An introduction and context to a proud vessel in her new home.

Working in collaboration with content curators Barker Langham, MET Studio have designed a new heritage exhibition, attractively housed at the Mina Rashid Terminal next to the 13-deck ship, now converted into a luxury hotel and tourist destination by the new owner Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) Hotels.

The exhibition celebrates one of the world’s greatest cruise liners, a British style icon and technological marvel; from its original construction in Southampton, UK, through to Her rebirth as a hotel and leisure attraction in Dubai. Christened by the Queen in 1967, the QE2’s arrival in Dubai in November 2008 marked the end of her final voyage capping a logbook of 40 years that recorded 5.6 million nautical miles, including 25 world cruises, 801 Atlantic crossings and 1,408 individual voyages.

A series of recreations of famous locations onboard the QE2 have been faithfully recreated within the exhibition, from the stylish Queen’s Room ballroom to a tourist cabin as well as the Bridge, which includes an audio-visual experience of the ship at high sea across the ocean. With great attention to detail, the rooms include original objects from the days of the ship’s travels including souvenirs and merchandise from onboard boutiques, authentic stylish furniture from the ballroom as well as the liner’s original binnacle, which protected the ship’s internal magnetic compass. Culminating in a sculptural centrepiece, the exhibition looks to the future with visitors continuing onto the ship itself and discovering how this icon of 1960s design and technology is still making history today.

MET Studio have worked with Barker Langham to develop complete design of the exhibition, from its visitor layout and exhibit design, through to a bespoke graphic look and feel timeline, creating an immersive and historical experience capturing all that was grand about her 40 years of service.