More Monster Marinas

Back in our May issue, we told you about a few of the new megayacht marinas that are currently cropping up (or are at least slated to crop up) around the world. Well, here's another one to add to your list. In late 2009, Island Global Yachting (IGY) will reportedly open a massive, dedicated megayacht marina in Dubai. And not just anywhere in the UAE, but on both the west and east sides of the Palm Jumeirah's trunk. (The Palm Jumeirah one of the government-owned, artificial islands that's shaped as a massive palm tree. It has 17 fronds.) When completed, IGY's Anchor Marina should feature some 700 berths, concrete pontoons to ensure stability (and thus guests' comfort), and a 24-hour concierge service.

QE2 To Be Relaunched. As a Luxury Hotel!

The Queen Elizabeth 2, one of the world’s most recognizable and famous luxury liners, is going condo. More specifically, the ocean liner’s career will come to an end in November 2008, when she’ll be decommissioned by current owner Cunard and delivered to her new owners.

Where will she reside? Why in Dubai, of course! Luxury hotel group Dubai World recently purchased her for 50 million pounds, or $99.4 million. After her refurbishing, she’ll be berthed at the Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, which owns the shipping company P&O, said the QE2 was "one of the wonders of the maritime world and easily the most famous serving liner in the world today."

Since the QE2 began service in 1969, she has done 25 circumnavigations, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times, and carried more than 2.5 million passengers.