QUEEN MARY: A RETIRED BRITISH OCEAN LINER HOTEL AND TOURS
Introduction
Discover the fascinating story of the RMS Queen Mary, a retired British ocean liner that graced the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. This article explores the unique offerings of the Queen Mary Hotel, which provides guests with unparalleled accommodations and attractions. Additionally, we delve into the eagerly anticipated reopening of select areas for guided tours.
The RMS Queen Mary
Built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland, the RMS Queen Mary was an illustrious vessel sailing alongside RMS Queen Elizabeth. These two ships were part of Cunard’s response to the express superliners constructed by German, Italian, and French companies in the 1920s and 1930s. The Queen Mary became synonymous with world-class ocean travel, transporting passengers on the Southampton-Cherbourg-New York route.
Unique Accommodations and Attractions
The Queen Mary Hotel stands out among Southern California hotels, offering an experience like no other. Immerse yourself in the splendor of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s as you step into staterooms showcasing authentic polished wood paneling, original artwork from the era, Art Deco style, and operable portholes. Each stateroom has its own distinct personality, providing a glimpse into the golden age of transatlantic voyages.
Queen Mary Hotel Experience
Indulge in more than just a place to rest your head at the Queen Mary Hotel. It offers a complete experience, steeped in history and excellence. From the intricate details of Art Deco design to the captivating ambiance, every corner of the hotel tells a story. Prepare to be transported to a time of elegance, luxury, and unmatched maritime charm.
Scheduled Tours and Reopening
After a temporary closure, the City of Long Beach proudly reopens the RMS Queen Mary to visitors, starting on December 15, 2022. As a gesture of gratitude to the community, free guided tours are now available for a limited time. Led by knowledgeable historical docents, these one-hour tours grant access to select areas of the ship’s Promenade Deck, providing scenic views of the Downtown shoreline. Highlights include visits to the Promenade Shops, Observation Bar, Queen Salon, Royal Salon, and more. Throughout the tour, you will learn about the ship’s illustrious history, including its haunted tales, and gain insights into the critical repair work conducted in 2022, presented in a captivating video at Heritage Hall.
Tour Details and Highlights
The guided tours aboard the Queen Mary promise an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the ship’s grandeur as you explore its iconic areas. Marvel at the preserved architecture, delve into the ship’s past and relish the captivating stories shared by the expert docents. This is an opportunity to step back in time and witness the majesty of one of the world’s most renowned ocean liners.
Full Tours and Community Interest
Due to overwhelming demand, all scheduled tours are currently at full capacity. The City of Long Beach extends its appreciation for the immense community interest and excitement surrounding this unique opportunity. Rest assured, as additional elements of the ship reopen in 2023, more visitors will have the chance to rediscover its timeless allure.
Health and Safety Guidelines
The City emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health and safety during the tour experience. If you or anyone in your party is feeling unwell, it is crucial to stay home until you have recovered and avoid close contact with others. Given the higher rates of respiratory viruses, including the flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), as well as the steady increase in COVID-19 cases, the City strongly advises individuals who feel ill to refrain from attending the tour.
The Health Department recommends wearing a mask indoors, especially for those at high risk of severe disease or those who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is known to be sick. These precautions aim to ensure the well-being of both visitors and staff.
Tour Registration
To ensure a smooth tour experience, registrants must arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled tour time. Late arrivals will not be permitted to join the tour, so it is essential to be punctual. Rest assured, the tours are ADA accessible, accommodating individuals with different accessibility needs.
For further details and to book your tour, please visit https://queenmary.com
Conclusion
The Queen Mary, a retired British ocean liner, continues to captivate with its rich history and exceptional offerings. From its distinguished past as a renowned transatlantic vessel to its transformation into an extraordinary hotel, it offers a unique experience to guests. The reopening of select areas for guided tours adds to the allure, providing an opportunity to step into the ship’s storied past.
As demand for tours remains high, the City of Long Beach expresses its gratitude for the overwhelming community interest and looks forward to welcoming more visitors when additional elements of the ship reopen in 2023. Come and be enchanted by Queen Mary’s timeless elegance and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of a bygone era.
FAQs
- Can I book a tour in advance?
Currently, advance bookings for tours are not available. Stay updated on the official announcements from the City of Long Beach for any changes to the tour reservation process.
- Are pets allowed on the Queen Mary?
With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted on the Queen Mary. However, there are nearby accommodations that offer pet-friendly options.
- Is photography allowed during the tours?
Yes, photography is allowed during the tours. Feel free to capture the ship’s magnificent interiors and scenic views. However, please note that professional photography or commercial use of images requires prior authorization.
- Are there dining options available on the Queen Mary?
Absolutely! The Queen Mary offers a range of dining experiences, from casual to fine dining. Indulge in delectable cuisine while surrounded by the ship’s historic ambiance.
- Can I host an event or wedding on the Queen Mary?
Certainly! The Queen Mary provides event spaces and wedding venues for those seeking a memorable experience. Contact the Queen Mary events team for more information and availability.
The RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for the Cunard-White Star Line and was built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland. Queen Mary, along with RMS Queen Elizabeth, was built as part of Cunard’s planned two-ship weekly express service between Southampton, Cherbourg and New York. The two ships were a British response to the express superliners built by German, Italian and French companies in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Once a world-class ocean liner, the Queen Mary Hotel offers guests unique accommodations and a wide array of attractions that simply cannot be found anywhere else.
Whether it’s the authentic polished wood panelling, the original 1930’s artwork, the Art Deco style or the operable porthole(s), there’s no question that the Queen Mary Hotel is unlike any other Southern California hotel. Each stateroom is unique with its own personality and offers a real glimps into what transatlantic travel was like during the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. With an impressive history and tradition of excellence, the Queen Mary Hotel is more than a place to rest one’s head – it’s an entire experience.
SCHEDULED TOURS ARE NOW FULL
The City of Long Beach is proud to welcome visitors back onboard the RMS Queen Mary, beginning Dec. 15, 2022, for the first time since March 2020. To celebrate the reopening of select elements of the ship, and to thank the community for their patience and support during the ship’s closure, the City will offer free guided tours to the public for a limited time.
During the one-hour tour, visitors will be guided by a historical docent where they will experience select areas of the Queen Mary’s Promenade Deck and scenic views of the Downtown shoreline, including a walk through the Promenade Shops, Observation Bar, Queen Salon and Royal Salon, among other areas. Tour participants will learn about the ship’s history – including its haunted history – and will also watch a short video inside Heritage Hall featuring the critical repair work conducted to the ship throughout 2022.
TOURS
Thank you for your interest in the free guided tours of the Queen Mary, available for the public for a limited time. Due to popular demand, all scheduled tours are now full. We appreciate the community interest and excitement in this opportunity and we look forward to welcoming more visitors back on board when additional elements of the ship reopen in 2023.
If you or anyone in your party are feeling sick, it is important to stay home until you feel better and avoid close contact with others. With respiratory viruses such as the flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) currently circulating at higher rates than usual for this time of year, and with COVID-19 cases steadily increasing, the City strongly recommends that people who are scheduled for a tour not attend if feeling ill. The Health Department strongly recommends that people wear a mask when indoors, especially those who are at high risk for severe disease and after close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is known to be sick.
Interior Photographs
TOUR REGISTRATION
Tours will begin promptly at their listed times. Registrants should arrive for their tour 15 minutes prior to the start time. Late arrivals will not be allowed to join the tour. Tours are ADA accessible.