Restoring the Queen Mary, one of the world's most famous passenger ships
When she launched in 1936, the Queen Mary was the world's largest passenger ship. No expense was spared in constructing the luxury liner, but by the 1980s, she had been relegated for use as a tourist attraction in Long Beach, California. Decades of neglect led to calls for her to be scrapped, but an outpouring of local support and millions of dollars in upgrades mean the ship is once again welcoming guests.
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Пікірлер: 128
She is a treasure from the past, when style,class, and elegance mattered. I'm glad they aren't sending her to be scraped.
I was just on the Queen in April. The original art deco styling is all still there and a tour of the engine room is a must. If you visit LA skip the theme parks and Hollywood and go here! Three cheers for the Queen and thank you Long Beach for saving her.
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
Even if you don't see her, skip the theme parks!
@Wolf_Dominic
17 күн бұрын
For me, I’d go to her, and do the theme parks.
My mom and I walked around the Queen Mary last Friday. I loved it! Most ships get scrapped after retiring, so it’s a very unique experience walking around a ship that old.
She was so fast, she didn't have to run anti-u-boat protocol and zig-zag her course. She could steam straight across the Atlantic.
that ship played a HUGE role in ensuring an allied victory in world war 2, a legacy which absolutely must be honored
@doodledangernoodle2517
22 күн бұрын
Winston Churchill said she and her companion the Queen Elizabeth likely shortened the war in Europe by a year.
Back in the 80's, it was a great place to go on Friday nights. They had scaffolding in one of the stacks for Televised events. If that top level could talk. Ah, memories....🚢
@robbiedelrey3924
25 күн бұрын
As far as I’m aware the stacks have always been hollow, filled with structure webbing
I’ve stayed at the Queen Mary twice. It’s the coolest hotel!
Saw this beautiful Queen Mary ship in LGB in 2001. It was wonderful. Such a timeless piece of history.
Sunday brunch in that magnificent dinning room is a must, if only once at $90 per person.
Long live the Queen (Mary)! A magnificent reminder of days gone by.
THIS IS WHY I LOVE CRUISE SHIPS THE MOST ! 💖
@creaturexxii
11 күн бұрын
Not to be a nerd but technically Queen Mary is an ocean liner which are designed first and foremost to transport people from point A to point B on a routine schedule and on time. They were the airplanes of the day (though much more comfortable than modern day jet liners). But I agree, I like cruise ships, ocean liners, and large passenger ships as a whole ❤ 🚢
I was just at the Queen Mary late last year, and they really have been doing a great job in restoring the ship. It's absolutely wonderful and beautiful .Such an amazing historic ship.
Fellow Brooklyn Tech HS grad! A special place that turned out so many special people!
If you are into going to verified haunted locations... Queen Mary needs to be on your list. Make sure you visit the inside pool area. It's reported to be the center of QM haunting.
@Daniel-xg3ul
25 күн бұрын
There's no such thing as verified haunted places. That's like saying visiting the verified Santa's workshop. Neither are real.
@jdslyman1720
25 күн бұрын
@@Daniel-xg3ul Yep. The haunted stuff got it's start in the late 1980s when Mickey Mouse held the lease to the ship. Disney even wanted to build another West Coast theme park to complement Disneyland. The Mary would have been right in the middle of said theme park, but Long Beach shot it down.
@rcpsammy7186
23 күн бұрын
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Went to the Queen last summer. She's the most beautiful ship I've ever laid my eyes on.
We stayed the weekend in one of the old, large suites -- I think the Eisenhower Suite. It had a bedroom and a maid's bedroom, and I loved how fast the bathtub fills up! (It actually overflowed, because I wasn't paying attention.) What is so cool is that the far wall of the suite actually folds open all the way to reveal another suite, mirror image of this one, so we got to for a little while roam all around both suites just for fun. One of my favorite parts of the ship is the display of all of its rare wood veneers. And it holds a dear place in my heart due to its being used to film the early scenes of "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972).
