Introduction
Over forty years the QE2 earned a reputation as the world's most famous ocean liner, regarded with great warmth and affection the world over. The QE2 sailed on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on 2 May 1969. The QE2 has served her country in both peace and war, carrying troops to the Falkland Islands following the outbreak of war in 1982. During her career the QE2 carried 2.5 million passengers and sailed over 5.8 million nautical miles. She has completed 25 world cruises and crossed the Atlantic 803 times before her retirement in November 2008. On 11th November 2008 the QE2 departed Southampton for the last time, en-route to Dubai where she will be converted to a hotel and tourist attraction.
History
Cunard Line's postwar transatlantic express route was served by the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. However by the 1960s Cunard realised they needed to be thinking of replacing the Queens. Initial plans for a successor, a traditional liner in the same 'mould' as its predecessors and codenamed the Q3, were dropped as the transatlantic trade dipped. Instead plans for the Q4 evolved, a vessel that could serve not only as a transatlantic ocean liner, but also as a cruise ship, able to alternate between the Southampton-New York service and cruises to exotic ports of call across the world. The Q4 was launched on 20 September 1967 by HM Queen Elizabeth II and named Queen Elizabeth 2, often shortened simply to QE2.
Virtual Experience

Enjoy our virtual experience of the QE2 and discover 120 panoramic photographs of her interior spaces and exterior decks. The Virtual Experience allows visitors to this web site to explore the QE2, moving from deck to deck. Her restaurants, bars, cabins, public rooms, entertainment venues, on-board facilities, lobby spaces, staircases and external deck spaces are illustrated in one of the largest collections of panoramic photographs of the QE2. Alongside the panoramic photographs are an additional ten standard photos illustrating other key areas of the QE2. The images - taken during June, August and October 2008 - show the QE2 during her final year of commercial service. Launch our QE2 Virtual Experience
Latest News
- 15-01-2012 - The QE2 is set to become an exclusive Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions venue.
- 01-01-2012 - For the first time in three years, guests aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 see in the New Year.
- 14-12-2011 - The Queen Elizabeth 2 is to host an exclusive New Year's Eve party at Port Rashid in Dubai.
- 22-11-2011 - Captain Ian McNaught is appointed Deputy Master and Executive Chairman for Trinity House.
- 11-11-2011 - Three years passes since the QE2 sailed on her final voyage from Southampton to Dubai in 2008.
- Read more QE2 news...
Latest Updates
- 11-11-2011 - Queen Elizabeth 2 "A Farewell Tribute" website updated
- 15-12-2010 - Queen Elizabeth 2 website: Virtual Tour updated
- 02-05-2010 - Queen Elizabeth 2 website: Facts & Figures added
- 02-05-2010 - Queen Elizabeth 2 website: Ports of Call added
- 12-12-2009 - Queen Elizabeth 2 website: QE2 Facts and Timeline updated
- View all www.elettra.co.uk updates
Dubai

Dubai, AE
Temperature: 23°C
High: 22°C/Low: 14°C
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Sunrise: 6:58 am/Sunset: 6:04 pm
Southampton

Southampton, UK
Temperature: 2°C
High: 4°C/Low: 2°C
Conditions: Mostly Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:35 am/Sunset: 5:02 pm
New York
Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Latitude: 25° 13' North
Longitude: 55° 17' East
Southampton

Southampton, England
Latitude: 50° 54' North
Longitude: 1° 23' West
New York

New York, United States
Latitude: 40° 44' North
Longitude: 73° 55' West
Particulars
- Length: 963ft/293m
- Breadth: 105ft/32m
- Gross Tonnage: 70,327 grt
- Service speed: 28.5 knots
- Learn more about the QE2...
Did you know?
- 1,350
The total number of portholes aboard the QE2, in addition to a further 577 windows - GBTT
The QE2's radio callsign is GBTT, previously held by the Queen Mary; the Queen Elizabeth's was GBSS - 677
The QE2's has 667 staterooms and suites with sea-views; there are 325 inside cabins - 6725418
The QE2's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) official number is 6725418 - 6,000
The approximate number of books found in the QE2's Quarter Deck library - 2,252
The total number of light fixtures found in the passenger spaces aboard the QE2 - 70,327
The QE2's gross tonnage is 70,327. Her predecessor the Queen Mary and Elizabeth were 81,237 and 82,998 - 1,100
The design of the QE2 incorporated 1,100 tons of aluminium in the construction of the superstructure - 35
The QE2 served as the flagship of the Cunard Line for thirty-five years from May 1969 until May 1994 - 3,474
The number of lifejackets aboard the QE2, in addition to 30 life-buoys, for use in emergencies - 803
The QE2 has crossed the Atlantic 803 times, equivalent to more than 2.3 million nautical miles - 5,800
The QE2 was fitted with 2 five-bladed LIPS propellers, with a 5,800mm diameter, in 1987 - 2,500,000
During her commercial service the QE2 has carried approximately 2.5 million passengers - 14,967
The QE2 steamed 14,697 nautical miles sailing to the Falklands and back to the UK - 25,427,000
The cost of the QE2, in the original tender from the John Brown shipyard totalled £25,427,000 - 1,002
The total number of staterooms aboard the QE2, of which 677 are outside facing - 4,381
The tonnage capacity of the QE2's oil storage tanks, providing fuel for 10 days sailing at 32.5 knots - 4
The QE2 was built no No. 4 slipway at the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde in Scotland - 130,000
The horsepower generated by the QE2's nine MAN 9L 58/64 four-stroke Diesel engines - 10,287
The QE2 consumed 10,287 tonnes of fuel sailing to the Falklands and back to the UK - 2,622,858
The number of nautical miles sailed under steam prior to her diesel refit in 1986 - Magradome
A retractable, weather-proof glass 'Magradome' roof was fitted in 1983 over the Lido Deck - STUFT
The QE2 was requisitioned as a 'Ship-Taken-Up-From-Trade' during the Falklands War - 736
The QE2's yard number during construction at John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank - 5,875,493
The QE2 has travelled over 5.8 nautical miles, equivalent to travelling to the moon and back 14 times - 11,590
The QE2's deadweight - the maximum weight she can carry is 11,590 tonnes - 14
The QE2 has kennels on the Signal Deck providing accommodation for up to 14 animals during a voyage - 1,852
The QE2 can carry up to 1,852 tonnes of fresh water in tanks to provide potable water for use onboard - 22
The QE2 has twenty-two lifts for the use of passengers across the QE2's twelve decks
Links
A selection of external websites
More links
A selection of external websites






























