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Queen Mary in Long Beach: The Complete Guide

TripSavvy / Christian Hundley 

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Hotel queen mary, tips for your visit, the queen mary.

On your next trip to Long Beach, California, you should stop by the cruise ship that never moves—the Queen Mary.

Originally built in 1937, the ship had a long and fascinating 30-year career before making its 516th and final voyage to Long Beach, California, on Dec. 9, 1967.

Since then, the Queen Mary has been docked in the Long Beach harbor and converted into a hotel and tourist attraction, which some even believe to be haunted. Guides' voices echo in the now-empty engine room, where 27 boilers once generated 160,000 horsepower. In fact, the ship has been in Long Beach longer than it sailed the oceans and is now known as an icon for its home city.

Bigger, faster, and more powerful than its predecessor, the Titanic, the RMS Queen Mary had a long career with 1,001 successful Atlantic crossings. Built at the John Brown shipyard on the Clyde, Scotland, in 1937, the Queen Mary held the record for the fastest-ever North Atlantic crossing.

It carried the rich and famous across the Atlantic for three years in great luxury. During World War II, it carried troops. Afterward, the ship ferried war brides and children to the United States and Canada before returning to service as a transatlantic cruise ship.

In 1967, the ship's owner, Cunard, sold the Queen Mary for $3.45 million. After the boat's final voyage, it became permanently docked in Long Beach and has been there ever since.

It may not be as enormous as today's mega-cruise liners, but the Queen Mary is an elegant reminder of a bygone era. 

The least expensive way to see the ship is the self-guided tour which takes visitors over the 1,020-foot-long Queen Mary, from the engine room to the wheelhouse. Unfortunately, the tour route is poorly marked, and the big ship can be pretty intimidating when toured on your own. You may get more out of your experience if you take one of their guided tours. 

They offer several themed tours, which change from time to time. One of the most popular is Ghosts and Legends of the Queen Mary, which dramatizes paranormal and historical events aboard the ship. You can also take tours in the evening, including haunted explorations and midnight ghost tours led by paranormal experts. You can see a list of current tours on the Queen Mary website .

The Scorpion, a Foxtrot-class Russian submarine, is moored just below the Queen Mary's bow. A tour of the cramped quarters and military conditions (78 crew shared two showers and three toilets) provides an interesting contrast to the Queen Mary in size and luxury.

Events at the Queen Mary

Every Halloween, the Queen Mary is home to Dark Harbor , an intense Halloween experience that features haunted mazes, a 4D theater experience, and live monsters and entertainment.

The ship also hosts seasonal and holiday celebrations, mystery murder dinner shows, a Scottish festival, and other events. You can find their upcoming events on their website .

The ship isn't just a tourist attraction, it doubles as a hotel as well. With authentic wood-paneling, original artwork from the 1930s, and time-appropriate styled decor, you can easily imagine yourself on a transatlantic journey along with Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and others. The ship includes 347 staterooms and suites, all of which come with standard amenities.

The smaller rooms are reasonably priced but can be a bit dark. For a taste of the luxury of a bygone era, splurge on a Deluxe Stateroom or a Royalty Suite.

• The Queen Mary is open daily, and a reservation is not required for a regular tour.
• There is an admission fee, as well as a parking fee.
• Allow a few hours for a leisurely tour, as there's a lot to see.
• Take a guided tour for a more efficient and educational experience.
• Grab a map on your way in. Certain things, including elevator stops, are labeled in ship jargon, but the map makes things easy to understand.

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Queen Mary is back in business after 2-plus years. Free tours fully booked

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The Queen Mary is back in business.

Beginning Thursday, fans of the aging Long Beach tourist attraction will be able to tour sections of the vessel for the first time since March 2020, the city of Long Beach announced this week . To celebrate, the city is offering free guided tours for a limited time.

The hour-long tours include biographical lessons, including some haunted history, about the Queen Mary and access to select areas of its promenade deck, all led by a docent. Tours were full by Tuesday morning , according to the city’s website.

The hotel, restaurants, bar and other amenities will remain closed until plumbing and other repair work are completed in early 2023 , according to the city.

Queen Mary to get $1 million more in repairs ahead of reopening in Long Beach

Millions of dollars have been poured into repairing the Queen Mary, which was closed due to the pandemic in 2020 and is expected to reopen this year.

Nov. 2, 2022

The occasion comes after the pandemic shuttered the converted British ocean liner to the public and a series of renovations, including critical structural repair work , delayed its reopening. Several studies have estimated the vessel needs hundreds of millions of dollars of upgrades to continue operating. A 2021 report called for $23 million in immediate repairs to prevent the ship from capsizing.

The city has previously said that about 75% of the process — largely plumbing, mechanical and other metalwork — should be completed by the end of the year. All internal repairs should be wrapped up in early 2023, allowing the city to work on aesthetic projects, like painting and flooring.

“The Queen Mary has been an icon of our Long Beach shoreline for 55 years,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “We remain dedicated in our efforts to preserve the ship’s history and structural safety. I look forward to welcoming the community back on board!”

Over the last 50 years, Long Beach has brought in several firms — including Walt Disney Co. — to try to convert the former ocean liner-turned-floating hotel into a profitable tourist attraction, with mixed results. Disney planned in 1990 to incorporate the ship into a $3-billion sea-themed amusement park but ditched the idea a few years later.

Long Beach had considered sinking the 86-year-old ship after taking control of the vessel last year from the previous lease operator, Eagle Hospitality Trust, which filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on lease agreements. But even scuttling or scrapping it brought an estimated $190-million price tag , officials learned.

Keeping the Queen Mary afloat has cost an estimated $6 million since the restoration project got underway earlier this year . But officials say the price tag is offset because the ship generates revenue through special events and filming opportunities, including a popular Halloween celebration .

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Alexandra E. Petri is a former Los Angeles Times staff writer who covered trends and breaking news. She previously covered live news at the New York Times. A two-time reporting fellow with the International Women’s Media Foundation, she graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism and international studies.

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Travel | The Queen Mary is officially open for public…

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Travel | bart equipment problem shuts down service between richmond and oakland, travel | the queen mary is officially open for public tours — sparking excitement about what’s to come, groups of about 30 people at a time gathered to get a glimpse inside the historic vessel for the first time in about three years on saturday, april 1..

Tour guide Paul Knox talks about engine room 2 on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, as visitors board the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Tour guide Paul Knox tells visitors about the aft steering area on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, as visitors tour the Queen Mary in Long Beach for the first time in about three years on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Visitors tour one of the engine rooms on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

A youngster mans the aft steering wheel during a tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Visitors who secured advance reservations tour the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Long Beach’s historic World War II-era ship, the Queen Mary, finally reopened for public tours on Saturday, April 1, after a three-year closure — marking the first event in what officials say will be a grand reopening slated to kick off in the coming weeks.

Groups of about 30 people each gathered on the ship’s Promenade Deck starting at about 11 a.m. on Saturday to partake in their choice of three different tours: The Glory Days Historical Tour, the Haunted Encounters Tour and the Steam & Steel Tour — each which take about an hour and are available until 6 p.m. daily.

For some, including Gail Hurst — a tourist from England — Saturday’s reopening offered a chance to experience the ship for the first time. Hurst and her husband decided to visit the Queen Mary on a whim, as their trip with Princess Cruise Line boarded just across the parking lot from the vessel.

“My mom and dad had their 40th wedding anniversary on it — so we got to see where they were for the first time,” Hurst said in an interview after disembarking from her tour of the ship. “It was fabulous. We plan (to visit again) if we ever come to America.”

The ship’s operators, Evolution Hospitality, initially announced that the ship would re-open to the public earlier this week.

Long Beach city officials and Evolution, which took over the ship’s day-to-day management last June, have been working to revitalize the vessel after it fell into massive disrepair under its previous operator, Urban Commons.

The Queen Mary initially closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 — but a 2021 city audit found that Urban Commons had not completed $23 million dollars worth of repairs, which the city had funded. Urban Commons forfeited its 66-year lease on the ship that same year, bringing the Queen Mary back under city control for the first time in nearly 40 years.

After the City Council approved the new management contract with Evolution last year, both found that several critical repairs needed to be completed before the Queen Mary could reopen to the public. Those included replacing the ship’s boilers, elevators and restrooms, repairing the plumbing, and upgrading parking.

Those fixes have been underway since last year — but are finally close to being finished, according to Steve Caloca, the Queen Mary’s managing director.

The installation of new boilers, heat exchangers, and a new emergency generator — which are necessary to have hot water on board and ensure the ship’s safety in the case of an emergency — should be complete within the next few days, Caloca said in a Saturday interview.

And other repairs — including aesthetic fixes all around the Queen Mary — are currently underway.

“All of the main hall floor is going to be redone,” Caloca siad. “The Promenade Deck, all of those those floors, have been restored to the original teak  — and we probably have just another 200 feet to go.”

But the ongoing nature of those repairs didn’t seem to bother 7-year-old Tristan Rodriguez — whose fascination with ships prompted his parents book a time slot on the Steam & Steel tour on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve been checking in on the refurbishment just because he (Tristan) got really interested and wanted to come and see this,” Tristan’s mom, Elianny Rodriguez, said. “We kept checking back and just waiting for it to reopen.”

The younger Rodriguez has been fascinated with all things engineering since he was just two-years-old, according to his mom. He’s gone so far as to create piece-by-piece replicas of famous ships — including the Queen Mary — in Minecraft from scratch, a skill he picked up by watching YouTube tutorials.

“We wanted to check out like the steam engine when (Tristan) saw the tour because we knew how much he was into them,” Rodriguez said, “And (we knew) it would teach us facts about certain ships that we weren’t even aware of so we could talk about it with him.”

He said he loves ships so much because “they float and they have lots of stuff deep” within them — and he likes learning how they work.

“The propellers push the ship and they also steer,” Tristan said, pointing out where the propellors are located on his model of the ship — shortly before letting out a yell of excitement and taking a brief run around the ship’s Observation Deck.

The Rodriguez’s, meanwhile, said they’re all excited to come back soon to visit the ship.

Evolution and the city, meanwhile, are planning to open up other parts of the ship — including the restaurants and bars — soon, though a date has yet to be confirmed. The Queen Mary Hotel, while not quite open yet, is currently accepting room reservations for stays starting in May.

“Thousands of people have already signed up to stay here or to experience a tour within days of reopening registration,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said on Saturday. “There’s a lot of progress, but there’s still a lot of work to do — in the weeks to come, there’ll be more and more things opened.

“But bottom line,” Richardson added, “The Queen Mary’s best days are ahead.”

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No visit to Long Beach is complete without a stop at the Queen Mary , a retired ocean liner that offers visitors historical intrigue, award-winning restaurants, stunning views of the Long Beach skyline and even on-board accommodation. The Queen Mary celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2017—she first arrived in Long Beach on 9 December 1967.

Take a tour

While you can explore parts of the Queen Mary on your own, your visit will be enhanced by taking advantage of one of the ship’s many guided tours which provide the historical background and expert insights to make your visit more interesting. Choose from a range of guided tours, including The Glory Days Historical Tour or Haunted Encounters , which reveals why the Queen Mary was listed by Time magazine as one of the Top 10 Most Haunted Places in America. The Queen Mary also offers combination tour tickets with another historic ship, the USS Iowa , as well as with other local attractions, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and Universal Studios Hollywood .

