大象传媒

Everywhere she went, tens of thousands of people came to wave. For many, it was the last opportunity they will ever get to see the world鈥檚 most famous passenger ship.

Sailing down the Clyde was unforgettable. People lined the banks long after the sun set, waving even when QE2 was just a bright light a mile offshore.

On board, passengers put on their black ties for dinner. Dressing up is all part of the experience. Some of them had done all 25 world cruises.

Visiting The Clyde, on her 40th Anniversary Tour

鈥淭his is my 40th cruise on the liner鈥檚 40th anniversary,鈥� said Sir Jimmy Savile, dressed in his habitual track suit and waving at the distant shore.

鈥淏ut I am glad the ship is going to Dubai. All the other great ships have become razor blades. QE2 couldn鈥檛 be allowed to be cut up for razor blades and there鈥檚 enough money in Dubai to make this a really luxurious hotel for future generations.鈥�

鈥淪he鈥檚 tired now and it鈥檚 the right time for her to go,鈥� said Jimmy Murray, the Maitre d鈥檋么te in the Mauretania Restaurant. He鈥檚 been working on board since before the maiden voyage, joining the crew before she even left the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde. 鈥淟ike an old auntie, she needs to retire now and take a well-earned rest.鈥�

Gavin Black from Wimborne is a QE2 fanatic. 鈥淚鈥檝e been on ten cruises and I鈥檝e got five more booked before she goes to Dubai,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou step on board and you step back in time to a more elegant age.鈥�

Paul Clifton aged three

鈥淨E2 is getting a little old for a liner, and she is preparing to move to the next stage of her life,鈥� said Carol Marlow, President of Cunard Line. In fact, she was made an offer from Dubai that was too good to refuse.

For me, it was a trip down memory lane. I first saw QE2 40 years ago on Clydebank. I was three years old. I had forgotten how beautiful the Clyde is. As a reporter I saw the ship鈥檚 25th anniversary and then the 30th, so the liner has seeped into my life too.

And when she sails from Southampton for the last time in November 2008, with her paying off pennant flying, there is only one place I want to be. And that鈥檚 in the middle of the crowds on the edge of Southampton Water. I did the same when Canberra sailed away to be scrapped, and I know there won鈥檛 be a dry eye in sight.