I stayed in it a couple times 25 years ago or so, when it was still doing fairly well. It's a cool piece of history. Glad they managed to save it.
This ship is beautiful this is one of my favorite ocean liners i wish to one day go to the Queen Mary in the future
In the early 80s I visited her and couldn’t believe my luck - no one else there! I bought that famous longitudinal cutaway at the gift shop and, using that as my guide, set off. I was everywhere, every public room, the pool, the silver vault, even the projection booth high in the wall of the main lounge. Heard voices now and then, but didn’t see anyone. Alas, could not get into any of the cabins. Finished with a drink in the Observation Bar. That was when the Spruce Goose was next door, had a grand tour of that as well.
I was just on the Queen in April. The original art deco styling is all still there and a tour of the engine room is a must. If you visit LA skip the theme parks and Hollywood and go here! Three cheers for the Queen and thank you Long Beach for saving her. Saw this beautiful Queen Mary ship in LGB in 2001. It was wonderful. Such a timeless piece of history. Back in the 80's, it was a great place to go on Friday nights. They had scaffolding in one of the stacks for Televised events. If that top level could talk. Ah, memories... I’ve stayed at the Queen Mary twice. It’s the coolest hotel! I was just at the Queen Mary late last year, and they really have been doing a great job in restoring the ship. It's absolutely wonderful. Such an amazing historic ship. that ship played a HUGE role in ensuring an Allied victory in World War 2, a legacy that absolutely must be honored In 1999 - I had the opportunity to go and spend time on the Queen Mary, as well as the Russian Sub - Foxtrot "B-457". I had signed up for a behind-the-scene tour on QM, and wound up being the ONLY person in that time slot. Rather than the "regular" tour - I got a VERY in-depth behind the scenes. The young lady that guided me around was very knowledgeable of the history of QM as well as the sub and she made it fun for me. She combined the Steam and Steel and The Glory Days tour all into one, and pretty much sprinkled a little bit of their haunted tours in for good measure. Megan was a fantastic guide and honestly, I would HIGHLY recommend the tours and events as a result. 25 years later - It still has made an impact on me. Love this!!! Married my wife on the Queen Mary and had 2 high school proms there, great memories She was so fast, she didn't have to run anti-u-boat protocol and zig-zag her course. She could steam straight across the Atlantic. Sunday brunch in that magnificent dining room is a must, if only once at $90 per person. If you are into going to verified haunted locations... Queen Mary needs to be on your list. Make sure you visit the inside pool area. It's reported to be the center of QM haunting. We used to sneak in there in the late 80s and early 90s and do all the things later reported as "ghost evidence". It was hilarious to see people buy it. Did a paranormal tour last month. Was cool checking the ship out! today That was awesome of the city to vote to preserve it - I don't think anyone would have faulted them for voting to scuttle it off the coast for some new fish habitat because the numbers for the restoration cost were indeed tremendous. Hopefully, they can find ways to utilize the ship for more than just tours - high school proms, movies on the deck, sleepovers, etc. Gotta make that money back hehe The commodore reminds me of the captain of the Titanic If you want to tour some good ships come to ICTF Long Beach the Queen Mary and the USS Iowa are top of the list you can also go inside a Russian sub or go on a replenishment ship. The tour ends at the LA Naval Museum which owns all the museum ships in the port. last night Get rid of that Russian rusting sub next to Queen Mary The shameful Chinese company that put her in near ruin was the worst thing to happen to her. The support and love from the local community is going to be the best thing for her What are the plans, specifically? Will it be left in port or will it do sailing excursions? I went there a month ago to send the ship to Orlando FL they have plenty of places for the Queen Mary. I performed there before. I do stand-up comedy It's upsetting that we preserve the history of planes, cars, and to a lesser extent railroads but we have few surviving examples of ocean liner history to learn from It’s in Long Beach Harbor.. (probably start with graffiti remover) Many years