Have a bite

Whether you are just visiting the Queen Mary for the day or staying overnight in one of the ship's staterooms, a meal aboard this Long Beach landmark is a must. Grab a classic cocktail (and an amazing view) at the Observation Bar or enjoy a bowl of chowder and a brew at the Chelsea Chowder House & Bar, a contemporary take on a traditional fish restaurant. End your weekend the right way by joining Long Beach locals for the Sunday Champagne Brunch with dozens of breakfast favourites and unique dishes from around the globe—including made-to-order omelettes and pancakes, Albondigas soup and carne asada tacos, and Asian-style ribs—or visit the carving station, which slices up perfectly prepared steaks and legs of lamb. (It’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveler named the Queen Mary one of the best brunches in the world !.) Want the full Queen Mary experience? Enjoy five-star fine dining at Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge for a gourmet menu, extensive wine list, and unmatched ambience and service.

Throughout the year, the Queen Mary hosts performances and events to complete your visit. From monthly events like Ships & Giggles Comedy Night held every second Monday and Local Band Hangout every third Thursday to the Barrel Series Tasting Dinners or the spooky Dark Harbor Halloween special, every month offers new opportunities to enjoy evening events aboard the ship.

Stay the night

For a truly unique experience, visitors can stay aboard the Queen Mary in one of the ship’s 346 original staterooms and suites. Choose a state room on one of the three decks (all above sea level) that may feature warm wood panelling, built-in Art Deco furniture or original artwork found on the ship—in fact, no two rooms are alike. Those looking for more space can opt for a suite with separate sleeping and living quarters, or a Family Stateroom, with two bedroom areas for added privacy, designed with families in mind.

Spotlight: Long Beach

Just half an hour from  Los Angeles , Long Beach is a beachfront gem you’ll want to add to your California itinerary. It offers beautiful beaches and marinas along with a busy dining and shopping scene that perfectly blends big city sophistication with beach town fun.

Tour the  Queen Mary , the legendary, permanently docked ocean liner, or relax with a drink in the ship’s Observation Bar—for truly unique accommodations, you can even stay overnight in one of the ship’s staterooms or suites. Visit the  Aquarium of the Pacific , Southern California’s largest aquarium and home to playful sea otters, Magellanic penguins, and a 350,000-gallon Tropical Reef Habitat, which holds thousands of colourful fish, coral, sea turtles, and sharks.

Looking for some retail therapy instead? Shop designer favourites at  Pike Outlets  or search for the perfect retro finds at the vintage boutiques along Long Beach’s  Fourth Street . Or try your hand at kite surfing on Long Beach’s Belmont Shores, one of the best places in the state for beginners to learn the sport thanks to the protective breakwater that blocks major waves.

Above all, enjoy eating your way through the city’s culinary delights from the classic waterfront  Parkers’ Lighthouse  in Shoreline Village to the modern  SteelCraft , an urban eatery in Bixby Knolls, to the rooftop  Sky Room , an Art Deco bar and dining room, 14 stories atop the Breakers Hotel in downtown Long Beach. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, a family reunion destination, or just a getaway with the kids, Long Beach has the food, fun, and sun for your next Southern California trip. 

–Kate Bayless

Dining in Long Beach

With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, Long Beach offers a diverse selection of dishes to satisfy any palate. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant that will be good for the kids, a romantic dinner with a view or the perfect spot for brunch, Long Beach offers visitors an array of flavours, venues and price ranges. 

Waterfront dining

With 11 miles of shoreline and more than two dozen waterfront restaurants, there are lots of ways to enjoy upmarket dining with a view in Long Beach. Head down to Shoreline Village for mesquite-wood-barbecued seafood, sushi, steaks and more at Parkers’ Lighthouse , and admire its award-winning, two-storey wine cellar. Or stop on the east bank of Alamitos Bay to enjoy the open kitchen and bayside views of the Boathouse on the Bay . Don’t want to break the bank for an ocean view? Grab breakfast or lunch at Plunge or lobster bisque and a cold brew at Belmont Brewing Company . After a long day of exploring, enjoy a walk down the Pine Avenue Pier and dine at Gladstone’s . Splurge on fine dining aboard the Queen Mary at Sir Winston's , or head 14 storeys above the city to The Sky Room atop the Breakers Hotel for a romantic dinner or a cocktail on the rooftop UP Lounge to catch the sunset. 

Child-friendly cuisine

Families with young children will find plenty of options to keep young visitors happy and, best of all, full. For delicious tortilla chips and salsa, and a range of Mexican favourites, head to Lola’s Mexican Cuisine in the Bixby area or on 4th Street for children's menus and high chairs. Or try brunch on the outdoor patio at Restauration on 4th Street, where there's room for kids to roam. Families will also enjoy child-friendly chains like Famous Dave’s BBQ and Bubba Gump Shrimp, both conveniently located near the Aquarium of the Pacific .

Second Street eats

Eating your way along Second Street is the perfect way to spend a Long Beach day. In between bites, you can browse boutiques, catch some live street corner music, people watch and soak up some Southern California culture. Start with a quick breakfast burrito from Sacho’s Tacos and a cuppa from Polly’s Gourmet Coffee , or enjoy a leisurely brunch of Surf & Turf Benedict or a Ratatouille Omelette at The Attic . At noon, call in at Tavern on 2 for craft beers and a bowl of their famous spicy chicken tortilla soup. Then finish off your Second Street eating extravaganza with homely Italian dishes at La Strada or a seasonally inspired dish from Saint & Second , including creative cocktails such as the Chipotle Pineapple Collins.

Creative cuisine

With a nod to the city’s shipping industry, try out SteelCraft , an urban outdoor restaurant in the Bixby Knolls area, or sample the innovative vegan eats at Seabirds Kitchen on 4th Street. Constructed out of 12-metre shipping containers, SteelCraft has restaurants offering artisan burgers, pizza, Hawaiian shaved ice, handmade chocolate, Japanese ramen, Steelhead Coffee, Smog City Brewery beers and even gourmet waffles.

Water-based Activities in Long Beach

With more than 11 miles of sandy shorelines and sparkling bays, Long Beach is the perfect place to enjoy time both in and on the water. From stand-up paddleboards to yachts, and harbour cruises to romantic gondola rides, Long Beach offers water-based activities for everyone.

Family-friendly beaches

Thanks to a protective breakwater built by the US Navy during the Second World War, Long Beach’s sandy shores are a great choice for families. Protected from major waves and without riptides, shorelines such as Alamitos Beach, Marine Park (aka Mother’s Beach) and Belmont Shore Beach provide plenty of space for sunbathing or sand-castle building and calm waters for families with small children to enjoy the beach without the worry of dangerous seas.

Water sports and tours

Always wanted to learn how to kite surf? The same breakwater that makes the shoreline safe for little ones also makes Long Beach’s Belmont Shores one of the best places for beginners to get the hang of the sport. Try out a 90-minute discovery lesson with SoCal Kitesurfing or jump into a three-hour group lesson with Captain Kirks.   Visitors can also rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, Aqua bikes, Duffy electric boats, and other watercraft at Rainbow Marina.

If being on the water is more your thing, a guided 45-minute harbour tour from Harbor Breeze Cruises will help you get your bearings and learn about the history and marine life of the Long Beach coast. Or choose one of their three-hour whale-watching tours . Look for grey whales between December and April, the mighty blue whales from June to October, and an endless supply of dolphins, sea lions and other marine life all year. Book online for the best deal. Looking for something even fancier? Charter a yacht through the Harbor Yacht Club or Pacific Sailing for a day or overnight trip to Catalina Island .

Also along the waterfront, sign up for the annual Aquarium of the Pacific 5K in October to run (or walk) past Rainbow Harbor and Queensway Bridge on a flat, scenic course. Bonus: All participants get a $5 voucher for admission to the aquarium.

Romantic getaway

For a little romance on your visit, take a Venetian gondola ride with Gondola Getaway . The one-hour gondola rides take groups of two to six passengers through the canals of Naples with views of million-dollar homes, luxurious yachts and the bridges that arch over the canals. Pack your own nibbles and wine to enjoy on the boat (they’ll provide glasses and an ice bucket!) or book a Brunch or Pizza Cruise . Larger groups visiting for weddings and other events can hire multiple boats at once or the larger 'Carolina' that holds up to 15 people. If you’re lucky, you might even be serenaded by your gondolier.

Getting around town

The Long Beach waterways are also a great way to get around the city without getting in your car. From Rainbow Harbor, visitors can hop on the Aquabus , a 49-passenger boat that travels between Rainbow Harbor, the Queen Mary, Hotel Maya and the Catalina Landing, or the AquaLink , a 79-passenger high-speed catamaran that travels between Rainbow Harbor, the Queen Mary, Vet’s Pier and Alamitos Bay.

Shopping in Long Beach

Named as one of the Most Walkable Neighbourhoods in America by WalkScore.com, Long Beach is ideal for strolling and shopping. With a variety of distinct shopping areas to explore, everyone from lovers of vintage and bargain hunters to outlet lovers and luxury shoppers can satisfy their itch to shop.

Lovers of all things vintage rejoice! Known as Retro Row , the growing retail area on 4th Street between Walnut and Junipero is a three-block collection of eclectic shops boasting kitschy collectibles, vintage clothes and retro finds. Visit Moxi Roller Skate Shop for lessons and sweet wheels; browse vinyls at Third Eye Records or vintage clothing at Meow ; find a souvenir at Songbird Boutique ; or just grab a drink at one of the area’s many pubs and coffee shops and enjoy the people-watching. 

Pike Outlets

Thanks to a $65 million update in 2015, Long Beach’s Pike Outlets offer even more shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy in a pedestrian-friendly setting. Located next to the Convention Center and Aquarium of the Pacific, the Pike Outlets satisfy shoppers with retailers including Restoration Hardware Outlet, H&M, Nike, Gap, Converse and Columbia Sportswear, among others. The outlets are even a great destination for an evening out in Long Beach: start with a wander along the waterfront, grab a pint at the Auld Dubliner Irish Pub and then enjoy a night of stand-up at the Laugh Factory . The outlets also host a range of events throughout the year, including the Urban Hive farmers' market on the fourth Friday of the month.

Second Street

Second Street and its 15 intersecting side streets make up the charming business district of Belmont Shore. Running parallel to the Pacific Ocean, Second Street offers shoppers a mile and a half of retail therapy opportunities. From well-known retailers such as Banana Republic and The Body Shop to boutique shops specialising in everything from swimming and surfing wear and accessories to the latest European clothing and jewellery designs, Second Street is a shopper’s paradise.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Located along Long Beach ’s Rainbow Harbor , the Aquarium of the Pacific is Southern California’s largest aquarium and a must-do Long Beach activity for all ages. Home to more than 11,000 animal exhibits, the aquarium explores three distinct waters of the Pacific Ocean. 

Start in the Southern California/Baja Gallery where you’ll find the 536,000-litre, three-storey-high Honda Blue Cavern that features ocean inhabitants found off the coast of Catalina Island. You’ll also want to visit the Seal and Sea Lion Habitat and the Ray Touch Pool. Highlighting habitats in and around the Bering Strait, the Northern Pacific gallery features a collection of graceful jellies, four playful otters in the Sea Otter Exhibit, and the largest species of octopus in the world, the giant Pacific octopus, which can be more than 20 feet long.

Then head to the warmer waters of the Tropical Pacific Gallery and the largest exhibit in the aquarium—the 350,000 gallon Tropical Reef Habitat , which can be viewed from three locations and holds thousands of colourful fish, coral, sea turtles, and two kinds of sharks. Don’t forget to stop by the seahorse and sea dragon exhibit to see if you can find these camouflaged creatures hiding among the seaweed.

In addition to the three main galleries, the aquarium also features outdoor exhibits, including an interactive Shark Lagoon, the Lorikeet Forest aviary, the penguin habitat, and a horseshoe crab touch lab.

If you’re looking to dive in further, the aquarium offers many educational , exclusive, and behind-the-scenes experiences. You can get up close and personal with animals such as stingrays, sea lions, and penguins, or dive right into an exhibit (certification required). If your kids have dreamed of staying overnight next to a gigantic fish tank , you can do that too.

