QE2 interior photos from Dubai (2010)

[Rob Lightbody]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1258062/Ghost-ship-Eerie-images-abandoned-unchanged-QE2-15-months-taken-service.html

[Kathy M.]

So sad to see her so empty!  Thanks for sharing the link.

[Blue Bombay]

I am lost in words..............silent 

[Britannic9370]

Anyone else heard those ghost stories before or is it just the Daily Mail being as accurate as ever? 49000 tons for Gods sake!

[Cruisemarsh]

Very very very very sad to see 

The Yacht Club brings back memories of me enjoying a nice drink after the show. Shame to see it empty and devoid of atmosphere.

As for the hauntings, I for one would think it would be a little creepy being on an empty ship with a skeleton crew. (no pun intended)

I sincerely hope Cunard will have seen these photos, it will tell them that they made a huge mistake. Mind you, £50million and all that.......

[Clydebuilt1971]

These photos at least prove that the necessary works are being carried out to maintain QE2 in good condition inside and out. The comments on mould seem a bit wide of the mark given the climate out there in Dubai.

I just wish some comment would be made as to her owner's intentions so we can see a way forward.

Gav

[Buddy]

Sad to see her empty, but considering I was fearing the Dubai had stripped her down inside, I was pleasantly surprised by how untouched she seemed.

[Cruisemarsh]

Anyone else heard those ghost stories before or is it just the Daily Mail being as accurate as ever? 49000 tons for Gods sake!

I noticed they got the tonnage wrong, quite a difference from the tonnage she really was.  

[Peter Mugridge]

What's this about leaks and mould?

The pictures look like she is - as we knew - being well looked after.  She is just waiting for people to board her again.

[Cruisemarsh]

The real consolation is that she is looking in great condition. She has not been touched interior-wise since she arrived in Dubai. For that, us QE2 enthusiasts, have to be very greatful. I just hope that her longterm future can be sorted out and that she doesn't have to go through the indignity of having her funnel removed and a glass penthouse put in its place. Lets hope that she can be saved and preserved in a place where she will be appreciated more.

[Matt]

It could be a little creepy being onboard now, especially by night 

She looks in great condition, still very sea worthy!

Matt

[andy liney]

Anyone else heard those ghost stories before or is it just the Daily Mail being as accurate as ever? 49000 tons for Gods sake!

The article is full of mistakes, but it could be argued that this isn't one of them! She actually does weigh about 49,000 tonnes (which is her displacement). The more commonly quoted, and significantly higher, gross toonage is actually a measure of volume.

[mickey g]

These photos, good as it is to see them, brought a great wave of sadness over me (no pun intended!) seeing my beloved Yacht Club just as I left it in Dubai. Seeing the drums etc is especially moving, I was one of the last people to hear them in action 

[LynP]

Thanks for sharing these photos, I have sailed one and half times around the world in her and always love to hear how things are going: your efforts are appreciated.

Fingers crossed she may still have a future.

[Beardy Rich]

I left a comment on the Daily Mail webpage but the comments seem to have disappeared  

[JohnPaulConti]

Sad to see her empty, but considering I was fearing the Dubai had stripped her down inside, I was pleasantly surprised by how untouched she seemed.

I agree she looks like she could be ready to sail at any moment

[JohnPaulConti]

As for the hauntings, I for one would think it would be a little creepy being on an empty ship with a skeleton crew. (no pun intended)

I agree the ship must be a a bit spooky because its so quiet. Think about it this way, there is already talk about hauntings on QM2 and she is only 5 1/2 years old.

QE2's service life saw/created millions of happy moments for passengers/crew and they are returning to a place where there were truly happy.   Not a bad place to be when you think about it

[Cruise_Princess]

I think these pics were taken long before QE2 ever arrived in Dubai.  The Lido apparently was emptied of tables and chairs when we arrived  at the dock. I would love to know whoever got permission from Dubai owners to get on board and actually take these photos. They must have been invisible!  There is a rod of steel around the ship now no body gets near it.  This si just something to resurge an interest in the ship and fill the paper., The report is so full of inaccuracies.  Dubai play QE2 by their own private rules and absolutely no news will come about her until a concrete decision is made about her future or she is sold...

[Scott]

I remember when I worked aboard in the 80s it was rumoured that a cabin on Two Deck forward was haunted. Also the tunnels are supposed to be. And my travelling companion in 2008 would tell you that most def cabin 2088 is very much so.

I just hope a suitable situation for her can be found. The silence about her future is deafening.

[Rob Lightbody]

I think these pics were taken long before QE2 ever arrived in Dubai.

