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I have a feeling QE2 will eventually end up on the shores of India, after much speculation just like we have endured with ships like SSUS and NORWAY.
Perhaps this is for the best. Let the ship go out with a little dignity. I was one of the few it seemed that was opposed to the Dubai scheme from day one.
Ernie
quote:Originally posted by eroller:Perhaps this is for the best. Let the ship go out with a little dignity.
Perhaps this is for the best. Let the ship go out with a little dignity.
And with that fresh coat of paint, she'll look marvelous going out!
I agree w/you Ernie. Who w/10-20 million dollars would purchase her only to have to spend 5-10 times that amount on a proper refit?
All this suspense is agonizing. Get it over with already.
[ 02-07-2010: Message edited by: dougnewman ]
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:Who w/10-20 million dollars would purchase her only to have to spend 5-10 times that amount on a proper refit?
Who w/10-20 million dollars would purchase her only to have to spend 5-10 times that amount on a proper refit?
NCL of course. Then they would have a pair of rusting ships!
[ 02-07-2010: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:NCL of course. Then they would have a pair of rusting ships!
I've just heard they want to jumboize the Big U with the middle section of the QE2. Studies are in progress.(Difference of breadth of the two ships is not a problem for them, they would use the remaining metal form QE2's bow and stern to fill the gap).And we would have the first 3-funnel cruise ship of the XXI century...
Secondly, QE2 is worth around 0.07% of Dubai World's debt. Selling her isn't going to help their debt mountain much! However she does still appear to be able to generate far more interest than many of their far more valuable assets, possibly any of them.
Thirdly, I can't get my head around those who find the suspense so bad that they'd rather see her scrapped. In the 440 days that QE2 has now spent in Dubai, she's been very well cared for, and in many ways is now in better condition than she was when she arrived. Personally, I'd be happy for this particular state of limbo to go on indefinitely as it means my favourite ship is saved until someone comes up with a sympathetic plan for her.
I think the QE2 is madly more famous than Canberra or Norway (ask someone in the UK if they've heard of Norway, or someone in the USA if they've heard of Canberra), and I hope that this gives her a greater chance of survival. Her relatively modern powerplant is also increasing her chances, as it has been relatively cheap and easy to leave her powered up as she has been constantly.
I'll end on an image of QE2 from a few weeks ago.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Lightbody:[...]Secondly, QE2 is worth around 0.07% of Dubai World's debt. Selling her isn't going to help their debt mountain much!
Of course, QE2 alone can't solve the financial problems of Dubai. However, QE2 is more than her present value. It would be quite an effort to convert her to a hotel (or whatever else). Why should they keep her if the decision has been made not to go ahead with these plans? The money saved by that might also be a small contribution but every cent counts.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Lightbody:[...] However she does still appear to be able to generate far more interest than many of their far more valuable assets, possibly any of them.[...]I think the QE2 is madly more famous than Canberra or Norway (ask someone in the UK if they've heard of Norway, or someone in the USA if they've heard of Canberra), and I hope that this gives her a greater chance of survival.
This is of course the only reason why she is still around. The problem is of course that because of her reputation expectations are very high. Especially in a competitive environment like Dubai rather substantial changes to QE2 would be necessary to bring her at least closer to these high expectations.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Lightbody:[...]Her relatively modern powerplant is also increasing her chances, as it has been relatively cheap and easy to leave her powered up as she has been constantly.[...]
I think this is negligible if not entirely irrelevant for a future role as static ship and I don't believe that we will see her sailing again with passengers.
The only reason why she could be laid up for a longer time is that her present owners paid quite a lot for her. It would make sense to wait for better times if they can afford it.
[ 02-08-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:I think this is negligible if not entirely irrelevant for a future role as static ship and I don't believe that we will see her sailing again with passengers.[ 02-08-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
I think this is negligible if not entirely irrelevant for a future role as static ship and I don't believe that we will see her sailing again with passengers.[ 02-08-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
I agree. However for the past 440 days, and for possibly the next few years, the powerplant could save her from rotting somewhere like Norway did. The 'Cape Town plan' has fallen through, but it can be replicated elsewhere. Dining on the QE2. Afternoon tea. The better rooms. All can be opened immediately somewhere to make a profit, or at least lessen the losses of operating her empty as they are doing currently.
The SS Rotterdam hotel, if a success, could serve as a template for QE2 if she's still intact in a couple of years time.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Lightbody:I agree. However for the past 440 days, and for possibly the next few years, the powerplant could save her from rotting somewhere like Norway did.
It is of course an advantage to have power available. However, giving that a major refit would be necessary anyhow it's might not make that much of a difference.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Lightbody:The 'Cape Town plan' has fallen through, but it can be replicated elsewhere. Dining on the QE2. Afternoon tea. The better rooms. All can be opened immediately somewhere to make a profit, or at least lessen the losses of operating her empty as they are doing currently.
I have my doubts about whether opening QE2 'as she is' would make any sense. It would be very difficult to compete with the other hotels and attractions in Dubai. Doing that might actually damage her reputation with locals.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Lightbody:The SS Rotterdam hotel, if a success, could serve as a template for QE2 if she's still intact in a couple of years time.