The latest addition to the aquarium is Pacific Visions , a wing that helps aquarium visitors better understand the challenges the ocean faces and the opportunities it holds. The expansion, sheathed in a striking blue-green biomorphic shell, includes a state-of-the-art interactive theater, a larger exhibit gallery with live animals, and an art gallery.

Sign up for the annual Aquarium of the Pacific 5K in October to run (or walk) past the aquarium and other Long Beach sites on a flat, scenic course. Bonus: All participants get a $5 voucher for admission to the aquarium.

Insider tip: Check out the Aquarium of the Pacific website for upcoming events, hours, ticket prices, and information on discounted tickets .

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Queen Mary Tour: Embark on a Fascinating Journey Back in Time

If you have harbored a lifelong fascination with history, luxury, and maritime marvels, embarking on the RMS Queen Mary will be nothing short of a dream come true. Also known for once being one of the grandest cruise ships at sea, this stately liner offers an array of guided tours into its storied past.

Follow along as we delve deeper into information on tickets, tour passes, and myriad experiences offered on this historic ship.

Why Visit Queen Mary

Joining the Queen Mary tours ranks among the must-do experiences in the City of Long Beach. You’ll find no shortage of activities to prevent a dull moment aboard the former majestic cruise ship.

This legendary ocean liner, now an iconic fixture in Long Beach, offers a rare glimpse into the golden age of sea travel, adorned with Art Deco elegance and a storied past. For instance, immerse yourself in the grip of history by exploring world war exhibits or stepping inside the suite of Sir Winston Churchill. Don’t miss the ‘Sir Winston and the Queen Mary Exhibit’, a tribute to the legendary Sir Winston Churchill and his connections with the ship.

For a deeper dive into its rich past, join one of the many guided tours, each unraveling a different layer of history or mystery. Whether you’re a history buff or a paranormal enthusiast, the Queen Mary has something enthralling for everyone.

Queen Mary Ship Tours

The steam and steel tour.

If you’ve always had a fascination for seafaring vessels, the Steam and Steel Tour is for you. This Queen Mary ship tour lets you weave your way down to the belly of the ship as you make your journey five decks below the water line to the massive engine room.

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As you navigate through the labyrinth of pipes and turbines, the tour brings to life the ship’s operational secrets and technological prowess. The Steam and Steel tour aboard the RMS Queen Mary is an immersive experience, offering a rare glimpse into the mechanics that powered this legendary vessel. It’s a must-see for anyone intrigued by the intricate workings of historic cruise ships.

The Glory Days Tour

The Queen Mary Glory Days Tour is a journey that sweeps you off on a fascinating ride through the dazzling history of this magnificent ship. Considered by many as the best Queen Mary tour, it highlights the ship’s glamorous heyday as one of the world’s top cruise ships, showcasing her role in the glamorous 1930s when Hollywood was at its golden age.

From the promenade deck, where prestigious guests, like Sir Winston Churchill, once strode, to the grand ballrooms and luxe staterooms that highlight the vessel’s grandeur and historical significance. You will explore them all on the Glory Days Tour Queen Mary.

Haunted Encounters Tour

The haunted encounters tour on the Queen Mary is a thrilling journey into the paranormal realm. It’s perfect for guests seeking a touch of fright with their historical exploration.

The tour leads you through the ship’s most notoriously spooky spots, each with its own tale of ghostly activity or unexplained phenomena. You’ll visit locations such as the infirmary, where many passengers took their last breath, the First Class swimming pool, reputed to be haunted by women and children, and the famously haunted room B340.

Do phantom footsteps echo along the deserted corridors of the ship? Have passengers from past voyages never truly disembarked? Gather your courage and join the Haunted Encounters Tour to find out! You can purchase a Queen Mary tour ticket that includes the haunted encounters experience.

Paranormal Ship Walk Tour

Ever wondered what it’s like to explore a ship after dark, where echoes of the past might be more than just memories? Step into the world of the paranormal with the Paranormal Ship Walk, also known as the Queen Mary haunted tour after dark.

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This isn’t your average stroll through the historic ship. It’s an immersive experience that’ll take you through the ship’s most reputedly haunted areas. Brave the midnight air and learn about the ship’s ghostly residents from expert guides.

Feel your heart race as you listen to tales of unexplained phenomena and eerie encounters. The Queen Mary haunted tour is an incredible journey that promises chills and thrills that will keep you on the edge from start to finish.

The Grey Ghost Project Tour

The Grey Ghost, as the Queen Mary was known during wartime, has numerous stories of ghostly apparitions and strange incidents. Over the past 60 years, the Queen Mary has been the site of countless sightings, from swaying chandeliers to high-spirited poltergeists.

Embark on a three-hour journey with a paranormal expert using the latest tools of the trade and a combination of scientific methods. This Queen Mary ghost tour is a genuine encounter with the ship’s otherworldly ‘guests’. Be forewarned, this tour is not for the faint-hearted.

Queen Mary Tour Passes

Queen mary passport.

The Queen Mary Passport is your all-access key to a comprehensive experience of this historic ship. It’s an exceptional choice for visitors who want the full Queen Mary adventure.

With this passport, not only do you get Queen Mary tickets for entrance, but it also includes one guided tour of your choice – be it the enlightening Glory Days Historical Tour, the spine-tingling Haunted Tour, or the fascinating Steam & Steel Tour.

In addition to the guided exploration, the passport grants access to all exhibits, dining outlets, and retail shops. It’s perfect for those who prefer the flexibility of a Queen Mary self guided tour as well, allowing you to wander and discover at your own pace.

Grey Ghost Project & 57 Ghosts Experience Pass

For those drawn to the paranormal, the Grey Ghost Project & 57 Ghosts Experience Pass is a must-have for exploring the eerie side of the Queen Mary ship tours Long Beach.

This pass is specially curated for visitors who seek an immersive ghostly experience. It grants access to an array of paranormal tours aboard the ship, each offering a unique glimpse into the Queen Mary’s mysterious and otherworldly occurrences.

The pass takes you beyond the standard historical narratives, plunging you into the heart of the ship’s most haunted spaces and tales. Ideal for thrill-seekers and ghost hunters, this experience brings a spine-chilling dimension to the traditional maritime tour, making it an unforgettable journey into the supernatural.

Stay at The Queen Mary Hotel

Extend your Queen Mary experience by staying on board as a hotel guest! Nestled in the heart of the City of Long Beach, this unique hotel offers a stay like no other. Each room is steeped in history, combining the charm of the 1930s with modern comforts. As a guest, you’ll have the opportunity to explore areas of the ship that are off-limits to day visitors, making your stay even more special.

No rooms available at The Queen Mary Hotel? No problem! Stay at a hotel near The Queen Mary and discover the convenience and charm of Long Beach and the surrounding area. Many of these hotels offered discounted rates when booked through Tripster, allowing you to enjoy a high-quality stay without stretching your budget.

Tripster offers the option to bundle your hotel booking with discounted attraction tickets , turning your stay into an all-inclusive adventure. Whether you’re here for the ship’s history or the city’s vibrant culture, staying nearby ensures you’re at the heart of it all.

What Did We Miss?

Have anything to add to our guide? Leave us a comment below!

Written by Nicole King

There are only two things that make Nicole really happy–books and travel! When her head’s not buried in a book, she’s most likely...

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The Queen Mary Will Reopen to Visitors With Free ‘Thank You' Tours

The city of long beach announced that guests could enjoy "select elements" of the ship while on a free guided tour; reservations are now open., by alysia gray painter • published december 12, 2022 • updated on december 15, 2022 at 3:59 pm, what to know.

• The Queen Mary has been a Long Beach landmark since 1967; the retired Cunard-White Star ocean liner crossed the Atlantic hundreds of times, starting in 1936, and served as a troopship in World War II
• The ship shuttered in March 2020; the City of Long Beach resumed control of the vessel from Urban Commons in 2021, with a commitment to address the many repairs needed to her hull and elsewhere
• "Select elements" of the Queen Mary will be open to the public starting on Dec. 15, 2022; first-come, first-served reservations may be made online

When facing any challenge, be it large or small, we do sometimes wonder if we will sink or float.

And, if things are especially auspicious, if we will sail into a brighter future.

That last option is always the option we want, of course, in pretty much every case we face, and in the case of the Queen Mary ?

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The "sail forward" promise of the world-famous ocean liner, a Long Beach landmark that's been in need of a hefty amount of TLC, is becoming clearer by the day.

So clear, in fact, that the City of Long Beach announced on Dec. 12 that "select elements" of the permanently moored vessel will reopen on Dec. 15, 2022.

How to visit these areas? The public is invited to join a series of limited-time guided free tours.

The free tours will serve as a sincere and celebratory "thank you" extended to "... the community for their patience and support during the ship's closure," shared the statement from the city.

Visitors will again be able to stroll a select stretch of the view-blessed Promenade Deck as well as the opulent Observation Bar, as well as a few other picturesque spots on the destination, which has become known for its Art Deco details and stately spaces that seem untouched by time.

Signage will also note what sort of repairs are ongoing around the vessel, bringing guests up-to-speed as to what has been happening since the ship's closure in March 2020.

Shipshape: The Queen Mary Looks to Reopen Later in 2022

A Bright Bounty of Beautiful Bulbs Will Illuminate The Mission Inn

"I am thrilled to welcome visitors back onboard the Queen Mary and share the beauty and history of this landmark with our community once again," said Mayor Robert Garcia.

"I thank our City staff for their dedication throughout the critical repairs process to ensure the ship’s safety and preservation."

Long Beach has been working hard to address those much-needed updates since it resumed control of the ship from Urban Commons, the previous lessee, in June 2021.

Permanently moored in Long Beach since 1967, the Queen Mary was famed as an elegant passenger conveyance over several decades, and as "The Grey Ghost," a troopship, in World War II, where it was also known as Winston Churchill's "headquarters at sea," a place for the prime minister of the United Kingdom to conduct important work while traveling.

Since dropping proverbial anchor in California some 55 years ago, the grand boat has served as a hotel, dining destination, and a place for festivals and special events.

A few large-scale events returned ahead of its reopening, with basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal's Halloween happening taking place just outside of the landmark in October 2022.

The ship's haunted history remains a draw for devotees of the supernatural, and its ghostly reputation will be touched upon in the new tours, too.

You can reserve your spot online now, but the first-come, first-served tours are expected to fill up quickly.

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The Queen Mary Reopens

The wait is over! The Queen Mary, Long Beach’s biggest–quite literally–and best known tourist attraction reopens for tours in April and has begun taking hotel reservations for May. All aboard! Closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy.) begins the process of eventually becoming fully operational by making these three very popular tours available again, Saturday, April 1:

HAUNTED ENCOUNTERS

Learn about the stories and legends regarding the hauntings of The Queen Mary, named one of the 10 most haunted spots in America by Time magazine. The hour tour shares many of the more well-known/infamous stories of the paranormal residents that occupy the legendary ship in a decidedly fun, informative and non-scary introduction to the ghostly tales of the Queen Mary.

STEAM AND STEEL

If you’re looking for the lowdown on the Queen Mary, this is the tour for you. And by low, we’re talking 25-feet below the water line. There, guests will have the opportunity to walk through Boiler Rooms 1-4, as well as the ship’s Water Softening Plant and Turbo Generator Room 1. If you want to know how they moved more than 81,000 tons of metal–nearly twice the tonnage of the Titanic–along the ocean, this one’s for you.

This tour takes in the whole of the ship’s incredible life story, from its groundbreaking construction to its time as a troopship during World War II as well as its days as the world’s most luxurious, at times fastest and most technologically advanced ocean liner.

Tours will be available daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., tickets go on sale March 28 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by clicking here . Questions about ticket purchases can be made through [email protected] .