The photos are very recent, I've had it confirmed by a third party.

[Blue Bombay]

I think these pics were taken long before QE2 ever arrived in Dubai.  The Lido apparently was emptied of tables and chairs when we arrived  at the dock. I would love to know whoever got permission from Dubai owners to get on board and actually take these photos. They must have been invisible!  There is a rod of steel around the ship now no body gets near it.  This si just something to resurge an interest in the ship and fill the paper., The report is so full of inaccuracies.  Dubai play QE2 by their own private rules and absolutely no news will come about her until a concrete decision is made about her future or she is sold...

I wont say it was taken before she arrived in Dubai but i think shortly after she arrived.I doubt these photos are recent ones.

On normal refits the decks and furnitures used to be covered up i wonder why furnitures are not covered ?

Louis

[3QueensGirl]

I have my doubts too that these photos were taken recently. Knowing how tightly the owner is controlling access, I think it is reasonable to assume whoever had been able to get onboard would have mentioned this and the date when the photos were taken. The photo with the carpet under cover could easily be one from a previous refit. The photos are of poor quality and show typical signs of 'age'. I tried to leave a comment on The Mail's article but am not able to do so. I did see previous comments asking for the date when photos were taking and hinting that these were not taken in Dubai... It seem the comments are on longer accessible? Very odd. Seems to me like one of the PR jobs when there aren't any news...

[Rob Lightbody]

I'd appreciate it if you'd take my word for it that these photos are recent.

Thank you.

[Peter Mugridge]

I can back Rob up.

I can't go into any details, but I know for a fact that pictures have been taken on board very, very, recently.

[Cunardqueen]

I'd appreciate it if you'd take my word for it that these photos are recent.

Thank you.

I think given all the recent negative stories eveyone has  a right to be dubious about another story, However l for one have no hesitation in backing up Rob with this recent feature.

Isnt it sad to see her devoid of any living person, it kinda looks as though everyone has gone ashore for the day. However the small things such as the protective covering on the boat deck do indicate that at least the onboard crew are looking after her & showing consideration after all its only a short walk for them to go to their rooms on the next deck up
Can we imagine how she would have looked had the Dubai plans gone ahead as planned.
 Anyway Im pleased to see such photos......sad though they are..... l only wish there was more.   

[Ab Ovo]

Seems no big deal to me.  Just another MAIL paste-pot story w/o substance.  There's no byline of note, and the photos aren't theirs, they're from Barcroft for gawds sake!  True, someone for the service could have been boarded for a quick shoot once, even recently, but these few interior shots are just of empty rooms.  Of rooms mostly untouched since arrival in Dubai, it appears.  There is nothing ghostly or sad or creepy about these current photographs, no matter the copy.  Remember, it's the MAIL!  Hand-wringing stories of this sort will continue until the QE2 sees some end.

[citrail]

What's going on with the ceiling in the Yacht club, there seems to be some water damage from above or something

[Muppet]

I left a comment on the Daily Mail webpage but the comments seem to have disappeared  

Me too.....

[Rob Lightbody]

What's going on with the ceiling in the Yacht club, there seems to be some water damage from above or something

Yes... the Yacht Club's aluminium roof is not in the best of conditions...  good job the ship isn't somewhere where it rains more!  Cunard must latterly have had a job keeping the leaks at bay.  Funny thing is, this roof isn't all that old by my reckoning, having been done by the Germans (?) in the mid 90s Project Lifestyle.

[Blue Bombay]

Funny thing is, this roof isn't all that old by my reckoning, having been done by the Germans (?) in the mid 90s Project Lifestyle.

Yes it was added in the 1994 Refit.

Louis

[Twynkle]

These pictures of QE2 are what we have waited for.
It's good to see them!
Many thanks indeed to the photographer and to the person / people who gave permission for them to be taken.

Even more thanks to QE2_DXB and those who are also looking after QE2.
There is significant evidence to show that she's being well cared for - and hopefully it won't be too long before she's allowed to work for her keep.

These images will give a good idea of what she continues to look like for all those who weren't able to see her before she left Cunard.

QE2 needs to be berthed / at anchor in a cool climate - she's available and ready to be put to good use.
Could the Daily Mail be of some help now?  Yes - certainly! 
In particular they could help the world to understand why she's so important; they could do a lot worse than giving QE2 some good publicity!
In that way, the press and other media too, could go a long way in helping QE2 to survive.
The Daily Mail and it's readers et al would surely not wish for her to be scrapped - would they?

[MrT]

Good to see the pictures, more or less what I expected and good to see the plastic sheets down etc to protect the carpets.

