One of the world's most famous cruise ships, the QE2, is on its way around the world for one last time before it is permanently docked in Dubai and made into a floating hotel.
The Queen Elizabeth 2 left to a dramatic farewell yesterday as a firework display marked the 963ft vessel's departure from Southampton.
The ship, which was launched by its namesake in September 1967, is set to return in April after a four-month world tour.
The QE2 will then be delivered to Dubai World in November, where she will be refurbished and turned into a five-star hotel.
It will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier at The Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island.
The QE2 is the longest-serving ship in the 168-year history of the Cunard line and since coming into service has undertaken 25 world cruises, crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and carried more than 2.5m passengers.
It was sold for around €67m in June last year.
When the sale was announced Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said: 'We are delighted that when her legendary career as an ocean liner ends there will continue to be a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history.'
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, said the vessel was one of 'the wonders of the maritime world'.
'QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East,' he said.
'She is coming to a home where she will be cherished,' he added.
The liner left Southampton yesterday evening alongside Cunard's latest vessel, the €402m Queen Victoria, which was departing on its maiden world cruise.
The ships will travel together across the Atlantic to New York.
The Queen Victoria, which was named by Britain's Duchess of Cornwall in December, will replace the QE2 on regular transatlantic crossings.
