Where would "as is" Hotel QE2 work best ? (Serious Discussion)

[Rob Lightbody]

It needs to be a bigger city, or an area with a bigger population within range of the ship.  Think QM1 at Long Beach, for example.  This means she won't threaten local businesses.
It needs to have moderate temperatures, although i suspect too cold would be better than too hot.
It needs to "like british things".
It preferably needs to appreciate old things - shabby chic! rather than luxury=glitzy.
Preferably, it needs to have not too much "wow" that QE2 will just disappear into it all...
It doesnt necessarily need to have an amazing waterfront/port, but QE2 must be visible from land I think.
High unemployment might be useful, but this might cancel out potential profits from visitors I suppose...

It seems to me that anything at all is better than our freshly painted and re-registered QE2 just sitting at Port Rashid baking and getting dusty in the desert... so lets think of somewhere.

[Blue Bombay]

I think there are only 3 choices, somewhere in Europe and for me Southampton is still the place for her.Then you have maybe Japan the ship was well loved there.And the last choice maybe Australia but this last would be a very remote one.

Louis

[Rob Lightbody]

Yes but lets try to be much more specific now. Choose a city and a dock! Maybe we can come up with a short list. Its a free world, we could even ask politicians in the location what they think.

[MiamiCunarder]

 

  Funny Rob, I was just thinking about this myself recently! Just yesterday morning in fact, after reading the initial reports on the Capetown fiasco. I began thinking of a few places and chose Miami. Yes, I'm a little partial but there's more to it.  Miami fits the mold as a large city with a revolving door of tourists plus, and this a definite plus...there's a big vacant spot.
 It's the old port of Miami before they created Dodge Island, which is attached to the mainland and is of the last time I checked, still vacant; a large gap on the downtown bay line.
Anyway, at the moment, I happen to have a connection to the incumbant mayor of the City of Miami. All we need now are investors and a willing seller..


  This image is dated but the gap you see (the old port) is still there as you see it.
 
Ron

[Bob C.]

Here's a suggestion. Two options for Southampton in the below Google Earth screen capture. 

Option 1:  1000 ft (305m) pier built where the white rectagle is overlaid and dock QE2 there as a QM1-esque hotel, museum and conference center.

Option 2: The quay wall along that stretch of park is about 1000 ft long - Moor QE2 along the wall as a QM1-esque hotel, museum and conference center.

There is also alot of open land across from Southampton that looks available for such a project. 

[MiamiCunarder]

 
 Here is an image I plucked off Google just to give you an idea.



I was actually aiming to find an artist's depiction for a commercial development in that area which I recall seeing about 8-10 years ago.  The artist had cleverly drawn QE2 docked in that very same spot.

 Ron

[Bob C.]

Here's another possiblity.  Google earth shows this area to the east of Southampton's Eastern Docks as abondoned and, if it still is, it's roughly the same amount of area the QM1 resort occupies. Ship outline is to scale

[Bob C.]

One more - more of a wish than feasibility.  Didn't see much real estate availble up river closer to Glasgow (the "conference center of the world") and west of the city's bridges.

[MiamiCunarder]

  Here is an image off of Google Earth.  According to Google Earth's measurements, the old port (gap) measures around 1,160 ft (354m ) in length and 300 ft (90 m) in width. Bicentennial Park which is right next to the old port would make a great spot to admire her.


 Great topic, btw, Rob. Thanks again for bringing it up.
 
Ron

[Blue Bombay]

Yokohama, Japan

http://www.satellite-sightseer.com/id/3472

Louis

[highlander0108]

Back home.     The fitting out basin fits her fine and she'd be right next to the Titan Crane that helped build her and the other true Queens.



Or Southampton.  I would love to stay on QE2 either prior to a Cunard cruise or after one rather than staying in the Holiday Inn, but i'm biased.   

[citrail]

Yep, I'm with you on that one. QE2 would always look so right there, and what a massive draw for local tourism.
Trouble is, is there the money about to make it happen, indeed make it happen anywhere in the UK. 

[Twynkle]

Hey Rob,

Firstly - thank you for all your thoughts and suggestions.
In answer to your question - I would say very definitely dock her in Southampton - leased to perhaps someone who's already proven to be great, like Sir Richard Branson, Sir Tim Dyson, Sir Paul McCartney et al, plus others in a similar position to make the initial capital outlay.....A CONSORTIUM OF THE GREAT AND THE GOOD! (pressed caps there by mistake!))

