QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 - 1999 TRANSATLANTIC PAPERWORK
Queen Elizabeth 2 – QE2 (Cunard Line) Transatlantic Crossing Paperwork – April 14–20, 1999 – Voyage 1160
This collection features original paperwork and memorabilia from our unforgettable honeymoon crossing aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) during her historic 30th Anniversary Transatlantic voyage—Voyage 1160—from Southampton to New York, April 14–20, 1999. This sailing also marked the final leg of the QE2’s 1999 World Cruise. We stayed in cabin 4142 and kept a variety of items from the journey, including postcards we mailed back to ourselves, New York landing arrangements, official World Cruise envelopes, baggage tags, and more. A personal and historical snapshot of one of Cunard's most iconic liners during a milestone moment in her storied career.
Ship Information – Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)
Operator: Cunard Line (1969–2008)
Built By: John Brown & Company, Clydebank, Scotland
Launched: September 20, 1967
Entered Service: May 2, 1969
Tonnage:
• Originally: 65,863 GT
• Final (after 1994 refit): 70,327 GTLength: 963 ft (294 m)
Beam: 105 ft (32 m)
Draught: 32 ft (9.8 m)
Speed:
• Service: 28.5 knots
• Maximum during trials: Over 32 knotsPropulsion:
• Originally: Steam turbines (1969–1986)
• Later: Diesel-electric (1987–2008)Passenger Capacity: Approx. 1,777
Crew: Approx. 1,040
Final Voyage with Cunard: November 2008
Current Status: Permanently docked in Dubai as a floating hotel and museum ship
A Storied History at Sea
The Queen Elizabeth 2, affectionately known as the QE2, is one of the most iconic ocean liners in maritime history. Designed to replace both the RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth, she was built as a dual-purpose ship capable of both transatlantic crossings and warm-weather cruising. With her sleek profile, speed, and elegant interiors, the QE2 quickly became a symbol of British engineering and luxury.
During her nearly 40 years of service, QE2 completed over 800 transatlantic crossings, 25 world cruises, and carried over 2.5 million passengers. She sailed during an era of great transition in ocean travel, bridging the golden age of ocean liners and the modern age of cruise ships.
Major Refits and Upgrades
The QE2 underwent several significant refits throughout her career, adapting to the evolving needs of the cruise and travel industry:
1972–1977: Early Upgrades
• Installation of air-conditioning throughout the ship
• Structural modifications to improve seakeeping and passenger comfort
• Additional lifeboats to comply with new safety regulations
1986–1987: Major Re-Engining
One of the most significant refits in maritime history:
• The ship’s original steam turbines were replaced with a modern diesel-electric propulsion system, increasing efficiency and reliability
• A redesigned funnel was added to accommodate the new exhaust system
• Improvements to interiors and public areas, modernizing her amenities
1994: Final Major Refit
• Increase in gross tonnage from ~67,000 to over 70,000 GT
• Refurbishment of cabins, suites, and public spaces
• Updated navigation and communication systems
• Enhanced safety features and stabilization systems
2004–2008: Pre-Retirement Enhancements
• Cosmetic updates to cabins and dining areas
• Cunard branding updated to reflect the arrival of the Queen Mary 2
• Systems maintained to keep the ship compliant with SOLAS standards
Final Years and Legacy
In 2008, the QE2 was retired by Cunard after nearly four decades at sea and sold to Dubai’s Nakheel Group. She was sent to Dubai with plans to become a luxury hotel. After a decade of uncertainty and delayed development, she was finally reopened in 2018 as a floating hotel and museum in Port Rashid, Dubai, where she remains today.
Though no longer sailing, the QE2 continues to capture the imagination of maritime enthusiasts and ocean liner lovers around the world. Her legacy lives on as a bridge between tradition and innovation—a ship that truly defined an era.
