Ocean liner fans rejoice! The Queen Mary reopened for hotel guests in May and in June, I had the privilege of spending two nights on board. I'll be uploading my album of the ship over the next few days and discussing the history of the ship that I learned while onboard.
First, a look at the room. When the ship was retired in 1967, the First-Class cabins were selected for conversion into the hotel section of the ship, while the Second and Third-Class cabins were were demolished or converted for office use by hotel staff. A First-Class cabin when the ship was in service went for the modern day equivalent of around $10,000 USD, today it goes for $300 for a double suite.
Also fun fact, that fan does in fact, not work.
Stepping outside of the room, we are greeted by the Ticketing Bureau office. When the ship was still in service, this office would be where passengers would go to arrange transfer to rail, air, or even other ships once the ship docked. I'll be returning later when the room is open to give you a better look inside.
Entering the Promenade Deck. These shops once served First-Class passengers. Selling books, newspapers, and assorted memorabilia. Today they serve or more less the same purpose.
Cheeky little timestamp :)
The B-427. A Foxtrot-class submarine built in 1971 for service in the Soviet Pacific Fleet. Upon the dissolution of the Union, the aging submarine was declared surplus to the Russian Navy's requirements and retired in 1994, shortly thereafter it was purchased and moored alongside the Queen Mary as a tourist attraction for the better part of 20 years before the museum closed in 2016 and the ship fell into near complete disrepair (still in better shape than the Admiral Kuznetsov though). Today, it lies abandoned with the gates welded shut to discourage the curious from boarding. The City of Long Beach has spent years trying to get rid of the submarine, not just because of its unsightly appearance but, because it would seriously damage the Queen herself if it were to capsize. So far however, its remains in place.
I actually visited the B-427 in 2012, a few years before its closure, but that's a story for another time.
The promenade deck. Unfortunately the lifeboat deck remains closed off due to ongoing remodeling so this is the highest I'll be able to get on the ship.
Currently, there's only one proper restaurant open onboard (not counting the bar and various coffee shops) but its more than enough for me.
Well, it's past 1AM here so I'll be going to bed. I'll try and upload some more pics tomorrow.
Let me leave you with a sneak up of what I'll be posting next though.
neat.
Keep posting OP. I hope you enjoyed your eggs benedict, they look fine.
Is it just the pics, or does the ship feel a bit shabby tho?
>>1938394>Is it just the pics, or does the ship feel a bit shabby tho?It's seen better days. The restoration is still very much an ongoing effort. The dummy funnels in particular were in bad shape. Turns out they haven't been fully repainted since they were installed in 1970.
>>1938394i feel somewhat the same.
would love to book a voyage on her but they seem to be few and far between.
Sorry, I've been out traveling some more my dudes. I'll post some more pics in the morning.
>>1941937I can't believe the submarine is still there. Wasn't it condemned or something because the hull flooded, and the city was trying to get rid of it? There aren't any news articles about it newer than 2021.
Sorry, I keep getting distracted by other shit guys.
>>1941956The City of Long Beach has been trying to get rid of it pretty much since it closed in 2015, the problem is like a great many things, a matter of money.
At one point, a Russian businessman who had been a Soviet Navy sailor was supposedly looking into buying the submarine and but I guess that plan fell through.
My guess is that the sub probably could be restored, but I highly doubt anyone with the interest has the money to do it. Not to mention that the sub's association with the Soviet Union will likely become a political barrier in the future.
>>1942009Ask and you shall receive
The only surviving lifeboat (the two motor launches are still on display near the bridge however). All of the others had rotted to the point where they were literally falling apart and their weight was actually starting to warp the steel hull. They were removed and scrapped in mid-2022 before the ship reopened.
A ferryboat that takes people out on charters to Santa Catalina Island.
>>1938376They had rotating fans back then?
>>1938375 (OP)Great pix, anon. Thanks for sharing. A grand era gone.
>>1938375 (OP)>Ocean liner fansaka Boomers, and lovers of extremely high rates of pollution
>>1938394OPs camera seems to be a piece of shit because the photo of the submarine still has that weird aesthetic.
But also the interior design of the ship is very early-mid 20th century art deco. Still a nice ship, but looks better in person.
>>1945154good thing there's only one left :^)
>>1943812theyve had them since the 1910s
>>1938375 (OP)Thanks for posting these pics anon. Very cool to see the old gal.
>>1943773>you vs. the guy she tells you not to worry about
>>1938375 (OP)I really enjoyed your thread. For once, OP was NOT a...
>>1938394i grew up there, tje ship is a little patchwork because i have to imagine its a large project you cant do all at once. there's a lot of nice pieces but yeah the ship as a whole is definitely shabby
OP here
Sorry I abandoned this thread. It's been a busy past few months. I'll try and catch up by posting some more.
Fun fact, that lighthouse is just for show. It was built by the Lions Clubs International charity in 2000.