A private concern that could use QE2 for training, education, conferences, weddings, convalescence for forces personnel, the possibilities are endless  - preferably all connected to the Maritime world.
Importantly, there is all the infra-structure in situ, good communications, easy access for tourism (airport, and inc. France), business interests,  etc -
There's be no trouble with recruiting labour, and putting her to good use will also require good-will, following good PR and great publicity. 
Queen Elizabeth 2 would look very good indeed and wouldn't she be most welcome on her home territory?
After all, others have already shown that QM can 'do it' - if she can, then so can QE2.

Having said all that - she was Clyde built - and if there is the same back-ground there to support her - then this would definitely need to be considered as well.

On another level, though
Is anyone else finding this really difficult - not least as 'isn't there still uncertainty about QE2's position?'
regarding finance, doubt's about South Africa - etc etc
and absolutely no formal public statements from anyone, anywhere......
since QE2_DXB's confident statement (end of last week)
It feels really bad - and I'm sorry.
However, her anchor is waiting, and there's the new QE2 Mile,
let's hope for better news - soon.

Rosie

PS - Hopefully she would be allowed to drop the pre-fix Hotel - after all, she is and always will be  THE QE2!

[Mr B]

Without question Highlander, where she was born.

There isn't any money in the Scottish Government Budget for sure, we need someone with not only the cash but the feelings for her; perhaps the likes of someone who understood Concorde but was scunnered by the CAA and BA.

[luzparis]

for me the QE2 need to return in Southampton or where she born in glasgow but i have a another place for her Lisbon !! a wonderful place  with a very big abandonned drydock in front of the city  a new city project propose by the famous english Architect sir Richard Rogers the architect of the scottich parliament

[highlander0108]

To generate cash flow, here's another idea and this one should be viewed as a no brainer.  How about bringing her back to NYC.  There is definitely space and I highly doubt there would be any opposition.  Put her in Pier 88/90 or refurb one of the unused piers on he Hudson, NOT Red Hook.  Or just bring her back and tie her up there temporarily and open the doors up as a hotel with zero modifications.  Ultimately, I'd rather see her in the UK, which would give me a big reason to visit more often, but Southampton and New York were her main ports of call and should have the greatest ties to the area.  Granted it would take money to move her, but why not sell the cruise for passengers and recoup some of the operating costs.  I am sure the logistics of putting passengers back on for one voyage probably are cost prohibitive, but one can only dream.  We already have a Concorde here and she'd look pretty smart alongside another icon of transportation.

Now back to the UK option and costs.  Remember that your government laid out some cash to get Queen Mary going again during the depression and many were put back to work throughout the UK with that move.  Maybe history can be repeated.  Think of this as a stimulous package for local economies if she were brought back home.  Local labor would be needed to prepare the pier, perhaps even adding support buildings such as a museum, locals would be needed to staff the hotel operations.  And then there is the tourist draw potential to stimulate the local economy as well.  Perhaps Prince Charles can get her designated an historic site.  

Ken

[Bob C.]

Great idea Ken but I would recommend mooring her bow first (as she always did) so that her "Port Vila" would be essentially hidden from the Manhattan public eye.

[Twynkle]

After a few moments of research - (and Before the Olympics 2012
when Sailing events at Weymouth will be down the road from Soton)

UK  - 2010
Hayling Island Laser International Regatta 2010
Travel Trade 2010 - Birmingham
Best of Britain and Ireland  2010 - London
Rally of GB 2010 - Cardiff
together with all the annual sporting fixtures,
Turn of the decade stuff,
Royal Events
together with lots of Rock and other concerts, gigs, festivals....
Couldn't all involved with these add a 'stay aboard QE2' to their itineraries?

 - this is to English Heritage, / Historic Scotland btw
If in the UK,  - Please could QE2 become the first Grade One Listed Liner-Building?
No need to worry about her stern Bob C - as you mentioned before, S'hampton's there already!

