Timeline - Liner QE2 to become Dubai floating hotel

(Reuters) - The Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 has been sold for $100 million and is to become a floating hotel and museum to draw tourists to one of Dubai's man-made islands.

State-owned private equity firm Istithmar is buying the QE2, the longest-serving ship in the 168-year history of the Cunard line, which belongs to Carnival Corp., the world's largest cruise operator.

Here are milestones in the 40-year history of one of the best known passenger ships in the world:

1967 - Launched on Scotland's River Clyde by Queen Elizabeth

II.

1969 - Enters service with maiden voyage from Southampton to New York.

1970 - Crosses the Atlantic westbound in record time of three days, 20 hours and 42 minutes.

1975 - First world cruise.

1982 - Participates as troop transporter in the Falklands war.