One year ago today the QE2 departed from Southampton on her final voyage to retirement in Dubai. During the day thousands of sightseers gathered to get a last glimpse of the QE2 before she left her home port for the last time. After a spectacular fireworks display the QE2 headed down Southampton Water, escorted by a flotilla of boats.
Her arrival in Dubai seemingly marked the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the QE2. Within months it was expected that her conversion to a luxury hotel would begin. However the global recession saw plans delayed. Then it was announced that the QE2 would sail to Cape Town to serve as a floating hotel during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Nakheel dry-docked the QE2, her hull was repainted and she was re-registered in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu. But even that plan has seemingly stalled.
Today the QE2 finds herself in an unexpected and undesired situation, the confidence of twelve months ago has been replaced with uncertainty.
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