QE2 refurbishment stalled in Dubai

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The QE2 cruise ship seemed to have a bright and brash future when it hove into port in Dubai last year after 40 years as Britain's favourite cruise ship.

It was to be the emirate's second so-called "seven-star hotel" - the funnel sliced off in favour of a glass penthouse; the interior reworked into spas, restaurants and a three-storey ballroom.

But the refurbishment has not started and the ship is crewed not by builders, plumbers and fitters but by engineers and maintenance men with a mission to keep the woodwork polished and the fabric from decaying.