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Peter
Let the games begin...
[ 02-08-2009: Message edited by: Jekyll ]
quote:Originally posted by Jekyll:Any guess on how many posts this item will generate? 100? 500?Let the games begin...
First we should decide whether this are good or bad news.
What I don't want is the same fate for QE2 as SSUS. To sit rotting at some pier forgotten. I would rather Nakheel sell her to India now rather than later.
By the time the economy recovers, it's likely QE2 will be forgotten and the entire project will have moved on to another idea.
It's also possible that Nakheel are using the economy as an excuse, as they realized their plan is far fetched and perhaps QE2 is not the ship they bargained for. In any case, I thought Dubai was immune to economic downturns??
Ernie
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:I wonder how many people would actually be interested in visiting her in her current configuration. This reminds me of when the well worn QE was opened as a tourist attraction in Ft. Lauderdale. At least that ship had 3 or 4 grand interiors spaces to awe the visitors while QE2 really does'nt have any.
I think QE2 would be a very sad ship to visit in a stagnant state. Frankly she is not that impressive and what made her special were her passengers, her history, and her longevity. I think the average tourist would be sorely disappointed if they were to visit the ship, and wonder "what was all the fuss about"? Without question, QE2 is one of those ships where you had to be there.
This is one reason I could never understand why Dubai wanted the ship to begin with. She would never work as a modern hotel and basically have to be gutted. Perhaps they realized this a bit too late?
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:I wonder how many people would actually be interested in visiting her in her current configuration.
quote:Originally posted by Cunard Fan:I would!!
Yes afcorse you want to visit here. And I think we all understand liner buffs will visit here. But then, other visitors not familiar with here legacy Will at least disappointed visiting here. In that I agree with Ernie.
Greetings Ben.
Well Emirates has a non-stop from LAX. Go for it!
As Ernie posted, QE2 was all the more special because of her often unique passengers. Her interiors were secondary and though nice are'nt the grand lofty spaces people expect today. It is interesting how shipboard design has come full circle where single deck spaces were preferred in the 1950s through the early 1980s as opposed to the grand multi-deck spaces of the 1920s and 30s.
quote:Originally posted by geno-er:Move her to Long Beach to "The Cunard Retirement Center".
Or better yet Southampton! Maybe she'll become available and someone (other than a scrap merchant) could snatch her up for $10-20 million.
I remember seeing something on the internet once talking about that very same idea.
QE2 has always been more of a legend in concept than reality. I love her but she is definitely more than the sum of her parts, which is all that is left when you stop her engines and disembark her passengers.
quote:Originally posted by Midshipcentury:Looks like the conversion is off for now, owing to Nakheel's current financial challenges. She may open up "as is" until funding can be arranged for the "transformation" or may fade away and finally go for scrap. Peter
Hello Midshipcentury,
Would you mind sharing your source for this information - or are you assuming - owing to the fact that she is still sitting at Mina Rashid?
Thanks!
Chris.
If I could, I would. It is someone who dearly loves ships, is respected, and has connections to the project.
My best,
Pam
The World island project is now under massive strain as sales have totally dried up, who knows you might soon be able to buy an island of your own at bargain prices.
The biggest boom industry in Dubai at present is those repatriating the cheap labour originally brought in to build these things, my sister has even heard a romour that the Dubai Tower (the worlds tallest building) will be delayed until things pick up, so yes even Dubai is having a rough time, so QE2 being delayed or even cancelled would be no surprise at all.
And if there is no immediate future for QE2 what hope for Stockholm or Hamburg - not one.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:I think the average tourist would be sorely disappointed if they were to visit the ship, and wonder "what was all the fuss about"? Without question, QE2 is one of those ships where you had to be there.
Very well put, Ernie.
Even first-time QE2 passengers would often say "Is this it. I was expecting something much more opulent". It was all about onboard atmosphere. The QM2 and QV are infinitely more impressive for passengers or tourists.
This ‘Hotel ship’ thing really is fraught with difficulties. There are so few example of it actually working well.
quote:Originally posted by eroller: In any case, I thought Dubai was immune to economic downturns?
So did I. What's the problem Peter, less investors?
Best,
As you know, like many I LOVE QE2 and have ever since I was a kid. I have seen her (like many) from both a ship tour perspective and in motion as a T/A ship. When people come onboard to tour there are many preconceptions of how opulent the ship is (partially because of the press in the "early years") and disappointed follows as they don't feel she's really all that much to behold.
When people sail her - the ship comes alive and the experience is completely different and magical.
I cannot see her being remotely successful if she opens and remains in her current state.
Unfortunately she's kind of like those grand old Fairmont hotels (at least those in Canada), people stay in them once and then the next time they choose a more modern hotel.
God Save the Queen (or RIP)
quote:Originally posted by viking109:Maybe ships simply don't work as stationary objects.
Very true! They loose their soul and just become lifeless metal.
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