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Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Author, Lecturer & Cruise’n’Ship Reviewer

The QE2 is Heading for China

To be converted into the Luxury 5 Star

“QE2 Heritage Hotel”

Please Note: Photographs on this page are from the author’s private collection, the “Oceanic Group,” or from those as stated.

I recall well when on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 it was announced that Dubai has announced the purchase of the British ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth 2 from Cunard Line for a massive US$100 million, for conversion into a luxury-floating hotel, expected to open in 2009. She arrived in Dubai with great fanfare and it was planned that after her conversion for her to be placed at her new home at the new “Palm Jumeirah,” which is an artificial island shaped like a palm and has a residential development as well as hotels and being a holiday centre. However the global financial situation put all that at an end, as the Emirates suffered like the vast majority of counties, the only exception being Australia that remained untouched, thanks to a brilliant Government who took any possible problems face one, and thwarted any possibilities!

Thus the great Queen laid there in Dubai for such a long time, and certainly, those who dearly love this ship were worried as the signs ere not good, especially when the V-Ship crew disappeared who had looked after the QE2 magnificently and kept her spotless and in A1 condition at all times! Now suddenly, she had no power and no air-conditioning, which would see certain parts of the ship suffer!

But finally I received the good news in January 2013, although we were not quite sure what to make of it, for things were going very slowly. But by October 2013 confirmation came that the contracts had been signed with the Chinese shipyards for her conversion, and he had already been in dry-dock and had her hull fully coated and repainted and she is now ready to sail under her own power to China!

The Great News:

“Oceanic Group” Managing Director Mr. Daniel Chui told reporters in Dubai today. “We will lavish many, many millions of dollars on this magnificent ship to restore the splendour of her glory days.”

Tuesday October 16, 2013: For over four decades, the MV Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) was “The Most Famous Ocean Liner in the World.” Today, QE2 Holdings Ltd (“QE2 Holdings”) announced its appointment of COSCO Shipyard Group (“COSCO Shipyard”), a subsidiary of China Ocean Shipping Company, to complete the refurbishment of the QE2 into a luxury heritage hotel, taking this great ship into the next chapter of its illustrious history!

The official refurbishment contract signing ceremony and press conference at Shanghai, China

Mr. Khamis Juma Buamin and Mr. Haudong Cao sign the official contract for QE2’s refurbishment

The QE2 will sail under her own power for the COSCO Shipyard in Zhoushan, in the Zhejiang Province of China. Once she arrives, she will receive a thorough revitalization and a complete makeover that is scheduled for completion by 2015.

The COSCO Shipyard will be responsible for all the technical repairs and coordinate with an appointed interior renovation contractor to revamp the accommodation and ballroom, as well as the refitting of seven restaurants, 10 lounges, a cinema, a maritime museum displaying QE2 memorabilia, and the shopping mall. The existing 990 staterooms onboard the ship will be converted into 400 premium luxury suites ranging from 60 to 150 square metres.

Some seven international designers were contracted to design the interiors of the new QE2 Heritage Hotel and their designs are now online and all of 5these can be viewed at; www.qe2design.com. There is a video online from one of these designers, being “BG-Studio” view it at; www.qe2design.com/bg-studio/.

The elegant Hotel QE2 is seen at a suggested future berth, ready for her guests

Photograph provided by www.qe2design.com and the “Benoy” designers!

Further to the above:

As stated above, I received the wonderful news that the Chinese COSCO Shipyards has been contracted to convert the QE2 into a luxury-floating hotel. Mr. Daniel Chui, who is the chief executive, “Oceanic Group Pte Ltd” & “QE2 Holdings Ltd,” provided the news in regard to the project at the “Cruise & Shipping, Asia-Pacific” in Singapore, just last week. Of course as most will know the QE2 has been in Dubai for some five years awaiting her fate, but now she is being made ready to sail under her own power to China.

