The Queen Mary, properly referred to as the RMS Queen Mary, is a retired ocean liner that was in commission from 1936 to 1967 on the North Atlantic Ocean. It was part of the Cunard-White Star Line. Long since retired, the vessel is now a popular destination for many tourists.
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When she launched on her maiden voyage from South Hampton, England the Queen Mary was one of the most luxurious ways to sail the open seas. She was also one of the fastest and held the record for fast crossing of the Atlantic ocean for 15 out of 16 years from 1936-1952.
Just four years into her career as a floating hotel for the rich and famous, the Queen Mary was pressed into service as a WWII troop transport ship. Known as the Grey Ghost, the QM attained another record for the most passengers ever transported on one vessel -- 15,740 troops and 943 crew for a total 16,683 from New York to Great Britain.
After the war, the Queen Mary was returned to her former glory and route, making transatlantic journeys until 1967 when the luxury liner was retired.
During her heyday, many considered her the only civilized way to travel. Today, the ship is berthed in Long Beach, California, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Queen Mary is a sight worth seeing. Many people have visited the ship since 1971 when it first became a tourist attraction in Long Beach. The floating attraction has several popular tours - both self-guided and offered in groups.
Self Guided Audio Tour - Explore the ship at your own pace with a headset and audio guide as you make your way through history.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour - Guests will join a tour guide to learn the real story of the Queen Mary on this walking tour.
Ghosts & Legends Show - Enjoy an interactive, special effects filled tour with "scary" (mostly silly) animations that play up the ship's haunted past.
Haunted Encounters Tour - Join in with a group for this guided tour of the most haunted areas on board. A tour guide will share stories of the ship's most famous ghosts.
Scorpion Submarine - This authentic cold-war era Russian Submarine, is submerged just next to the Queen Mary.
World War II Tour - Learn the story of the Grey Ghost, and how her work in the war helped the Allied troops secure success.
Due to its supposed paranormal activities, the ship is also a major destination every year at Halloween. Locals arrive each year by the thousands for the annual Shipwreck! Tour where ghosts, goblins and ghouls travel about the ship to scare guests.
Every year, Southern California tourists take a day to visit the Queen Mary. The beautiful ship has been completely remade throughout the years - as a troop ship, a cruise liner, and now a tourist attraction - but she still maintains many of the glamorous details that made her popular the first time around. If you're looking for Long Beach attractions, then you really can't leave town without checking out the Queen Mary.
