The retired ocean liner celebrates 90 years since her maiden voyage
When the RMS Queen Mary steamed into Long Beach harbor in 1967, the retired British luxury liner attracted a whole flotilla of ships, helicopters and thousands of well-wishers gathering to witness her historic journey. The Art Deco masterpiece was made into a floating hotel with eras of prosperity and decline, and then a little more decline when the city of Long Beach stepped in to take over operations in 2021. Words like “scrap” and “sink” were tossed around until the city committed to bringing back the landmark. “We ultimately made the decision as the city council,” Mayor Rex Richardson told CBS. “To give the Queen Mary another shot.”
The Observation Bar on the Queen MaryCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
The most recent revitalization is a culinary one, happening concurrently with physical enhancements to the ship, which once ferried 1,200 passengers at a time between Southampton and New York. Evolution Hospitality, which runs 90 hotels around the country, including the Cambria near Disneyland and the prestigious Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, took over operations in 2022. New executive chef Andre Lane has a pedigree that includes stints with Puck and Patina as well as a stint fixin’ up funnel cakes at Knott’s Berry Farm.
The Queen Mary is celebrating 90 years since it’s maiden voyageCredit: Photo courtesy The Queen Mary
To mark the 90th anniversary of the ship’s maiden voyage, Special exhibits are being mounted, a new “Embarkation Tour” has been launched and a new “Dining through the Decades” period-true menu available in the Chelsea Chowder House, including a seafood tower that our tablemates squealed over. The ship now has two restaurants, a grab and go counter, a new coffee stand and four bars.
Tea service onboard the Queen MaryCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
That revitalized Chelsea restaurant also hosts a proper British tea service, with Long Beach skyline views, scones made onboard from the original 1912 Cunard recipe, and the same curried chicken sandwiches requested by Queen Elizabeth at her coronation.
Tea service onboard the Queen MaryCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
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New dining spaces include Jubilee with a Starbucks coffee bar along the promenade deck and a grab ‘n go Midship Marketplace serving pizzas and a “rivet” burger, with a bun shaped like one of the ten million rivets that hold the ship together.
Charcuterie tray in the Queen Mary’s Observation loungeCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
The spectacular Art Deco Observation bar has a new menu that includes a generous charcuterie plate meant to be shared and priced at only $18, perhaps the best deal onboard. Pair that with live swing dancing, jazz nights and live entertainment Tuesday through Friday, which brings admission down to as low as $10? Now, that’s a bargain.
The Grand Salon onboard the Queen Mary is home to the ship’s Sunday brunchCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
Of course, the flashiest food service onboard is the outrageously opulent Royal Sunday brunch, with station after station of fresh omelets, waffles, meat carvers and a whole cookbook worth of decadent desserts.
Captain James Sanders on the Queen MaryCredit: Photo by Chris Nichols
Los Angeles was invited to dine at Captain James Sanders’ table, and we took the responsibility seriously, quoting Emily Post and making sure to place the fork tines down at the end of our meal. Being on board the Queen Mary just makes you feel classier, even if you’re just munching on a rivet burger.