By DPA
London : The luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) has ended its career on the ocean and is due to be turned into a floating hotel, the companies involved in the project said Monday.
British shipping company Cunard Line has sold the cruise ship for 75 million euros (100 million dollars) to affiliated company Dubai World.
According to the companies, the large cruise ship would now be turned into a tourist attraction, which included a hotel, off the artificial island, The Palm Jumeirah, in Dubai.
From November 2008, the QE2 would no longer cruise the seas. Instead, the ship would be converted to open as a new luxury hotel and shopping paradise at a special quay by 2009.
The conversion was intended to be as true to the original as possible, it was said, while there are also plans for a museum on the history of the world-famous ship.
"It makes me proud that we can give a new home to such an icon," said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chief executive of Dubai World.
The QE2 was christened by the present British monarch 40 years ago in September 1967 and is the shipping company's longest-serving cruiser.
According to the company, it has completed 800 Atlantic crossings and 25 world trips.
The Palm Jumeirah in the United Arab Emirates is currently being constructed in the shape of a palm tree. It is marketed as the eighth wonder of the world and due to attract wealthy visitors from all over the world.