QE2 to be scrapped?

[Kai R]

MaritimeMatters reports:

"February 8: Sources close to Dubai-owned Nakheel, owners of the QE2, indicate the current world financial crisis and stem of tourism to Dubai may have seriously altered or postponed the plans for the conversion of the former Cunarder into a luxury hotel and attraction at the Palm Jumeirah. The original, multi-million USD plans called for a number of radical changes, including: the removal of all lifeboats for a full-beam upperworks superstructure expansion like that done to the SS NORWAY (ex FRANCE) in 1990; addition of a new midsection; rebuilt and squared-off stern for helicopter landings; cylindrical condominium instead of the funnel; gutting of all public rooms and cabins to be replaced with apartments, restaurants and hotel areas; replacement of the machinery with a Broadway-style theater; and removal of the Heritage Trail. With the recent Financial Times reports of Nakheel laying off over 500 employees, purists and fans of the QE2 might have reason to rejoice, at least for now, in that the owners are considering opening the ship "as is", utilizing the current power plant for eating or sleeping on board. Other options would include selling the ship for scrap, although not until public interest in the project has diminished."

http://www.maritimematters.com/shipnews.html

Regards,

Kai

[Tomas]

Cut it to pieces, instead of reducing her into a glamorama for millionaires. But thats just my view. Let her pass away with some dignity!

[Allan RO]

Hi Tomas

Couldn't agree more......in an earlier post when there was talk of towing her to Bremerhaven for lengthening, I said I hoped she would cheat them all and sink in the Bay of Biscay - I have not changed my mind.

Allan

[Brian Cawkwell]

I say that they should send her to Hartlepool if they are going to srap her, with the Clem :lol:

[Cornelia Klier]

I think, to leave it as it is would be the best. As original as possible. So that even it's a hotel, you can still get the ship-feeling onboard. It is enough that there are many ships built already which are just kitsch copies of holiday-camps on land.

[Brian Cawkwell]

Yes I agree, she is probably more of an attraction to more people as she is.

[Glenn Towler]

I would much prefer to see her remain as is.  You could still do some minor alterations to her exteriot to cater for larger helicopters and no body would really know.  But as for using her existing powerplant to provide power to the ship, well seeing her last hull survey she go the golden tick of good health, why don't they send her back to work traveling the high seas, there was never a shortage of numbers wanting to travel on her.  But I fully agree on leaving her interior as is.

If the Arabs tried to scrap her, there would be an even huger battle than there was over the SS France/Norway/Blue Lady.