Although she has been in dry dock to make her ready for the voyage to Asia, having had her hull fully taken care off and repainted and other required work undertaken ensuring that she will be able to sail the lengthy voyage.

The beautiful QE2 seen in a Dubai Dry-Dock in 2013

Photograph by & © Drydock World

Mr. Chui said that the project was “an irresistible proposal” and that he envisioned the iconic ex Cunarder having a new lease of life up to a good 40 years as a luxury heritage hotel with 450 rooms.

Several months ago seven international designers were contracted to design the interiors of the new Hotel QE2, when these come available I add these online as soon as they are released (now online!). However, we have been told that “heritage, elegance and regal are the core principles” for the designs. Mr. Chui said the owners have also commissioned a documentary on the refurbishment of the historic ship whilst she is in China.

As soon as her refurbishment is completed in 2015, this great ship will be undertaking a 90-day voyage “showcasing her onboard offerings stopping at key Asian port cities.” Said Mr. Chui,

Her accommodations will range in size from 60 to 150 sq m, and will have a range of British, Continental European as well as classic and neo-modern designs.

The ship currently has seven restaurants, three of these seating 500. Mr. Chui said careful consideration is being given to how these will operate for ‘MICE events.’

“The goal for the final design is to preserve the soul of the QE2 and many of the original furnishings and much of the décor will be incorporated, while creating a modern luxury hotel.” Originally she was to be refurbished as the central attraction in a maritime-themed development on Palm Jumeirah, however this plan was scrapped in the wake of the financial crisis and the downturn in the Dubai property market.

Daniel Chui, president and chief executive of QE2 Holdings and managing director of Oceanic Group, said: “The ship’s redevelopment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any interior design professional to create what will become one of Asia’s major waterfront tourist attractions.

Although he was happy to say that the QE2 will be finally located in the Asia Pacific region, but he said that nothing at this time was finalized as yet, however, I do feel that Hong Kong would be the number one contender!

Apparently the estimated cost of QE2’s refurbishment should be around US$100 million. Mr. Chui said, “She is solid, but since she has not been activated for the past five years this is coming at a great cost.” Her refit and delivery as well as acceptance by authorities on her status and that is post conversion, which is also a big challenge, he added. For instance, with regard to questions such as whether it is designated a ship or a floating hotel. Mr. Chui said that the reason the cost should be around the US$100 million mark is mostly because the major works are being done in Asia.

Personally, all I can say is I am delighted with the news and now the QE2 will be safe for the future!

QE2 Heritage Hotel ~ Images

For a range of possible interior images enter the site below

www.qe2design.com

A little QE2 History:

Her keel was laid down on July 5, 1965 as hull number 736, and was launched and named on September 20, 1967 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, using the same pair of gold scissors that her mother as well as her grandmother used to launch the RMS Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary respectively.

This beautiful pewter platter was a gift given to the VIP’s present at the launching

of the QE2 on September 20, 1967 and I have always treasured it! During her final year,

I received a presentation box with six gold & ceramic celebration pins!

Photo by the author

On November 19, 1968 she left the John Brown's fitting out berth and sailed down the River Clyde to the Firth of Clyde Dry Dock at Inchgreen, Greenock, for final trials and commissioning. After her sea trials in the Irish Sea, she set out on a "Mini maiden (shake down) voyage" to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria that departed on April 22, 1969, with the author onboard as an invited guest being in the industry at the time. What the world has not often been told that it was a much-troubled voyage and many things went wrong. But like all things, she was new and these things do happen. But she was simply the most spectacular ship of her day!

The Queen Elizabeth 2’s maiden voyage, from Southampton to New York City, commenced on May 2, 1969, taking 4 days, 16 hours and 35 minutes. However, Prince Charles was the first “civilian” passenger to board the ship, on her voyage from the shipyard in Clydebank to dry-dock in Greenock. On board for the short journey her first captain was the now famed William (Bill) Warwick.

