Get a grip on reality. Where in Southampton would the QE2 be moored and who is going to finance the horrendous maintenance costs? Not the council tax payer or the lottery, I'm sure.

The docks are woefully short of space to support their expanding container, vehicle, bulk and passenger business. The answer is Dibden Bay (sabotaged by the tree huggers and dog walkers).

Dubai World have a bargain - they have the perfect retirement home, the vision, the finance and the tourists base to ensure the QE2's posterity.

Besides, there are plenty of new cruise liners to enjoy in the next couple of years - QM2, Queen Victoria, Ventura (and a similar new build rumoured the QE3), Navigator, Independence, Galaxy, Constellation of the Seas, Norwegian Jade, two Holland America and Costa Cruises new builds, Balmoral (the new Fred Olsen) plus the Carnival regulars to savour.

There is a (rumoured) new £50m+ cruise terminal planned for the Eastern Docks, so shed a tear for the QE2 and look to the future (and take a holiday in Dubai).

PETER PIERCY.