The city's warm welcome for Cunard cruiseliner Queen Elizabeth 2 isn't quite over yet.
During the Eid holidays, residents flocked at the fence along Port Rashid near Shindagha Tunnel to have a glimpse of the grand lady docked at her new home in late November.
The QE2, purchased by Dubai World for $100 million (Dh367 million), will be converted into a hotel to be permanently berthed at The Palm Jumeirah.
Visitors said they couldn't get the time off to watch QE2 arrive, but the Eid holiday gave them the time to make their dockside glimpse possible.
Business consultant Sinoj Kunnummal, 28, said: "It's wonderful to see it [QE2]. When the work is finished and the ship is reopened as a hotel I will be there at The Palm the first day."
Indian expat Fahad Bin Basha'aer, 23, was ecstatic to take in the behemoth ocean liner: "I've never seen a ship this big. I am thrilled to be here."
A Nakheel spokesperson said it will take two to three years to convert the QE2 into a floating hotel and residence for the lucky few able to secure flats aboard.
