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The Historic Queen Mary - Queen Mary

The Queen Mary, the grandest ocean liner ever built, has played many roles in her illustrious career. During the 1930s, she was hostess to the world's rich and famous; Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, David Niven, Mary Pickford, just to name a few. During her heyday, many considered her the only civilized way to travel. With the outbreak of World War II, the Queen Mary was transformed into a troopship overnight. By the end of the war, "The Grey Ghost," as she was fondly called, had carried more than 800,000 troops, traveled more than 600,000 miles and played a significant role in virtually every major Allied campaign. In February 1946 she began her "Bride and Baby Voyages" and transported more than 22,000 war brides and their children to the United States and Canada. She even set a standing record for the most passengers carried in one crossing - more than 16,000 troops and crew!

Swimming Pool - Circa 1936

After the war, the Queen Mary resumed her elegant status. However, as air travel became increasingly more safe and affordable, the days of the transatlantic voyages were numbered. In 1967, the Queen Mary sailed from Southampton, England, to her new permanent home in Long Beach, California. It would be her last crossing - the end of an era.

First plank lifted in Oct 1995 to begin teak deck restoration

Today, the Queen Mary is an internationally recognized icon for the City of Long Beach, California. She is embraced as an historic hotel and a floating museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Her operation, maintenance and preservation are entrusted to Hostmark Hospitality Group, an independent hotel management company. With your generous help, "Her legend continues . . ."

"For 40 years the Queen Mary has been the Centerpiece for the City of Long Beach. She is as much a part of our history as she is the United Kingdom's, and preserving her beauty for future generations remains essential."