A luxurious marina development on the eastern trunk side of Palm Jumeirah will be the permanent home for the famous cruise liner QE2.

Nakheel, a leading developer, will commence construction on QE’s eventual home in September. The luxury marina development will have a cultural centre and other tourist attractions.

Purchased last year by Dubai World, QE2 will embark on her ultimate journey from Southampton, England to Dubai in November.

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. A high-end yacht club will service a major marina attached to the pier, giving residences on the trunk marina views.

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.

Johann Schumacher, director of Palm Jumeirah, said: “The arrival of QE2 is one of the most anticipated events of the year and Nakheel is proud to be the custodian of such a historic treasure. The world’s most famous ocean liner will form the focal point of an exciting new development that will be a spectacular and must-see attraction on Palm Jumeirah.
 
“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. Providing her with a permanent home in Dubai not only secures a sustainable future for one of the brightest stars of the global tourism and leisure industry, but also takes us one step further to making Palm Jumeirah the centre of tourism entertainment in Dubai.”

QE2 is arguably 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 3,000 troops to the Falklands War and rescued 500 passengers from a burning ship. She is a record breaker for both speed and endurance, has featured in countless films and television shows and draws crowds to every port she docks in.

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