Wow! The lighting alone makes a huge difference! No more creepy fluorescents. You can tell love is being put into this ship finally after decades of neglect.
Wowwww I cannot wait to visit her again 😭♥️ when I heard there’s a possibility the Queen Mary could be gone forever, my heart broke into a million pieces. Even at just the idea of it!! I almost burst into tears when I clicked, “book a room” (for the millionth time in three years btw lmaooo) and the booking page *ACTUALLY* opened with available dates/rooms!!! 😍 The Queen Mary holds suchhhh a special place in my heart and I miss her so much since moving from Cali to AZ lolol I cannot wait to see her in all her glory again ♥️ and I hope she’s better than before! This beautiful, historic ship deserves _endless_ praise and care!!!
Absolutely brilliant to see her emerge from poor maintenance. Her departure from Southampton used to rattle my bedroom window when her foghorn sounded. Having been on the Mary and Elizabeth I could never say one was the best. Lovely vessels and thanks for reviving so many old memories. I also have been on the United States, great but not a solid vessel. Such a shame to see her languishing in semi ruins. My dining chairs come from the first Mauritania and are solid oak. Best wishes from an old guy in the UK.
In 1991 my wife and I were fortunate enough to spend a night aboard the Queen Mary. I woke up somewhere in the middle of the night and went on an impromptu tour of the ship, I went into some of the 'off limits' areas, it was fascinating and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to visit this historic vessel. I'm please to see that people are putting some effort into preserving her for future generations.
Amazing news. It's fantastic to see the care and attention that the majestic Queen Mary is receiving. She is royalty and should be up kept accordingly. I visited her many years ago in 1989 and would love to revisit her soon. Many thanks to the current ownership for making the effort to keep the Queen Mary alive. ✌🏻🇺🇸🚢
Great to see that LB is actually trying to restore her and keep her suitable for public viewings instead of selling her off for scrap, it takes a lot of effort to perform such a feat and definitely deserves praise
She looks so nice! "Better than she's looked in thirty years" was accurate. Thank you and your friend for the updates! I think the Piccadilly Circus lighting should be white or pale yellow for her grand reopening but at least it's a solid band of light again. Otherwise the repairs are excellent.
I'm hoping to spend my "Big 6-0" on Queen Mary May 11th--still call her 'My Best Girlfriend'😃 In 1974, a few yeas after her reopening, my parents & I went on the tour of the bridge & saw photos of her former masters (called "Captain's Row"), & shocked to see C. Gordon Illingworth listed from 1942-1952 (seeing someone else with my last name is rare, and one as Captain of this famous liner seemed amazing to me to this young boy)
I have had the pleasure of spending 20 plus nights on the Queen Mary. I love the ship and am thrilled that it is being refurbished. I cruise out of Long Beach and always attempted to spend the night before on the Queen Mary she is the perfect way to begin a cruise. In the future i look forward with great pleasure to staying my nights before a cruise on this magnificent ship.
I am so thrilled that the renovation of the Queen Mary is proceeding. In February of 1977, I proposed to my wife in the Observation Bar of the Queen Mary! We were married in April of the same year. It would be really cool to be able to celebrate our 50th Anniversary on the Queen Mary!
I have herd that they intend to do the same like with Queen Mary. Ss united states will be a hotel/museum. A perfect way to keep her around as it will help provide funding to do so.
There is nothing left of the inside of it. It's just an empty metal shell. Would take untold millions to restore it and everything would have to be built new.
@@ksavage681 actually , its a plus. all the hazmat has been removed and its ready to receive a remodelled interior. the dirty work is dont for whoever takes it on
The lady looks better than ever! I've been planning to visit QM since like 2015 but tickets to California from the East Coast aren't cheap but since getting there is gonna happen eventually, it's gonna happen right when QM is gonna look brand new God Bless The Queen Mary! God Bless The People Working To Save The Queen
I LOVE IT!!!! TOTALLY AWESOME UPGRADES!!! ART DECO IS ALIVE AND WELL IN 2023!!!! SHE LOOKS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!1 I LOVE ALL THE UPGRADES!! PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP US UPDATED!! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS GIANT RESTORATION PROJECT!! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS, SO THE QUENN MARY CAN SHINE AGAIN!!!! I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO THE QUEEN MARY!!! SHE WILL BE SO BEAUTIFUL WHEN SHE IS RESTORED!!!! TOTALLY AWSOME VIDEO!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! GREAT JOB BY EVERYONE INVOLVED.
Hi Alex, thanks for posting this video and I am so pleased to see that the old girl is being restored back to her previous glory. In 2009 I stayed on her for a week, the reason for my visit was because my Grand father's brother "William Tanner" was the quartermaster on her for a number of years and I remember standing on the beach at Ryde Isle of Wight watching her she sailed up the Solent heading towards Southampton. Thanks again.
THANKS ALEX ,, THE VIDEO WAS UPDATED VERY WELL AND SPOKEN ABOUT ON HER NEW REPAIRS ,,.. WE WERE HOPING TO SEE WHAT THAY WERE ALSO DOING IN THE OLD POOL BUT IT WAS CLOSED... THE VILLAGE I ASKED WILL BE TAKEN DOWN IN TIME.. WE CANT WAIT TO SLEEP ABOARD SOON ,, THE Q.M. IS SO AMAZING NOW ,, WE CAN BE SO PROUD TO HAVE HER IN LONG BEACH AS OUR SHIP..