[highlander0108]

for me the QE2 need to return in Southampton or where she born in glasgow but i have a another place for her Lisbon !! a wonderful place  with a very big abandonned drydock in front of the city  a new city project propose by the famous english Architect sir Richard Rogers the architect of the scottich parliament

Sir Richard Rogers had absolutely nothing to do with the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh.  Catalonian Architect Enric Miralles, with local architect RMJM, were responsible for a very radically different building.  I visited the building as part of my Farewell to UK trip last year.  Interestingly, there is a QE2 connection here.  RMJM designed the QE3 building in Glasgow, which got its inspiration from the original funnel design of QE2.  Also, I see subtle references to QE2 in the Parliament building.  I see QE2 on the slipway from this anglle in the first pic and the funnel in the second pic. Rob posted pics on the QE3 building in a separate post awhile back.


With their obvious QE2 enthusiasm, they would be a great local firm needed to redevelop the ship properly.

Ken

[luzparis]

sorry for the mistake he made a wales parliament !! 

[billy]

Hi All,

One place, the land of her birth. I'm PROUD to be Scottish and I'm PROUD that the QE2 was built 15 miles from my birthplace. Bring her back home where she belongs, Greenock, Glasgow or Clydebank, anywhere as long as she's back on the Clyde. USA, no. They could'nt even look after her older sister QE and although the QM looks ok where she is, they ripped her engines out for goodness sake and whatever else, so USA thank you but no thank you. You would be better trying to save the United States from destruction. Austrailia and Japan are too far away for people to visit her. I would settle for her to be brought back anywhere in the UK as long as we get her away from Dubai asap, before she is damaged any further with the weather etc.

[Rob Lightbody]

This has turned into a fascinating discussion!

I think Miami might work well, I would never have thought of that one!  Also like the idea of New York and Yokohama.

[Blue Bombay]

Check this chart from Yokohama the blue arrow is where QE2 normally docks.This chart is hanging on my living room wall.

Louis

[Bob C.]

How about Halifax?  Lots of maritime, White Star (Titanic) and Cunard history there.  While it's not UK, it certainly has a direct link to her maritime and CUNARD heritage!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Excellent idea, Bob! Halifax is attractive to ship lovers for a whole series of unrelated reasons.

The principal one is that Halifax has almost all of the Titanic graves, and is full of White Star / Titanic history, which brings huge numbers of visitors on an ongoing basis.

In addition, Halifax has a beautiful maritime museum, where I could have spent many more happy hours...

In addition, Halifax has one of the best natural harbours of North America... and the harbour is huge, so space for QE2 should not be a problem...

It is also the original home of the whole of Cunard, as Samuel Cunard came from there and built up a significant shipping industry before he went to Scotland and founded Cunard Lines.

Read the Steam Lion by John G Langley :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Steam-Lion-Biography-Samuel-Cunard/dp/1883283507/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253317470&sr=8-1

... which would be good in the QE2 shop too    .

The Cunard Steamship Society is based in Halifax :

http://cunardsteamshipsociety.com/

Here are some photos from our visit to Halifax this time last year... QE2's final call to a city that must be considered her third home port, after Southampton and New York...

http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=55206992%40N00&q=qe2+halifax&m=text

It could well be an excellent choice!

[Twynkle]

Interesting  - in the light of 'Where would QE2 work best?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cruise-wars-southampton-aims-to-sink-liverpool-hopes-1789789.html

I wonder - Has anyone seriously thought about Liverpool?
Please could you try!!
It has all the infra-structure etc equalling that of Southampton.
Importantly too - it's just experienced being the European City of Culture - there are plenty of people there that could make it work for QE2.
And it has the huge new Echo Arena - situated where ships dock

 QE2 could offer the City an enormous amount in relation to Cunard,  the history of the Port as well as the strong history of ocean going liners and not least, the Shipping industry itself - from a multitude of perspectives
The Liverpudlians would welcome her, make good use of her - and QE2 would love the sense of Liverpudlian humour - she was born with that.


To QE2_DXB and all involved at Nakheel -- this is a heartfelt plea for another very sensible idea!

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/10/03/a-warm-welcome-

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/04/thousands-see-qe2-for-a-final-sail-away-from-liverpool-s-pier-head-100252-21962876/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAHyJU266N0

[pjswansea]

Some of the Southampton ideas are interesting but have some major problems (mainly cash based).  Dredging the area in front of Mayflower Park would be too prohibitive - especially as there is still a load of wreckage from the old Royal Pier.

The idea to use the other side of the Itchen is also bad as this side of Southampton is primarily residential and would not be able to support such an attraction.

I support either Southampton or Sydney for the QE2 (I think New York should have the SS United States).

