QEII Trackable

To travel from Cache to Cache with us

Attached to a Genuine QEII Keyring dating from the launch of the vessel in 1969

The History of the QEII

Queen Elizabeth II, or QE2 as it's popularly known, retired from cruising in 2008 after some 40 years in service (launched in 1969). The ocean liner, one of cruising's most storied vessels, was sold in 2007 for $100 million to Istithmar World, the investment arm of state-run Dubai World. At the time, Dubai World's developer, Nakheel, outlined a grand plan to transform the ship into a luxury floating hotel, with features including a West End-style theater and a glass penthouse complex where the iconic fire-red funnel once stood.

Hit hard by the worldwide recession, Dubai World became saddled with debt, and QE2 has been languishing at Dubai's Port Rashid since arriving in November 2008. Plans to dock the ship in South Africa as a floating hotel during the 2010 FIFA World Cup were scuppered.

The ship's future is uncertain.

The past is filled with highs and lows.

Here are some tidbits about the famous queen's long career you can use to wow friends and strangers alike (many taken from Carol Thatcher's QE2: 40 Years Famous).

The Beginning: When QE2 entered service on 22 April, 1969 (with an eight-day preview cruise stopping at Las Palmas, Tenerife and Lisbon), two stowaways were discovered. The ship had to turn back shortly after departure to rendezvous with a pilot cutter and get rid of the extra baggage.

Even Earlier: More than 3,000 people worked on the construction of the ship. Computers -- quite a novel idea at the time -- were used extensively to guide the construction process, analyzing how many workers were needed, and to keep a tally of costs and progress.

A Near Miss: Following QE2's first visit to Israel in spring 1974, the Egyptian military considered sinking QE2 to avenge the deaths of more than 100 passengers killed when Israel shot down a Libyan airplane in 1972. However, Anwar Sadat, Egypt's president, countermanded the order to destroy the ship.

The Celebrities: Among the famous feet to walk the ship's hallowed halls were those belonging to Nelson Mandela, David Bowie, The Cure, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond and of course British royalty of every stripe and hue.

The Danger: In September 1995, the ship encountered a 95 ft. rogue wave when sailing through Hurricane Luis. Hundreds of tons of water broke over the bow, but most of the passengers slept through it!

The Disgusting: In April 2005, while en route from Southampton to Madeira, QE2 ran into the body of a decomposing whale. The captain estimated the animal was 60 feet long, but luckily no damage was done to the ship.

Only on a British Ship: On QE2, 912,500 tea bags are consumed annually, and over 2 million doilies are used.

The Cost: Millions of pounds have been spent to keep QE2 afloat over the past 40 years (more than her original cost). The ship cost just under 29 million pounds to build, but later refits cost 32 million pounds in 1994, 30 million pounds in 1999 and $15 million in 2006.