The QE2 became Cunard Line’s longest-serving Liner and cruise ship. The 294m ship was originally built as a steam ship, but was later converted into a motor ship, can carry up to 1778 passengers and more than 1000 crew.

Her Motive Power and New Engines in 1986/87:

After the QE2 was launched, she had a steam-turbine power plant utilising three Foster Wheeler E.S.D II boilers that would provide steam for the two Brown-Pametrada turbines rated with a maximum power output figure of 110,000 shaft horsepower (normally operating at 94,000hp) coupled to two, six-bladed, fixed-pitch propellers.

The steam power plant had been plagued by problems from the time the ship was launched. Consuming 600 tons of fuel every 24 hours, it was expensive to feed. Also, spare parts were becoming very difficult to acquire due to the outdated design of her boilers and turbines. After seventeen years of service, Cunard decided that the options were to either replace the ship or re-engine her with a more efficient diesel-electric power plant. The latter was decided upon as it would allow the ship to operate for another twenty years and this was by far a cheaper solution. In addition, this option would see the ship return to service in just six months, rather than waiting several years for a shipyard to design and build a new ship from the keel up.

During the ship's 1986-to-1987 refit, the old power plant was removed and scrapped. She was then fitted with nine German MAN L58/64 nine-cylinder, medium-speed diesel engines, each weighing approximately 120 tons. Using a diesel-electric configuration, each engine drives a G.E.C. generator, each developing 10.5 MW of electrical power at 10,000 volts. This electrical plant, in addition to powering the ship's auxiliary and hotel services through transformers, drives the two main propulsion motors, one on each propeller shaft. These motors produce 44 MW and are of synchronous salient-pole construction, nine meters in diameter and weigh more than 400 tons each. The typical service speed of 28.5 knots (52.8 km/h) can be maintained using only seven of the diesel-electric sets. Her maximum power output with the new engine configuration running was now 130,000hp, which is greater than the previous system's 110,000hp. Using the same IBF-380 (Bunker 'C') fuel, the new configuration yields a 35% fuel saving over the previous system. During the retrofit, her funnel was replaced by a wider one in order to accommodate the exhaust pipes for the nine B&W diesel engines.

Our beloved Maritime Icon, the QE2 will Live On:

The QE2 is a global legend and she has carried over 2.5 million passengers, who have come to regard her as synonymous with luxury, elegance and exclusivity. These days there are thousands of loyal fans of the QE2 that will be delighted to hear that she is beginning a new journey as a floating 5-Star Luxury Hotel and it could well be in Hong Kong, but that has not been confirmed!

The “Grande Dame of World Cruising” is seen departing Hong Kong in March 1985

She could well return to Hong Kong in 2015 and become a Five Star Hotel there???

As a luxury hotel, the QE2 will take her place alongside some of the fine heritage hotels found in Hong Kong and other Cities around Asia, including the super deluxe Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, the magnificent Peace Hotel in Shanghai as well as the Grand Hotel in Taipei and the Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Thus the QE2 Hotel will add a new level of luxury accommodation without the need for land, and become a fine luxury and a great tourist attraction to complement Hong Kong and many of the other great Asia’s waterfronts.

Without doubt, the QE2 is an awe-inspiring liner and cruise ship, one that has such a rich history. I firmly believe that an onboard experience will bring visitors to this “Grand Dame of the Sea” back to her grand old days as the “Queen of the Seas.” Whether they are onboard guests, come to dine or host an event aboard the QE2, they will be assured of an utterly unique experience filled with memories sure to last a lifetime.