For Southampton why not moor the QE2 on the Western Docks by Mayflower Park - the nearby warehouses could be demolished and so could the nearby Holiday Inn.

The Ship could be permanenly moored there, and the dockland and Mayflower park could be redeveloped. The site of the former Holiday Inn could be converted to an access way and parking.  Also with Carnival (Cunard) planning a new office near the Town Quay the QE2 could take on a role as a hotel/mooring facility as the Queen Mary does in Long Beach, CA.

I've attached some images below to show this:

The Holiday Inn (to be demolished). Holiday Inn could be offered a concession for an area of the ship that could be converted to suit their format and some public rooms could be given to them for conferencing etc.

 

This next image shows a view from the Town Quay.  You can see the remains of the Royal Pier, Mayflower Park, the potential mooring area (and the QV in the background).


Here's a classic image of the RMS Windsor Castle in the same place:


And the old Saxonia Class Cunarders laid-up here:


Here's a map to show the location:





As for Sydney - I love the photos of the QE2 moored by the opera house at night; they're fantastic!  She'd certainly be a big draw there!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

In Southampton, what site is being planned for Saga Rose?
Presumably, her placement is a done deal now, so that particular site would not be available for QE2.

Could Southampton support two classic liners serving as hotels / conference centres, etc.?

[Rob Lightbody]

What we need to focus on in this topic is Head over heart - i.e. realistic solutions for the ship, even if its somewhere you can't visit, for instance.

We're also not talking about a permanent solution, or not necessarily at least.  the engines are running, she's registered as a passenger ship, and she can go to place to place.  So this is us trying to think of the first place, instead of Cape Town.

Rosie - for Liverpool - which specific dock are you proposing?  It would need to not impede the profit-making new cruise terminal there.    I would think also, that with Liverpool's attractive waterfront/skyline etc, a permanent large ship may not go down well with everybody - e.g. people more interested in the city/architecture than ships...

[pjswansea]

I do not believe that the QE2 has a cruising future ahead of her - her age and future regulation will mean that her best chance is as a static vessel.

I believe that Southampton, with a role like the Queen Mary is a positive option for her:
http://www.carnival.com/cms/FAQs/Cruise_Ship_Terminals__Parking__Directions__LONG_BEACH_CRUISE_TERMINAL.aspx

However, she needs her engines and propulsion preserved.  Some utilities etc. will have to be connected to the vessel, but redundant ships systems should not be removed - simply mothballed if required at a later date.  After all in that case the vessel can be lent to other ports across the world for periods of time.

If the credit crunch had not hit, the QE2 would probably have been in the dry dock being gutted for a stationary role.

Although many of us want her to be cruising still - we have to accept the cold, hard truth- it's not possible.  Give her a suitable permanent home, and allow the possibility of her becoming reactivated for the necessary dry-dockings, or moving to another port for a loan.

Many may think I am being churlish about our beloved ship, but I feel that this is the best option for her long-term survival.

[Rob Lightbody]

In case you misunderstood me - I agree she will never cruise again.  However, she can go places under her own power, as Nakheel have just proven by re-certifying her for a period through 2010 and beyond.  This is a realistic way to deploy her for the next few years at least, perhaps even beyond that.

She can't be compared with any ship that has gone before her because of her unique "power station" powerplant, still in operation.

I don't want to take this off-topic, but there are only 2 options with her hotel role - a COMPLETE gutting and re-creation as a hotel OR what they're doing now - a single engine running for power, safety systems etc, which means "nothing needs messed with".  As soon as things are messed with, there's a big, very expensive problem to deal with - including asbestos on all passenger decks, plumbing, air-conditioning, fire systems - EVERYTHING.

What they're doing now, what they were trying to do with Cape Town - is the right thing for the ship, for now.  She just needs a new sensible location - NOW.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

We're also not talking about a permanent solution, or not necessarily at least.  the engines are running, she's registered as a passenger ship, and she can go to place to place.  So this is us trying to think of the first place, instead of Cape Town.

This means going from place to place without passengers, as she would have done for Cape Town (i.e. no cruising), but could then re-open, in a series of places, where she could work as she did before when under stationary charter.

This means, we already know that Yokohama and Osaka would be suitable, unless conditions have changed in those ports since QE2 was there under charter.