ago, Disney had permission to expand the facility and planned to invest many millions of dollars in the site. They asked the city, which owns the ship, to perform some basic repairs on the Queen to preserve her. The city couldn't be bothered so the project, which would have added many jobs to the area, fell through. I wonder how much more expensive the restoration of the ship became because of the City's neglect. From the very beginning, Long Beach had no idea how to operate the ship as an attraction or a hotel. The first thing the city did was sell off everything loose on the ship, eliminating most of the historic connections. Then they carved through the ship's structure with torches (weakening it) so they could sell off some of the engines. The ship is a beautiful, romantic object that has been horribly managed by the City of Long Beach. If only some company with vast, and successful, experience in the theme park and hotel industries could have run the operation. Say one that has a Mouse for its symbol. Now, if someone could put up the money (Bloomberg, Gates, Buffett?) could do the same for the S.S. United States, moldering in Philly. Who's that "Hollywood royal?" They keep it alive and never make the money to keep it, I'd make it into a casino or something that will really bring in why are we not putting money into the SS United States, our Majestic lady who still holds the blue ribbon speed record to this day. Let England take care of their own ship. Nothing against the Commodore and his decades of service to the ship, but having your ears tucked in under your combination cover is very nautical. Okay. This is nice. Now how about saving our country’s namesake ship, that’s rotting in a Philadelphia dock…The SS United States. do a report on the Big U (ss United States) Is it American-made? Why is it named in honor of a queen? Cool dude, but I wouldn't want him as a neighbor and friend to like me live-action NOW PLAYING Young Sheldon Finale Shows The Aftermath Of George's Death And How His Family Copes With The GRIEF! Cinexus. Top 30 Nicest Celebrities Ever WatchMojo.com 61K views 8 days ago. thanks, George thank you bro you broke me in that role on set up is over next week is not my own story sorry that is not mine moive okay well done.
I fulfilled a bucket list item by overnighting on the Queen Mary in December 2019. Such a magnificent ship and wonderful experience.
MAN, I REALLY LOVE THAT CRUISE SHIP ! 💖
@Unownshipper
15 күн бұрын
I thought you might be trolling, but after seeing you post virtually this exact same comment more than once here, now I'm certain you are. It's an ocean liner, not a cruise ship. That's like comparing a Rolls Royce to a PT Cruiser.
@samueljaramillo4221
7 күн бұрын
It is not a cruise ship. She’s an ocean liner.
We spent the night on her several years ago. She needed work then, but was a good time. We explored the ship, which was awesome. Ate dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. The food was amazing! We would do it again.
Love this!!! Married my wife on the queen Mary and had 2 high school proms there, great memories 😎👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🙌🙌🙌🙌
We used to sneak in there in the late 80s and early 90s and do all the things later reported as "ghost evidence". It was hilarious to see people buy it.
In 1999 - I had the opportunity to go and spend time on the Queen Mary, as well as the Russian Sub - Foxtrot "B-457". I had signed up for a behind the scenes tour on QM, and wound up being the ONLY person in that time slot. Rather than the "regular" tour - I got a VERY in depth behind the scenes. The young lady that guided me around was very knowledgeable of the history of QM as well as the sub and she made it fun for me. She combined the Steam and Steel and The Glory Days tour all into one, and pretty much sprinkled a little bit of their haunted tours in for good measure. Megan was a fantastic guide and honestly, I would HIGHLY recommend the tours and events as a result. 25 years later - It still has made an impact on me.
About time they restore it now we can finally see it move again
I’ve been on this beautiful ship. She is majestic, classic, and beautiful, unlike the ugly ship being built now.
The Queen Mary wasn't "relegated" to tourist attraction "by the 1980's": I saw it docked in Long Beach in 1967, just before it began conversion to tourist use. Yes, it was a tourist attraction through the 1980's; but that part of its life began two decades earlier. I went to my 10-year high school reunion on the Queen Mary in 1977.