QE2 seen in Sydney in 2005 whilst she was on another world cruise

At just over 70,000 tons, she was never the largest passenger ship in the world, but she became one the most famous, for one, she was the very last passenger ship to be built on River Clyde in Scotland. QE2 is renowned for her legendary World Cruises, the “Grande Dame of World Cruising,” and she simply a Maritime Icon as she is simply “The Most Famous Ocean Liner in the World.” For me there were two great liners, the first of these two to be saved was the superb Holland America Liner the SS Rotterdam, which is a most successful Hotel and tourist attraction in he City where she was built, registered, her very home port, Rotterdam! If only Britain had ben as hungry for their Maritime History! But, she will now be heading far away to Asia, close to my home, Australia, and I will say that like the SS Rotterdam, there will never be another ship as great as the magnificent QE2 with her long career and illustrious history and passenger list that is simply amazing, for it features Kings, Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Rock and Pop Stars, even Astronauts and a list of VIP’s of the super rich and famous from around the world. And yes, even myself, who had the joys of being her guest, but never boasted too much about it, or wrote books on all my experiences!

Here in Australia, it was a tragic two days when the QE2 arrived in Sydney, as she would meet the new Cunard ship, the Vistas Class MV Queen Victoria, which is a floating box, or better said an floating Apartment block (a Condo) and when you see the two shops together, you begin to realise how horrid all these new Carnival American style Cunard ships are, for these days there are three Vista style ships; 1, the larger Vista QM2, the QV and the new QE.

Here we see the QE2 arriving in Sydney on February 24, 2008 during her very last visit to Australia

Countless thousand stood shore side on February, 2008 to see this great ship depart Sydney including myself, for I had been with her from her launch day, her "Mini maiden (shake down) voyage," line voyages and cruises and now as she departed Sydney. There were people at the Passenger Terminal, the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bride, and all along the shore lone on both sides of the harbour right up to Sydney Heads, where there where some thousands more to see her out to sea! The4 QE2 was that much loved here, and yet, the vast majority of onlookers had never set a foot on this great ship! But others had sailed on her and were remembering the superb days at sea on what was a real ship, that felt like she belonged and not like those that were being built that were beginning to look like bid square boxes! Farewell beautiful Queen, personally I am overjoyed that you will have a new life yet, like my all time favourite ships the magnificent and one of the most successful liners and cruise ships, Holland America Lines revolutionary SS Rotterdam V of 1959, which was taken officially out of service on September 21, 2000. Today, she is a successful luxury Hotel and Tourist Centre in her Home Port!

And farewell to the much loved Grande Dame on February 25, 2008, it was a very sad day for so many Australian’s!

Photograph by & © Rex Cox – With thanks!

Although The QE2 concluded her duties back in 2008, she has been well maintained whilst in Dubai and has had an engine in operation constantly, with air-conditioning in full operation throughout the ship. In addition her interiors have been superbly maintained by V-Ships!

QE2 - Specifications:

Built by: John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland.

Tonnage: 70,327 (originally 65,863).

Length: 963 ft (293.52m).

Breadth: 105 ft (32.07m).

Draft: 32 ft (9.75ft).

Engines: 9 MAN B&W Diesel Engines (installed 1986) - 10,625 kW at 400 rpm (Built with Steam Geared Turbines).

Propellers: 2 propellers - 22 ft diameter, 42 tons.

Bow thrusters: 2 bow thrusters - 1,000 hp, variable pitch.

Stabilisers: 4 Brown Brothers stabilisers - 12 ft length, 70 sq ft area each.

Rudder: 1 weighing some 75 tons.

Passengers: 1,900.

Crew: 1,015.

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QE2 Heritage Hotel ~ Images

For a range of possible interior images enter the site below

www.qe2design.com

Please be assured, as soon as I receive further news from her owners I will place news updates on this page as well as any further photographs as they come hand!

Reuben Goossens.

Maritime Historian, Author and Lecturer.

Cruise’n’Ship Reviewer.

**************************************

Who is the Author of ssMaritime & Cruise-Australia?

Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in 1960

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Please Note: ssMaritime and Cruise-Australia with its associate sites are non-commercial and a privately owned cruise and maritime sites. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and maritime articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a voyage in the future.

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