“With expert guides to lead the way, these tours provide our guests with a unique perspective of The Queen Mary and allow visitors to discover the fascinating stories that have made her an icon of the seas,” said Steve Caloca, Managing Director of The Queen Mary. “This is just one of the things we plan on unveiling as we welcome back our guests aboard.”

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said it was “exciting” to welcome visitors back to the ship which has become, in many ways, not just a city icon but for all of Southern California.

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The Queen Mary

Review Highlights

“ All staff we encountered were incredibly friendly and well trained, especially our tour guides Tim and Ashley. ” in 23 reviews

“ Parking is not the best as the parking lot closest to the ship is not very well laid out or marked. ” in 652 reviews

“ Next we grabbed a yummy drink at the observation bar and waited for our dinner reservation at the Chowder House. ” in 78 reviews

Location & Hours

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Located in:

The Glory Days Historical Tour

1126 Queens Hwy

Long Beach, CA 90802

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Ask the Community

Ask a question

Is the bar open now, the observation bar?

The Observation Bar was open on 05/25/2023... I think that was the first week. My drink definitely had vodka!

Are there any jump scares on the haunted tour?

The Paranormal Walking Tour did not have any "jump scares" (I wish!). My tour in May didn't have any paranormal activity either but it was great tour of the ship and lasted the full 2 hours.

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1348 reviews

Went with a few of my neighbors and we had a really fun time. It is true that the ghost tour is not as extensive as it has been, but the guide was a delight and the stories are still really amazing. And there is so much to see once you are on the ship. We had dinner at the Chowder House afterward and the food and wine were great. It was a lovely night. I suggest any one of the tours and take your time exploring the ship. It is a truly historic place and worth it if you are vacationing in town.

I absolutely loved visiting the Queen Mary with my wife on 3/29/24. Having grown up in the South Bay I had been to the Queen Mary as a child but of course I didn't appreciate what I was seeing. It truly was a very luxurious cruise ship for its time and an engineering marvel as well. So much of the original ship has been maintained including the original Observation Bar which looks just like it did in 1936. I'm happy that they even actually turned a profit in 2023 in their first year after being closed for 4 years.

no regrets, took my two kids with me and we all had a blast!guide on 4-14 2024 was very informative and fun.She took us after our close to engine room and went above and beyond explaining the area,

Back in 2019, right after we got married we decided we wanted to do something different for our honeymoon, so Rico and I traveled down to Long Beach and stayed on the Queen Mary for 4 days and 3 nights. We checked in the day before Thanksgiving, in one of the rooms on the starboard side, which we absolutely loved! The room itself was well maintained, all wood walls and a comfortable bed. Old fixtures in the bathroom including an old style tub mixed with more modern items like a new toilet. The room itself was small but roomy enough and had a round porthole window that I opened up to listen to the rain. The stay was pleasant and comfortable and I loved being there. We went on all of the tours, and we celebrated Thanksgiving there on the boat. They do a really big buffet with live music (Jazz) and it's really nice. The food was exceptional (as was the champagne). It was chilly when we checked in that Wednesday evening, and by Thanksgiving day it was quite windy, raining and cold, setting the scene for quite an ominous adventure! The sounds of the ringing bell in the harbor, the dark skies and the entire ship slowly moving from side to side felt like the ship was inhaling and exhaling bringing it alive. Music filled the halls during the celebrations but still there was an eeriness about it. The feeling of someone grabbing my hand as I stood in an open area by the gift shop was alarming because no one was beside me. But it felt like a child was wanting to hold my hand. I spun around but I was alone. During our stay we did experience a few interesting things that were other-worldly in nature, for sure. And one instance caught both myself and my husband off guard. We were in our room which I suppose now is better called a cabin, and we were standing next to the door to the hall. The door itself was thick and sturdy but it had a metal grate on the bottom portion that allowed air into the room with little metal slats to where you could see the floor in the hall outside the room were you to kneel down and peek through. Though the slits were tiny we could tell if someone was standing on the other side of our door. As we were making an inside joke to ourselves about something we heard a child laugh. It sounded like a young girl, but could have been a little boy. In fact we were unsure where the laughter came from. We assumed the hall. We commented on the laughter that we heard quietly to each other and just as soon as we finished saying how weird it was it yelled at us telling us to shut up. We thought what the hell?! We opened our door thinking we'd find a mischievous child outside our door but no one was there, in fact the long hallway was empty. Absolutely no one there. We saw no little children passengers on the entire boat. Mostly elderly couples, middle aged people and tourists but no children. We had one couple in the room next to ours, the closest room where a child could have quickly escaped to but they too had no children. We also kept hearing a little bird chirping at night when we tried to sleep. It sounded as if it was in our room, but we could never find the source of its chirp. The photo attached is my husband having desserts on the Queen Mary. I very highly recommend staying here. It's lovely. And you can feel the magical energy on this ship. It's truly alive with spirits.

EXCELLENT! Tanya was VERY informative, and passionate about the Quenn Mary! Thank you for a great history lesson.

My family and I split up and did two tours, The Glory Days and Steam and Steel. Our tour guide for the The Glory Days, Danny, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and personable and really made the ship come to life with stories and humor. I highly recommend the tour to anyone wanting a good general history of the ship. We were given ample time to stop and take photos along the tour, which consisted of both 1st and 2nd class areas as well as the Observation Bar. The tour lasted one hour almost exactly and we were given so much information about the ship. My husband said he really enjoyed the Steam and Steel tour as well and it was definitely worth it, especially if you are interested in engineering and the mechanics of the ship. Once the tours are done, you are free to wonder and tour the open spaces of the ship on your own. Parking is not the best as the parking lot closest to the ship is not very well laid out or marked. The cost of the tour tickets were $40 each and I believe parking was $25 (this was on a Sunday), but all the proceeds go to the upkeep of the ship, so it's for a good cause. Gift shops and candy shop have very nice items as well. Yes they are expensive but again the cost goes to keeping the ship going. Overall it was a great experience and we will definitely be going back!

See all photos from Lisa W. for The Queen Mary

To set the expectation up front when staying at the Queen Mary...it is a 90+ year old historical ship that holds onto its original era, so the review is on a curve compared to modern hotels. I had a genuinely enjoyable stay at the Queen Mary hotel. Our room was beautiful with the classic 1930 era port hole windows overlooking Long Beach, the staff were all super helpful and accommodating and the restaurant was pretty good. The ship does show its age during the overnight stay. Nothing too inconvenient as a guest but it is not a modern hotel...and that is honestly where the charm of staying on a historical ship makes up for any hotel shortcomings. Being able to freely explore the ship after day-tourist hours, viewing the preserved spaces, walking the open decks overlooking Long Beach and appreciating the history is a worthwild novel experience.

See all photos from Jason V. for The Queen Mary

Joined the Queen Mary Passport with Haunted Encounters Tour with Christina the tour guide and it was great! A personal check off my bucket list, to visit the Queen Mary, after watching BuzzFeed unsolved. She is truly a beautiful vessel, and twice the size of titanic, fun fact. Down in the boiler room by door 13 and the broken escalators I put it on my mama that I saw a ghost

The Queen Mary is full of history! This ship was around during World War II. How wild is that? It's now docked for the hotel and tourists to explore the ship. It was cool to see the parts of the ship that are the original. Like the phone, some of the rooms, and certain areas were the original. They have carpet throughout the hotel that is not the original. What a fun place to visit! You can check out the ship on your own, or do a guided tour. We had fun doing both. There's a bar area too, which is super awesome. I loved that they had someone playing the piano (on floor B I think? I could be wrong lol) and he was playing the Titanic song lol

See all photos from Britney M. for The Queen Mary

I'm in total disbelief that I have never written a review for the Queen Mary. I've been here at least 100 times in my life. To say that I LOVE THE QUEEN MARY is an understatement. I've been on several tours, I've been to the restaurants, the bar, the Dark Harbor event, and most events (including 4th of July and NYE) that they had on or around the Queen Mary. This ship is a true treasure and landmark in Long Beach. It is so rich in history and is a time capsule for what luxury life was like back in the 1930's. There are so many ways to explore the ship. They have all of the following tours: The Steam and Steel Tour, The Glory Days (which is a good place to start for a first time visit), Haunted Encounters, Paranormal Ship Walk, The Grey Ghost Project, and the 57 Ghosts Séance. There are pictures of famous celebrities and political figures that actually sailed on this ship before her retirement in 1967. It's located in the beautiful Long Beach harbor and the views are stunning and perfect for taking memorable pictures. The restaurants are decent enough. A little on the pricier side but they do have to bring all the food on board the ship so I think it's worth the price. I can't recommend coming here enough. The only drawback I have about the Queen Mary, is about the parking. When they host major events in the surrounding area of the ship, the line to get into to park can take a VERY LONG time...more than an hour and then there is a good chance that parking would be all gone by the time you get to the gate which means you have to go to an offsite parking lot and shuttle in. On normal days, parking isn't too bad but check to see if there is a big event before coming...but definitely come. Do not miss out on this unique and historic opportunity!!!

See all photos from Kelly W. for The Queen Mary

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• Hotel Rooms Choose from 200 original first class staterooms and suites Specials & Packages Packages & Special Offers Services & Amenities Modern amenities and world-class service Fitness Room Rejuvenate with our fitness options
• Attractions Tours & Exhibits Get an up close and personal look at the Queen Mary with our exciting tours & exhibits Summer Event Series Explore exciting activities and special events on The Queen Mary all summer long Supper Club Enjoy dinner and a show aboard the Queen Mary Fourth of July Celebration Celebrate an all-American 4th of July aboard The Queen Mary! Queen Mary Heritage Foundation Membership Experience everything the Queen Mary has to offer with a tour package
• Dining Casual Dining Enjoy inspired meals and quick bites at our restaurants Chelsea Chowder House A contemporary restaurant offering memorable seafood dishes Bars Enjoy the 1930's classic sophistication of the Queen Mary bars Royal Sunday Brunch A local favorite, voted “Best Brunch” by OpenTable Group Dining Distinct dining options for groups of 15 or more
• Meetings & Weddings Meetings Explore one of the most unique meeting and conference venues in Southern California Weddings The Queen Mary has been host to unforgettable weddings for over 70 years Socials The Queen Mary is the ideal location for any social occasion Event Spaces Over 80,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space across 14 Art Deco salons
• History Timeline Re-live the Queen Mary’s rich history, from her ground-breaking construction to today Stats & Fun Facts Everything you ever wanted to know about the Queen Mary Design & Preservation Learn about the era of elegant Art Deco design and how the Queen Mary is maintained with preservation projects Press Releases Press Releases about the Queen Mary Amateur Radio Discover the on-board radio stations starting in the 1960s
• Visit Hours & Parking Find open times for the Queen Mary and its dining and parking. On-Board Shopping An array of unique shops featuring souvenirs, one-of-a-kind treasures, clothing, memorabilia, historic documents, artwork and more Nearby Attractions The Queen Mary is a great central hub to all of Southern California’s most popular attractions Directions Your guide to getting to the Queen Mary
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A Trip Across Time

"Today we come to the happy task of sending on her way the stateliest ship now in being. It has been the nation’s will that she should be completed, and today we can send her forth no longer a number on the books, but a ship with a name in the world, alive with beauty, energy and strength! May her life among great waters spread friendship among the nations!"

– King George V on the Queen Mary launch

The Queen Mary’s creation and launch was nothing if not extraordinary and her story is rich with history, elegance and grandeur. From the time her construction began in 1930 in Clydebank, Scotland, the Queen Mary was destined to stand in a class all her own. Despite suffering economic setbacks during the Great Depression, which stalled construction on the ship for several years, Cunard Line spared no expense on building the Queen Mary – which was originally known as job #534.

