DUBAI - June 29, 2007 -- After forty years crossing the oceans, the Queen Elizabeth 2 will retire as a tourist destination in Dubai.

The ship will be delivered to in November 2008 and is scheduled to open at the world's largest man-made island, The Palm Jumeirah, in 2009.

Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World, which is owned by the government of Dubai, announced Monday it would buy Cunard Line's longest-serving flagship and turn it into a hotel, retail, and entertainment destination, essentially saving the floating dinosaur from the ship graveyard.

Istithmar said the aim is to recreate QE2's original interior décor and fittings and include a museum celebrating the ship's history.