RMS Queen Mary

An ocean liner that became part of Long Beach

The RMS Queen Mary is not a replica or a ship-shaped museum built ashore. It is the retired British ocean liner itself, permanently moored at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach, California. Its scale is the first impression: promenades, decks and public rooms were designed for an Atlantic crossing, not a short museum visit. Since leaving passenger service in 1967, the vessel has been adapted as a hotel, attraction and event venue. The result is an unusual encounter with maritime history—one where visitors walk through a ship that once carried people across the ocean and now sits beside a working Southern California harbor.

In 2026, the ship marks 90 years since its maiden voyage. The anniversary gives the visit a timely frame, but it does not replace the vessel’s longer story. The Queen Mary remains a preservation project as well as a commercial destination, and current tours, exhibits and public areas can vary. A good visit begins with a practical question: how much time do you want to spend exploring the ship itself, rather than treating it as a quick photo stop on the waterfront?

From transatlantic liner to wartime service

The Queen Mary departed Southampton on May 27, 1936, on her maiden voyage. Built for Cunard’s transatlantic passenger service, she offered dining rooms, lounges, a ballroom, swimming pools and other facilities associated with long-distance travel before routine air service reshaped the market. The ship’s scale and Art Deco interiors were part of a public statement about modern ocean travel: a crossing was both transportation and an experience in its own right.

World War II changed that role. The liner was converted to carry Allied service personnel, and the ship’s official history reports that she transported about 810,000 military personnel during the war. The operator also reports that she carried 2.2 million passengers in peacetime. Those figures describe the ship’s recorded service and are a reminder that its story is not only one of polished interiors. Wartime use altered the vessel’s routines and purpose; exhibits and tours today interpret both the passenger liner and troopship periods.

After returning to civilian service, the Queen Mary continued operating across the Atlantic until 1967, when she was retired and brought to Long Beach. Her arrival created a new chapter: a working ocean liner became a permanently moored landmark, hotel and public attraction. The official history now presents that transition as part of the ship’s identity. Rather than suggesting that the vessel has been restored to an untouched 1930s state, visitors should expect preserved historic rooms, later adaptations and active hotel and event spaces to coexist.

What a visit includes today

The current general-admission page, marked as of September 7, 2026, lists daily admission from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at $45 for adults and $40 for children. It includes access to more than 23 exhibits and one 30-to-45-minute Embarkation introductory tour while spaces remain. The introduction is a useful orientation, not the same as an extended specialist tour. The operator also sells longer options focused on the ship’s history, engineering and other themes; their availability and prices depend on the booking date.

There is an important planning detail: the ticket page lists general admission through 6 p.m., while the FAQ says most historic exhibits are open daily until 8 p.m. Because those official pages do not state identical hours, do not assume every ticket grants the same access window. Confirm the calendar, admission type and specific tour time for your chosen date. The FAQ says tickets are sold both online and at the ship’s ticket booth, but advance booking is sensible for timed tours, anniversary activities or busy weekends.

Expect a substantial amount of walking, stairs and changes in level. The historic layout is part of the attraction, but it also means not every room or tour route is suitable for every visitor; the operator’s visitor map notes that some areas are not accessible. Review accessibility information before booking and ask the ship about the route you intend to take. Dining rooms, bars and shops provide breaks, and a hotel stay offers another way to experience the vessel after day visitors leave, but overnight accommodation is booked separately from general admission.

Practical planning at the harbor

The Queen Mary’s address is 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California 90802. The official parking page lists self-parking at no charge for up to 10 minutes, $15 for 11 to 59 minutes and a $25 visitor maximum; overnight hotel parking is listed separately at $39 per night. Restaurant validation and special-event parking rules can alter the final cost. The same page posts date-specific notices when parking moves to an off-site garage with shuttle service, so check it before driving rather than relying on an older map or a past visit.

The ship’s program changes through the year. Its 2026 anniversary page describes a year-long celebration and a dedicated exhibit that includes an original medallion distributed on the 1936 maiden voyage. Other listings include special tours, dining and seasonal events. These are date-dependent offerings, not permanent features, and some require separate tickets or reservations. Paranormal-themed experiences are marketed as entertainment; reported legends should not be confused with verified historical findings. For a history-focused day, choose the tour that best matches your interests and leave time for the self-guided exhibits.

Because the vessel is also a hotel and event property, access, parking, restaurant hours and open sections may shift for private bookings or special occasions. Check the official hours-and-parking page and the ticket calendar close to travel, especially if you are visiting on a holiday or attending an evening event. The Queen Mary sits near other Long Beach waterfront attractions, but allow enough time for security, boarding and moving between decks. A rushed visit can make the ship feel like a maze; a planned route makes its scale easier to appreciate.

A ship whose history remains visible

The most rewarding reason to board the Queen Mary is the contrast between the ship’s former purpose and its present life. A stairway, promenade or cabin corridor makes the crossing-era design tangible; the exhibits connect those spaces with passenger travel, wartime service and the move to California. The 90th-anniversary program adds a current reason to visit in 2026, while the ship itself remains the main subject. Check hours and ticket details before departure, then give the decks enough time: this is both a historic vessel and a living Long Beach destination, not a single exhibit to glance at and leave.