South Africa to be new home for QE2, icon of cruise world

mercedes · July 28, 2009

A leading English language news outlet in the Middle East is reporting the owner of the legendary QE2 has settled on South Africa as the new home for the ship - at least temporarily.

Abu Dhabi-based The National reports Middle East developer Nakheel has confirmed its intent to temporarily move the world famous Cunard ocean liner from Dubai to Cape Town, South Africa.

"After months of feasibility studies, it is clear that Cape Town, with her ready made berthing facilities, provides the best opportunity for us to open QE2 to visitors as quickly as possible," the company says today in a statement given to The National.

Just this past weekend Nakheel was saying it was looking at a number of options for the recently retired QE2 including moving it to other locations in the Middle East as well as South Afriac.

Nakheel bought the 40-year old, 1,777-passenger vessel for around $100 million with the intention of turning it into a luxury hotel and museum in Duai, but the plans have been put on hold in recent months as the economic downturn has taken a toll on the once high-flying city. The ship, which retired in November, currently is languishing at Dubai's downtown Port Rashid.

Nakheel tells the The National the QE2's move to Cape Town would be for 18 months.