Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Elizabeth meet in Dubai

Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth met her predecessor the Queen Elizabeth 2 in Dubai

Peter Shanks, President and Managing director for Cunard was in Dubai to witness yet another Cunard Royal Rendezvous "From the outside she looks exactly as we had left her two years ago," Shanks said.

He also noted “She has a small crew onboard to keep things going and I understand that she has been well kept on the inside despite the very high temperatures in Dubai. Given the tough economic situation in Dubai they have not yet commenced their extensive plans for the ship and we all wait to hear what lies ahead for QE2.”

The Queen Elizabeth was visiting Dubai as part of her maiden World Voyage, which has taken her from Southampton to New York to Sydney.

Shanks noted the two Queens exchanged salutations via their ship whistles, and "it was lovely for us to hear the famous QE2 whistle again."

Cunard sold the QE2 in 2008 to a Dubai owned conglomerate that had planned to turn it into a floating hotel and tourist attraction.

Cunard has long been a first class luxury cruise line and the fascination and pride still felt within their past ships is evident. Even though the QE2 and the original Queen Mary are no longer owned by Cunard it seems they will forever be part of the “Cunard family”