A Visit With The Queen
Built in 1936, the Queen Mary is simply one of the most unique experiences in Southern California. I’m big into history and the Art Deco era of the ‘20s and ‘30s so visiting the queen is right up my alley. The history is just one fun part of the ship though, there are plenty of other tours and attractions to experience — and if none of that floats your boat, there are the panoramic views of Downtown Long Beach and the ocean.
How many places can you experience a historic ocean liner with Art Deco staterooms, observation bar, and event spaces? There’s simply nothing like it anywhere, and if you can get past the fact that this ship is 84 years old and won’t be perfect from a hotel stay standpoint - it’s truly an amazing time. But that’s why you stay aboard, because this hotel is not just some boring brand box McDonald’s or Starbucks experience.
The Queen is as real as they get.
I had the pleasure of checking out a past-midnight into the wee hours of the morning, climbing around in the abandoned guts of the ship, ghost hunting experience a couple of years back with my sister. It was unreal. And the stories are real. Parts of the ship are for sure haunted, and that comes from someone who doesn’t believe in this stuff at all. When you are standing alone 100 feet below deck in the engine room and your compass starts spinning in circles - you become a believer.
The pool inside the ship which is only accessible on ghost tours and some Dark Harbor mazes, is next level scary. If you liked the Hollywood film Ghost Ship, this experience is for you. The final minutes of the ghost hunting expedition are too good to spoil and are simply the creepiest F-ing thing i’ve done. It makes abandoned buildings and graveyards feel like child’s play.
When you are there taking in all the Art Deco touches, I feel like the scenes in the Titanic, where the prospective changes between present and past - showing you the original splendor of the once famed ocean liner. It’s killing me that I have not been to Queen Mary’s Art Deco festival, which brings the era to life in the present day.
A stay aboard is a must!