Queen Mary REPAIR Update & Year in Review | January 2024 

ABOUT THE NOISE AT THE END: I know some folks will think Kris and I staged that noise, no we didn't. One of my friends told us afterward that he thinks it was something metal that had fallen down the nearby vertical ventilation hatch, it could have been...I don't know. But if I wanted to "stage" something, I would have put my full video editing skills to use and do something even scarier like a shadow creature or the face of a monster peaking through a window. We would have done something a bit more dramatic than Kris going: "woah what was that? Hello? Oh I think someone dropped a quarter." -I mean c'mon! Futhermore, if I wanted to do it for the views, I would have put it at the BEGINNING of the video where 70% of the viewers are still watching, not at the end when 35% are watching...and I wouldn't put it at the end of a repair update video, I would have made a video entirely separate where the audience would be clicking on it specifically to SEE ghost stuff. But I don't do that, because I'm not one of those people who stages ghost stuff for the views, I talk about history, and the repair of the Queen Mary. I only showed video like that at the end for the folks that might listen to that sound and think: "huh. well that's interesting."

Sounds like she’s on a much better path with the city directly in charge.

Overjoyed to see Her Majesty getting TLC and looking ship shape again. The Queen Mary will last another 100 years!Thank you Alex!

I am in the UK and it is great the Queen Mary is getting the care she deserves. She and her sister were wonderful ships and did sterling service for Cunard and Britain during WW2. She was so fast the U-boats could not catch her! It is very much appreciated that the USA stepped in to save her and Long Beach bought her. It would have been sacrilege if she had been scrapped. Ships were built to be beautiful back in the thirties, not like the glitzy blobs that are cruise ships now! The British had much affection for the Queens and still do and are pleased the QE2 has also been saved and is now in Dubai. Hopefully she will have as long a life as Queen Mary. As a postscript. I hope the USS United States is saved also.

She looks better than she has for decades and people are falling in love with her again! You absolutely have a piece of the credit for her renewal. Thank you for the update. Happy new year!

Don't sell yourself short, Alex. I think you and your videos have had a lot to do with the resurgence of interest in the Queen. Thank you so much for what you have done, and continue to do, to preserve this piece of history.

Long Beach taking back control was the best thing that could have happened to her. I was worried I'd never get the chance to see her in person but now my hope is restored. One day...

Thank you for giving us a detailed review of the ships refurbishments that will ensure she lives on as a tourist destination that can be enjoyed by everyone.

My father brother and myself watch the Queen Mary last voyage into Long Beach in 1967 from Cherry Park off Ocean Street!!! What a day

In 1957, I celebrated my 11th birthday on the Queen Mary when traveling with my mother to meet with my father in England. I have a photo of me sitting on a couch before dinner. What a magnificent ship and I was able to visit the engine room and the bridge. Those were the days when such adventures were permitted.

All the work they’ve been doing makes me so happy, it really feels like they’re rolling back the years of damage

I'm german and a HUGE Fan of ships in general and especially of the Queen Mary. Im glad to hear that the old lady is getting taken care of. When my son is getting older, I will make a trip with him to Long Beach, only to see the Queen Mary. To this time I will dream of it. Maybe we will be able to see United States too.

My father went to war aboard the QM, and when we moved to LA from PA in 1980, the Queen was a regular favorite for them and numerous visits with them in the 1980's made them very happy. Glad that she is getting some attention! I stayed onboard when we took cruises from Long Beach with Carnival.

This was some of the best news to come out of California in years !!!!

I remember when I was growing up. Mom, Dad, and Me used to go visit the Queen Mary all the time. I wish I still lived in California and could help with the restoration.

I live in Brisbane, Australia and visited the QM in 2012, which I never thought I would have the opportunity of doing and was quite shocked even back then as to how run down the ship was. It's so great to see her being taken care of properly and I hope to one day return to see her in all her glory! Thanks so much for these video updates, you do such a great job!

Thank you for your RU-vid coverage of this majestic beauty! She deserves to be renovated. And a great memory to me she is!

