It has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and given 2.5 million passengers the seafaring trip of a lifetime.
But today the Queen Elizabeth 2 will dock passengers for the last time, bringing nearly 40 years of maritime travel to an end.
The QE2 is scheduled to arrive this afternoon in Dubai, where it will undergo a multimillion-dirham refit to turn it into a luxury hotel.
The ship iss to be met by a flotilla of 60 yachts, including the 160m Dubai, the world's biggest yacht, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Ruler of Dubai.
Even it would be dwarfed by the 70,000-tonne, 293m QE2, whose arrival was being marked with fireworks and a low-flying Emirates Airline A380.
"It will be fantastic," said Manfred Ursprunger, the chief executive of QE2 Enterprises at Nakheel Hotels, the ship's new owners.
"Life begins at 40. This is not an end, it is merely the beginning for the QE2. There are few vessels in the world that have this kind of future.
Most retired ships "go to the breakers' yard", he said. "We will cherish her history and her heritage."
The QE2's refit is expected to take as long as three years. Its cabins will be replaced with hotel rooms at least twice the size, the distinctive red 89m-high funnel will be dismantled and replaced with a copy containing a deluxe 4267-square m suite.
The walls will be taken apart and reassembled with a new electrical and air-conditioning system and anti-condensation double glazing to cope with Dubai's humidity.
Some traditionalists are disgruntled. But Nakheel Hotels, the subsidiary of Dubai World which bought the QE2 from Cunard for Dh276 million (US$75m), said it was the only way the ocean liner could survive.
"The ship has come to the end of her life after 40 years of hard work but she will be in the best possible hands," Mr Ursprunger said. "We will recreate the experience of being on board an ocean liner for many more people.
"Visitors will be proud to come to Dubai to see her. We have planned a unique tribute to a maritime icon. Even down to crossing a gangway to get on board, we want to give guests the experience of walking onto the QE2 and seeing what the great days of transatlantic ocean liners were really like.
"We have to pull her apart and rebuild her to make her viable as an entertainment venue for at least the next 50 years."
Areas which will be preserved and restored will include the Queen's Room ballroom, the Queen's Grill, the welcome rotunda, the captain's bridge and the engine control room, which have barely changed over four decades.
They will be included in a heritage tour of the site. The original funnel will be displayed in an onshore maritime museum on the north-eastern side of the Palm Jumeirah.
The engine will be removed and replaced by a 500-seat theatre where West End and Broadway shows will be staged. A 16,459 sq m health and fitness centre will complement the liner's swimming pools.
The ship's casino, however, will be scrapped in line with Dubai's anti-gambling laws.
Michel Roux, the Michelin-starred French-born chef, will design the menus and interiors for the QE2's five new restaurants.
The venue's 200 hotel rooms, which start at 164sq m, will more than double the current standard size of the QE2's 1,000 cabins, which range from 45sq m to 82sq m.
Another 130 residential apartments with between one and three bedrooms, each measuring up to 823sq m, will be created and sold leasehold.
"She has gone through many refurbishments over the years," Mr Ursprunger said. "A lot of the infrastructure needs to be changed such as the plumbing and electricity."
The QE2 has been around the world 25 times and is still the fastest luxury cruise liner, with a top speed of more than 60 kph.
It has the largest floating library, with 6,000 books, and cost Dh160 million to build. Named after the late Queen Mother (the 2 refers to the fact it replaced the original Queen Elizabeth), it was Cunard's flagship vessel until the Queen Mary 2 was launched in 2004.
Not everyone is thrilled by her refit. Residents of Southampton in the UK, its home port for 40 years, have collected 2,000 names on a petition demanding that the funnel be returned to the city.
Glenn Hipwell, 31, said: "Ever since I was a child I can remember looking out of my bedroom window and seeing a red funnel towering over the docks.
"We cannot let this piece of Southampton's heritage be ripped off."
Beatrice Muller, an 89-year-old widow who has lived on board for the past nine years, is also dismayed at the prospect of finding a new home.
She has spent Dh20,000 a month being pampered and enjoying the range of on-board entertainment from dinner dances to drinks gatherings.
"I am looking for a new home at sea," she said.
The QE2, which was briefly converted into a troop carrier for the Falklands War in 1982, was set to arrive at about 2pm, when it is to be led by the Dubai on a tour of The World islands before travelling to Port Rashid, accompanied by British Royal Navy and UAE Navy ships and the flotilla.
At 6pm fireworks were due to be set off after the Airbus fly-past at 1,000ft.
None of the 1,000 passengers and 1,000 crew on board will disembark until tomorrow, when the Nakheel flag will replace Cunard's. They set sail from the UK on Nov 11 after briefly running aground in docks - which some said was a sign it was not prepared to leave without a fight.
tyaqoob@thenational.ae
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Sweet%20Tooth
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
The%20specs
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Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
Company%20Profile
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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LOVE%20AGAIN
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Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)
Man of the match Harry Kane
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline
Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.
When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.
Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.
Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.
“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.
Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.
“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
