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QE2 to arrive at new Dubai home QE2 arrives at new home in Dubai
(18 minutes later)
The world-famous QE2 is set to arrive in Dubai later where the ship will be turned into a floating hotel. The world-famous QE2 has arrived in her new home of Dubai where the ship will be turned into a floating hotel.
A flotilla and flypast will meet the luxury liner - which was sold for £50m - as she arrives in the Arab emirate. A flotilla and Airbus A380 superjumbo flypast met the luxury liner, which was sold for £50m to the Arab emirate.
QE2 left her home port of Southampton for the last time earlier this month on a final two-week cruise.QE2 left her home port of Southampton for the last time earlier this month on a final two-week cruise.
The BBC understands that controversial plans for the ship include slicing off the giant red funnel and placing it on the waterfront as an entrance. The BBC has learned that controversial plans for the ship include slicing off the giant red funnel and placing it on the waterfront as an entrance.
In its place will be a four-deck smoked glass penthouse, in the shape of the funnel but with a swimming pool. The idea is to make it the most exclusive hotel room in Dubai.In its place will be a four-deck smoked glass penthouse, in the shape of the funnel but with a swimming pool. The idea is to make it the most exclusive hotel room in Dubai.
Inside, every cabin will be ripped out and replaced with new, larger bedrooms that meet the latest standards.Inside, every cabin will be ripped out and replaced with new, larger bedrooms that meet the latest standards.
QE2 will be the centrepiece of the luxury palm islandQE2 will be the centrepiece of the luxury palm island
And the ship's engines will be taken out, and the space used to create a new entertainment venue. And the ship's engines will be taken out with the space used to create a new entertainment venue.
On Wednesday an Airbus A380 superjumbo performed a flypast as the ship neared Dubai.
Tens of thousands of people had lined Southampton Water to see the 41-year-old, 70,000 tonne ship leave UK waters for the last time on 11 November.
Real estate developer Nakheel has bought the ship.Real estate developer Nakheel has bought the ship.
It will be the centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah, the palm-shaped fronds of reclaimed land and beach on the Dubai waterfront, and is set to open in 2010. Tens of thousands of people had lined Southampton Water to see the 41-year-old, 70,000 tonne ship leave UK waters for the last time on 11 November.
It will become the centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah, the palm-shaped fronds of reclaimed land and beach on the Dubai waterfront, and is set to open in 2010.
QE2's predecessor, Queen Mary, has been a floating hotel at Long Beach in California since 1967.QE2's predecessor, Queen Mary, has been a floating hotel at Long Beach in California since 1967.