Queen Mary: A Streamline Moderne Ocean Liner

In this installment of ‘Voyage en Vogue: Aboard Historic Travel,' we board a notable British-built ship given a renewed purpose in a California harbor.

Commissioned in the 1930s by British-based Cunard Line, Queen Mary’s massive size was intended to accommodate a little over 2,000 passengers. Although it no longer sails and is anchored permanently at California’s Long Beach Harbor, visitors have an opportunity to safely experience and appreciate aspects of a luxury ocean liner similar in grandeur to the historically ill-fated Lusitania or Titanic. The Queen Mary

Ninety years ago, crowds cheered as the luxury ocean liner Queen Mary embarked on her maiden voyage, leaving Southampton, England. After more than 31 years of illustrious service—first carrying peacetime passengers and then World War II military personnel—Queen Mary retired in 1967. However, she did not rest long. Currently owned by the City of Long Beach in California, the grand ship sailed from “across the pond” and thrives today as an events venue, tourist attraction, hotel, restaurant, and museum.

No longer sailing the wide open seas, Queen Mary is anchored at Long Beach Harbor. Its stunning Art Deco and Streamline Moderne ambiance has been enjoyed by thousands. At more than 1,000 feet long, the ship’s quality construction by early 20th-century premier luxury liner builder, John Brown & Company, of Scotland, is a testament to its longevity.