We have just returned from 3 days on the SS Rotterdam and am happy to share our experiences there if anyone is interested - it's amazing.  Euro 250M were invested in a ship half the size of QE2.

Alex.

[JohnPaulConti]

I think given all the recent negative stories eveyone has  a right to be dubious about another story, However l for one have no hesitation in backing up Rob with this recent feature.
 

I fully agree, Rob would be the last person to report false information just for spin. 

[hollihedge]

Great to see the photos - thanks to photographer etc.  She looks well cared for.  Very sad however to see her so lonely. 

[Kathy M.]

I was just on the comment section of the article and was surprised there were so few comments - and I didn't recognize any names!

[usqe2fan]

I agree that she appears to have been pretty quite well looked after, although seeing the empty rooms is sad.  It is certainly much better than the planned conversion would have been.

I also posted a comment.

[Rob Lightbody]

There's now 35 comments posted on the daily mail article's page ... a lot of them are fairly negative however!

It would be helpful, I think, to have more posts from people who understand what QE2 was.

[ReineAstrid]

I have just left a comment on the Mail site, before making the comment I could see about half a dozen comments but it now seems there are NO comments on the site and they suggest you may like to be the FIRST .....   Hmm   Great Site NOT......    The comment was quite short really just saying that whilst it is sad to see those photographs I had the dubious pleasure of looking over the Rotterdam whilst she was in Gib and she was in a far far worse state than our beloved QE2, and look at how well that has turned out. If only she could be returned to the UK just imagine what could be done with her.

[Rob Lightbody]

Its a bit tricky... you need to click 'view all' or it shows you nothing.

[mksmith]

Thanks for posting the link. The ship being empty reminds the overnights during the 80's.

[Peter Mugridge]

My comment has appeared - and I've done a screenshot ( attached Word document ) in case it vanishes - but it proves that the comments do appear.

[Richard Coltman]

What's going on with the ceiling in the Yacht club, there seems to be some water damage from above or something

I have no doubts about the recency of the photos.  I was looking at the photos of the Yacht Club on the Virtual Tour on my website and those roof panels appearing stained in these new pictures are in perfect condition - and that was in August 2008.  During that voyage I saw maintenance on board - crew members painting corridors and exterior areas.  So if that had occured during her Cunard service it would have been sorted.  So it's clearly occured post arrival in Dubai.  And that amount of staining will only occur after a while.

I don't think it suggests neglect.....flat roofs (ok there is a deck above, but that is essentially what it is) do leak.  That you can see the chairs neatly stacked, plastic sheeting on the floors suggests she is being cared for.

Also when I did the Virtual Tour on the QE2 I used a tripod.......in some parts of the ship the lighting wasn't actually that bright so with a tripod I was able to use a slower shutter.  It's amazing how you eyes can get used to darker condiitons.  So I'm not surprised to see slightly "gloomy" photos.  Besides a lot of lights in the photos appear to be off (or the bulbs have gone!).

Oh and finally ghosts........I couldn't believe all that clap trap when I stayed aboard the QM in Long Beach.........the QE2 being haunted??(!)  Any quiet building/structure will make noises.....

Final point...........she's still there, she's still the QE2 )

[highlander0108]

The photos are very recent, I've had it confirmed by a third party.

Notice they even have plastic protection down on the carpets in the A stairway photo.  She looks like she was just parked yesterday, which is a sigh of relief, yet so sad to look at thse photos and remember all the wonderful times onboard like it truly was yesterday.  

You can vote up or down on the comments as well in the article.  I need to sit down and compose something.  I notice that the ratings are highest from comments mentioning to bring her back home, which while not a scientific poll by any means should be construed as encouraging.

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, and it is equally obvious that the negative comments are being totally slammed.

[Beardy Rich]

There's now 35 comments posted on the daily mail article's page ... a lot of them are fairly negative however!

It would be helpful, I think, to have more posts from people who understand what QE2 was.

Finally managed to post a comment. Rob, Rosie, Pete & Isabelle are on there. I've gone through all the replies and ticked all the positive ones too  

[Twynkle]

The negative comments also need a click on the red arrows -
Then they'll lose (more) points lol

I feel so proud of QE2 - doesn't everyone else?
She deserves a really good home - 
in return for all that she's managed to do.
 

