Marina plan revealed for QE2

Nakheel has revealed the new home for the world famous cruise liner, QE2, as the anchor of a new marina development on the eastern trunk side of Palm Jumeirah.

Purchased last year by Nakheel’s parent organisation, Dubai World, QE2 will embark on the journey from Southampton, England to Dubai in November.

Nakheel will commence construction on her eventual home in September.

“QE2 will provide the third jewel in the crown of Palm Jumeirah’s world class destination offerings and the perfect complement to Atlantis, Cirque du Soleil, and Trump International Hotel & Tower,” said Johann Schumacher, director of Palm Jumeirah.

QE2 will form the pinnacle of a palatial pier that will stretch 300 metres out from the trunk into the waters of the Arabian Gulf. A grand entrance to the pier will provide the gateway to a luxury residential and hotel quarter, which will feature elegant apartments, a private club, bars and restaurants, retail, wellness centre and gardens.

Plans for the QE2 include its transformation into an ultra-luxury floating hotel, featuring public promenades, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, as well as a heritage museum displaying artifacts from the QE2 and maritime history.

QE2 is one of the world’s most famous ships. She has circumnavigated the world 25 times, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5 million passengers including kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, astronauts and The Beatles. She survived a 95 ft wave during Hurricane Luis, carried 3000 troops to the Falklands War and rescued 500 passengers from a burning ship.

Reclamation for the pier is expected to finish by the end of 2008, with the entire project scheduled for completion in 2011.

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