Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Review
 QE2's Final Departure: Reporting Live from Southampton
Editor's Note: Cunard Line has sold QE2, one of cruising's most storied vessels, to Dubai World. The ship was delivered to its new owners on November 27, 2008, and will be transformed into a luxury hotel, retail and entertainment complex at Dubai's The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island. Cost? A cool $100 million.
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The introduction of Cunard's now infamous Queen Mary 2 in 2004 was a watershed for the venerable Queen Elizabeth 2, the line's former flagship.
For the past 30-plus years, QE2 reigned as the "grande dame" of the seas and like anything at the top, it has had her highs and lows. Since it entered service, 10 times more money has been spent on refurbishing and refitting the ship (and installing new engines) than what it cost to build. The QE2 has sailed over five million nautical miles and has carried more than two million passengers on more than 1,200 voyages since her inaugural in 1969.
But just six months into new flagship QM2's run, QE2 received a new assignment. The ship surrendered its regular series of Atlantic crossings to QM2, and began its new life based in Southampton, marketed primarily to United Kingdom residents. Still, there were more honors to celebrate: 2004 marked QE2's 35th birthday, making it the longest commissioned ship in the history of Cunard Line.
QE2 is best compared to a small resort city, divided in suburbs. This is more evident on lengthy voyages, like world cruises (though less evident on trans-Atlantic crossings). On world cruises, repeat passengers, also referred to as permanent residents, are the groupies: Indeed, one passenger gained international fame after she sold her home and booked a year-round cabin -- an inside -- on the ship, only departing during scheduled dry-docks.
One of the most intriguing -- and challenging -- aspects of QE2 is that the ship was originally built as a two-class liner though has been one-class for several years. However, you can experience subtle class distinctions. Your choice of cabin determines the restaurant to which you are assigned, ranging from the mass-market-like main dining room to the more exclusive Princess Grill or Queen's Grill.
QE2 has a top speed of 32 knots and a regular cruising speed of 28 knots, which makes it the fastest passenger vessel afloat. As a liner, the ship provides port-to-port transportation, albeit in style that closely resembles what we have come to know as "cruising." QE2 also looks different. The ship has a sleek, classic profile, and a deep draft that makes for a smooth ride but requires tendering in many ports. It must be said that, as a cruise vessel, QE2 doesn't have all of the amenities to rival newer luxury vessels. And yet, it is splendidly engineered for bad weather with the ability to plough through even the worst storms.
The vessel does, however, have some features unique to liners. Her size and configuration allow for the largest and most extensive library at sea, a hospital staffed by two doctors and four nurses, a dental clinic supervised by a licensed dentist, a podiatrist in the spa, one of the largest dance floors and ballrooms at sea, one of the highest space ratios at sea, and entertainment choices that require an additional 12 hours a day to get around to almost all of the venues.
 Read Complete Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Review
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