QE2 certainly has the more prominent name but the ship itself is by far not in the same league as Rotterdam. Beside that, circumstances in Rotterdam are very different than the situation in Dubai (if QE2 stays there).
quote:Originally posted by Lubber:...and we should see NORWAY 2 in service by summer!
Yes, she's to be christened NORWAY THE SECOND by the reigning Queen of Norway, and people will be debating forty years in the future if the ship is named after the S.S. NORWAY or the country.
Even if Rotterdam is an operating success it is extremely unlikely that she will ever be able to pay back the capital it has cost to purchase and renovate her. While I would agree that QE2 would not require as much refurb to use her in her present layout as some sort of hotel it is clear that the public will not pay the price to stay when for less they could book into a decent 5 star hotel. Tea on QE2 will never make her profitable.
In hindsight the grandoise (and to some distasteful) scheme that Nakheel had for QE2 was perhaps her only hope for an extended life.
quote:Originally posted by Frank X. Prudent:Yes, she's to be christened NORWAY THE SECOND by the reigning Queen of Norway, and people will be debating forty years in the future if the ship is named after the S.S. NORWAY or the country.
....hmmm. Is the two written as an Arabic or as a Roman numeral?
However I do have a businessplan for QE2 , is there a big abu dhabi official or a rich company of someone here that has about 500.000 dollars + the price for QE2 available for me ?????
Jochen
From a pure ship lover point, I myself am of the same opinion of Rob, I'd rather continue to see her not broken up for a long time and ready for an upcomming purchase by another commercial entity (I'm well aware it is currently and for a near future unlikely), especially if she's still in good or rather good condition (which I know may no longer be the case in one or two years only, if no money is put into her maintainance from now).Since it is not my money, I prefer seeing such ship unused and laid up somewhere in acceptable condition for several years than seeing her scrapped and entirely disappearing, again from a strict ship lover point. SS NORWAY has already been a difficult and painful thing to whistand, yet she was not in such a condition at all to ever sail or be used again for any role when her scrapping began.I'm not as much "in love" with this liner as I was with the ex-FRANCE, still, I think QE2 going to the breakers NOW would be a real waste and a real pity. Once all other opportunities an possibilities would have been studied and economically rejected in several years and if her state s then in a terrible condition, then that will be another thing. Still painful but fully understandable then.
[ 02-09-2010: Message edited by: Vaccaro ]
She would have to be elsewhere, which should be possible given that she can currently sail anywhere in the globe with a few days notice. I personally thought that Vancouver would have been a good option - with the British (commonwealth) connection making the QE2 a real draw, and they have heard of her there too. Failing that, Japan. Not permanently, but for a year or two while someone comes up with something else! Having her in New York would also be apt.
Her interiors may not be up to the amazing original stylish interiors of the Rotterdam, but she still has many lovely public spaces that were successfull in the noughties as a cruise ship, and would be successful as a berthed hotel somewhere.
- Rob.www.TheQE2Story.com
[ 02-09-2010: Message edited by: Rob Lightbody ]
The power plant is viable BUT there is a lot of survey to do in 2010-2011. Of course, it's for passenger certification. But I do not see any insurance companies to insure a transport without certain guaranties. Especially Standard P&I Club per Charles Taylor & Co, very careful of business.
And a power plant that is not working regularly is deteriorating very quickly if some measures are not taken ASAP. Electrical generators especially, Steam generators also.
quote:Her interiors may not be up to the amazing original stylish interiors of the Rotterdam, but she still has many lovely public spaces that were successfull in the noughties as a cruise ship, and would be successful as a berthed hotel somewhere.
Hello,
Do a business plan, you will see that the ratio cost/success is far than an evidence. Everywhere in the world
[ 02-09-2010: Message edited by: LenKinap ]
While she does need a make over, to go back to work as a ocean liner would not be to big of a deal, however, there is only two things she could really do.
A constant world cruise or be based out of the US, she can't compete with the QM2 in the North Atlantic, but as has already been said, the name QE2 brings a premium.
Now the big issue, someone comes along and offers them say $25M for her, someone at corporate will raise their head from their desk, look off into space and declare that there must be a reason behind being offered so much for her and so there is no way they will sell her.
quote:Originally posted by jetwet1:Just to point out a couple of things, she is being well taken care off in Dubai, her engines are being run on a regular basis and there is a crew on board doing a lot of small stuff.While she does need a make over, to go back to work as a ocean liner would not be to big of a deal, however, there is only two things she could really do.A constant world cruise or be based out of the US, she can't compete with the QM2 in the North Atlantic, but as has already been said, the name QE2 brings a premium.Now the big issue, someone comes along and offers them say $25M for her, someone at corporate will raise their head from their desk, look off into space and declare that there must be a reason behind being offered so much for her and so there is no way they will sell her.
You can take care of everything, when a vessel is not cruising,you have sometimes significant alteration. Engine, yes but accommodation too. The report done for the proposal as static hotel for former Renaissance was a very good example. The ship was very well stored, but read the report:
http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/ubb-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=reply&f=3&t=004992&replyto=000020
And the Blue Monarch was for her last season in very good shape. What is the destiny of the Blue Monarch: scrappers !!!!
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