Welcome
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. In 2018 she opened as a hotel and tourist attraction at Mina Rashid.
Photographs
Southampton arrival
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Port of Bilbao
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Stavanger harbour
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News and timeline
News stories
- 16-10-2013: The QE2 Heritage Hotel website launches to consult on designs for the refurbishment of the QE2.
- 15-10-2013: QE2 Holdings announces the appointment of the Chinese shipyard Cosco to refit the QE2.
- 23-08-2013: More details of plans for the QE2 emerge as her scheduled sailing for a Chinese shipyard nears.
- 07-07-2013: A new Dubai-based company, QE2 Holding, is formed as the QE2 prepares to leave Dubai for Asia.
- 14-03-2013: Hong Kong or Singapore is likely to be the new home for the QE2 according to the Oceanic Group.
- Read more QE2 news...
March timeline
- 18 March 1969: Official handover, at 1:15pm in London and Southampton, of the QE2 from her builders to Cunard.
- 24 March 1969: The QE2 begins a series of sea trials off the south coast prior to her maiden voyage.
- 30 March 1969: The QE2 begins a mini shake-down voyage following repairs after problems with her turbines.
- 23 March 1970: The QE2 welcomes her 75,000th passenger aboard after less than one year in service.
- 7 March 1980: The QE2 makes her first transit of the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.
- 29 March 1998: The QE2 carries South African president Nelson Mandela on an historic voyage.
Weather forecasts
Dubai
Dubai, AE
Temperature: 26°C
High: 26°C/Low: 25°C
Conditions: Clear sky
Sunrise: 6:19 am/Sunset: 6:30 pm
Southampton
Southampton, GB
Temperature: 11°C
High: 12°C/Low: 10°C
Conditions: Mist
Sunrise: 6:01 am/Sunset: 6:22 pm
New York
New York, US
Temperature: 1°C
High: 1°C/Low: 0°C
Conditions: Overcast clouds
Sunrise: 6:59 am/Sunset: 7:17 pm
World clocks
Dubai
Dubai, AE
Latitude: 25° 15' 44" North
Longitude: 55° 16' 51" East
Southampton
Southampton, GB
Latitude: 50° 53' 4" North
Longitude: 1° 23' 44" West
New York
New York, US
Latitude: 40° 46' 3" North
Longitude: 73° 59' 55" West
Particulars
Particulars
- Length: 963 feet
- Breadth: 105 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 70,327
- Service speed: 28.5 knots
- View more QE2 particulars
Comparison
Discover how the QE2 compares to today's Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2 and the White Star Line steamship RMS Titanic.
Tours
Did you know?
Did you know?
- YJVW6 The QE2's callsign, since her August 2009 re-registration in Port Vila in the South Pacific island of Vanuatu
- 2,252 The total number of light fixtures found in the passenger spaces aboard the QE2
- 4 The QE2 was built no No. 4 slipway at the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde in Scotland
- 10,287 The QE2 consumed 10,287 tonnes of fuel sailing to the Falklands and back to the UK
- 2,500,000 During her commercial service the QE2 has carried approximately 2.5 million passengers
- 70,327 The QE2's gross tonnage is 70,327. Her predecessor the Queen Mary and Elizabeth were 81,237 and 82,998
- 1,002 The total number of staterooms aboard the QE2, of which 677 are outside facing
- 2,622,858 The number of nautical miles sailed under steam prior to her diesel refit in 1986
- 60% The QE2's Denny Brown stabilisers are designed to reduce rolling of the ship by 60%
- 576059000 The QE2's Maritime Mobile Service Identity number since her registry in Vanuatu
- 677 The QE2's has 667 staterooms and suites with sea-views; there are 325 inside cabins
- 5,800 The QE2 was fitted with 2 five-bladed LIPS propellers, with a 5,800mm diameter, in 1987
- 1,100 The design of the QE2 incorporated 1,100 tons of aluminium in the construction of the superstructure
- 1,852 The QE2 can carry up to 1,852 tonnes of fresh water in tanks to provide potable water for use onboard
- Magradome A retractable, weather-proof glass 'Magradome' roof was fitted in 1983 over the Lido Deck
- 803 The QE2 has crossed the Atlantic 803 times, equivalent to more than 2.3 million nautical miles
- STUFT The QE2 was requisitioned as a 'Ship-Taken-Up-From-Trade' during the Falklands War
- 11,590 The QE2's deadweight - the maximum weight she can carry is 11,590 tonnes
- 4,381 The tonnage capacity of the QE2's oil storage tanks, providing fuel for 10 days sailing at 32.5 knots
- 130,000 The horsepower generated by the QE2's nine MAN 9L 58/64 four-stroke Diesel engines
- 14 The QE2 has kennels on the Signal Deck providing accommodation for up to 14 animals during a voyage
- Port Vila The QE2's port of registry, since August 2009, is Port Vila in the South Pacific island of Vanuatu
- 1,350 The total number of portholes aboard the QE2, in addition to a further 577 windows
- 736 The QE2's yard number during construction at John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank
- 3,474 The number of lifejackets aboard the QE2, in addition to 30 life-buoys, for use in emergencies
- 6725418 The QE2's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) official number is 6725418
- 336703 The QE2's official number, until she was removed from the British Registry, was 336703
- 122 The QE2 Virtual Experience on this website has 122 panoramic photographs of the QE2
- 5,875,493 The QE2 has travelled over 5.8 nautical miles, equivalent to travelling to the moon and back 14 times
- 35 The QE2 served as the flagship of the Cunard Line for thirty-five years from May 1969 until May 1994
- GBTT The QE2's radio callsign is GBTT, previously held by the Queen Mary; the Queen Elizabeth's was GBSS
- 22 The QE2 has twenty-two lifts for the use of passengers across the QE2's twelve decks
- 25,427,000 The cost of the QE2, in the original tender from the John Brown shipyard totalled £25,427,000
- 14,967 The QE2 steamed 14,697 nautical miles sailing to the Falklands and back to the UK
- 6,000 The approximate number of books found in the QE2's Quarter Deck library
Timewatch
