The iconic RMS Queen Mary ocean liner, along with her storied historical past and traditional fittings, will reopen for guests starting on Thursday, December 15, 2022. This would be the first time the historic ship has been accessible to visitors since March 2020, and rather a lot has modified in her operation and administration.
RMS Queen Mary to Reopen With Free Tours
The City of Long Beach is keen to reopen the RMS Queen Mary for guests. While solely choose areas of the ship will likely be open, the town is providing free guided excursions for a restricted time to welcome visitors.
“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,” mentioned Mayor Robert Garcia. “I thank our City staff for their dedication throughout the critical repairs process to ensure the ship’s safety and preservation.”
The ship, docked in Long Beach alongside the Carnival Cruise Line terminal, was initially closed for pandemic precautions and lockdowns. Now, to have fun her reopening, free guided excursions can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation through on-line registration.
Each tour will likely be led by a historic docent and can final roughly one hour, with excursions provided from 10 a.m. by 3 p.m. on most accessible days.
Select areas on the excursions embrace the ship’s Promenade Deck and scenic views of the Long Beach downtown shoreline, together with a stroll by the Promenade Shops, Observation Bar, Queen Salon, and Royal Salon.
A quick video inside Heritage Hall can even be a part of the tour, and can showcase the restore work performed to the vessel throughout the greater than two 12 months closure.
“The Queen Mary has been an icon of our Long Beach shoreline for 55 years,” mentioned First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “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!”
Tours are solely accessible on choose days and are anticipated to replenish shortly. Interested visitors are urged to make reservations as quickly as potential to ensure their most popular day and tour time.
Repairs Made
The ship, docked in Long Beach alongside the Carnival Cruise Line terminal, was initially closed for pandemic precautions and lockdowns. During her closure, nevertheless, it was found that her situation was extra dire than beforehand believed, and crucial repairs had been obligatory.
Among the repairs made had been the elimination of 20 deteriorated lifeboats that had been exerting stress on the ship’s hull, enhancements to the bulkheads to make sure inside structural stability, and set up of latest automated bilge pump techniques within the unlikely occasion of water intrusion.
“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,” mentioned Department of Public Works Director Eric Lopez.
Regular upkeep was additionally accomplished throughout the landmark’s closure, together with portray, lighting upgrades, flooring refurbishment, and extra to make sure the ship’s iconic look has been maintained.
Additional repairs are scheduled for 2023, together with putting in an emergency generator and new boilers and warmth exchangers for cooking, cleansing, sanitizing, and different hospitality facilities that may ultimately allow the ship to reopen as a lodge, full with eating places, bars, and retail.
“We look forward to soon reopening the historic Queen Mary Hotel and welcoming guests back to enjoy an overnight stay or experience scenic shoreline views, refreshments, and dining at one of our world-class restaurants,” mentioned Evolution Hospitality General Manager John Taffin.
Evolution Hospitality, LLC., was chosen in June 2022 to reopen and function the vessel for the subsequent 5 years.
The Queen Mary is a high-interest vacationer attraction for the town of Long Beach, producing greater than 1,300 jobs and offering $3.3 million (USD) in tax income for the town yearly when she is in full operation.
The ship has been a beloved a part of the town since September 1967, when she was retired from energetic service with Cunard Line. During her ocean liner days, Queen Mary welcomed greater than 2 million passengers and accomplished greater than 1,000 transatlantic sailings.