The Legend Behind The Name

Legend has it that the board of directors at Cunard had decided to name the ship the Queen Victoria, which would have been in keeping with the tradition of Cunard ships having the "ia" suffix (Mauretania, Aquitania and Berengeria). As per protocol, legend states that the Cunard directors went to ask King George his blessing of the ship's proposed name saying, "We have decided to name our new ship after England's greatest Queen," meaning Queen Victoria, the King's Grandmother. Upon which the King is reported to have stated, "My wife (Queen Mary) will be delighted that you are naming the ship after her."

The Maiden Voyage Of The Queen Mary

On May 27, 1936, the Queen Mary departed from Southampton, England embarking on her maiden voyage. She boasted five dining areas and lounges, two cocktail bars and swimming pools, a grand ballroom, a squash court and even a small hospital. The Queen Mary had set a new benchmark in transatlantic travel, which the rich and famous considered as the only civilized way to travel. She quickly seized the hearts and imaginations of the public on both sides of the Atlantic, representing the spirit of an era known for its elegance, class and style.

Since her retirement from the sea as an active liner in 1967, the Queen Mary has never been more popular as an iconic Southern California attraction, hotel, and venue for special events. The ship carried some 2.2 million passengers in peacetime and 810,000 military personnel in the Second World War, but here in Long Beach, an estimated 50 million people have visited. The day the ship was launched in 1934, a well-known English psychic, Lady Mable Fortiscue-Harrison would predict, “The Queen Mary will know her greatest fame and popularity when she never sails another mile or carries another fare-paying passenger.” A compelling insight!

A Timeless Treasure

Her majesty's mechanics, top of the queen, from the height of luxury to wwii.

For three years after her maiden voyage, the Queen Mary was the grandest ocean liner in the world carrying Hollywood celebrities like Bob Hope and Clark Gable, royalty like the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and dignitaries like Winston Churchill. During this time she even set a new speed record, which she held for 14 years. But when the Queen Mary docked in New York in September 1939 that would be the last time she would carry civilian passengers for many years.

As World War II started, the Queen Mary's transformation into a troopship had begun. She was painted a camouflaged grey color and stripped of her luxurious amenities. Dubbed the "Grey Ghost" because of her stealth and stark color, the Queen Mary was the largest and fastest troopship to sail, capable of transporting as many as 16,000 troops at 30 knots. After the end of WWII, the Queen Mary began a 10-month retrofitting process, which would return the ship to her original glory. On July 21, 1947, the Queen Mary resumed regular passenger service across the Atlantic Ocean, and continued to do so for nearly two more decades.

The Last Great Cruise

The increasing popularity of air travel helped signal the end of an era for the Queen Mary. By 1965 the entire Cunard fleet was operating at a loss and they decided to retire and sell the legendary Queen Mary. On October 31, 1967, the Queen Mary departed on her final cruise, arriving in Long Beach, California, on December 9, 1967. She has called Southern California her home ever since. The Queen Mary is now a floating Hotel, Attraction and Event & Wedding Venue, home to three world-class restaurants and an icon in Southern California.

The Last Great Cruise Timeline Discover the Queen Mary's Incredible Journey Read More

Commodore everette hoard tells the tale of the last great cruise read more, learn the story of the last great cruise of rms queen mary.

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Years of Glory

The Creative Years

1929 - 1935.

With a desire to replace Mauretania, Aquitania and Berengaria, the Cunard Line begins to discuss plans to build a new pair of super ocean liners. Undettered by lofty goals and the Great Depression, the building of the Queen Mary becomes a ground breaking technological achievement.

Glamour Years

1936 - 1939.

The Seeds Are Planted

At Cunard Line’s annual meeting, Chairman Sir Thomas Royden makes the first official announcement that “the question of new tonnage is one constantly in our minds.” The Cunard Line begins plans to design a new pair of super ocean liners to replace the Mauritania, Aquitania and Berengaria on their North Atlantic route.

Cunard Line announces that John Brown & Company, LTD., of Clydebank, Scotland, had been selected as builder of the new liner.

First keel plate is laid for job #534 (which was eventually named the Queen Mary) at John Brown Shipyard.

The Great Depression Hits

Work begins on the new Southampton dry dock, to be known as the King George V Graving Dock.

December 11

Work halts on Job #534 because of the Great Depression and an inability to secure further bank loans. The hull plating is 80% completed and the ship stands nine stories high.

The King George V Graving Dock is officially opened with King George V and Queen Mary steaming into the dry dock aboard the Royal Yacht, Victoria and Albert. The dock is the largest in the world at the time. It is 1,200 feet long, 135 feet wide at its entrance, 59 feet deep, holds 58 million gallons of water, and can hold any ship up to 100,000 tons.

The effective date for transferring the assets of the Cunard Steamship Company and the White Star Line, to the newly formed Cunard White Star, LTD. Cunard was credited with 62% of the share capital and White Star with 38%.

The North Atlantic Shipping Bill is passed. The British Treasury makes advances of £4,500,000 toward the completion of #534, and authority was to be sought to make an advance not to exceed £5,000,000 for a second liner.

After 28 months, construction resumes on job #534

Rivals Cunard Line and White Star are forced to merge.

September 26

Job #534 is launched, and named the Queen Mary by her Majesty Queen Mary, accompanied by His Majesty King George V. The ship is moved to the nearby fitting out basin.

September 28

Installation of boilers begins around this date.

Installation of engines and almost all of the heavy machinery is completed. Funnels and both masts are in position.

Unprecedented luxury and forward-thinking technology make the Queen Mary popular with British Royalty, Hollywood celebrities and dignitaries alike, raising the bar for luxury travel and ultimately becoming the grandest ocean liner ever built.

The War Years

1939 - 1946, the maiden voyage.

King Edward VIII makes inspection tour of the ship.

The Queen Mary departs John Brown Shipyard, steaming down the Clyde River to Gourock, Scotland. The ship goes aground twice despite prior dredging of the river and her shallow draft. Anchor trials and adjustment of the magnetic compasses are made off Gourock. Twenty of the Queen Mary’s lifeboats were left off the ship to save weight. Since they were manufactured in Gourock, the lifeboats were lifted into their davits upon ship's arrival.

March 24 - 26

Preliminary speed trials are made on the way to Southampton.

March 27 - April 8

Dry docked in King George V Graving Dock.

April 15 - 19

Official speed trials are held in the Irish Sea off the Isle of Arran. British Olympic runner Lord Burghley runs one lap (400 yards) in evening dress around the Promenade Deck in under 60 seconds.

The ship is officially handed over from John Brown Shipyard to Cunard White Star Line at exactly noon.

King Edward VIII, Her Majesty Queen Mary, the young Princess Elizabeth, the Duke and Duchess of York (soon to be King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the Duchess of Gloucester visit the ship. Queen Mary presents her personal standard to the ship. It was displayed at the head of the main staircase on Promenade Deck and is now located on board the Queen Elizabeth 2.

The Queen Mary departs Southampton at 4:33 p.m. on her maiden voyage, arriving in Cherbourg, France at 8:47 p.m. and departing at 12:39 a.m. the following morning.

Arrival at Pier 90 in New York at 4:20 p.m. Crossing time: 5 days, 5 hours and 13 minutes.

August 19 - 31

On her sixth round-trip voyage, the Queen Mary wins the Blue Riband for the fastest North Atlantic crossings from the French Line's Normandie. The Normandie wins the honor back in 1937.

The World Record

Docked without the aid of tugboats in New York, by Commodore Irving. Voyage #53 West.

August 3 - 15

Won the Blue Riband back from the Normandie on her 48th round-trip voyage. The Queen Mary held the record

Departed Southampton on final peacetime voyage, carrying her largest number of passengers: 2,552, including Mr. & Mrs. Bob Hope and millions in gold bullion. 

As England and France declare war on Germany, the Queen Mary’s days as a passenger ocean liner appear over. With her record-breaking speed and size, the Queen Mary is retrofitted to serve as a troop ship during WWII. Dubbed, the “Grey Ghost,” the Queen Mary hauled as many as 15,000 men while playing a pivotal role in guiding the allied forces to victory.

The Golden Years

1947 - 1961, september 2.

Crew members black out ship's portholes.

September 3

England and France declared war on Germany.

September 4

The Queen Mary arrives in New York.

The Birth of the Grey Ghost

Departs New York for Sydney, Australia, to be fitted as a troopship. Accommodations increased from  2,140 to 5,500.

First voyage as a troop transport. Sailed in convoy with Aquitania, Mauretania (II), Empress of Britain, Empress of Canada, and Empress of Japan, from Sydney, Australia, to Gourock, Scotland, with 5,500 troops.

August 5 - September 16

Dry docked in Singapore. Paravanes fitted.

December 13

Degaussing strip installed in Sydney.

January 27 - February 8

Hull damaged while entering dry dock in Boston Naval Shipyard. Troop capacity increased.

February 18 - March 28

"40 Days and 40 Nights" voyage from Boston to Sydney, Australia. First time the Queen Mary carried American troops (8,398 troops, 905 crew).

May 11 - 16

First time more than 10,000 persons had traveled on any ship (9,880 troops, 875 crew). 

August 2 - 7

First time a complete division was carried on any ship. First Armored Infantry Division (15,125 troops, 863 crew).

The Queen Mary collides with British light cruiser Curacoa. Seventy tons of cement are used to temporarily patch the bow in Gourock, Scotland.

October 14 - November 2

Dry docked in Boston Naval Shipyard to install new more permanent bow piece.

December 23, 1942 - April 22, 1943

“The Long Voyage” from Gourock, to the Suez, Sydney, Australia, and return to Gourock. Total mileage: 37,943 miles. Ship transferred to Atlantic Ocean.

Winston Churchill transported from Gourock to New York, to meet with President Roosevelt. 5,000 German prisoners of war were also on board.

July 25 - 30

Carried the greatest number of people on a floating vessel: 15,740 troops, 943 crew. Total: 16,683.

August 5 - 9

Winston Churchill transported from Gourock to Halifax, Canada, for 2nd Quebec "Quadrant" conference.

August 27 - 31

Winston Churchil returns to Gourock, Scotland, with 15,116 troops.

D-Day Invasion of Europe.

The War Nears an End

Armament removed from ship, except the six-inch gun.

VE DAY (Victory Europe)

14,833 troops and 1,000 crew transported. total: 15,883.

Funnels repainted in Cunard colors.

February 3 - May 19

Six war-bride voyages, transporting 12,886 European brides and children to the United States and Canada.

May 23 - September 18

Seven war-bride voyages transporting European brides and children to Canada. Ten stowaways were discovered on the first crossing.

February 10

Docked in New York without the aid of tugs.

After a 10-month retrofit, the Queen Mary returns to her original glory. With her military duty over, the ship reclaims her place as a world-class ocean liner, but a sea of major changes is just starting to become evident.

Final Years at Sea

1962 - 1966, september 24 - 27, 1946.

The Queen Mary makes its final military voyage from Halifax to South Hampton.

February 15 - May 3, 1947

Work to restore the ship to passenger service begins as the ship at the King George Dry Dock.

May 3 - July 24

Furnishings reinstalled after being recovered from different ports around the world.

July 23 - 25

Participating in the post-war sea trials in the English Channel and met the Queen Elizabeth for the first time during peace off the coast of South Hampton in the Solant just off Cowes.

First post-war voyage departs South Hampton New York with 1,897 passengers, 1,280 crew members under the command of Commodore Illingworth.

Two ship service begins for Cunard with the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth

December 31, 1949

In 1947, Cunard shareholders acquired the 38% of Cunard-White Star that they didn't already own and in 1949 bought out the entire company, operating individually as the Cunard Line. The Cunard Line and White Star line merged in 1934 when the two companies had experienced financial difficulties.

