Can QE2 Come Home?

Our columnist John Honeywell, aka Captain Greybeard has highlighted the bid by the QE2London team to bring the fabled Cunard liner QE2 back from Dubai to a permanent mooring in London (by North Greenwich), as she continues to moulder and rust in the hands of owners who seem to have no interest in completing their original plans for a luxury floating hotel in the Middle East.

There are renewed fears the famous ship will be scrapped and her heritage wiped out once and for all, hence the campaign - which claims to have raised £20million already - to bring her back 'home' after almost five years of sitting idle in Dubai.

It is a fascinating question, as much for the technical problems presented in trying to get the 70,000-ton liner that far up the Thames. But would the public (and private enterprise) support such a bid, and would it be worthwhile? Can you see a future for a floating hotel in Greenwich? And would you be interested in visiting if she was there as a tourist attraction as well as a source of accommodation?

We have set up a poll on our Blogger home page (just look for the Poll symbol or icon on the top right-hand side), so YOU can have you say in the great "Bring Her Home!" debate, indicating whether you think she should return or stay in the hands of her current owners. It's sure to be THE big talking point of the cruise world this year, so make sure you have your say.

And, for the full Captain Greybeard story, see this link.

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£1,000 off per cabin with European Waterways

In the run-up to National Cruise Week (Sept 18-24), the special offers are coming in thick and fast. Here is another river-cruise bargain from European Waterways:

On the 8-passenger Magna Carta, passengers will cruise along some of the best stretches of the River Thames, such as Cliveden Reach, Cookham and Runnymede. They will have the chance to experience the true essence of British history with guided visits to Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, Dorney Court further upstream and Oxford's Christ Church College. All this with a charming riverside backdrop while being doted on by an attentive crew serving wonderful meals prepared by the onboard chef.

Or, for something truly magical, there is a cruise on Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal aboard the 8-passenger Scottish Highlander and experience the true beauty of the Great Glen in the Highlands. Tours of ancient castles such as Eilean Donan and Urquhart are included, before returning to the warm barge for a wee dram before an excellent dinner, perhaps while listening to a local storyteller or fiddler.

Either of these all-inclusive cruises offers a truly unique Autumn holiday experience and, for September 25, October 2 & 9 departures, there is a up to £1,000 off per cabin.

Prices for a 6-night cruise are now from £1,590pp. Look up more info at www.gobarging.com or consult the cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd. For more about National Cruise Week this year, see www.cruisexperts.org or click on This Link.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.