Reports in the press indicate that Dubai World is ready to pay Carnival $100m to buy the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship and turn it into a floating hotel off the Palm Jumeirah development.Dubai World, whose investment arm Istithmar is making the purchase abd the company hopes to recreate the original interior decor and fittings, establishing a museum charting the ship’s history.

According to the BBC, Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2.

“She is coming to a home where she will be cherished.”

The ship has a rich histrory, coming into service in 1969 and crossing the Atlantic more than 800 times, carrying more than 2.5 million passengers.
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