June 15 - 20, 1951

Walt Disney sails aboard the Queen Mary to attend European Premier of Alice in Wonderland.

December 31, 1951

Winston Churchill and Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden sail aboard the Queen Mary to visit with President Harry S. Truman.

July 11 - 15, 1952

The SS United States secures Blue Riband traveling from Bishop Rock to Ambrose Light in 3 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes. The Queen Mary held the Blue Riband since August 8, 1938.

January 15 - 20, 1953

Winston Churchill sails to meet President elect Dwight D. Eisenhower.

November 1954

Queen Elizabeth returns to England aboard the Queen Mary after three-week good will tour of Canada and the United States.

January 26 - March 26, 1958

Stabilizers installed aboard the ship at King George Dry Dock in South Hampton.

April 22 - 23, 1958

Record turnaround in New York of 17 hours and 58 minutes. In the early days, the ship would be in port for 36 hours.

February 1961

Queen Mary transported 36 tons of gold and silver from South Hampton to New York.

The 1960s were a decade of major change and with the rise of popularity in air travel; ocean liners were slowly becoming obsolete. The old world luxury and sensibilities of the Queen Mary seemed outdated in a modern world now transfixed on the notion of space exploration.

Long Beach Years

1967 - present, march 3 - 9, the beginning of the end.

Wave floods parts of Main, A and B Decks. Voyage #382 East.

Docked without the aid of tugs in New York, by Captain Watts. Voyage #397 West.

Docked without tugs in New York, by Captain S.A. Jones. Voyage #419.

December 23 - 29

First cruise: Southampton to Las Palmas. Voyage #425.

February 25 - March 23

Mediterranean cruise: New York, Las Palmas, Tangier, Piraeus, Naples, Cannes, Palma, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Madeira, New York. Voyage #477.

Cunard announces that the Queen Mary is for sale.

First letter of inquiry from H.E. Ridings of Long Beach.

August 2 - 4

In King George V Graving Dock. Fastest ever turn - around in dry dock, and first time ever sailed with passengers from dry dock. Voyage #485 West.

August 24 - 29

Fastest eastbound crossing since Blue Riband record: 4 days, 10 hours, 6 minutes. Voyage #486 East. Second fastest Atlantic crossing since 1938.

Transatlantic Passengers:

1954 - by ship: 1,000,000; by air: 600,000 1957 - by ship: 1,000,000; by air: 1,000,000 1961 - by ship: 750,000; by air: 2,000,000 1965 - by ship: 650,000; by air: 4,000,000

Officially retiring from ocean travel, the Queen Mary was moved to sunny Long Beach, California where it is a living landmark, popular attraction and hotel, exposing a whole new generation of fans to bygone era.

Queens' captains open orders telling them of the decision to sell the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

First Meeting between Lord Mancroft and Long Beach, California representatives in New York.

$3.45 million Long Beach bid accepted.

September 22 - 27

Last Eastbound transatlantic crossings. Voyage #513 East.

September 29 - October 6

Cruise from Southampton to Las Palmas & Gibraltar. Voyage #514.

October 13 - 19

Cruise from Southampton to Las Palmas. Voyage #515.

Departed Southampton on Final Voyage to Long Beach, California. Voyage #516.

The Queen Mary arrives in Long Beach, California.

Removed from British registry and officially turned over to the City of Long Beach. Ship also became fully dependent on shore-side utilities.

April 6 - May 18

Dry docked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

February 27

The Queen Mary moved to Pier J.

Queen Mary Story and Power Train Tour, and Upper Decks opened, weekends only.

Jacques Cousteau's "Living Sea" portion of Museum of the Sea (M.O.T.S.) opens.

February 20

Largest day’s attendance: 19,600.

First 150 hotel rooms opened.

Preview opening of Mary’s Gate Village (Now the Queen’s Marketplace).

Queen Mary Tour Inc. takes over operation of Museum of the Sea.

September 1

Wrather Port Properties Ltd., a subsidiary of Wrather Corporation, signs a 66-year lease to manage the Queen Mary and adjoining acreage.

Howards Hughes’ Spruce Goose flying boat opens to the public next to the Queen Mary.

Walt Disney Company buys Wrather Corporation for $152 million. The agreement includes the Disneyland Hotel, and management of the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose property.

City of Long Beach resumes responsibility for the Queen Mary from the Port of Long Beach.

Aero Club of Southern California announces sale of Spruce Goose to Evergreen International Aviation Inc. in McMinnville, Oregon.

Disney advises the City and Port of Long Beach that it will end its lease for the operation of the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose. The company agrees to operate the attraction until September 30, 1992.

September 30

Walt Disney Company gives up lease on the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose property. Remainder of 1992, The Port of Long Beach becomes operator of property, and looks for new operator. Hotel Queen Mary closes.

Spruce Goose is moved out of The Dome and put on barges headed to McMinnville, Oregon, having been sold to Evergreen International Aviation Inc.

December 31

The Queen Mary closes.

Joseph F. Prevratil, President & CEO of RMS Foundation, Inc. signs five-year lease with the city of Long Beach to act as operators of the Queen Mary.

February 26

The Queen Mary reopens to the public. Self-guided and guided "Captain's Tour" resume. Most restaurants and Sunday Brunch are back.

Hotel Queen Mary reopens with 125 rooms operational. Banquet rooms are operational.

Audio tours begin again in English, German, Japanese and Spanish.

Remainder of Hotel Queen Mary's 365 rooms reopen.

Captain John Treasure Jones, the 33rd and last captain of the Queen Mary dies at the age of 87 at his home in Chandler's Ford, England, just north of the port town of Southampton.

Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Launch and Naming of the great liner. Officiating are RMS Foundation President Joseph F. Prevratil; H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent representing the British Royal Family, grandson of Her Majesty Queen Mary; Scotland's Clydebank District Provost Jack McAllister and other special guests.

The Queen Mary celebrates the 25th Anniversary of its Opening Day

RMS Foundation, Inc., schedules Diamond Jubilee Celebration for the 60th Anniversary of the Queen Mary’s Maiden Voyage from Southampton to New York.

"Titanic: The Expedition" exhibit makes its West Coast debut aboard the Queen Mary.

The Queen Mary celebrates 30 years in Long Beach.

February 23

Two Cunard legends meet for the first time. The new Queen Mary 2 sailed into the port of Long Beach and greeted her historic namesake, the original Queen Mary. The two ships saluted each other with their one-ton signaling horns.

The Queen Mary’s amateur radio station (W6RO) is renamed the Nate Brightman Radio Room in honor of Mr. Brightman’s more than 40 years old dedication to the station.

The Queen Mary celebrates 40 years in Long Beach.

The Queen Mary celebrates her 75-year anniversary of the Maiden Voyage.

Diana: A Legacy of a Princess Royal Exhibit premiers at the Queen Mary.

Stats & Fun Facts

Discover the Queen Mary's incredible journey. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Queen Mary.

See how the Queen Mary measures up to Titanic. The results may surprise you! Read More

Discover hollywood celebrities and political dignitaries that are part of the queen mary's history. read more, preserving a historic icon.

On Sept. 26, 1934, at the John Brown & Company shipyard on the banks of the Clyde River in Scotland, Job Number 534, the largest ship the world had ever seen, slid down the launchways into the water as Queen Mary addressed the crowd, speaking into the microphone, "I am happy to name this ship the Queen Mary. I wish success to her and to all who sail her." One thousand and one transatlantic crossings later, the Queen Mary retired in Long Beach, arriving on Dec. 9, 1967. At exactly 12:07 p.m., John Treasure Jones, the Queen Mary's last sailing master, ordered "finished with the engines," signaling the end of one career and the beginning of another. The Queen Mary lives on now as a full-service Long Beach hotel, historical landmark and entertainment venue, giving visitors a unique glimpse into a bygone era when steamships were the most regal way to travel. The National Register of Historic Places Program is administered in California by the State Office of Historic Preservation, and placement on the National Register affords a property the honor of inclusion in the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.

We thank all of our guests for their continued support of this truly wonderful ship. Check out the information below to find out how you can help support the Queen Mary and take a look at some of the recently completed projects. Email us at [email protected] if you have specific questions.

A Trip Back In Time

The Queen Mary has a long and distinguished history and we invite you to explore her past. We strive to locate and maintain as many authentic historical documents as we can in hopes of carrying on the Queen Mary legend. Please peruse and discover the rich history of the Queen Mary. If you have any authentic Queen Mary documents, lists or memorabilia that you would like to share with us, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 562-499-1791. Keeping the Queen Mary’s history alive and preserving her past is of utmost importance.

The Queen Mary Art Deco Style

The Queen Mary features some of the grandest, most intricate and beautiful interior designs ever aboard an ocean liner. Influenced by the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and 30s, the interior design includes strong curves and geometric forms representing elegance, glamour, function and modernity. Learn more about the ship’s iconic style here . 

Check back for new and exciting updates about the Queen Mary

Royal Sunday Brunch | November 10, 2023

Reopening Announcement | March 24, 2023

The Queen Mary - Our Story – Amateur Radio

Radio during the queen mary’s decades at sea.

Like all other vessels of her era, the Queen Mary used maritime MF and HF radio frequencies to communicate with other ships and with shoreside high seas radio stations. Most of the world’s shipping lines contracted with radio companies to provide equipment and skilled radiomen for their ships, the largest being Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Company. Cunard Lines selected the much smaller International Marine Radio Company to provide their ships with radio equipment and operators. IMRC designed and custom-built most of the equipment used on Cunard liners, and employed the radiomen who maintained and operated it. Some of that IMRC-built equipment is still on display in the Wireless Room. IMRC radiomen sailed on every voyage of the Queen Mary, using the radio callsign GBTT, providing communications in support of intership safety, navigation, weather, news reports, ship’s business, crew and passenger messages, and even radio-to-landline telephone calling for those who would pay the rather high prices for that service. Except for the ship-to-shore radiotelephone calls, most other traffic was passed using Morse code radiotelegraphy. In this era, radiotelegraphy was more efficient and reliable, being able to get through noise and signal fading much better than the AM and SSB voice modes. Even into the 1950s and 1960s when Amateur Radio became increasingly popular, IMRC radiomen weren’t much interested in tuning-in and operating on the ham radio frequencies. Indeed, after working a watch of four to six hours of pretty much constantly sending and copying Morse code traffic, the radiomen had little desire to do more of the same on the ham bands on their own time.

Amateur Radio Station GB5QM on the Queen Mary’s Last Great Cruise

Amateur radio first came aboard the Queen Mary for her Last Great Cruise in 1967. Upon learning that the City of Long Beach was considering the purchase of the Queen Mary to serve as a larger-than-life icon of its emerging status as an ‘International City’, Long Beach resident and radio amateur Nate Brightman, K6OSC, fell head-over-heels in love with the idea. He bent every ear and pulled every string he could to convince city leaders to go ahead with the deal. They heard him, and the purchase was made. Then, learning about the emerging plans for a Last Great Cruise to deliver the liner to Long Beach, Brightman hatched a plan to place an amateur radio station aboard the ship to contact and converse with radio amateurs around the world during the Queen Mary’s Last Great Cruise.

Brightman had to overcome many significant impediments to this project. The Cunard Line, US State Department, and the British Government all had to be brought into agreement to permit this event to happen. When all was arranged, Long Beach radio amateur Al Lee, W6KQI, led a team of amateurs as they flew to England, boarded the Queen Mary, installed their radio equipment, and broadcast from the Queen Mary at sea using the British-issued callsign GB5QM during the Last Great Cruise. Every radio amateur around the world who made contact with GB5QM was sent a commemorative ‘QSL’ (confirmation of radio contact) certificate. One of these certificates is still on display in the radio display room.