For me, and for the next few years at least, while she is registered in Vanuatu, this would be a solution preferable to a permanent berth, as she would remain seaworthy, could use her engines at sea from time to time, and could stay a ship, producing her own power, while stationary. Once she is berthed somewhere permanently, she would of course, be at least partially disabled and, as Rob says in a newer message, many other problems would need to be tackled before she can be re-opened after her "facelift"...

[Jem]

I think she should carry on sailing to various ports around the world and being used as a hotel. I believe this is the best option for her, as many of you do. As Rob says making her static will cost a fortune. While her engines remain in good condition and her hull sound, this seems the best way for her to make money, in this down turn we are having. With her engines, she still has a heart

[Bob C.]

Hmm.  A traveling Queen Mary-like attraction.  In other words a reverse ocean liner concept where instead of short port calls to change out passengers that enjoy days to months at sea, the passengers and parties occur over extended port calls (several months to possibly a few years) and the at-sea time is passengerless and only to change ports. 

Had not thought of it in that light.  Will need to put more brain cells behind this.

[RobertQM2]

What we need to focus on in this topic is Head over heart - i.e. realistic solutions for the ship......

My opinion too. One has always to keep a close eye on realistic dimensions (especially visitor figures / costs to run the static vessel) I think that as a hotel etc. it just can survive in an area with a huge drawing potential. So for example to put it to her original berth place is a fancy idea for historians but would draw just a few thousands in the first few months (years) and then the visitor stream will thin out. And our discussion has to start from new.

It also is a fact if you place it somewhere out of the US most of the internal electrical supply system has to be changed from 110Volt and 60 cycles to 230V /50cyc. Which is an additional factor. And if it is changed it'll hardly be pulled to the US and changed again.

Both factors are reasons to place her somewhere in an US port. As SFO is my favorite city over there, it can be placed along pier 49. Having a lobster and then visiting her and the other museum vessels is something thousands of tourists are doing every day year in year out. And the Japanese people who love her quite much have it near by. By the way, just the japanese tourists in SFO will outnumber all visitor in any UK port for years to come.
I'm looking forward to your answers.
The engineer.

[Twynkle]

Rob
About 'which Dock in Liverpool?'
To be honest, others will be much more knowledgeable about the current situation!

Cammell Laird's in Birkenhead is opposite the Cunard Building, across the well dredged River Mersey -
Grand Views all round for everyone!
They have a large wet basin - HMS Ark Royal was launched from there etc etc
If I were Nakheel, I'd think it well worth having a reccie round those parts - Definitely.


http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/Cammell%20Laird%20Shipbuilders%20to%20the%20World.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7732742.stm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cammell_Laird

Rosie

[Bob C.]

Diving into the "reverse ocean liner" concept from my last post consider the following:

QE2 - Coming to a port near you. 

Experience the the glory days of the Golden Age of TransAtlantic Travel.

Dine in elegance and enjoy 5-star cuisine.

Give your business, family or other gathering an historic flavor onboard the last of the classic transAtlantic liners


Is there a market for this?  I would think so if not just for the novelty for 3-5 years.  Then all the ports mentioned so far could be included.  The historic transAtlantic maritime ports of Halifax, Boston, New York, Southampton, Liverpool, Cobh, Le Harve, Cherbourg, Hamburg, etc.  and other ports such as San Francisco, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Yokohama, Sidney, etc. could be included as well.  QE2 remains intact, alive and continues to make history.

There would be little to no conversion needed (QE2 is ready to do this in Capetown), relatively little support infrastructure (pier construction, parking, etc) as there would as a QE2 museum/conference center and with pierside convenience I would think the hotel (staterooms) would be over 90% occupancy for the extended lenght of stay.  Docking and other fees may be troublesome but perhaps a deal could be worked out with the host port. 

Local tourism would flourish with the draw of the QE2, Nakheel could turn a profit on this and local economies would enjoy the added revenue as was to be in Capetown.

I'm not a businessman but would think this concept may be feasible.  Thoughts?



   

[Jem]

Rob C,
I think this idea could really work. The Queen Mary to me lost her soul once her engines were removed and she became lifeless.
With QE2, she would still be a living breathing vessel, sounds daft but she'd still be alive
Like you I'm no businessman but she's just had this refit costing more money so way not put her back into service as a hotel. Come on Nakeel, start earning rather than losing!

