QE2 Timeline
1964
30 Dec 1964 - Cunard and John Brown sign contract to build the QE2.
1965
5 Jul 1965 - keel laid at the John Brown shipyard on Clydebank.
1967
20 Sep 1967 - the hull of the QE2 is launched by HM Queen.
1968
19 Nov 1968 - begins sea trials in the Irish Sea.
1969
2 May 1969 - maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.
1969
7 May 1969 - makes her maiden arrival in New York.
1971
9 Jan 1971 - rescues passengers from blazing cruise liner Antilles.
1972
17 May 1972 - suffers bomb hoax during Atlantic crossing.
1973
14 Apr 1973 - sails to Israel to commemorate its 25th anniversary.
1975
25 Feb 1975 - becomes the largest ship to transit the Panama Canal.
1975
4 Dec 1975 - completes one million miles travelled since entering service.
1980
7 Mar 1980 - completes her first transit of the Suez Canal.
1982
12 May 1982 - sails as part of the naval taskforce to the Falklands.
1982
11 Jun 1982 - returns to Southampton from the Falklands.
1986
27 Oct 1986 - start of conversion from steam to diesel power.
1987
29 Apr 1987 - first diesel-powered crossing to New York.
1990
22 Jul 1990 - commemorates 150th anniversary of the Cunard Line.
1992
7 Aug 1992 - badly damaged in grounding off Martha's Vineyard.
1994
6 Jun 1994 - participates in 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
1995
14 Jun 1995 - begins her 1000th voyage, departing New York.
1995
10 Sep 1995 - encounters Hurricane Luis experiencing 130 mph winds.
1996
2 Jan 1996 - exceeds 4 million nautical miles.
1997
20 Sep 1997 - celebrates 30th anniversary of her launch.
1998
29 Mar 1998 - carries South African president Nelson Mandela on voyage.
1999
3 May 1999 - marks 65th anniversary of maiden voyage of Queen Mary.
1999
13 Jun 1999 - marks the equivalent of twenty years steaming.
2002
29 Aug 2002 - first vessel to exceed 5 million nautical miles.
2004
5 Nov 2004 - becomes Cunard's longest serving express liner.
2005
4 Sep 2005 - succeeds the Scythia as the longest serving Cunarder.
2007
18 Jun 2007 - Cunard announces to sale of the QE2 to Dubai's Nakheel.
2008
3 Oct 2008 - commences Farewell Round Britain cruise.
2008
11 Nov 2008 - final voyage from Southampton into retirement.
2008
26 Nov 2008 - arrives in Dubai, completing her final voyage.
2008
27 Nov 2008 - ownership transferred to Nakheel.
2009
26 Nov 2009 - marks first anniversary of her arrival in Dubai.