W6RO Aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach

Nate Brightman’s vision for amateur radio aboard the Queen Mary did not end when she reached her final mooring in Long Beach. He was already at work on a plan to establish a permanent amateur radio station aboard the ship. This proved to be his most daunting undertaking ever, requiring 11 years of persistent negotiating to convince City and ship officials to grant his aspiration. Space was approved on the Sports deck in the structure originally housing the ship’s squash court. This was an ideal location as it provided direct access to the roof overhead for antennas and was in a position to be passed by visiting tourists as they exited the wheelhouse and officer’s quarters exhibits. Construction was funded by the City, and the console was re-created from Brightman’s own photos of the ship’s original Wireless Telecommunications console, formerly located on the Promenade deck portside, photos which he shot during a VIP tour shortly after the ship’s arrival in Long Beach in 1967.

Amateur radio equipment for the Queen Mary’s new Wireless Room was donated by the Swan Radio Company of Oceanside upon Brightman’s request to the company’s founder, Herb Johnson. The equipment and antennas were installed, some of the ship’s original radio equipment was added for display, and the new Wireless Room was opened for operation on April 22, 1979. Frm that date forward, volunteer radio amateurs from the local ham radio club, the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach, as well as others from all over southern California, have staffed the Wireless Room, making radio contact with hams across the US and around the world and demonstrating ham radio to the ship’s tourists as they pass by. Many of them still use Morse code.

Brightman served as manager of the station from 1979 until his retirement in 2013 – nearly 35 years! The station was re-dedicated as ‘The Nate Brightman Wireless Room’ in 2007 in his honor. W6RO enjoys worldwide fame on the ham radio bands. Amateurs who make an on-air contact with the station are sent the very popular W6RO ‘QSL’ card commemorating their exchange with the Queen Mary.

Be sure to stop by the Wireless Room on your tour of the Queen Mary. And, if you’re lucky enough to encounter one of the volunteer radio amateurs there, enjoy a conversation about all things radio.

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A Visit to the Queen Mary – Part 1: Stateroom Tour

By Scott Sanfilippo

As I mentioned in a previous post , a trip to sunny Los Angeles provided me with the opportunity to stay onboard the classic ocean liner, Queen Mary .

Built in 1934 for the Cunard Line, Queen Mary transported passengers across the Atlantic until she was retired in 1967.  Since then, she has had an interesting history full of success and failures, multiple owners, and an uncertain fate if (a lot of) money isn’t spent to preserve her as a floating hotel and museum.

Pictures on the hotel’s website and social media channels picture her well maintained with shiny wood appointed staterooms that harken back to a time when traveling by ship was a relaxing and glamorous experience.  Unfortunately, immediately upon arrival, you can tell that things are going to be somewhat different.

Looking at the ship from the parking lot, you can see that one of her three funnels is covered up as work to paint or repair is being done.  Side note, these are not the ship’s original funnels.  The originals were removed long ago and these are simply replicas.

Paint on the outside, public facing side of the ship was kept up, with its bold black, red and white glistening brightly.  But as you get closer, there is rust everywhere.

Once inside, you begin to step back in time.  The check-in desk for the hotel is small and we waited in line for a bit while other guests were attended to.  Above the desk are clocks showing time from various places around the world, some correct some not.

Once my room key was in hand it was time to head off to my stateroom which happened to be on M-Deck, M-033 to be exact.  The corridors leading to the staterooms are dark, with wood lined walls, bowed floors, and the occasional odd “box” sticking out of a wall or the top of a ceiling that used to house some type of equipment.

Doors to staterooms are made of wood and are very thin.  Original door hardware has been removed and more modern card readers installed.  Staterooms are not laid out like they are on today’s ships.  They are just scattered about everywhere!  You may find a door leading to one along a wall, or you may find a short hall that leads to two or three rooms, and then you’ll find some inside staterooms in between the port and starboard sides of the ship.

It’s a very odd, confusing layout to say the least.  Should you go venturing off around the ship, you can very easily get lost, or end up on a dead-end or find yourself going up and down stairs looking for an exit and not finding any!

Many of the elevators have been taken out of service with only a few main ones left.  While the doors and hardware remain visible, signs indicate that what once was an elevator, no longer is.

Now it’s time to open the door and take a look inside the stateroom that I called home for three days.  But first, let’s take a look at what the Queen Mary’s website shows for the room I had, a King Deluxe Stateroom with porthole views of Long Beach:

Now, let’s open the door into M-033 and see what my stateroom was like.

The room consisted of a king bed, an armchair, two banquet (yes, banquet) chairs and a small table.

A writing table/desk, which I can assume was original, was attached to the wall.  I couldn’t help but wonder how many letters or postcards were written from this table since the 30’s.

Transatlantic travel back in the golden age saw people travel with large wardrobes, so one would expect there to be plenty of closet space onboard the Queen Mary.  There was a closet, but I can’t imagine it holding much.

The original air vents to keep the stateroom cold or warm were left, however, more modern means of heating/cooling keep everything climate controlled.

For cold nights, staterooms had their own heater.  These are also disconnected.

A note for modern travelers, the staterooms on the Queen Mary are outlet deficient.  In my room, there was only one, so plan accordingly if you want to charge your electronics!  Power strips are a must if you’re staying here.

The living area itself was old and not very well maintained.  The paint was dirty, the ceiling had handprints on workman’s panels for the HVAC, the portholes were missing hardware and the room was just bland.  It did not take me back to the glory days of ocean travel, it took me to what I think would be a bad Comfort Inn.  On the plus side, the bed was comfortable.

Now, the most important part of the stateroom… the bathroom!  Brace yourself!  Remember, we’re talking 1930’s here, ok?  Are you ready?

The sink, which originally had two taps, now just had one with a more modern hot/cold fixture.  A medicine cabinet was above the sink and to the left a small shelf for storage.

The toilet was a bit odd.  The lid goes back against the wall with all exposed pipes visible, but the traditional flush handle was nowhere to be found.  But there was this crazy handle on the wall.  After playing around with it, I found that it was the mechanism to flush the toilet.  You simply pushed it towards the wall and water flowed into the toilet until you released it.  I can’t imagine this being acceptable in water conscious California as it seems to be incredibly wasteful, but it worked.  You can see how in the video below.

The tub was a different story.  Modern shower head and controls replaced the various valves still left from long ago which used to allow you to bathe with a choice of sea or regular water.  Imagine that!  The tub itself was the absolute most uncomfortable contraption I’ve ever been in.  Once you stood in it, you were standing in what I can best describe as a deep v-trough unlike tubs today with a wide flat bottom.  Very painful on the arches!

Of course, I had to take a video of how to flush the toilet!

The second issue was that when I checked in, the toilet paper roll was nearly at the end of its life.  There was no spare.  None.  Nothing!  No extra roll hiding in a cabinet or on a shelf.  I panicked but made it with one or two squares to spare the next day when it was replaced by housekeeping.

The stateroom itself is quite a departure from what one would expect in a hotel. I’m told that every room onboard the Queen Mary is different in its own unique way. So what you see in mine may not be representative of what each is like, but I was expecting a little better upkeep.

Another word of caution! The walls between rooms are thin. Sometimes you think they’re not there at all. You can literally hear the people next to you and every word of their conversation. No, I’m not joking. I sat in bed one morning listening to the man and woman talk over breakfast about their plans for the day and heard them make dinner reservations over the phone for later that night.

Signs in the hallway alert you to this, but don’t come out and say… “Hey, your neighbor can hear every word you say, keep it quiet!”

That’s a look around my stateroom. I’ll take you to more areas around the ship in the next installment!

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• Cunard  welcomed its fourth ship and newest in 14 years, the 2,996-guest Queen Anne.
• The 114,000-ton vessel has amenities like an Indian restaurant and pool under a retractable glass roof.
• Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries, primarily in Europe, start at $300 per person for a two-night cruise.

Cunard has operated 249 ships throughout its 184 years in operation, including the famous Queen Mary and Queen Mary 2. But it's been 14 years since the cruise line has launched a new vessel — until now.

Luxury cruisers , meet Queen Anne. It's Cunard's latest 2,996-guest ship, replete with 4,300 art pieces, archery, and the company's signature high-end flair. Its arrival was so highly anticipated that every cabin on its May 3 maiden voyage was fully reserved in minutes, the BBC reported.

The Carnival Corp. brand may be storied, but that doesn’t mean it’s past its prime.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, recently told the BBC that its bookings have grown 25% since the beginning of 2024 and are now the best they've been in a decade.

So it should come as no surprise that several of Queen Anne's 2024 itineraries are almost sold out.

Cunard isn’t in the business of building bigger.

Luxury cruise lines are beloved for their small-ship experience. Cunard is no different.

The new 114,000-ton cruise liner is the company's second-largest, although it can carry more guests than any of its other ships.

However, at a 2,996-guest and 1,225-crew capacity, Queen Anne is still tiny compared to the mass-market cruise industry's newest ships , the largest of which can carry 10,000 people.

Queen Anne's cabins are divided into four categories, listed from most to least luxurious: Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia Club, and Britannia.

Despite being the cheapest option, the Britannia accommodations have high-end amenities like sparkling wine, Penhaligon toiletries, and tea and coffee machines.

That's nothing compared to the most luxurious Queens Grill suites, where guests get amenities like pillow menus, stocked mini-bars, a butler, fruit, and pre-dinner canapes.

Forget the sparkling wine — Queens Grill travelers get a bottle of Champagne.

Cabin categories are especially important for Cunard, not for reasons you might expect.

Besides how luxurious your hotel room at sea is, your cabin influences where you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Guests in the Princess Grill suites dine at the Princess Grill restaurant, while Britannia Club guests stick to the Britannia Club restaurant, and so on.

Guests in the higher-end Princess and Queens cabins also get a pretty sweet bonus: an exclusive lounge with infinity hot tubs.

Regardless of your cabin, the 14-deck ship has plenty of areas for all guests to relax under the sun.

For example, the Pavilion. It's one of Queen Anne's go-to places for an afternoon swim, nighttime movie viewing, silent disco, and not-so-silent live music, all under a retractable glass roof.

The ship's pool club also has plenty of lounge seats for a more traditional pool deck experience. For something indoors, head to the drawing and game rooms instead.

Like every new cruise ship, Queen Anne has a pickleball court.

But unlike every new cruise ship, it also has archery — coaches, bows, and arrows included.

Travelers looking for a less intense afternoon can instead try their hand at the putting green, shuffleboard, or quoits.

Not confident in your athletic abilities? Don't worry — there's a bar nearby, too.

If you lose your pickleball match, you can retail therapy your pain away at Queen Anne’s high-end stores.

Travelers have been splurging big on their cruise vacations . On Queen Anne (and with help from one of the ship's personal shoppers), this could include a Bremont watch or Chanel makeup.

Or, do as cruisers do: Eat and drink the pain away.

The ship has 15 eateries. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay extra for the Mediterranean, Indian, Japanese, steakhouse grill, alfresco, and British restaurants.

Thankfully, the food hall-style buffet, room service, and cabin-assigned dining rooms are included in the fare.

Feeling peckish in the afternoon? Afternoon tea is held in the Queens Room, the same venue that hosts events like ballroom dancing and Cunard's signature black-tie galas.

Of course, a cruise wouldn’t be complete without a casino, spa, and nighttime shows.

Queen Anne is showing two new productions, including an adaptation of the classic British film "Brief Encounter."

For more casual entertainment, the ship also has a "show bar" helmed by a variety of musicians and entertainers.

For a more relaxing afternoon, try the spa's cryotherapy, "experience showers," and salt saunas.

Afterwards, to keep the wellness trend going, grab a healthy bite at the veggie and "sustainably sourced protein"-forward Wellness Cafe. Its kombucha bellinis are technically good for you, right?

