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News | The Queen Mary is officially open for public…

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News | 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)

Commodore Everette Hoard, left, and Staff Capt. James Sanders, right, are on hand to welcome the Rodriguez family from Moreno Valley for a tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Staff Capt. James Sanders greets Steve Chavez of Riverside and his 1-year-old godson, Elijah, to the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

The Queen Mary in Long Beach reopens for public tours for the first time in about three years on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Staff Capt. James Sanders welcomes District 1 Councilmember Mary Zendejas for a tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

For the first time in about three years visitors to the Queen Mary in Long Beach are able to get on-board views of the legendary ship, shown here on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Long Beach’s most iconic landmark, the Queen Mary, is reopening today, Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, for public tours for the first time in about three years. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

The Queen Mary in Long Beach, seen here from the Shoreline Marina, reopens on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, reopens for public tours for the first time in about three years. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

As the sun rises on Saturday, Apr. 1, 2023, a new chapter begins for the Queen Mary in Long Beach, reopening today to the public for tours after being closed for about three years. (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.”

Tristan, for his part, carried a miniature model of the Queen Mary throughout his entire tour, which gave him an up close look at the Queen Mary’s engine room and propellors.

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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Queen Mary in Long Beach: The Complete Guide

TripSavvy / Christian Hundley 

Things to Do

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 covers trends and breaking news for the Los Angeles Times. 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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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?

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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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