Why won't Cunard / Carnival save the QE2 ?

[cunardqueen]

  Hi Brandon
This information is very interesting!
It would be really helpful if you are able to give us the reference as to where we can find this information, please.
I believe that usually and according to law in the UK, contracts of sale and the information contained therein are regarded as  strictly confidential.

I always thought it was just assumed there was the 10 year rule and that Carnival had never confirmend anything at all.
If this is the case then what have they confirmend.?
 

[Keith Walters]

Even without the branding or ownership, she is instantly recognisable as a Cunard ship.

If she is scrapped, which will be a drawn-out process, many current Cunard guests will be upset and there will be signifcant publicity.

Why would they allow their most ship ever, the best possible advert for Cunard, to be lost?

SS Rotterdam Cruise Hotel has proved that in the right location, done well, a former liner can be a very successful Hotel.

What have they got to lose?

So, Carnival, get her back. 

Do something lovely with her.

She'll be a superb advert for your brands, and will promote trips on the current Cunarders.

It really seems to be a 'no-brainer' to somehow have Cunard/Carnival be involved with taking QE2 back to Britain and using her as a hotel.  This would certainly restore some faith in the company, that the best-known and most-loved passenger ship EVER, is respected enough and treasured enough, to keep her as more than just a 'memory'.  It is a mistake for any business, to under-estimate the feelings of people generally.  It surely would be a 'win-win' for the company and everybody else.
Cheers,
Keith.   

[cameroa]

Regarding the original Contract of Sale, who saw the '10 year rule' or clause? Did that person see or read the Contract of Sale end to end? Did they read any of the small print.
Is it possible that some, not all, is pure speculation, supposition and wishful thinking by those who love her dearly? (I include myself in that too!)

[Twynkle]

Regarding the original Contract of Sale, who saw the '10 year rule' or clause? Did that person see or read the Contract of Sale end to end? Did they read any of the small print.
Is it possible that some, not all, is pure speculation, supposition and wishful thinking by those who love her dearly? (I include myself in that too!)

Hi cameroa
Exactly!  Having also been inarticulately 'banging on' about this for some time, and like you, trying to make  sense of 'networks of guesswork', conjecture, call it 'what-you-will' stuff - it feels a bit like, 'Well, it's been a good run for our money'! And until the truth is known, I guess we can't really 'know' anything...It's always frustrating, isn't it - 'not knowing'!! 
I'm also wondering whether the Contract of Sale will have been prepared with a strict 10 year (if it is that) confidentiality clause associated with it, itself - and not just its contents?
(For example - 'QE2 must retain a red funnel' (as in 'contents');
whereas - the overall document may be legally protected for 10 yrs as well)
Rosie

[cunardqueen]

Is it possible that some, not all, is pure speculation, supposition and wishful thinking by those who love her dearly? (I include myself in that too!)
 

Hasnt it always been speculation that it was 10 years before Dubai could do anything, and that she could never carry fare paying passengers, But also wasnt it generally assumed that she was sold on the basis that the original plan was the only plan in the pipeline.

[cameroa]

It would be interesting to find out if possible, when and by whom the speculation was started ......Dubai ........Carnival Cunard .........Media or a former crew member with contacts?
We will probably never know but it does make you think!!

[Joseph Navin]

In reply to James's post, what if the cause of the QE2 being in Dubai in it's bad condition is that they are ready to scrap her once 2018 rolls around . It all adds up!

[cameroa]

What affect is the constant 40-50c Dubai heat having on the alluminium superstructure? Could there be several negative reasons (apart from the enormous cost)as to why she hasn't been towed to Asia? Her hull would be totally sound but what about her superstructure and her internals within that superstructure? Would it survive a rough tow passage to Asia or back to Britain? I am not a ship expert but I presume, with no engine power, She will have no control over her movements on rough seas other than what was provided by the tow ship. How would she be moved? One ship starboard, one portside and one astern?

[Peter Mugridge]

She should be sound enough to be moved; I can't answer the tow question but I'd have thought at least two ocean going tugs would be required, one ahead of her and one astern as a drag to keep her straight?

[June Ingram]

I would agree with Peter.  With Queen Elizabeth (Lizzy), two tugs had a hard job keeping control of her especially when it was rough.

[Rob Lightbody]

What did SS Rotterdam and SS Norway get?  I'm sure someone told me it would only need one proper full-on ocean going tug.

The hull is 100% (but she'll need dry-docked first) and the superstructure is old, brittle and cracked, and will leak if it rains, but it doesn't really matter...  being unsuitable for constant cruising is different to be being unsuitable for a single tow.,..

I believe I was told that because the superstructure is white, it won't be suffering too badly.  I remember touching it when I was there (40C) and I don't remember it being burning hot.  The main thing I remember is the incredible glare when standing in front of it in the midday Dubai sun, it was completely unbearable.

[Peter Mugridge]

Rob, assuming she is saved and comes home how complex is it to re-skin the superstructure?  Is it basically just a much bigger version of re-skinning a preserved diesel locomotive on a railway?

[Rob Lightbody]

At risk of saying something I shouldn't, I believe a special treatment has been identified which will coat the superstructure so that it will be suitable for a static role for a very long time indeed.

[Keith Walters]

At risk of saying something I shouldn't, I believe a special treatment has been identified which will coat the superstructure so that it will be suitable for a static role for a very long time indeed.

From small (well, not so small, really) beginnings!  Hopefully!!

[cunardqueen]

At risk of saying something I shouldn't, I believe a special treatment has been identified which will coat the superstructure so that it will be suitable for a static role for a very long time indeed. 

So can we deduce that a deal has been done and QE2 is safe for ever more, and shes heading down to Rio..