Cunard is beloved for its regular transatlantic cruises on its Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

In 2025, Queen Anne will embark on its first three-month around-the-world cruise. However, for the most part, it's not scheduled for repeat long-haul journeys .

Instead, in 2024, the ship will be homeported in Southampton, UK and travel on two- to 19-night itineraries across Europe.

The cheapest way to experience the new ship is a two-night summer cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, Germany, which currently starts at $300 per person.

But if money is no problem, the 18-night roundtrip Hamburg cruise during Christmas and the New Year might pique your interest — and your wallet. The itinerary's luxurious Queens Grill suites start at $19,350 per person.

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First photos: Inside Queen Anne, the stunning new cruise ship from Cunard

Call it a new era for Cunard , the storied cruise brand that operates the famed Queen Mary 2 .

As I saw last week during a brief visit, the 184-year-old shipping company's first new vessel in 14 years, the 2,996-passenger Queen Anne , is more contemporary in its look and feel than the line's three older ships.

It also offers venues that embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done before.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Now on its maiden voyage, a seven-night trip from Southampton, England, to Spain and Portugal, the $600 million vessel offers more choice in dining and entertainment, more wellness options and more of a focus on onboard celebrations than earlier Cunard ships.

That said, it's also a vessel that holds true to Cunard's longtime point of view — a nod to tradition and elegance that harks back to the grand old days of ocean liner travel.

Here's a first look at the new Queen Anne and its most notable features, mostly in photos. I only had a few hours to explore the vessel before its maiden voyage with passengers. But I'll be aboard a full sailing of the ship later this year for a more in-depth review.

A top deck for all seasons

There's no doubt about it: Queen Anne is the new reigning monarch of the Cunard fleet when it comes to operating in inclement weather — something Cunard ships do often as they circle the world.

At the center of Queen Anne's top decks is The Pavilion, an enormous central pool area that — unlike any other Cunard ship — is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to keep poolgoers warm and dry on cold and rainy days.

It's a retractable glass roof that is not only functional but beautiful — a showpiece for the ship.

Soaring higher and feeling airier than the typical magrodome (as such retractable glass roofs on ships are called), the giant structure above the pool was created by Martin Francis, the United Kingdom-based design wizard who figured out how to make the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum stay up.

Francis' design uses less steel and more glass than has been the norm for such magrodomes in the past. As I saw during my visit, that allows in a lot of light, even on the dourest of days. It was pouring rain, but the space still felt cheery.

At night, the entire space transforms into a theater under the stars, with dimmed lighting and seating reoriented toward a giant screen.

In addition, one deck up overlooking the pool (and still under the dome), a combination juice bar and cafe (The Pavilion Wellness Cafe) serving healthy dishes awaits health-minded passengers — part of a bigger wellness focus at Cunard.

The Pavilion, meanwhile, is much more than just a covered pool area. Underneath the dome — in addition to a pool, three whirlpools and lounge chairs — there is a bar, a grill for poolside food, a gelateria and a stage for entertainment. The stage will be the home of live and prerecorded "Performances at The Pavilion" musical events.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Cunard ship

It's a something-for-everyone approach that is part of Cunard's wanting to offer more options and more "activations" on its top decks.

I loved the versatility of the space as well as its design, particularly the mesmerizing blue-and-white checkered tiling of the pool area and the scalloped edge of the deck above — both nods to the art deco design that has been a hallmark of Cunard ships.

Queen Anne's top decks are also home to a forward observation deck with lounge chairs, a paddle tennis court, a putting green and table tennis, and the Sky Bar, an open-air bar with soaring views (an area that was difficult to tour and photograph during my visit due to pouring rain).

The observation deck will be more of a destination for passengers than the much smaller games decks that have occupied the top fronts of Cunard's last two ships — in part because of the inclusion of the outdoor bar, which is something Cunard traditionally hasn't built into forward deck-top areas.

The paddle tennis court in the area doubles as a pickleball court, something no Cunard ship has ever had.

Both The Pavilion pool area and observation deck are open to all passengers, as is a second pool area at the back of the ship. There also is an open-air deck area toward the middle back of the ship that is exclusive to passengers staying in the top cabins, known as Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites (more on that in a moment).

A bigger observation lounge

If you're already a Cunard fan, you know that the forward-facing observation lounge — the Commodore Club — is a hot spot on its ships. So you'll surely be excited to know that Cunard has really gone all out with the Commodore Club on Queen Anne.

As I saw during my visit, the Commodore Club on Queen Anne is by far the biggest Commodore Club on any Cunard ship, including Queen Mary 2 (which is a bigger ship than Queen Anne).

Notable features of the Commodore Club on Queen Anne include a "bar in the round" at its back that is designed to be a place to meet new friends; a stage for live entertainment that will include band music, string instrument performers and pianists; and a seemingly endless, 270-degree wall of glass offering views of the sea.

In addition, Queen Anne's Commodore Club is part of a larger complex of adult venues at the top of the ship that also includes the ship's cigar lounge, known as Churchill's; its library; and an expanded area for onboard weddings and other shipboard celebrations.

New wellness spaces

Cunard is leaning into the wellness trend with a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio that is just past The Pavilion Pool (it sits under the same glorious glass dome that covers that venue).

While it still wasn't quite done during my visit, the allure of the space was already clear. Even on a rainy day, it was bathed in light and afforded stunning views.

The space will be used for yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line dancing during the day, and there are plans for ballroom dancing classes at sunset.

The Wellness Studio is part of an expansion of wellness areas that also includes the healthy-eats cafe and juice bar in The Pavilion area mentioned above.

The idea, in part, was to get all of the fitness classes that the line normally offers in its fitness area on the inside of the ship up to the top deck, where participants can enjoy natural light and views of the sea all around.

That said, Queen Anne still has a good-sized fitness center and a spa with a thermal pool complex in a lower part of the vessel.

While I didn't see it during my visit, the spa is designed to impress with heated loungers, experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. There's also a relaxation room and a wellness suite.

The ultimate Grills zones

If you're a Cunard regular, you know about the Grills. They're the two exclusive restaurants on every Cunard ship for passengers staying in suites.

On Queen Anne, these upscale spaces — the Queens Grill and Princess Grill — come with access to what is the ultimate exclusive retreat area ever conceived for a Cunard ship.

Known as the Grills Terrace, it's a sprawling private outdoor lounge area spans the width of the ship and has plush lounge chairs, two stunning infinity whirlpools overlooking the ocean and waiter service for your every need.

The Grills Terrace sits just above the Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants, which are loaded with tables for two (in response to customer demand). That's a big change from the designs of earlier Grills on Cunard ships that often had lots of bigger tables where passengers sometimes were assigned seating with strangers.

In between the two Grills is what just may be my favorite spot on the ship: the Grills Lounge. It's a stunningly designed hideaway bathed in natural light from a skylight that is for the exclusive use of Grills passengers. I love the curvy chairs upholstered in luscious peacock blue fabric surrounding a circular chartreuse seating area. Just behind is a bar that is exclusive to Grills passengers.

The space also has a concierge to help with your every need.

The Queens Grill and Princess Grill dining rooms are open to passengers staying in Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites, respectively. Queens Grill suites are the biggest suites on the ship, starting at 507 square feet. Princess Grill suites (one of which is shown above) measure 302 square feet.

More dining venues

Cunard has never been known for ships that offered oodles of dining options. But that's changing with Queen Anne — and in a big way.

Queen Anne boasts 15 different places where you can grab a bite, more than double the number on the line's other ships.

The options include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that serves what's billed as a contemporary take on Japanese cuisine and is home to the Sushi and Sake bar. Also new for Cunard is Aranya, an Indian eatery.

Both are extra-charge specialty restaurants, as is Queen Anne's high-end steakhouse, Sir Samuel's — another new concept. A fourth specialty eatery that is new for Cunard, Tramonto, serves Mediterranean dishes meant to be shared.

These four specialty restaurants complement the traditional Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia and Britannia Club restaurants, which are the main eateries for passengers (assigned based on cabin category).

Other places to dine include the Golden Lion pub, a mainstay of Cunard ships. On Queen Anne, it features a new pub menu designed by renowned chef Michel Roux (who also created an exclusive gala menu for the Queens Grill restaurant). The menu will eventually be rolled out to Golden Lion pubs across the Cunard fleet.

Designed to capture the essence of a traditional British pub with lots of red leather, green leather and wood tone finishes, window mosaic work, banquet seating and a grand bar, the Golden Lion pub on Queen Anne is also notably bigger than sister venues on other Cunard ships.

It's also home to a wall of eclectic art that its designers say offers a nod to the quirkiness of Britain today.

In addition to classic British pub dishes reimagined by Roux and a new Cunard beef burger, the pub offerings will include Cunard brand craft beers and a Bloody Mary menu.

In addition, Queen Anne passengers are able to eat in casual comfort at the Artisans' Foodhall, a new take on the traditional buffet eatery on Cunard ships. It features active food stations instead of traditional self-serve buffet lines.

At each of the stations, a chef is standing by to make a dish just for you, and there are also pre-plated dishes available to grab and go.

The Artisans' Foodhall is also the first casual buffet eatery on a Cunard ship with its own bar, located right in the middle of the room.

Classic Cunard spaces with a twist

As is typical for Cunard ships, Queen Anne features a Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase that makes you feel like royalty as you descend into the ship's interior areas for the evening. But it's a Grand Lobby with a more contemporary design.

Instead of the traditional ocean liner-of-old look of the Grand Lobbies found on Cunard's three other vessels, the space has a fresh modernity with Art Deco-inspired white-and-black marble floors, glass railings and a modern take on the showpiece murals that are a staple of Grand Lobbies on Cunard ships.

Another classic Cunard venue getting a tweak on Queen Anne is the Queens Room, the grand ballroom where Cunard fans traditionally have danced the night away to big band music.

With clusters of modern ball lamps hanging from its ceiling, evoking planets floating in the sky, and a stunning, multicolored marquetry wood floor as a counterpoint, it has a dreamy, make-believe quality that is unlike anything seen before on a Cunard ship.

A large digital screen behind its semicircular stage and high-tech lighting add to its much more modern feel.

The Queens Room is also rounder in its design and more open to its surroundings. Its top level, in particular, is open to an area of boutique stores and the passing traffic of passengers moving between the front and back of the ship.

The Queens Room and surrounding shopping area are curvy in their layouts, with fewer straight-lined walls than you'll find on earlier Cunard ships. It's something of a signature for the design of Queen Anne's public spaces.

Bars, in particular, often are built in a circular motif, a deliberate change from earlier Cunard ships that is aimed at encouraging drinking passengers to interact with each other.

Among the most striking spaces on Queen Anne is the Chart Room, a lounge area with semicircular seating arranged across colorful carpeting with bold circular patterns.

With dark paneled walls and crystal chandeliers, it has an Art Deco sensibility while also feeling contemporary in its design.

Forward of the Grand Lobby and Queens Room, passengers also will find the ship's casino (called Room 1840) and main theater (dubbed the Royal Court Theatre).

The latter venue spreads across two decks.

Bottom line

Queen Anne is ushering in a new era for Cunard with a more contemporary look and feel than the three other vessels in the line's fleet and a broader array of venues that tap into recent trends in cruising. It's the first Cunard ship to have a wide range of alternative dining options with new-for-the-line restaurants focused on Indian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine. It's also the first Cunard ship with a top-of-the-ship wellness studio for yoga, Pilates, Zumba and other class-based wellness activities, and it offers several other new wellness offerings. These are all things that Cunard plans to carry through to the older ships in its fleet over the coming years as it revamps the vessels during dry docks.

Still, Queen Anne continues to hold true to what Cunard has long been about — that respect for tradition and elegance that evoke the grand old days of ocean liner travel. Whether you're a longtime Cunard fan or someone eyeing your first cruise with the brand, this is a vessel you'll want to try.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.