Queen Mary turns 92 this week, and we're all invited to her birthday in Long Beach
- Cookie & Keller
- Sep 23, 2014
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
HAIL AND LONG LIVE THE LOVELY QUEEN MARY
HISTORIC OCEAN LINER HAS PROUD HISTORY AND AN IMPRESSIVE ROSTER OF OCEAN GOING CELEBRITIES
Editor's Note: This story was first published in September of 2014, and was updated July 6, to note Queen Mary's 92nd birthday.
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
"The Carpe Kiem Kids"
Few places capture the romance of the golden age of ocean travel quite like the Queen Mary. Permanently docked in Long Beach, this legendary ocean liner has welcomed visitors for decades as a floating hotel, museum, and entertainment destination. Summer 2026 is an exciting time to visit the ship as she celebrates her 92nd anniversary with special exhibits, seasonal events, movie nights, waterfront entertainment, guided tours, and immersive experiences for visitors of all ages. After years of restoration and renewed investment, the Queen Mary has never looked better, making this the perfect season to explore one of California's most treasured historic landmarks. We're all invited aboard.
As she celebrates her 92nd, we recall the celebration of her 80th, and even farther back, we remember a long ago voyage with now departed loved ones.
We also honor the thousands of celebrities, soldiers, immigrants and ocean lovers she carried across the seas -- movie stars and diplomats who wined and dined in her grand halls and banquet rooms.
DURING her 80th party, the late beloved Commodore, Everette Hoard, read a Royal Letter from Queen Elizabeth II. Then he officiated at the ceremonial cutting of the Queen Mary's Anniversary Cake, a quarter-ton replica of the venerable ship.
TV celebrity baker, Jose Barajas created the spectacular cake -- 15 feet long.
We had the good fortune to spend several days on her, in Long Beach, California, where she's been a hotel since her 1967 retirement as an ocean going liner.
Today, we're savoring memories of stepping three times on her, including once long ago, when she still sailed the oceans blue.
THE QUEEN Mary was named for and christened by Queen Mary, on Sept. 26, 1934, at the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland. With her was King George V, but it was the Queen who, by tradition, launched the magnificent ship.
Champagne flowed as it did on her 80th and 92nd birthdays. Marching bands saluted and hoopla carried on into her christening night, with a crowd of more than 200,000. She soon became the transatlantic crossing vessel of choice for dignitaries, celebrities and thousands of immigrants. Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine loved the Queen Mary and often crossed on her. Churchill's signature upscale restaurant is a popular celebration venue for Long Beach residents and worldwide visitors. I've had the good fortune to play its beautiful piano and mingle with guests who dress up in vintage costumes to remember and briefly capture a bygone era. Family lore says I sailed as a toddler on her, a guest of grandparents.
Other celebs who regularly crossed on her: Bob Hope, Fred Astaire and Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Audrey Hepburn had her honeymoon aboard the liner.
QUEEN MARY -- born during the Great Depression -- grew into the biggest, fastest and most popular ocean liner in the world. She is constructed with 10 million rivets and was innovative at the time, with a waterline length of 1,004 feet (longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall!) During World War II, she was painted grey and served as the Allies’ largest and fastest troop carrier. Later, she resumed her place as a world-class ocean liner completing 1,100-plus transatlantic voyages before retiring to Long Beach in 1967.
AS THE beloved ocean liner turns 92, the public is invited to join a ship-wide celebration throughout summer. On July 7, music and drink specials will be offered at "The Mary," the ship's observation bar. Admission to the ship is complimentary with a reservation and $15 for parking, with discounts for dining and hotel stays.
Since the Queen Mary's reopening and restoration, the onboard retail has been completely refreshed. Current shops include, Shopping Aboard The Queen Mary (the main retail collection), Portside Marketplace, Piccadilly Delights (candy and sweets), J.T. Jones Bookstore, STACKS, Queen's Landing, Jackie's Spirit Shoppe (paranormal-themed gift shop, opening as part of the ship's new attractions.)
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, family vacation, or a memorable date night, the Queen Mary delivers a unique blend of history, architecture, entertainment, and oceanfront views. Coming soon, we'll explore the ship's restored art deco interiors, revisit her dining haunts, spend the night in a historic stateroom and report on ship's events.
COMING SOON: We take readers to Jackson, Wyo., and the Tetons, for a bonanza of autumn scenery, plus a dinner theater to tip your hat to, the Jackson Hole Playhouse! Then Montana's Murray Hotel, which has hosted celebrities and rock singers, movie stars, politicians and even a Scandinavian Queen. What makes this 1904 hotel so appealing more than a century after it was built? And We strive for a sense of fun and play in these weekly d posts. Remember to explore, learn and live and tell your friends about whereiscookie.com
If this destination sparked your wanderlust, there’s plenty more waiting for you -- explore more travel stories and inspiration at WhereIsCookie.com
Splendid old gal--so glad Long Beach folks stepped up and kept her afloat. We are returning to stay a couple nights. Nice piece.
So happy to see this piece and that you give kudos to Commodore Hoard. He was a lovely man and brought lots of interest to Queen Mary and Long Beach. Thank you!