Surviving  World War II and recent attempts to be "shipped" to Japan, an elegant Queen Mary remains permanently docked in the Long Beach harbor. The city purchased it in 1967 and opened doors to the attraction after  three years of renovation. Restaurants, shops, tours, entertainment, banquet facilities and a hotel with 365 staterooms and suites provide opportunities for guests to relive the past. Included in the National Register of Historic Places, the stately ship contains beautiful wall murals and carvings made of precious and rare woods plus a large, sweeping ballroom with light fixtures and ornamentation befitting a queen.

Commissioned by Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd., the ship was built in Scotland and launched in 1934. After Her Majesty Queen Mary presented her personal standard, it embarked on its maiden voyage on May 27, 1936, departing Southampton. It took only five days to reach New York and in record time, won the Blue Riband for fastest North Atlantic crossings after six such trips.

One of the largest passenger liners ever built, the Queen Mary made over 1,000 crossings. During World War II, it was given the name, "Grey Ghost" when it was camouflage painted, its portholes blacked out and it began military transport.  Servicing the war effort, it traveled more than 600,000 miles and carried over 800,000 troops. One historic journey to New York in May of 1943 included passenger Winston Churchill and 5,000 German prisoners of war.  See California Ghost Hauntings

Queen Mary ship contains (4) 40,000 hp turbine steam engines, travels 13 feet to the gallon, has 4 propellers weighing 35 tons each, a 140 ton rudder and weighs 81,234 tons. In its glory days, it carried 1957 passengers serviced by a crew of 1174. 

The Queen cost the city about $3.5 million to purchase, stands 140 feet tall, over 1000 feet long and 145 feet wide. It offers tours, a hotel, shops and restaurants but is also used in movies and television productions. While rumored to have ghosts, guests say that simply adds to the charm of an historic (though not very seaworthy) ship. If you've seen the movie, Titanic, see a real survivor, Queen Mary.

HOTEL: You can stay aboard the Queen Mary in authentic period rooms for overnight stay.  What a way to celebrate!  We offer internet pricing and immediate reservation confirmation for your adventure. 

Things to do: Stay overnight, shop, dine and take a self-guided tour through the bridge, officers' quarters, engine rooms and upper decks.  A guided tour includes additional areas not open to the general public.   A fireworks display is presented Saturday evenings in the Summer.  Dinner shows with live entertainment, special events and a cruise ship port adjacent to the Queen Mary Hotel and ship make this an opportunity for overnight accommodations before you exciting West Coast cruise through Southern California and Baja Mexico.

Carnival Cruise Lines ships offer  3 day cruises to Ensenada, Mexico; 4 Day Baja Mexico cruises to Catalina Island, CA and Ensenada, Mexico; 7 day Mexican Riviera cruises to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. www.carnival.com Call: (800) 438-6744


Queen Mary has been docked in the Long Beach Harbor for over 30 years. During this time, it has featured Jacques Cousteau's "Living Sea" Museum, Howard Hughes Spruce Goose flying boat next door in the dome, Titanic traveling exhibit, Treasures of the Last Russian Emperor and Scorpion Russian submarine. Docked at the bow of the Queen Mary for several years, the previously top secret Foxtrot class sub is open for tours. 

Long said to have its own resident ghosts, visitors to the Queen Mary have reported many sightings over the years, including wet footprints near a dry indoor pool, and visits by long-departed crew members.

Where to stay: Hotel Queen Mary Reservations are available, and great for those seeking ghostly encounters, romantic reminiscing, or a new adventure. For those who seek creature comfort in a modern setting, however, check out the  Coast Long Beach Hotel or Long Beach Hyatt as several of many Long Beach Hotel options.

What to do: Long Beach is a destination unto itself. But the top favorites include taking a boat to Catalina Island for the day, and exploring the many museums, shopping and dining in and around Long Beach.

Where to eat: Try the Sunday Brunch or special holiday dining at the Grand Salon aboard the ship. Other places include a great breakfast to be had at Chuck's Coffee Shop, home of the Weasel. Good eats are everywhere in Belmont Shore, across the bay at Parker's Lighthouse and at one of our favorites in Rainbow Harbor,  P.F. Chang's.

Here are some local haunts:

Activities & Attractions
Aquarium
Convention Center
Long Beach Art Museum
Mothers Beach
Naples
Pyramid
Rancho Los Alamitos
Rancho Los Cerritos
Rancho Los Cerritos Gardens
Russian Submarine
Shoreline Village
Villa Riviera
Wyland's Whaling Wall