One of the world's most famous ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth II (QE2), was built in 1967 in the shipyards of Scotland. 51 years later, she has just been opened as a floating hotel in the Dubai port of Mina Rashid.
One of the world's most famous ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth II (QE2), was built in 1967 in the shipyards of Scotland. 51 years later, she has just been opened as a floating hotel in the Dubai port of Mina Rashid.
Courtesy of QE2
The QE2 was launched on September 20, 1967 by the UK's Queen Elizabeth II herself. Built in John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank, she was considered a triumph of Scottish engineering and was the last great ocean liner to built there.
The QE2 was launched on September 20, 1967 by the UK's Queen Elizabeth II herself. Built in John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank, she was considered a triumph of Scottish engineering and was the last great ocean liner to built there.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The QE2's maiden voyage was 2 May, 1969. Since then, she has carried 2.5 million passengers, covered 5.9 million miles, and completed 806 transatlantic crossings.
The QE2's maiden voyage was 2 May, 1969. Since then, she has carried 2.5 million passengers, covered 5.9 million miles, and completed 806 transatlantic crossings.
Courtesy Cunard Line
Passengers in the VIP lounge aboard the QE2 luxury liner in 1969.
Passengers in the VIP lounge aboard the QE2 luxury liner in 1969.
Michael Stroud/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Ringo Starr, drummer for The Beatles, aboard the QE2 with his wife Maureen and their two children. Many famous musicians stayed on the QE2, including fellow Beatle George Harrison, Elton John, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart.
Ringo Starr, drummer for The Beatles, aboard the QE2 with his wife Maureen and their two children. Many famous musicians stayed on the QE2, including fellow Beatle George Harrison, Elton John, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart.
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
During the Falklands War in 1982, the QE2 was converted to a troopship, with dormitories for 3,000 British soldiers. Here, Lance-Corporal Michael Hearn (left) says goodbye to his girlfriend Sandra Kelly, while his brother Lance-Corporal Gary Hearn gives his wife Faye a farewell hug, before departing from Southampton for the Falkland Islands.
During the Falklands War in 1982, the QE2 was converted to a troopship, with dormitories for 3,000 British soldiers. Here, Lance-Corporal Michael Hearn (left) says goodbye to his girlfriend Sandra Kelly, while his brother Lance-Corporal Gary Hearn gives his wife Faye a farewell hug, before departing from Southampton for the Falkland Islands.
Rob Taggart/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Sailors aboard the QE2 wave towards the Royal Yacht Britannia -- with the Queen Mother aboard -- on June 11, 1982 as the ship returned to Southampton after serving in the Falklands.
Sailors aboard the QE2 wave towards the Royal Yacht Britannia -- with the Queen Mother aboard -- on June 11, 1982 as the ship returned to Southampton after serving in the Falklands.
JDHC Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The QE2 leaving New York in April 1992. During her service she called there a total of 710 times.
The QE2 leaving New York in April 1992. During her service she called there a total of 710 times.
Trinity Mirror/Alamy
The late David Bowie disembarks the QE2 in New York from England to begin a tour of North America in July 2002.
The late David Bowie disembarks the QE2 in New York from England to begin a tour of North America in July 2002.
Theo Wargo/WireImage/Getty
The 933-ft ocean liner weighed a total of 70,327 tons.
The 933-ft ocean liner weighed a total of 70,327 tons.
Courtesy Cunard Line
The QE2 (background) alongside The Queen Mary II sail into the English Channel in 2004. The QM2 took over the QE2's transatlantic responsibilities as the world's largest and most expensive liner at the time.
The QE2 (background) alongside The Queen Mary II sail into the English Channel in 2004. The QM2 took over the QE2's transatlantic responsibilities as the world's largest and most expensive liner at the time.
Chris Ison/PA Images via Getty Images
The Red Arrows fly past the QE2 as it sits berthed at Greenock, Scotland, in 2007. It was the 40th anniversary of the ship, and just before her final trip to Dubai.
The Red Arrows fly past the QE2 as it sits berthed at Greenock, Scotland, in 2007. It was the 40th anniversary of the ship, and just before her final trip to Dubai.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
The soon to be decommissioned QE2 docks in front of the Royal Liver Building on the river Mersey, Liverpool, UK, during her farewell voyage in 2008.
The soon to be decommissioned QE2 docks in front of the Royal Liver Building on the river Mersey, Liverpool, UK, during her farewell voyage in 2008.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Fireworks explode over the QE2 in November 2008, to mark her final departure from her home port Southampton, UK.
Fireworks explode over the QE2 in November 2008, to mark her final departure from her home port Southampton, UK.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth visited Southampton to a bid a fond farewell to the liner that bears her name, before it sails off for a new life in Dubai. During her visit she unveiled a painting of QE2, as photographer here, by Isle of Wight artist Robert Lloyd. Other royals that visited the liner include Princess Diana, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles.
Queen Elizabeth visited Southampton to a bid a fond farewell to the liner that bears her name, before it sails off for a new life in Dubai. During her visit she unveiled a painting of QE2, as photographer here, by Isle of Wight artist Robert Lloyd. Other royals that visited the liner include Princess Diana, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles.
ARTHUR EDWARDS/AFP/Getty Images
The QE2 transits through the Panama Canal in April 2008 as part of her farewell tour.
The QE2 transits through the Panama Canal in April 2008 as part of her farewell tour.
Urs Hauenstein/Alamy
The QE2 leaves Freemantle port, Australia, for the last time, before settling in Dubai.
The QE2 leaves Freemantle port, Australia, for the last time, before settling in Dubai.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Huge crowds gathered in Freemantle to see her off. There was a large following wherever the QE2 went -- she attracted more than a million people in Liverpool when she visited the British city for the first time in 1990.
Huge crowds gathered in Freemantle to see her off. There was a large following wherever the QE2 went -- she attracted more than a million people in Liverpool when she visited the British city for the first time in 1990.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
The QE2's 39 years of service came to an end in 2008 when she moored in Dubai (pictured in 2017). Investment company Istithmar World had bought the ocean liner for $100 million, to convert it to a floating hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. But after a series of financial setbacks brought on my the global recession, the historic ship was somewhat forgotten, until PCFC Hotels (Port, Customs and Free Zone Corporation) started work to convert her into the hotel she is today.
The QE2's 39 years of service came to an end in 2008 when she moored in Dubai (pictured in 2017). Investment company Istithmar World had bought the ocean liner for $100 million, to convert it to a floating hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. But after a series of financial setbacks brought on my the global recession, the historic ship was somewhat forgotten, until PCFC Hotels (Port, Customs and Free Zone Corporation) started work to convert her into the hotel she is today.
Andrew Rawcliffe/Alamy