QE2 to set sail on her final voyage

(11 November 2008)

The QE2 is to set sail for the last time when she leaves Southampton for Dubai at 1915 today.

Cunard's much-loved ocean liner will take 16 days to reach the Middle East where she will be converted into a luxury hotel and entertainment centre at the Palm Jumeirah.

Tickets for her final voyage sold out in 36 minutes with the most luxurious berths going for over £28,000.

The QE2 went into service in 1969. Since then she has made 806 transatlantic crossings, circumnavigated the world 25 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers, including Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, the Beatles, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.

The liner ran aground briefly off the south coast of England as she returned to her home port of Southampton for the final time early this morning. No damage was done.