That was awesome of the city to vote to preserve it - I don't think anyone would have faulted them for voting to scuttle it off the coast for some new fish habitat because the numbers for the restoration cost were indeed tremendous. Hopefully they can find ways to utilize the ship for more than just tours - high school proms, movies on the deck, sleepovers, etc. Gotta make that money back hehe
Did a paranormal tour last month. Was cool checking the ship out!
@ekop1778
23 күн бұрын
how much does it cost to go aboard?
Its upsetting that we preserve the history of planes, cars and to a lesser extent railroads but we have few surviving examples of ocean liner history to learn from
So glad that it is being preserved! Wish something similar would be done for S.S. United States, which is rusting away in the Delaware River at Philadelphia.
Stayed on it as a kid and I hated it back then, but I’m glad for the experience now. That ship was haunted though.
WELCOME TO THE 21ST-CENTURY, QUEEN MARY THE BRITIST CLASSIC CRUISE SHIP ! WELCOME TO THE 21ST-CENTURY ! ! 😃
The most profitable thing would be to make it seaworthy again. This ship is a piece of history and it would be very unique compared to any modern cruise ships so I think if it started sailing again the tickets would sell like crazy.
I love how this "news" story basically tells you nothing of the renovations completed, and the future renovations required (of which there are many)
If the ship is to be restored please put it on dry docks it'll help the ship live longer
Boy that captain is passionate
Been there many times and also went to the soft re opening of the hotel and it's so awesome. Just please for the love of God get rid of the stupid elevator causeway thing. It's so ugly.
The commadore reminds me of that captain of the titanic
THIS IS GOING TO BE "FUN" ! ! 😃
Why can’t WE help our name sake S.S. United States? Please someone help this one of a kind priceless piece of American culture and history.
She also transported lots of immigrants to the new world in a very dignified and comfortable 3rd Class. Not everyone in the 1930's had Grace Kelly and Fred Astaire money.
If you want to tour some good ships come to ICTF Long Beach the Queen Mary and the USS Iowa are top of the list you can also go inside a Russian sub or go on a replenishment ship. The tour ends at the LA Naval Museum which owns all the museum ships in the port.
@MultiBaseball1010
24 күн бұрын
Where is the Russian Sub you can go on?
@Jhromanjr
24 күн бұрын
@@MultiBaseball1010 It is the one next to Queen Mary
@truthsayers8725
24 күн бұрын
@@Jhromanjr hasnt that been closed for a decade or more due to flooding? i toured it in '06 but in recent years ive read/seen where it is closed, probably for good. its inside the cofferdam that protects the QM and that trying to remove it would cause it to break apart.
@MultiBaseball1010
23 күн бұрын
@@Jhromanjr That sub hasn’t been open for tours in years. Its hull has rusted through and it had raccoons living aboard at one point. Frankly the only thing it’s good for at this point is scuttling or scrapping.
This is a cool story.
Wish they'd restore the first class pool.
The shameful Chinese company that put her in near ruin was the worst thing to happen to her. The support and love from the local community is going to be the best thing for her ❤
Doesn’t she STILL need millions of dollars in repairs. These upgrades currently only made her welcome guests again, but there’s still tons of work to be done
Why doesn't Philadelphia do the same for the USS United States instead of letting her rot on the pier at the South St Seaport? A piece of history shouldn't be left like that. We will be going on the QM2 in Sept, and I hope it will be as magnificent as I expect it should be.
I went there a month ago
Queen mary😢😢😢
Get rid of that Russian rusting sub next to Queen Mary
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
That thing is an eye sore! Speaking of restoration, it looks like that thing hasn't been touched since it got there
All the history in the past…can still be told…
I performed on there before. I do stand up comedy
Where's our friend Mike Brady?
Haunted as Hell!!!!!!!
Who's the presenter in the blue dress at the end?
10 dollars after 6:00pm will get you onboard.
