After two and a half years of silence, guests will be allowed back onto the historic Queen Mary for limited guided tours of the iconic ship starting on Dec. 15.
During the last two years, the ship has received extensive repairs, including the removal of 20 lifeboats that were causing damage to the hull, after the city regained ownership of the vessel in June 2021.
“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,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “I thank our City staff for their dedication throughout the critical repairs process to ensure the ship’s safety and preservation.”
The free guided tours will take visitors through scenic parts of the ship, including a walk through the Promenade Shops, Observation Bar, Queen Salon and Royal Salon, among other areas. Signs will be displayed along the tour route to showcase completed and ongoing restoration and preservation projects.
Many repairs are still in progress; therefore, not all facilities will be open until repairs are completed.
“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,” said Eric Lopez, director of Public Works.
As required repairs are finalized, Evolution Hospitality will reopen and manage the day-to-day operations of the Queen Mary’s hotel, food and beverage facilities, entertainment attractions and ship-related events.
Visitors that wish to participate in a tour must make a reservation and will be required to present their tour confirmation email and a photo ID to board the ship. Additional information, including tour dates, times and signup links is available at longbeach.gov/qmtours.
“The Queen Mary has been an icon of our Long Beach shoreline for 55 years,” said Councilmember Mary Zendejas 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!”
