Close-up images of QE2 in Dubai

[Twynkle]

November 27, 2009, 10am, Dubai Cruise Terminal, Port Rashid:
http://cunardqueens.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/1st-anniversary-of-qe2s-arrival-in-dubai-a-reunion-with-the-queen/

Thank you very much -  to Cunard Queens and 3queensgirl

[pete cain]

Rosie, How do you find these? absolutly stunning, they really have given her a good lick of paint , to see close up I'd forgotten just how  (you know). thankyou.

[Blue Bombay]

Wow she looks great the only thing that is missing is the passengers and crew. 

Louis

[singlemalt]

Very well done Mrs Twynkle - eyes and ears in all the important places as usual.

Abso-bloody-lutely beautiful   

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Huge thanks to Gabriele, 3QueensGirl!

And thanks to Cunardqueens -- as well as to Rosie for having made sure we all know about it!

Wonderful pictures... and great to read the text too, showing so clearly that the QE2 is in good condition and well looked after.

Plenty of material to discuss    .

I loved the touch of the golden flowerpot at the gangway... welcoming the "intruder" ...

                        ... and I was happy to see "Southampton" peering out so clearly from beneath the dark paint!

[Jem]

FANTASTIC

[highlander0108]

WOW!   We all got a early Christmas present today.  Thanks Gabriele.  One thing I noticed is that the ship is sitting much higher now according to the bow markings.  She sat at 31 feet at the bow the last time I saw her in NYC and now she's at 28 feet.  (can she make it up the Clyde at that draught?)  Is that due to ballast tanks being emptied and/or fuel tanks not full?  I also do not recall the large dent just in front of the hawse pipe at the very bow, starboard side.  Fantastic photos and wonderful to see her again!

Ken

[Blue Bombay]

I also do not recall the large dent just in front of the hawse pipe at the very bow, starboard side.

That dent was there before she arrived in Dubai.

Louis

[Matt]

Thanks for the Photos and report Gab!
So amazing indeed!!

I have to say im suprised that Cunard is still visable on numerous of the tenders, Even though a minor thing, just suprised me! I suppose people do not often get close to the ship though!
 But they have made sure it has been removed from the Superstructure! All wording completely removed!
Very sad!
 Long live the old Girl!

Matt

[Twynkle]

For Info - There's a place for Comments on the CunardQueens Blog site
http://cunardqueens.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/1st-anniversary-of-qe2s-arrival-in-dubai-a-reunion-with-the-queen/

About the paint-work - and her good looks!
Interesting to note that the painting following her time in Dry Dock (Summer 2009)
seems to extend only as far up as the level of the doorway - wonder if this is correct?

No doubts now as to her whereabouts!
Looking at her stern, unsurprisingly she's needing a bit of a lick and polish all round to clear the desert dust!?

Just amazing to see her so close up and think of what she's done, where she's sailed and what she's seen.
Maybe these pictures will act as the best Sales or leasing brochure -
 'Hats off' To You all at Nakheel - A great job, well done!

Well Done! QE2.

[citrail]

Stunning pictures and a big thank you for sharing them.

Think it would have broke my heart to be so close and seing the gangway door open and not been able to go aboard.

[Mr B]

Absolutely first class photographs and a superb achievement gaining access to Fort Rashid !
Many thanks Gabriele and company for capturing such incredible images on a poignant day, of the most magnificent and timeless ship to have sailed the oceans. 

[Cunardqueen]

Amazing 
But sad that there is sod all news from her owners, still l guess they are busy with other things

[hollihedge]

Absolutely beautiful

[ancoaster78]

Wow, thats is awesome, made my grim day great, thanks Rosie for finding and posting, and Cunardqueens and 3 Queens Girl for the images!    xx

[Rob Lightbody]

I will add with the WOWs!  She looks AMAZING!

Thanks to Gabrielle, the CunardQueens site and Rosie for alerting us to them.

[mickey g]

Fantastic pictures, I wish I knew how entry was obtained, my UAE contact met a blank wall.

She looks better now than on the final voyage as this pic in Naples shows!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Just a detail : I was touched to see that the gangway in Gabriele's picture is one of QE2's own gangways, just like the one seen here in Quebec last September :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prondis_in_kenya/3415929928/

[Chris]

What a superb start to my day! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful photographs of our beautiful ship.

[3QueensGirl]

Hello Everyone on the Forum. Apologies for not getting back to you earlier, I have been out with little access to the (slow) internet. I did not expect to get so much feedback, so didn't feel the need to check back in regularly... Wow, I now realise how much those photos touched your hearts. I know I have been very priviledged to get so close to the ship so I felt I had to make an effort to share the results with the community. I am very happy that you are enjoying the photos and that you can see for yourself that she is alive (not quite kicking as she would like to) and that she has been well maintained during the past 12 months. Well, thank you sooooo much for all your kind comments and for spreading the word within the community. We all feared the worst for her in Nakheel's possession, now I wonder what is in store for her next. Suddenly, ALL options are open again, for the better but also for the worse. I like to think of the Queen as a survivor and that one day we will be able to celebrate a reunion in the Queens Room.

I have one more item on my to do list while in Dubai and that is to visit the Seafarer Mission which received a lot of stuff that was removed from the ship last year.  Not sure what I will find one a year later but I will keep you posted.

[Chris]

Have you all seen the video?

Go to: http://cunardqueens.com/ and select "video"!!

[3QueensGirl]

You beat me to this Chris. I got note from Scott that the cunardqueens website is updated but I was out and didn't see it until now. The clip was taken when driving past. I wished we had more time to do more filming. Oh well, got to be happy with what was possible!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Your photos are full of wonderful detail, Gabriele!

