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Latest News about the QE2

HOT OFF THE PRESS–The QE is a lady in waiting! 

The plan to use the ship as a floating hotel for next year’s World Cup Games in Capetown, South Africa, fell through, as did ideas to use her as accommodations in South Pacific ports.  Instead, she sits at Port Rashid in Dubai and her future is uncertain. Dubai’s bankers have suggested selling off assets due to financial troubles, including selling the 70,000-ton former Cunard flagship. Meanwhile the legendary liner is being looked after by a caretaker crew of Egyptians and with rumors that art work and other parts of the 963-footer are being sold off to raise much needed funds.

Dubai’s state-owned conglomerate Dubai World,  bought the ship for $100 million in 2007 and planned to make it a floating hotel off the Palm Jumeirah man-made island. But Dubai is caught in a financial slump and its plans to refit the ship as a museum, hotel & luxury residence have been shelved.

Dubai recently celebrated the opening of the world’s tallest building: a rocket-shaped edifice that soars 2,717 feet high with views that reach 60 miles. The building has been named after Sheikh Khalifa of Abu Dhabi for Dubai’s gratitude for its neighbor’s $10 billion bailout of their financial troubles. At a cost of about $1.5 billion, the Burj took 5 years to build and has surpassed the previous record holder in Taipei, Taiwan.

Choosing a Cruise

Choosing the right cruise is a personal matter. The magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, has published a special section on how to pick the perfect ship.  The issue names the cruise ships and lines for families with kids, sybarites, students, foodies, night owls, romantics,nature lovers, spa goers, and landlubbers. It’s worth studying if you’re going on your first cruise.

Speaking of cruising, Crystal Cruises has been voted best cruise line by Conde Nast Traveler readers. For a record 15th year, Crystal Cruises was voted the “Best Large-ShipCruise Line” by readers. Crystal’s overall score of 93.1 topped all cruise lines in the large and small-ship categories. The luxury line’s 15 “wins” is unprecedented by any cruise line or hotel in the world. The line is renowned for service, space, quality, and choices.