Returning to the First Class shops awaiting the start of the tour.
LEGO model of the ship. I'm told that it's the largest LEGO model of a ship currently in existence and one of the largest in the world.
Couldn't even get it all in one photo it's that big
>>1938375 (OP)eww
emissions are fucking awful from liners like this. much worse than flying even. don't use them
>>1938708Holy fuck that rotting paint
>>1938375 (OP)What was it like?
>>1961890Quite fun and reasonably priced too.
>>1938375 (OP)I feel like i'd rather just do the queen mary 2 on a transatlantic, it's only like $800 per person if you book during shitty times of year and don't care about having an interior cabin.
I don't get the point of staying on a boat that doesn't go anywhere.
>>1962539But it’s ugly though
>>1965695Yeah, but it actually takes you somewhere for your money, AND it's still a hotel when you're on board.
Also Queen Anne's first cruises are in a few months if you want something newer and not quite as large as Queen Mary 2.
>>1943768Mobile harbor, Alabama has the USS Drum and the Battleship. It would be neat if they had two subs.
OP here, gonna post some pics from my phone.
Hope y’all have a very merry Christmas
>>1938708Jesus Christ that paint
Continuing from
>>1954001Meet our tour guide. Guy was originally laid off when the hotel closed in 2020 and immediately quit his new job to get his old position back when the Queen Mary reopened, pretty dedicated guy.
He explained that the Queen Mary in carpentry circles is known as the Ship of Woods. Over 50 different types of wood were used to make the ship's furnishings, one for each colony and commonwealth member of the British Empire. Several of these species of wood are now extinct, making them exceedingly rare.
The ship's First Class playroom. This room is actually a fraction of its former size, it once comprised of two floors and even had a full-sized slide connecting them.
The First Class Main Lounge, where passengers would come to read, smoke, drink, and chat.
This room is actually one of several you can rent for use in everything from banquets to weddings. It will cost you a pretty penny though.
Postcards showcasing various rooms of the ship that no longer exist.
The Second Class Lounge, I actually honestly prefer the artwork of this one. Not as big, but impressive nonetheless.
Unfortunately it was very late in the day so I didn't have time to explore the engineering section of the ship. Maybe next time.
>>1978436Good enthusiasm but how come all your photos look like they were taken with a digital camera from 2002. And on top of that they're out of focus and it looks like there was oil smeared over the lens. Do you not review your photos after you take them?
>>1978498It was a camera that was made in 2012 if memory serves and unfortunately it just fucking sucks. I've tried customizing the settings to make it higher quality and they either just come out worse or the shots take forever to take capture and I basically can only take stills.
>>1945154>lovers of extremely high rates of pollutionBecause dumping thousands of gallons of jet fuel into the atmosphere is just fine and dandy right?
>>1938381Man, I hope you're not who I think you are because if so it was very stupid of you to post that image and I do mean this in the best way possible.
>>1984025Holy moly, someone here is seething lol
Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun. Numerous batteries were installed when the Queen Mary was a troopship during WWII. I believe this was a post-war example that was reinstalled when it became a museum though.
Models of various other Cunard vessels, plus the Titanic.
Some of the paint's falling off near the bridge.
Post theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUH0dEe1jvA
>>1965698Is that sea lion bottom left a joke
>>1990552Do you think they have an actual wine cellar down there too?
As you can see, they have sections of the bow still sealed off so they can replace the decking, some of that wood has been there quite literally since the ship was built.
A small display of the ship's firefighting equipment
And now to close out with the ship's bar. Newly restored.
Well that's it for the photos. Unfortunately I only had time to stay on the ship for one full day due to late arrival/early departure but I think I made the most of it.
It's been a fun 10 months. If anyone else has been to the Queen Mary or just wants to post about ocean liners in general, feel free to do so, otherwise I'll just let this thread die.
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bump because it's not /pol/urbanism
>>1938376lol at mexican tradesmen cutting holes into beautiful paneling to add hdmi ports and plastic duplex socket covers
>>2002192ethernet ports*
>>1999333there's literal slaves on the wall
bucky
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>>1969686is that a GEODESIC DOME?
OP here, I returned to the Queen Mary. With a new camera this time.
Paid a Lyft driver nearly $50 to race us from LA Union Station to Long Beach just so I could try the breakfast. I'd say it was worth it.
They've got some new shops open on the ship now. Most notable The Promenade restaurant, which was still under renovation during my last visit.
>>1938377Ticketing Bureau Office
Sir Winston's Steakhouse. Soon to be reopened.
Costa Cruise ship docked at the old Aero Club of Southern California dome where the Spruce Goose was once displayed.
One of three surviving lifeboats and one of two still on the ship (the third is on display on the dock). I'll let the condition speak for itself.
Fortunately the other lifeboat is in far better shape.
The bridge. The little house on the wing there has a cute little surprise in it that you'll get to see later.