Just picking out a few here :

http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showphoto.php?photo=2281 (photo page)
http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showfull.php?photo=2281 (original size)

shows very clearly the Southampton lettering merely overpainted and Port Vila painted in in much the same size (a tiny bit larger?). The grilles are also still there... and we had been willing to give those up!

And here is Gabriele herself -- what would we have given to have been there with her!

http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showphoto.php?photo=2293

Keep on browsing to see them, one by one -- lots of superb detail there!

[Rob Lightbody]

It is amazing and to my eyes, she looks significantly better than she did when we were on board in August 2008.

I'd love it if someone could tell me (private message please!) how to find the portholes of cabin 3093 - i think i can see it, but not certain - it was the left 2 ports, of a row of 4, at midships...

[Rob Lightbody]

This is one of my favourites of the set - http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showphoto.php?photo=2332 - and is it awful to say that I quite like how she looks without the Cunard logo ??   

[Rob Lightbody]

Loving this one too

http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showfull.php?photo=2296

She just looks brand new, and fantastic, and not like an apartment block.  sigh.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I've just been looking at that one, too, Rob. Beautiful view of the beautiful ship...

Did you notice that the nearest lifeboat (which must be catamaran no. 13) has "Port Vila" under the sign "Queen Elizabeth 2". The ones ahead of it still have "Cunard" written on their sides.

And what is the contraption hanging outside the Upper Deck here :

http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showfull.php?photo=2308

As for your other favourite photo, yes, Rob, I agree that she looks splendid without the Cunard letters...    !

[Blue Bombay]

And what is the contraption hanging outside the Upper Deck here :

Window Cleaning 

Louis

[Twynkle]

Isn't that a platform for painting as well as cleaning!? 

Is anyone else missing the red and whiteness of CUNARD lettering? - It was so much part of her identity.
Trying hard now to think of what the same lettering spelling Nakheel / or QE2 Enterprises might seem like...
Or any other name, for that matter?

Rob - have you found your cabin yet?!
It's good to see all the sun-beds stacked and waiting to be used

And in photo 2299 - the backs of the chairs, up against the windows and the QE2-green-blue curtains are exactly as we left them!
http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showphoto.php?photo=2299

The lifeboats 9 and 11 are waiting to be 'Port Vila'ed' - do you think 'Southampton' has been taken off the lifebelts?
Like before....there's 'work in progress...' 
Very mixed feelings... So happy that Gabriele has managed to do it - yet incredibly sad, all over again - Why, Oh Why?

[Chris]

This is one of my favourites of the set - http://rmsqueenelizabeth2.com/PhotoPost/showphoto.php?photo=2332 - and is it awful to say that I quite like how she looks without the Cunard logo ??   

I was impressed by how clean she looks where the Cunard lettering once was - it was not just a mere touch up - as you say she looks fantastic, without the logo.

[Scott]

A BIG THANKS to Gabriele for going through all the effort, time and expense to get these photos, video and do the write up for the blog! Well done indeed. And it's wonderful that Rob has provided this forum for everyone to keep up with the latest QE2 news. It never ceases to amaze me the dedication and thoroughness of the contributing members of this forum. It truly is a testimony as to how much QE2 has touched each of our lives.

We are always looking for good video to put up online on Cunard Queens. So if you have any you wish to include please don't hesitate to contact us!

Cheers,

Scott

[Shantanu]

Hi folks

Had a few minutes to spare during the AIDAdiva call last Thursday so here are a few current QE2 pics.

Few more to follow in the next two posts.

Brgds, Shantanu

[Shantanu]

Here are a few more and just another batch to go :-)

[Shantanu]

And the final batch ...

[Matt]

Wow! This is great Shantanu!! Feel free to move this folder over to the 'QE2 After Cunard' section of the Forum, as these really deserve to be seen! You got very close to the ship, in the 'restricted zone' apparently, is this due to you being a cruise employee, or is it now open to view externally?
 It would be great if you had the power to get on board some time!
Thankyou so much for these wonderful images, If you have anymore we would be VERY interested to see them!

Kindest Regards,
Matt

[Matt]

I sure wouldnt mind being one of those security guards! Just for a 'peek inside' on my lunch break!!

[Rob Lightbody]

FANTASTIC images Shantanu, thanks so much!!

[Scott Ebersold]

Am I crazy?

What are those wackadoole wings hanging over each side of bow?

...and Happy Hanukkah!

s

[Matt]

Am I crazy?

What are those wackadoole wings hanging over each side of bow?

...and Happy Hanukkah!

s

They have always been there from what i know.
I presume it is a vantage point so the crew can check both sides of the bow and also to keep watch on the anchor as it is being retrieved back in to the vessel so that no damage is caused to the structure of QE2 by the anchor.

Regards,
Matt

[Chris]

Shantanu, thank you so much for sharing these excellent photographs! 

[Blue Bombay]

What are those wackadoole wings hanging over each side of bow?

More about this subject on the following topic:

http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,677.0.html

Louis

[Twynkle]

What are those wackadoole wings hanging over each side of bow?

Scott
Aren't these wackadoodle wings the look out platforms that are used by officers on watch every time the ship docks or drops / weighs anchor?
Usually slid out about an hour before use, on arrival at anchorage or port, and slid back into special housing once ship is under way!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4180392715//in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4180392701/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4180392707/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/watch_keeper/4180392721/in/photostream/

Same on other two Cunarders - there, they are 'set' into hatches lower down, still in the prow of the ship.
Please, you real shippie people feel free to correct this wherever you need!

[Steamer]

They are referred to as "whiskers" or the more seasoned nautical term "Cat's whiskers."

[Twynkle]

Brilliant - Thank you, Steamer
I'd wondered about 'eyebrows'
then thought that would be wrong,
a bit too far from her nostrils!
http://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,51.0.html
Posts 1 and 2 on this thread may be of interest!!