Queen Mary: From Luxury Liner to Haunted Hotel

The Queen Mary, a grand passenger ship, was launched by Cunard in 1936, measuring over 1,020 feet and capable of carrying nearly 2,000 passengers. Named after Mary of Teck, it set sail from England to New York City in May 1936, boasting luxurious Art Deco interiors and amenities like swimming pools and a gym.

During World War II, the ship was refitted as a troopship, becoming a swift and massive vessel that transported thousands. After the war, it resumed commercial voyages, maintaining popularity until the rise of air travel in the 1960s prompted Cunard to sell it to the city of Long Beach, California, for $3.5 million.

In 1967, the Queen Mary began its final voyage to California, where it underwent a significant $31 million renovation to become a hotel and tourist attraction. It officially opened as a destination in 1971 with a museum and tours, followed by the addition of restaurants and hotel reservations in 1972.

The ship faced operational challenges, leading to closures in 1992 and again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, following the city of Long Beach regaining full ownership in 2021, the Queen Mary reopened in April 2023, initially with tours, and its hotel services resumed the following month. Today, it operates as an award-winning hotel, offering historical and paranormal tours, dining, and shopping.