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Heard on the Deck

Fate of the QE2

The Queen Elizabeth 2 has arrived at her new home port of Dubai to spend the rest of her life in retirement as an entertainment center. She has sailed 5.5 nautical miles, more than any other ship ever. She’s carried almost 2.1 million guests, and completed 24 World Cruises. She is the fastest merchant ship in operation–can go faster than other cruise ships and outrun pirateers!

I hear rumors about her future. Locals in Dubai predict that the 70,000-ton super liner will be kept “cooled” by being encased in a giant glass bubble! More rumors sat the 963-foot-long ship will be taken to Singapore for rebguilding and refit that includes cutting the ship in half and lengthening her by 275 feet. Lifeboats will be removed and sides of the ship will be rebuilt. The Boat Deck promenade may become luxury quarters. Engine rooms may be gutted and rebuilt as showrooms, meeting halls, and shops as well as a museum.

 Only time will tell whether these rumors will come true, but as a veteran of many cruises on the QE2, I hope she will keep her life-long dignity. I welcome comments from other QE2 fans.

7 Reasons Not to Miss the Boat

A cruise is the next best thing to the fountain of youth to keep you healthy, happy, and young at heart. Here are seven reasons why a cruise gives you the most rewards for your vacation bucks.

1. You unpack once in your stateroom. There’s no waiting in airport lines, missed flights, or lost baggage. But don’t overpack—save room for shopping on the ship and on shore.
2. You can drink the water. Ships are a safe, comfortable way to see exotic world locales while enjoying the amenities of a floating hotel. Lifeboat drills and on-board doctors and medical facilities assure your health, safety, comfort, and peace.
3. You never go hungry. Twenty-four hours a day, you’re wined and dined as world-class chefs prepare gourmet or casual meals, and the service matches the finest restaurants in New York and Paris.
4. You don’t need cash. You pay for purchases and beverages on board with your ship’s identification card. At the end of the cruise, you receive a bill, which includes gratuities, and if you use a credit card, you don’t have to pay until after you get home.
5. You can spend your day sunbathing on deck, being pampered in the beauty salon, or exercising in the spa. Or, you can take part in educational and cultural programs offered by scientists, explorers, and professors. Evenings you can enjoy Broadway-style floorshows, try your luck in the casino, and dance to the music of live bands.
6. You can bring your entire family. A cruise is the perfect place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, and to renew wedding vows. Toddlers and teenagers have separate supervised activities on board most ships.
7. You’re not getting any younger.

Will you be a passenger on one of the seven ships launched last year or the nine debuting ships this year? Grab your passport and don’t miss the boat. Bon voyage!