Totally enjoyed my visit there 20 yrs ago! Hard to Imagine! But it was just an amazing experience. I’m glad she is being cared for 💖

A candy shop is so on point with the ship’s past. All those toffee tins from the past in many of our collections are cheering right now. I am perhaps most syked about the replica/look-alike linoleum floors in the Observation Bar. I remember when the OG Drawing Room had that THICK ‘70s popcorn ceiling. The shop owners were eager to see it gone for good. I also remember an article I read from 1992 that discussed the ship potentially being scrapped. But it was emphasized that it would be really bad for the economy and tourism because of what a draw the ship is to Long Beach. Need to find it for reference. But it amazed me in the best way. Long-term goals: I want to see a vintage TUG BOAT by the Queen Mary in place of the submarine. Give an appearance of it leading the ship out to sea. I also noticed at 14:57 that they added some very thoughtful and intelligent looking carpet trim around the borders of the space. Like what they did with flooring in the past and..certainly did on the Queen Mary. Dang. They really are doing what they can with what they have!! We haven’t seen that kind of care and attention…since when? You’d think having an annual membership, I’d go far more often. But that’s #adulting for yeh. Treating an aunt to the ship in late January, though. Spreading Queen Mary cheer everywhere. And it will FINALLY give me a chance to wear, for the first time, my 1958 grey/pink-faded window paned suit. 2024, let’s GOOOOO!!!!!! No better way to watch this update video than in an original Cunard tea cup and saucer.

What a wonderful project and asset to their community, Kudos to the city council and those who made this possible! Great video, thankyou 👍

Fantastic Updates! The people have clearly spoken and continue to do so! To a successful 2024!

Alex, thanks for keeping the Queen Mary on the front burner. The stories I could tell of all the places we would sneak around, all off the official tour of course --- lol.

God i love ocean liners so much, cant wait to visit her again this year! Saw her twice in 2023

Just toured the Queen Mary with my son. We took the history tour. It was a great time! Especially loved the bar/lounge, the promenade deck, and the ballroom! Plan on staying at the hotel on the next LA visit.

It’s awesome to see a city care for such an old relic of the past.

City of Long Beach along with all Queen Mary supporters, Thank You!!

Thank you very much for this video Alex! My fiancé & I haven’t been on the Queen since 2019😅 so thank you for clarifying all the hoobla on the negative articles we’ve seen over the years being residents. But what I think I love most is that all of us can tell you love & appreciate this Historical Landmark much like your followers do! We look forward to more updates on the Queen Mary👍 my fiancé & I are booked to stay there this weekend & we couldn’t be more excited knowing the ship has been in great care the past couple of years. Thank you for your content Alex!!!!🎉

I'm so glad they are restoring the Queen Mary! I doubt many people know the rich history of the ship! It is amazing! I got married in the wedding chapel back in 1983, and had my reception in the Windsor room, What a great experience! I just wish they would have kept the Spruce Goose! What a mistake that was letting her go! Long live the Queen!

Thanks for the update Alex and for all your videos! It is so great to see and hear all of these wonderful things happening to the Mary! The City not only appreciates the ship, but understands its historical significance of the ship to spend the time and money to get period-accurate lighting, flooring, etc. Credit to Steve, the GM, and the historic preservation folks at Long Beach for committing to historical authenticity and hoping we get more of this and more restored areas in the future!

I remember when she arrived at Long Beach, one of the first things they did was sand blast the entire exterior of the ship! It was a sight to see the entire ship had a tin coat of rust! Not one lick of paint. Then shortly after it opened for viewing and way before it became what it is today, I took a tour and by far my favorite part was to go down and look at one of the props down at the bottom of the ship. It truly gave one a perspective of just how big things are on that ship!

Thanks you so much Alex and Kris! Video footage is excellent and as per usual Alex, your narrative is well delivered and informative. I enjoy your posts like this as if I were there myself. Can't thank you enough for all your wonderful, dedicated efforts 😀

Holy Crap !!! I thought 🤔 for sure this ship would be scrapped since society today doesn't care about history... Talk about stepping up to the plate !!! Thanks 👍

So happy that The Queen Mary is getting some love and repairs! I was lucky to stay aboard her for a couple of nights in The Churchill suite, went on a tour of the engine room, and was hoping that the City of Long Beach would step in and rescue her from her descent

Wow nice video that’s good that they’re repairing the Queen Mary I’m planning to go during the summer Thanks for the update.

I’m so happy to see this video report. I visited the Queen Mary many years ago and was sick and heart broken after seeing its deterioring condition. Finally it is receiving the care it deserves. Keep up the good work and bless you for your care and interest in this national treasure.

