jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Over the years, the RMS Queen Mary has been allowed to deteriorate shamefully. The city of Long Beach leased it to several corporations that ran it as a business. They made a lot of money, but they didn't put much of it back into the ship. Eventually, it got to the point where restoration seemed hopeless.

Fortunately, it is being restored. The Long Beach has taken over ownership and restoration, and they expect to open it to the public once again this spring, with one hundred hotel rooms open and more to come. Restoration work on the ninety-two-year old ship has been going on for about a year.

Over the years, there have been stories of ghosts on the ship, and those who were operating it at the time made the most of that with special ghost events. This has resulted in "ghost hunters" getting onto the ship on their own, going where they shouldn't, and bothering guests.

The Queen Mary website is not active, and a search on Google will give you lots of misinformation. If you want to learn more, take a look at "Alex the Historian" on YouTube.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I stayed on the Queen Mary many many years ago...it was beautiful at that time. Glad it's now being taken care of and restored.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

We had a (night) meeting in leased space on the Queen Mary some years ago. After the meeting, we walked some of the ship, and it was easy to understand how ghost stories might have originated there. Glad they are taking care of her - the interior is very Art Deco.

Red6

Some years ago my wife and I took a cruise beginning in Tampa, FL, and terminating at the cruise port in Long Beach, CA. After finding out that we were going to be getting off our cruise ship at the dock next to the Queen Mary, we made reservations in the hotel on board and spent a night on board before flying back home.

It was a great experience. There was a nice restaurant onboard and we got to tour the whole ship. It was an interesting comparison between new and old ships. The hotel rooms were the actual cabins of the Queen Mary and were more or less furnished in the style they had been during its service. While I enjoyed wandering through the engine compartments and viewing the massive machinery that ran the ship, my wife enjoyed the Art Deco art and decorations throughout the ship and its many rooms.

There are various stories about ghosts on the ship though we did not experience any sightings. They do have a memorial located in one part of the ship listing all those who died while aboard and the circumstances of their death.

There is a lot of history on this ship and many articles on its service life and life aboard. Check it out. And if you get the chance, visit and go aboard.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Many years ago, my family went on the QM to visit a friend who was sailing to England on the Queen.

stu352 Loc: MA/RI Border

Stayed on the Queen Mary during the Long Beach Grand Prix back when it was a Formula 1 race ('78). A crazy weekend. Ronnie Peterson held the elevator for us when we arrived. Dinner one evening next to Rob Walker and the Fittipaldi team. Bumped into Dennis Jenkinson at one of the press events. Those of you who were race fans back in the day will recognize those names.

It was fun touring the ship off hours, going places we weren't supposed to go, etc.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'd love to visit the ship, but it's sooo far away.

Drewline Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Magnificent ship.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

My father was transported from South Africa on the Queen Mary to NY Harbor with 10s of thousands of other service men and women after WWII ended. Little known as all were sworn to secrecy that it was torpedoed by a Japanese sub that didn't know the war was ended. It did little damage, but they had the bilge pumps running.

I took a tour of it in the late 70s when I was staying in Cerritos.