Queen Mary Reopens For Free Limited Holiday Tours

LONG BEACH, CA — For the first time since the landmark Queen Mary shuttered in March 2020, the ship will welcome guests once again in Long Beach.

The vessel was forced to close two years ago when COVID-19 first hit the west coast. The ship remained closed after the city identified a dire need for repairs and TLC.

Beginning Friday, select elements of the ship will reopen for the free one-hour tour. Visitors will be led by a docent through the Promenade Deck, the Promenade Shops, Observation Bar, Queen Salon and Royal Salon.

Tours will include a guided history of the ship, including its haunted history. A video shown inside Heritage Hall will also show visitors critical repair work conducted to the ship throughout the year.

The brief reopening is meant to "thank" the community for their patience during the prolonged closure of a beloved stomping ground that's been open in the city since the late 60s.

"I am thrilled to welcome visitors back onboard the Queen Mary and share the beauty and history of this landmark with our community once again,” Mayor Robert Garcia wrote in a statement. “I thank our City staff for their dedication throughout the critical repairs process to ensure the ship’s safety and preservation.”

Tours were offered for sign-up on a first-come, first-serve basis through online registration. Tours will be on select days beginning Dec. 15, but they filled up almost instantly.

"Due to the excitement of the community and Queen Mary fans, all the limited free public tours have been filled, " Long Beach Chief Public Affairs Officer Kevin Lee said in an email Tuesday. "They filled very quickly hours after being released to the public yesterday. We really appreciate the community interest and excitement in this opportunity and we look forward to welcoming more visitors back on board when additional elements of the ship reopen in 2023. We will make more announcements in 2023 as more of the ship opens up.

A confirmation email and a photo ID will be required to board the ship. Reservation can be made here.

“The Queen Mary has been an icon of our Long Beach shoreline for 55 years,” First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas said in a statement. “We remain dedicated in our efforts to preserve the ship’s history and structural safety. I look forward to welcoming the community back on board!”

The city reassumed control of the historical vessel for the first time in 40 years in June of 2021. The city identified critical repairs that needed immediate attention with the help of marine engineering experts.

The following repairs were made in 2022, the city said:

- The removal of 20 deteriorated lifeboats that were exerting stress on the side shell of the ship.

- Improvements to the bulkheads to ensure internal structural stability.

- Design and installation of new automated bilge pump systems to discharge excess water in the unlikely event of water intrusion.

- All bilge pump platforms have been installed and the system will be completed in early 2023.

The rest of the ship's needed repairs are expected to be completed in 2023.

“We have worked diligently to make critical repairs to help preserve the structural integrity of the ship and make it safer for our many visitors,” Department of Public Works Director Eric Lopez wrote in a statement.