QE2 plans may be postponed due to tourism slowdown in Dubai

Sources close to Dubai-owned Nakheel, owners of the QE2, indicate the current world financial crisis and stem of tourism to Dubai may have seriously altered or postponed the plans for the conversion of the former Cunarder into a luxury hotel and attraction at the Palm Jumeirah.

The original, multi-million USD plans called for a number of radical changes, including: the removal of all lifeboats for a full-beam upperworks superstructure expansion like that done to the SS NORWAY (ex FRANCE) in 1990; addition of a new midsection; rebuilt and squared-off stern for helicopter landings; cylindrical condominium instead of the funnel; gutting of all public rooms and cabins to be replaced with apartments, restaurants and hotel areas; replacement of the machinery with a Broadway-style theater; and removal of the Heritage Trail.

With the recent Financial Times reports of Nakheel laying off over 500 employees, purists and fans of the QE2 might have reason to rejoice, at least for now, in that the owners are considering opening the ship "as is", utilizing the current power plant for eating or sleeping on board. Other options would include selling the ship for scrap, although not until public interest in the project has diminished.

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