Am delighted to see a new update and review of last year's improvements! It brought tears to my eyes - honestly! Thank you, Alex for all you do to keep those of us who love the Queen Mary informed. You're clearly passionate about her and I, for one, think you do us all a great service.

Big fan of the queen mary. Fond memories of years past visiting its historic significance. Thanks for your credible update and status of repairs.

I was so blessed to become the Art Director on the Queen Mary in the 90’s! What a dream job! Marvin Wolff was the Director then and did so many good things! He would be so thrilled as I am to see her looking wonderful again! I love the Queen Mary!

They really knew how to build solid ships back in the day. The QM is a prize!

VERY happy to see her finally getting the recognition for her potential from Los Angeles that she has so desperately lacked and deserved for the past 20 years. Hopefully she’ll be given proper funding and recognition for the historical museum and tourist attraction/landmark she deserves to be in order to stay afloat, both financially AND literally.

I love her! I can't wait to see her again! ❤

I'm excited to have come across your channel. All the ongoing restoration of the ship is wonderful.

COOL... I took photos when she arrived in the Port of Long Beach.... glad she is still O.K.

Thank you America for saving this British icon.

So glad to see the improvements and that a profit is being generated.

Went on the Queen Mary a lot as a kid, can't imagine Long Beach without the Queen Mary. Nice to see the Queen Mary getting all these updates.

this is such a. dream come true to see her being cared for, its exciting to think that i’ll be standing on those decks one day. hopefully not hearing ghostly noises hehe

Thankgod there's people out there that care about this piece of history

I remember this ship leaving Southampton for last time with my parents Watching it

I was in the Navy in 1969 and 1970 stationed on the USS Ashtabula A051 and our home port was Long Beach. As things would have it, our ship was docked on the corner of the dock to the Queen, I remember hammering, welding, etc day and night as the workers made the ship a Queen again. Seeing this video brought back a flood of memories. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this update with us . As I am in UK it is also with great appreciation that she found a permanent home in USA and is now getting some much needed TLC. She is a true Queen of the Ocean & her WW2 role is legendary. I have a connection with her as my grandfather hand made chairs for her back in 1935 & then refurbished them after the war at William Birch & Son’s Leigh Street factory in High Wycombe; Buckinghamshire. That factory is currently being converted to flats that will ensure its exterior will be kept intact and is a tribute to all who worked there .. and during WW2 they made wing parts for the DH98 Mosquito fighter/bomber.

I love that this has happened. I have been twice and would love to revisit now.

Lighting makes a huge difference! I was just watching Graham Stephan the other day and I went back to his first video about how to be a successful real estate agent just for fun. His second tip (first one was show up to property early): turn on all the lights in the property. The staged rooms look so nice with all the lights on 😁

I visited the Queen Mary in the early 1980's from Australia. It was very impressive. I also toured the Spruce Goose on the same day. It was a very memorable day. I am so pleased the ship is being looked after in the manner she deserves.

I love the Queen Mary I hope it stands for many years to come

This is AWESOME! I'm so glad the ship has owners that care now and who are putting in some excellent renovations and accents to the grand old ship. That's what I like to see.

The more this repair and renovation progresses, the more I wish I could actually take a voyage on her. I know that won’t happen, but I can dream.

I've slept on the QM twice...loved it EVERY time. The restaurants there were very cool. I"ve ate at the best and 2nd best. restaurants. Went on the tours....loved EACH. I"d love to sleep there again and have dinner and shop!

My personal favorite of ocean liners is the ss United States, I also love the Queen Mary and this video made me happy to know that the city of Long Beach is taking good care of the ship. 😊😊😊😊😊😊

Oh, Alex, this is all such great news! As a devoted fan of the Queen Mary, this eases my heart, and also excites and inspires me to make more visits to the ship and engage in social events with like-minded QM admirers! A huge BRAVO to you, Alex the Historian, for your incredible work and your passion for all things Queen Mary! 'God Save the Queen!' Thank you! 🤍🖤❤🖤🤍

Thank you so much for this update Alex. Your enthusiasm and understated manner, excites people who have a passion for this beautiful and historic ship! I have quietly been watching progress on the Queen Mary over the years, (your channel particularly), and am overjoyed and heartened she is receiving the attention she so richly deserves. "Evolution Hospitality" certainly needs a round of applause, as the care, attention to detail and significant expenditure, is exemplary. Seeing profits being redirected into such a worthy cause, gives me hope, not only for Queen Mary, but also for the potential stimulation of the United States as a whole. God knows, the USA could do with an injection of positiveness, both economically and morally. I live in Australia and would like to say one last thing: "God Bless America". May her future be prosperous and bright.