[citrail]

As we've seen in ports across the world, QE2 always draws a large crowd, even when she's only passing by. The majority of these people will never have travelled on her. With security being as tight as it was there was no chance for some of these people to ever get aboard, I'm certain many people would be willing to pay simply for the chance to go onboard and have a look round, the same as we do on Concorde today!

[pjswansea]

There is one important factor here we've all overlooked - cost.

The QE2 costs to keep her engines and systems running - in most cases it would be cheaper to connect her to the mains supply - also there are issues such as brown water and sewerage - I can't see any port being happy with this as a long to medium term factor.

I still advocate a system similar to the SS Rotterdam V - However, I advocate the engines and systems being mothballed where and when the ship can be connected to land services - If she were to move port she can be brought back to service in a short period of time and relocated if and when required.

Out of interest, does Nakheel/Dubai have any interests in the London Olympics - I could see her doing extremely well there!

[Mike White]

Admittedly I'm biased, being from Southampton. But this is such a logical place to berth her. For a start the name is still on the stern although not painted at present. Plus, Southampton is considering a major overall of it's waterfront and what would be better to have her be a part of that development? The development is also to accommodate a bigger and better annual boat show which is guaranteed until 2020. QE2 would be the ultimate backdrop to such a huge event (I think it's the biggest boat show in the world). Speaking to local MPs would be a great way to start the ball rolling.

[omah1975]

If Nakheel got their act together they could earn some money by letting people stay on the QE2 for the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, they could make £1 million by letting 1,000 people stay on her for 3 nights at £1,000 per person

[Rob Lightbody]

If Nakheel got their act together they could earn some money by letting people stay on the QE2 for the forthcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, they could make £1 million by letting 1,000 people stay on her for 3 nights at £1,000 per person

Good idea, but what temperature would it be?  If anything over 30, I think QE2 could be uncomfortably stuffy inside...

[QE2 DXB]

The temperature around the AD Grand Prix would be above 30 during the day.

Also, there is limited opportunity to berth her in Abu Dhabi due to draft constraints in any worthwhile location apart from the main commercial port which is not viable as an accomodation location given the lack of supporting infrastructure e.g. sewage, water etc.

Yas Island (the new island created for the event) does not have sufficient depth of water to bring her anywhere close.

QE2DXB

[omah1975]

Could the air conditioning not be restarted on the ship? How long does it take to get from where the QE2 is to where the Grand Prix is being held? I was thinking the ship could stay where it was.

[QE2 DXB]

The air conditioning is already running

It is a 1.5 hour drive from Port Rashid to Yas Island, assuming traffic is OK

[Blue Bombay]

Could the air conditioning not be restarted on the ship?

The air conditioning from the ship never worked 100% and with temperature over 30 day in day out the ship will never cool down.

Louis

[usqe2fan]

I would advocate Southhampton, Sydney Australia, and Yokohama Japan in that order.  Details for each of these ports would need to be worked out, but I believe she could be successful in any of them.

New York does not seem to care about shipping much anymore, Halifax is too cold in the Winter, the river Clyde has not been dredged in years, and Miami, aside from the occasional Hurricane, is where Carnival is headquartered and would never fly because of that fact.

I would suggest putting a credible plan together for the three suggested ports

[Twynkle]

Hi usqe2fan
It would be interesting to know why you left Merseyside off your list?
There are many appropriate things about this area that would fulfill all the conditions that QE2 will be needing.
Not least a workforce that would be ready and willing to manage and provide for her, both as a ship and as hotel.
QE2 and her predecessors have been staunch Liverpudlians!
Thanks
Rosie

[Blue Bombay]

It would be interesting to know why you left Merseyside off your list?
There are many appropriate things about this area that would fulfill all the conditions that QE2 will be needing.

Yes Rosie that is true but i think you would only attract QE2 lovers then and what the ship needs is more than that.That is why i say Yokohama is still the best place for her.

Louis

[Rob Lightbody]

Just as a FYI - the clyde has had some pretty darn big ships up it quite recently - going a long way past John Browns too... i don't think the dredging/erskine bridge are the reasons for her not returning to the Clyde.

Rosie - have you identified a suitable merseyside berth for her?

Agree about Miami-Carnival problem - Carnival, from everything I heard, wanted rid of QE2 ASAP... i'm sure the last thing they want is her turning up on their doorstep like an unwanted waiff (Glasgow term I think!).

