Thread: Was Cunard right to sell QE2 when they did?

QE2 was sold in 2007 for $100,000,000.00, I am sure Cunard would not have got for her now. I doubt that QE2 could have carried on past 2010, so my question is, Was Cunard right to sell her when they did?

I don't think they were. I would have kept her till Solas would leave them no choice. Another 3 years for passengers to enjoy her.

Stephen, what options did Cunard have? If she wouldn't be "sea worthy" past 2010 what else could Cunard have done?

What would YOU like to have seen done rather than selling her for a hotel venture?

I think they had to sell her as a hotel, or they could have kept her as a hotel in Southampton still under the Cunard flag.

Whether or not they picked the right buyer is another matter.

From a pure business point of view, if they were going to sell her, they timed it just right and got the best possible price.

Originally Posted by Char

Stephen, what options did Cunard have? If she wouldn't be "sea worthy" past 2010 what else could Cunard have done?

What would YOU like to have seen done rather than selling her for a hotel venture?

I think it's a matter more of who they sold her to than the fact they sold her and that the sale included everything on board. . Still it could work out for the best, she may stay looking like the ship I know and love and Cunard got a nice cash injection, maybe Queen Elizabeth would not have been ordered wihtout it.

Originally Posted by Lanky Lad

I think they had to sell her as a hotel, or they could have kept her as a hotel in Southampton still under the Cunard flag.

Whether or not they picked the right buyer is another matter.

From a purely business point of view, if they were going to sell her, they timed it just right and got the best possible price.

I'm not sure they got the right buyer, either. They haven't been able to go forward with their original plans and now are talking about South Africa for berthing her as a hotel.

I wonder if Cunard could have operated her as a hotel? Would they have had to incorporate a whole new corporation for a land based operation? Could have been the economics of it not being a good financial risk.

Originally Posted by Char

I'm not sure they got the right buyer, either. They haven't been able to go forward with their original plans and now are talking about South Africa for berthing her as a hotel.

I wonder if Cunard could have operated her as a hotel? Would they have had to incorporate a whole new corporation for a land based operation? Could have been the economics of it not being a good financial risk.

Who knows, but Saga are planning to operate Saga Rose as a hotel when she retires, but it remains to be seen if that works.

I think all we can do is watch and hope QE2 never gets anywhere near Alang.

Oh yes!

Cunard could buy her back for a lot less than they got for her. Sell high and buy low.

Stephen, Selling her was a good idea and I think they timed it perfectly getting top dollar for future development. But, yes, I am like you, I have to hold my nose when I hear about the buyer and the plans they plan to put her to.