I toured the Queen Mary in Long Beach several times and learned something new every time. I splurged on a First Class Stateroom for one night in the 1980s. I was amazed at how thin the walls were. I could hear the occupants next door even though they weren't loud. It was eye-opening how simple and small the First Class Stateroom was, but I enjoyed just the same thinking about the History I was immersed in. I would recommend at least a 1 overnight stay to anyone who might enjoy learning how the wealthy traveled back in the hayday of the Queen crossing the Atlantic. I have fond memories of having the good fortune to experience her. Seeing this video makes me want to see it again.

LUV these reports. You both put a lot of work into it. Maybe one day the QE will be making enough $$ they can use real flowers around the ship rather than fake. Granted they are really nice silk flowers

In 1982 or 83 when I was 12 years old I was at the Queen Mary passed their closing time and it was time for me to head back home on the bus but when I looked over at the entrance to the Queen Mary I noticed there was nobody guarding it so the opportunity seemed good to just enter the ship and I did and spent about 3 or 4 hours unsupervised roaming the ship from the very bottom of the ship where you can see the hull comes together to the very top of the ship where the captain and crew would operate the vessel needless to say as a 12-year-old 13 year old boy I had the time and adventure of my life !!!!!!!

Thanks for the update Alex. Very informative as usual.

I loved to stay there and WAS my favorite place in the LA Area to stay. Even in spite of the poor state of the rooms seeing David Niven and many other celebs and equipment was magical. I am really happy it is back in business. This place is UNIQUE in the World! And it helped win the war!

I’m so grateful for your continued updates! I’m hoping to go this year.

So great to hear of all the renovations done during the course of 2023. I hope they continue at the same pace in 2024. Lovely to hear that the Sunday brunch has been restarted . So worthwhile and the food, delicious.

Great video and I'm so happy the Queen Mary is being taken care of.

Beautiful ship and it's great to see that it is being taken care of for years to come. Profit is fine, but unbridled profit is ultimately detrimental. The ship will be even more profitable now that it is in good hands.

Thank you for sharing the latest updates for this wonderful ship that has been part of life for a long time. Years ago, when I was a kid my parents took me on a tour of The Queen Mary when she was in Southampton harbour in England. It is a long-time ago and I can't recall the year or the occasion. We, of course, could never afford to sail on her as a working-class family from Northern England. Then in May 1986 I was in LA for a final job interview and Hands across America completed on the West Coast in Long Beach and this was next to The Queen Mary so I got to see this (The Spruce Goose was still there). Then in 1989 I moved to Downey CA not far from The Queen Mary for personal reasons and the Lady I moved in with and I eventually married and I were wed on the Queen Mary, I recall the Chapel and we had our function in the Capstan Room, it was on the stern below an open deck. As by then I had transitioned to technology work as a web developer I approached the QM management at the time and was delighted to be able to create her fist website, I think this was around 1996-7. As a bonus I got to spend time with the historian at the time and was toured around the ship and learned much that I never knew before. Thank you for this, The Queen Mary will always be close to my heart for many reasons.

excellent video ,thank you. I haven't been on the the queen since the 1984

Bout Time... I lived on the Corner of Alamitos & Ocean Blvd during the 80s & the Queen was always Special seeing it just sitting there along with the Old Spruce Goose Dome. Often saw UFOs over the area. So glad they finally got around to fixing it up.

I just stayed 4 nights on the Queen Mary, M deck, first class stateroom which was a far cry from the cabin I had in "steerage", D-deck, back in September of 1967, one of her last voyages. Very reasonable room rates and one of the fees was an $18.95 Historical Preservation Fee, which I gladly paid.

What a joy it is to see one of our collective ocean liners being brought back to life. Perhaps, it may rub off on the United States. That would bring so many memories for the future.

I’ve visited twice from Canada. I’m so happy she looks to have turned a corner and is being treated by her owners and loved by her visitors the way she should be.