Re: the aircon - I hate to say negative things about "our" ship but it was just never very good!  I had it confirmed from someone in the know, that even when the ship was brand new, it wouldn't have coped with the temperatures in Dubai or that region in general...  I think its never been turned off since arrival in Dubai... i believe its also being heavily assisted by shoreside AC units.

[Rob Lightbody]

Oh and I have one more location to add to the possible list, and here's why.

Vancouver

• They love Britain and the royals, and I believe will "know of" QE2
• They have a lovely big harbour
• The West-Coast location makes her accessbile from various locations including Seattle
• It would be "handy" for Pacific rim cities and countries, where the ship is popular, such as Yokohama !
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver
• She would look amazing there.

[Rob Lightbody]

they could make £1 million by letting 1,000 people stay on her for 3 nights at £1,000 per person

There's no way they could charge this!  unless it included lots of other stuff for free ...  Maybe they could charge a couple of hundred people that, in the very nicest staterooms, but the other staterooms would have to go for a lot less I think!!

[Blue Bombay]

Here is shots from the Port of Yokohama.She looks lovely and always very welcomed.

http://www.city.yokohama.jp/me/port/cruise/2007/0306/

Louis

[Twynkle]

Rob
Would this be of any help?
http://www.clbh.co.uk/
I've a good mind to make enquiries, on behalf of QE2 herself! 
However, as there are more knowledgeable people around these parts,
they might ask more appropriate questions!

As an 'immediate' and short-term measure
Do you think that it really might be possible for QE2 to spend time in 'each place' around the globe?
In this way, there would be no need to worry about climate.
it would provide an equal opportunity for everyone to see her, stay aboard - and most importantly, for those who couldn't afford it, arrangements could be made for Day Visitors to see the public rooms, the Heritage Trail - Lunch in the Lido!
(If this were the case, the ECR, SCR Engines and Bridge etc would obviously still need to remain out of bounds...
Cheers - the nou
Rosie

[Rob Lightbody]

Rob
Would this be of any help?
http://www.clbh.co.uk/
I've a good mind to make enquiries, on behalf of QE2 herself!  

Its a free world Rosie, go for your life!  Its a very simple question - "do you have somewhere suitable to berth the greatest ocean liner in the world for a while?"

As an 'immediate' and short-term measure
Do you think that it really might be possible for QE2 to spend time in 'each place' around the globe?
In this way, there would be no need to worry about climate.

Yes, thats what this thread is meant to be discussing.  Only this.  The medium and long term can wait, there's a "problem" to solve RIGHT NOW.

[pjswansea]

Agree about Miami-Carnival problem - Carnival, from everything I heard, wanted rid of QE2 ASAP... i'm sure the last thing they want is her turning up on their doorstep like an unwanted waiff (Glasgow term I think!).

Just because they wanted rid of her is no reason to say that Carnival would not be interested in her as a floating attraction linked to their vessels.

The best example is Carnival's decision to build a new cruise terminal next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach.  If someone else is prepared to run the ship next to a Carnival dock it would be beneficial for both parties.

This is why I advocate somewhere like Southampton - remember P&O and Cunard Cruises depart from Southampton - and Carnival are considering a new cruise port /hq there.  QE2 could be a static attraction (hotel/museum/[flats?]) and also serve as a hotel for Cunard/P&O passengers, as well as an embarkation point?

Carnival are well known for getting rid of older, and smaller tonnage - but aren't alone in doing this and I am sure the prestigious QE2 would be an excellent draw for them

[mrkpnh (Malcolm K)]

The air conditioning from the ship never worked 100%

Very true. But towards the end of her life it got far worse

[mrkpnh (Malcolm K)]

The best example is Carnival's decision to build a new cruise terminal next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach.  If someone else is prepared to run the ship next to a Carnival dock it would be beneficial for both parties.

And on her final world Cruise she went to Long Beach. The QM was only a short taxi ride away. A lot of people from the QE2 went to see the QM. Cunard didn't run a tour to see her though; they didn't even make mention in the Daily Programme that one of the QE2's great predecessors was also in that port.

I can't see Carnival seeing the QE2 as anything other than a dangerous liability

[Rob Lightbody]

Very true. But towards the end of her life it got far worse

I'm led to believe that its been *properly* overhauled and repaired since... something that's probably much easier with her being out of service and not full of passengers!  It may be working better now than it has done for a long time... but I think that maybe isn't saying much...