Random callbox that got brought over on the ship's final trip from the UK
They apparently FINALLY finished repainting all of the funnels just a few weeks before my stay. See
>>1938708 for how they appeared during my visit last year.
Interesting thread. I grew up and live nearby. I went on a school trip in like 3rd grade and I went on another tour when we had family in town. I always thought it was boring as fuck and I was always more interested in the tourist trap stores nearby.
In 2006 I went to a concert on the queen mary called Float the Boat. pic related. It was a really fun night.
Not long after that is when TWIC came out. The main TWIC office was in some shitty building down by the queen mary. I remember the submarine but I cant remember if I actually went in it or if I just walked though some small museum area. I do remember russian music being played.
I say scuttle the queen mary and the submarine. Make them diving attractions.
>>1965698>Also Queen Anne's first cruises are in a few months if you want something newer and not quite as large as Queen Mary 2.How many niggers are on them, is it like a Carnival cruise?
>>2014406Well it doesn't really do the regular cruise routes most of those people would do.
It's got a few 2-7 night cruises in Europe, but most of its cruises are, then it has a 9-night trans-Atlantic trip (Southampton to NYC), and then longer trips (up to a 111-116 night full world tour for as low as $38,100).
Oh and they also have a dress code for dining, and they WILL make you eat in your room if you don't have proper attire.
So tldr; it's nothing like a carnival cruise.
How is it different from the SS America
>>2016795Well it's not wrecked abandoned against a sandbar for one.
The ship's original flags
Another shot of the captain's quarters
The portside bridge house
The telemotor and orders transmitters
The starboard bridge house
The cute surprise from
>>2010030!
There's actually two little baby birds here. I was told by a crewman that the one on the floor fell off the roof of the bridge house and hurt himself. The parents were keeping watch over him to make sure he stayed safe. The crew install that plywood barricade to make sure no one approached them.
Better view of the little guy. He was asleep. Hope he made a full recovery.
>>2016988>>2016990be careful not to get bird flu
>>2021176Wrong ship dummy
Staircase that's seen better days
>>2019408There weren't any Chinese people around so I think I was safe
>>2023501Bird flu comes from texans tho
>>2026764>Bird flu comes from texans thoYou mean Beaners squatting in Texas?
Anyway, I'm gonna drop another twenty or so pics. This one's the Santa Catalina island ferry
I jumped on one of the water taxies to get some shots of the ship from further away
Also to get some nice views of the lighthouse
There was actually a boat doing an ice cream cruise, unfortunately I didn't have time to sign up for it.
It's a short ride but definitely a fun one
Waiting in the lego room for the Smoke and Steam tour
Model of the RMS Queen Elizabeth
Unfortunately the engine rooms were very dark and fucked with the setting on my camera a lot so there's not that many usable pictures.
There was also an enlarged WWII exhibit onboard
The lone surviving propeller. According to the tour guide, they actually get very mad when your throw money down there. Apparently the last time they had a diver clean it out, they found over $2000 USD in change
The infamous 1st Class swimming pool. Still closed for renovation (they're replacing all of the tiles due to the originals being practically infested with mold)
40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun
And now, we've reached the finale. My final photos of a glorious sunset onboard the ship.
Last supper of fish and chips
And finally my friend and I visited the bar at last call to grab a quick drink before heading off to bed
I hope you guys enjoyed this thread. It's been up for a whopping 482 days (so long that the image previews don't work anymore wtf) and I figured that it should make way for a new one and I should send it out with a bang.
Thanks all of you for bumping and keeping it alive. Unless any of you have questions about the Queen Mary or just want to chat, I'll let this thread go into the archives. Until next time frens.
OP signing off
your photos somehow look like you've taken them on film; color is warm but the quality is excellent
what model of camera is that?
some of these look like you've taken them 30, 40 years ago
I enjoyed browsing, thank you OP
>>1938375 (OP)cool ship. is this supposed to be like a replica of the titanic or something?
also holy fuck this thread is over a year old!
>>2032362No, it's got nearly twice the gross registered tonnage. If you hollowed out the Queen Mary, you could literally fit the Titanic inside it.
>>2032384what about the SS United States
>>2026893Fuck that looks good
>>1938386I wonder how well those propellers turn now
>>1992673>CO2 bottles?nice, show more anon.
>>2010028is this boat from the queen mary 2?
>>2016985good old brass telegraphs
what's the difference between this thing and the SS United States? they all look the same to me
Really cool comfy thread OP. Thanks for sharing
>thread is like 2 years old
I've visited the Queen Mary many times but never stayed in any of her rooms
Where I've always wanted to visit next is the Battleship USS Iowa which is also at the port of Long Beach. Any of you anons have experience visiting and know if it's worth it?
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>>2043198about 15 years of technological advancement and the advent of reliable transatlantic air travel. Also 2 funnels vs 3.