I stayed on this ship back in 2014 for three nights. I never forget the 30's and 40's flair on this ship. I loved it.

Very happy that the City of Long Beach took control back. Now the ship can be maintained as she should be. Hopefully they will restart the RMS Queen Mary Scots Fest as well. Huge money maker.

This is so encouraging.

When things are owned by private citizens they usually are not given proper maintnance even if they prove to be cash cows, it is good the ship returned to be managed by the city of Long Beach, because it is such a magnet for tourists, and it is still magnificent.

I remember being happy and excited to see her repairs as you recorded many months ago around summertime last year, but wow! She's even more stunning than I had expected! Totally full of life and light now, and even more improvements to come.

Excellent content! It's great to see the ship in better shape than as far ago as 2001. I spent a week on board and got to know the management team back then. When I asked to explore many of the close-off spaces, they obliged my curiosity and showed me the bilge and the keel, confirming then that the hull didn't even leak a 'teacup of seawater' Another story they shared was the ill-fated attempt to cut the the port propeller shaft, allowing the large prop to slowly revolve for viewing through a window in the hull . . . the idea failed when all it did was churn up mud and obscure any view of the moving prop! Obviously the engine room was one of my favorite spaces, second only to the rooms and restaurants. Can you tell I'm a fan?

She's a beautiful ship❤ I can't wait to visit

Thank you for this video. I lived in Long Beach in 1985, and had a part-time job bussing tables in The Capstan restaurant, which was at the stern of the ship. I fell in love with the Queen Mary, and I hope someday to see her again.

Glad to see the Queen is getting the love she needs. Keep up the good work.

So pleased to see this great ship getting the loving treatment she deserves. Bless the City of Long Beach for keeping her safe when nobody else wanted her.❤

My wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary board the Queen Mary on December 1, 2023. We noticed the paint on the aft smokestack needed to be repainted. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and was the third time we have stayed on the Queen Mary. We also stayed on our honeymoon. I wished we had seen this video before booking our stay. After seeing this video, I would like to rebook another stay, maybe after they open up the steakhouse. We will be back.

Soooo happy to see this all being brought back up to scratch. My visits to the Queen were a highlight of my visits to LongBeach twenty odd years ago. Absolutely fabulous- thanks.

WE VISITED HER IN 2015--WE HAD "FISH & CHIPS"AND A GREAT TIME !!--THE STAFF WERE TERIFFIC & COULD'NT DO ENOUGH FOR US !!--SHE IS WELL WORTH A VISIT !!--(PLENTY OF PARKING)

it may take years before this is all done but its great to see every little detail done right again and such care being taken with all of it

That’s good news Thanks Alex. I love the idea of Gala nights with Black tie and cocktail dresses……….just imagine your recreating the golden era of The Queen Mary. 🇺🇸🇬🇧👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍

It does my heart good to see that the old girl is finally being well taken care of. She deserves it. Can't wait to see her again.

When I was living in Long Beach in 2022 I was told over and over that she was a lost cause and would not be repaired. I would have coffee on my lanai and look across the bay at the queen. In the afternoon I would watch the Goodyear Blimp float over her. That was an amazing site. I sometimes walk over to her just to get a close up view but she was closed and I never got to go inside. Glad to see she coming back. I will definitely be back to visit her

The band featured at 1:58 is Ashley Anne and The Carnations, they're having more shows in Observation bar and on Sunday brunches. Great band!

We stayed on the ship on October for a Art Deco Coctails event. The turnout was so good we expanded into the ball room. We also went for New Years Eve and had a great time. We want to do it again next year and stay on ship. The room we had was lovely with a comfortable new mattress and linens. We also ate in the restaurant for breakfast and the food was great. I'm so glad to see her come back to life and shine like she should. I recently found pictures my parents took when she found her new home in Long Beach taken in 1968. Thank you for the positive updates. It gives me hope and the changes are positive❤

Spent one night aboard in the eighties usual tourist trip enjoyed every moment worth a stay.

Thank you so much for this update!. The Queen Mary has always been a visit point for me when visiting Southern California!. I spent the night on her twice... and visited a dozen times or more. I look forward to my next visit!

You made me aware of the presence and location of this ship.

I have fond memories of cocktails with my husband in the observation bar way back in the early 80s ❤

Souvenir shop? Wow, I'd be in there like a shot! That's what I 'm like!