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.

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. 

Shore Excursions: These call for layering clothes in case of weather changes. In the tropics. sudden rainstorms may occur and in northern and southern coasts in summer, you should take a warm raincoat or windbreaker. Pack a pair of already broken-in walking shoes for unpaved roads or street markets and short hikes. Dress conservatively on shore–don’t stand out as a “rich American.” Tuck a $20 bill in yhour shoe for emergencies.

Checklist: Make a checklist so you won’t forget necessities, such as evening wear, shoes, shorts, casual and dressy slacks and skirts, short-sleeved shirts or blouses for daytime, exercise wear, and a bathing suit. Don’t forget socks, stockings, pajamas, slippers, underwear, sweater, scarves, and accessories.

Carry-on Items: When you depart,carry on your person cruise tickets, passport, photo ID, medication, jewelry, sunglasses, raincoat, travelers checks, travel insurance papers, camera. Wear clothes for the air trip to the port and for the first night onboard the ship. Your luggage may not get to your cabin for several hours after departure.

Don’t worry if you forget something–your cabinsteward can probably find it for you or you can buy it at the ship’s store or in the first port of call. Bon Voyage–have a fantastic time!

 The ship leaves Cunard service in November 2008 to start a new life in Dubai as a first-class hotel and entertainment destination. She will leave Southampton for the last time November 11 en route to her new home at Dubai World.  Six farewell cruises sold out en route.

After extensive renovations and preparations, the 963-foot-long ship will be moored, like an ornament on a Christmas tree, on Palm Island, the largest man-made island ever created. She will be well preserved and Cunard memorabilia will be displayed on board. 

New owner, The Palm Jumeirah, will reburbish the QE2 to recreate her original interior decor and fittings and will include a museum celebrating the rich history of the ship. There will be shore excursions touring the QE2 during world cruises by passengers aboard the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in Dubai. These ships have taken over the QE2’s UK and world cruising roles. In 2010, the world will have a new Queen Elizabeth. 

The evening of the banquet, we world cruise passengers went to the Madinat Jumeriah Hotel, where we were greeted by rows of men in white robes, red head scarves, and beating drums to announce our arrival. Young women sprinkled us with rose petals, and belly dancers performed on the stage of a huge ballroom, where baskets of red roses hung from million-dollar chandeliers on the ceiling. Outside the ballroom was a souq displaying spices, an artist painting flowers on womens’ hands, and a falconer holding his hawk.

The banqauet was large enough to choke a camel: duck-liver parfait served with port wine, poached figs, walnut bread, cold cream of tomato soup with basiland creme fraiche, herb-roasted fillet of beer on au gratin potatoes, Tahitian vanilla bean Bavarois with nutmeg crepe, mango ice cream,and petit fours. Our glasses were constantly filled with fine French champagne.

Collector items from the life, career, and estate of Bob Hope will be sold during a live televisioned auction in October 2008 and at the same time, Cunard Line will pay tribute to the comedian when his daughter, Linda, presents a program on the Queen Mary 2 during a Transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton in September 4, 2008. Linda will share an intimate look inside the life of her father, moderate a film and TV retrospective, and offer personal anecdotes about the memorabilia showcased on board.

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!