[CasinoChris]

Hi Folks,
great to see some interior pix at last, she looks pretty good. As for the leaks, that is to be expected, I remember seeing repair crews dealing with leaks either from the deck above or busted pipes many times whilst working onboard. This was a common issue on every ship I worked on. Plus with the temperature swings in Dubai I would bet that condensation may be an issue, used to get dripped on by AC vents a lot.
    As for the Ghosts, well remember that the QE2 had a morgue that used to get well used on World Cruises...to such an extent that the crew used to run a Death Pool!!!! Hey! who could blame those deceased passengers wanting to hang around on board....would'n't you???
Regards
CasinoChris

[highlander0108]

Yes, and it is equally obvious that the negative comments are being totally slammed.

I contributed to the slamming. 

[casinobri711]

It's a shame there were no photos of the Casino. Having worked there until Dubai I could have also commented on how recent the photos were. As for the leaks - if it was raining heavy and the wind was from the port side it pour down through the roof in the cash desk!

[highlander0108]

It's a shame there were no photos of the Casino. Having worked there until Dubai I could have also commented on how recent the photos were. As for the leaks - if it was raining heavy and the wind was from the port side it pour down through the roof in the cash desk!

The comment in the article regarding the slot machines standing in rows, with their lights extinguished is interesting.  I swear I read somewhere way back in 2008 that they were removed upn arrival since there is no gambling allowed in Dubai.  Sounds like they kept them "as is", hoping to maybe reuse them while in Cape Town perhaps?

[Chris]

While I agree that it's very sad to see her inactive, ghostly, lonely - it is also wonderful to see that she looks like QE2 inside, she is "as is" in 2010!! And that is very promising!

Chris.

[caledonia]

What a shame to see the ship empty and soul less like that, to me this is the problem with trying to preserve a ship, they become lifeless and static. It reminds me of when i was young, the wonderful places i used to visit and grew up in, now sadly changed and gone forever. My memories of the wonderful QE2 are of the fantastic places i visited, the noise, bussle, movement,vibratiion, Cpt McNaughts midday broadcasts, fabulous meals, lectures and just the wonderful pleasure of being onboard the finest ocean liner ever built.
I dont know what the future holds for her, the heart says she will live on, but the head is now having doubts, i wasnt very impressed when she went to Dubai, but i felt that at the time they would look after her, and she would have a secure future, but now who knows - very, very sad.

[Mauretania1907]

I have posted a comment, under the name 'Grace" my middle name. I will go back to site and see if I can view all comments, and if Rob says the photos are recent, I will accept his word. I think he might have a few secret wires to the great lady herself!
Oh, wah. it makes me want to save up my readies for another few days on board!

[Jem]

Lovely to see her inside as she is now. Looks frozen in time, awaiting her new passengers. Just bring her home she must feel so abandoned.

[Peter Mugridge]

The comments have vanished again, but the comments header still shows ( 62 ) in brackets, so I suspect it's probably a glitch at the Mail's end as to why they keep doing this.

There is a "live debate" link under the header but it doesn't seem to be over there ( yet ).



Update: 20 minutes later and the comments are back up again.

[Twynkle]

Updated this morning to:

'QE2, Britain's most famous cruise ship, stands abandoned just 15 months after she was taken out of service'

and with this at the foot of almost the same article:
'We're sorry but reader comments are currently unavailable.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1258298/QE2-abandoned-Port-Rashid-Dubai.html#ixzz0iLDKGaAR

This link to the previous edition is still being posted on the internet as news.
It also includes all 66 comments,
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1258062/Images-QE2-abandoned-Port-Rashid-Dubai.html?ITO=1490
 

[Peter Mugridge]

Twynkle, the original link still works with the old headline and comments are still being added to - now standing at 66 comments.

It also occurs to me that people who have access to a second computer ( or who use a dynamic IP address ) can mark up the good comments ( and trash the bad ones! ) more than once.  Not that I could advocate such dastardly manipluation, of course...

[Lynda]

I had mixed feelings about seeing the photos.  It was lovely to see the interior of the ship again but it was sad to see what was once a vibrant ship looking so empty.  I posted a comment this morning which I can see when I follow Rod's original link but when I go to the Daily Mail article with the new heading for the article it says that no comments have been posted.  It is as if the comments made up to then will not be seen by new readers looking at the article under the new heading.  I am not sure if I should post another comment. 

[Twynkle]

Lynda - Your comment has been posted, as you mention it's on the original edition.!
here's the link - hope it works this time
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1258062/Images-QE2-abandoned-Port-Rashid-Dubai.html?ITO=1490
On the new edition, they have definitely stopped taking comments.  Maybe they are surprised at the support that was shown towards QE2.

And for anyone interested - the travel section of the Mail has posted a link to it's article on twitter.
To send them a tweet you might need to 'follow them' (?), 
try this:
http://twitter.com/travelmail

[Peter Mugridge]

Lynda, use the original link at the top of this thread.