwan Kabalan, Special to Gulf News
The relationship between Iraq and Syria strengthened following the breakout of the uprising and withdrawal of US troops
-
Learning Arabic must not be seen as a compulsion
By Rabia Alavi, Special to Gulf News
Expatriates must see its inclusion in school curriculum as an invitation to integrate into Emirati society and an opportunity to access markets presently reserved for Emiratis
Your turn