Many years ago, Disney had permission to expand the facility and planned to invest many millions of dollars in the site. They asked the city, who owns the ship, to perform some basic repairs on the Queen to preserve her. The city couldn't be bothered so the project, which would have added many jobs to the area, fell through. I wonder how much more expensive restoration of the ship became because of the City's neglect. From the very beginning Long Beach had no idea how to operate the ship as an attraction or a hotel. First thing the city did was sell off everything loose on the ship, eliminating most of the historic connections. Then they carved through the ships structure with torches (weakening it) so they could sell off some of the engines. The ship is a beautiful, romantic object that has been horribly managed by the City of Long Beach. If only some company with vast, and successful, experience in the theme park and hotel industries could have run the operation. Say one that has a Mouse for its symbol.
@andrewroberts7428
25 күн бұрын
uhhh disney doesn't deserve a single word of praise if their "investment" and "contribution" to the rehab is to ask the city to do the work for them. it doesn't sound like disney deserves the project at all if their attitude is somebody else should do all the work and disney should get all the benefit, sounds like corporate welfare to me.
@AlextheHistorian
25 күн бұрын
Disney took over a lease that required Disney to refurbish and maintain the ship, yet they wanted the City to take on the responsibility and expense, thereby violating the lease agreement. Not only that, Disney didn't want the Queen Mary anywhere near their planned amusement park, if construction had started on the theme park, they would have moved the Queen Mary a quarter of a mile further away to the mouth of the LA river. Disney never intended to maintain and restore the ship and when they were asked to do so under the the lease agreement, they refused, and in turn the city realized that if Disney refused to take care of the ship, then they shouldn't be allowed to build a theme park there.
@michaeldelaney7271
25 күн бұрын
@@andrewroberts7428 Disney DID NOT OWN the ship. They were contracted to operate it as a tourist attraction/hotel. So, yes they were responsible for upkeep such as painting, cleaning, etc. which they did. After a professional naval engineering survey revealed structural problems, they asked the owners of the ship (Long Beach) to make repairs (to reverse the damage the city had done to the ship by torching through bulkheads, etc). Disney asked for this so there would be something afloat to operate in the future. Disney planned to invest something like a Billion Dollars (1,000 Million) and asked Long Beach, the ships owners, to invest $17 Million in the basic structure of the Queen. If you rent an apartment you are responsible for keeping it clean and doing no damage. If the roof collapses, the Landlord is responsible. If the city council had been smart, they would have sold the whole mess to Disney for a dollar and agreed to some sort of profit sharing. That would have saved the city millions in expenses and given them millions more every year of income. Anaheim, California and Orlando, Florida can testify to the benefits of what Disney can do.
My husband and I honeymooned there in 2018. It was good, but I honestly expected more. It needs to get cleaned up, have better breakfast service, and not look and feel so… dead… The poor ship needs help. I would hate to have her go under.
@jdslyman1720
25 күн бұрын
She is a lot better than she was back then. Once the city regained full control, the Mary has received millions in repairs, including new LED lighting, bilge pumps, backup generator, hot water boiler, paint, refinishing and replacement of wooden areas and more. Her future is looking bright for the first time in decades.
What are the plans, specifically? Will it be left in port or will it do sailing excursions?
@Romeo6141982
25 күн бұрын
She will never sail again. They are doing a full restoration to be a hotel and tourist attraction.
I wonder had the Titanic not hit the iceburg and sunk what its life would have been like after its maiden voyage
@Cruz474
20 күн бұрын
Scrapped and maybe Olympic saved.
The Queen Mary is supposedly haunted
"Such disrepair that she was in danger of sinking" another classic lie which never was even close to happening. Most of the other stuff is accurate but don't let people throw you off with such huge claims.
1:22 Who's that "Hollywood royal?"
