QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 was one of the most successful passenger and cruise ships ever built - the last of her kind or so it was feared at the time she was delivered to Cunard in April 1969. She was the last big Clyde-built liner and the pride of the British merchant navy.
QE2 had the longest career of any Cunarder so far - 39 years that came to a close in November 2008 when the former Cunard flagship was handed over to local owners who intended to turn the QUEEN into a new tourist attraction and hotel the same way QUEEN MARY has been kept in Long Beach since 1967. However, nothing has happened since that time and the QE2 is still waiting for plans to give her a new lease of life as an hotel ship where ever it may happen.
My friend Bill Miller photographed her on 17 April in her lay up berth at Port Rashid, Dubai, from the decks of Cunard's QUEEN ELIZABETH on the world cruise. By now QE2 looks forlorn and sad. What is going to happen next?