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
Bob Hope
They keep it alive and never makes the money to keep, id make it into a casino or something that will really bring in tourists
why are we not putting money into the SS United states, our Majestic lady who still holds the blue ribbon speed record to this day. Let England take care of their own ship.
Now, if someone could put up the money (Bloomberg, Gates, Buffett?) could do the same for the S.S. United States, moldering in Philly.
@westhavenor9513
20 күн бұрын
I think that would be a lost cause, with all her interiors and fixtures stripped long ago. Not to mention all the rust.
That chick is pretty cute.
It’s in Long Beach Harbor.. (probably start with graffiti remover)
@geomodelrailroader
25 күн бұрын
its not parked in the main harbor she is parked at Pier 37 where she is secure she won't get tagged or vandalized.
Nothing against the Commodore and his decades of service to the ship, but having your ears tucked in under your combination cover is not very nautical.
The Queen Mary was so fast, Adolf Hitler had to put a bounty on sinking the ship, because the ships, subs and planes were unable to catch her. Also, QM got very crusty, old and worn, but it was never in any serious threat of sinking. That’s the news being dramatic for attention.
honeymooners Trivia
Queen Mary may be haunted..
@pacnwguy9056
22 күн бұрын
Doubtful. I spent a lot of money for the "haunted" tour and it was over the top lame.
Okay. This is nice. Now how about saving our country’s namesake ship, that’s rotting in a Philadelphia dock…The SS United States.
send the ship to Orlando FL they have plenty of place for the Queen Mary.
@seanpruitt6801
23 күн бұрын
They tried with queen Elizabeth down in Florida and it lasted a few months but the humidity did a LOT of damage and no one wanted to visit an old ship rather than go to amusement parks.
I stayed overnight on her one time in 2007. It was cool to do it once, but I wouldn't again. And the haunted tour is really lame...lots of money just to hear tales and typical underwater sounds.
Technically she was never the largest. Her French rival Normandie always had her beat in that regard although the Mary did beat the Normandie in speed by a small margin although it took her 20,000 additional horse power in order to achieve that fraction of a knot difference. And the Queen Mary was never in danger of sinking.
do a report on the Big U (ss united states)
They should use to house homeless people
Cool dude, but i wouldn't want him as a neighbor.
False fact after false fact. Who is researching these things??
Is it american made? Why is it named in honor of a queen?
@AlextheHistorian
25 күн бұрын
It was a British ocean liner, operated by the Cunard Line which was a British company. It's named in honor of Queen Mary because she helped pull Britain through World War I and the Great Depression, people thought of her as the mother of the nation, so it was a great honor for Cunard to name the ship after her, and have her christen the ship herself. Ironically, the Queen Mary carried more American passengers than any other nationality, and during World War II, the ship transported 810,730 troops to war, and took part in American operations such as Operation Bolero. And there's many more examples of how closely tied the ship is with American history and culture. So basically, even though the ship was British, she holds a special place in American history.
@westhavenor9513
20 күн бұрын
really?
Now unbuild it
Waste of space
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
What do you suggest they put in that spot? You are a waste of space.
@westhavenor9513
20 күн бұрын
Speak for yourself
Complete waste of public money!
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
Want to see an example of of a utilitarian society with only the most basic buildings? Do look at what was once Eastern Germany.
@Lawomenshoops
24 күн бұрын
@@kendallevans4079 clown
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
@@Lawomenshoops Go take a look Mr. Worldly Man! I've been to Eastern Germany along with the old USSR. Those building are blocks with windows cut in. Go experience some of the world then come back when you have something important to add
What a waste of money.
@kendallevans4079
24 күн бұрын
So a bullet train to SF, 100 billion over budget already, is money WELL spent?
I’ve been on the Queen Mary. The word “opulent” doesn’t reach it. Glad they’ve decided to keep her afloat. It’s been close to 20 years but will board again if luck has a hand.
We spent the night on her several years ago. She needed work then, but was a good time. We explored the ship, which was awesome. Ate dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. The food was amazing! We would do it again.