WOW...I am so pleasantly surprised...the Queen Mary looks better than I have ever seen her, and the work that's in progress really sounds promising too! I'm sorry to hear about the Russian Submarine...I knew it was bad, but not that bad...what an eyesore! Excellent video as usual, Alex...thanks for your hard work and dedication!!!!!
"Gosh! We keep using non-boat approved materials. Why does our boat keep breaking?!" 😂 Nice job on this update, Alex! I've got a room reserved for this summer and can't wait to see the Mary!
I was an electrician / fire alarm technician on the Queen Mary. I also installed the shore power to the Russian sub Scorpion moored alongside it. It was an interesting way to learn about their history.
Personally, I like the lighting upgrade. Well, I like to keep things historically accurate there are times that more modern updates should be used if it means better care in the long term for the entire vessel. To me, they go beautifully with the gorgeous deco, architecture, and interiors.
I have no idea why some bag on LED lighting, it's great. As a electrician I can say they can't be beat. The Queen Mary is such a important part of nautical history it's nice to see she is getting the TLC that she deserves. Alex what a great update, thanks.....
I was speaking to a commentator, an older gentlemen the other day. When he heard me say the lights will be LED the only LED's he's heard of are those harsh bluish white lights. he said "I hate LED lights, they're so blue!" and I had to tell him that "warm white" exists. He was pretty happy to hear that.
Exactly. I’ve changed all of our table lamps in the house to three-way, warm, white LED lightbulbs. They look very similar to traditional warm, white, incandescent bulbs.
My late husband Karl was a Master Electrician. He'd likely agree with you. I loved the joke he pulled on his helper down in Death Valley National Monument. He sent him out to the truck for wire stretchers. It became a national park in 1994.
Yes the age of steam proves more to replace one of the Yarrow Boilers and steam turbo generators for the Queen Mary engineering machinery not much looking at without her power equipment right now you only have a third and this is her turbine engines. The Queen Mary deserves better than empty compartments. Surely somewhere LB can find a Yarrow Boiler and turbo generator. Thanks again Alex you have helped this great ship a lot the Queen Mary was getting close to disrepair and you helped save this great Ocean Liner.
I do like the lighting it has helped this beauty of a ocean liner big time and replacing the flooring to her original 1936 era I like. Long Beach is helping the restoration of this great liner a lot but there’s more to be done they absolutely need to fix the swimming pool and open it to the hotel tenants, all hotels has swimming pools plus Queen Mary’s is inside so the pool water won’t get dirt and debris. I would hope someday that some of the QM machinery like her boilers turbogenerators and more can be replaced don’t have to replace all but like one boiler one generator so people can see what engineering marvel this great Ocean Liner really had to to power her. I’m sure there is a old Yarrow boiler somewhere or across seas and a Scotsman boiler it take some money but for this great ship it be well worth it people all over would come to see the power of the Queen Mary!
This is unbelievably good news. We are so used to news being bad news that good news is hard to believe. I will probably never be able to travel to see her but just knowing that enough people care about this brings tears of gratitude to my eyes.
So glad she was able to escape the ship breaker's torch. I had a great aunt who once took a cruise on the Queen Mary. To see that ship being scrapped would be awful to even think of!
this RESTORATION is a fabulous shot in the arm that was needed 40 years ago. i am glad the city is now taking ownership of this great ship. next year i am planning to visit and maybe stay aboard for two nights! maybe by then more lifeboats can be added so it can look like she did at her grand opening to long beach all those years ago. Thank You for the updates
Alex, you do a wonderful job updating us. I have been visiting the QM since the early 1970's as a school boy on class field trips. My wife and I were married aboard her, April 1st, 2003 and have has stayed in the hotel countless times, including during the past New Years Eve Ball's that they used to throw. In 2019 my wife and I went to the River Clyde in Scotland to see the site where QM was built. I'm so glad they plan to scrap that vile submarine. Keep the updates coming.
I am AMAZED at what simply removing the tacky plexiglass wind barriers do for the ship's facade. Little details really make HUGE differences. And what an incredible compromise to Queen Mary Island, the first-of-its-kind cruise terminal/entertainment center. Isn't it interesting how the news threw the "ship is sinking" when it was the popular opinion and most watchable and now all we're seeing from them is "The ship is open! Great news!"? I'm still winded at how fast these fixes are being made! Can it really be done in this short amount of time (not diminshing the hard work it has taken)!? I didn't think it was possible, but THIS is what happens when people who care are put in charge of restoration and sympathetic renovation. I cannot wait to see her in person again and am going to jump on membership as soon as I possibly can. Really appreciate the 411 on when the membership becomes effective. I can go on and on about how happy this video has made me. Thanks to our sleuth-Tuber Alex.
I agree 100% Matthew. It's really been frustrating over the years to dispell the media rumor that the ship was sinking or was about to be scrap! But now people can see the bright future ahead of the Queen of the North Atlantic!
Thank you so much for this update. I too fell in love with the QM when visiting Long Beach from England. Each visit I always made a point of going onboard and drinking in the history. It's been many years since my last visit (2004) but have continued to follow her story through sad decline and now seemingly back upwards! * yesterday I watched from my home window as QM2 sailed out to sea, a magnificent ship, but not nearly as beautiful as her older sister :)
As a frequent passerby to and from Carnival cruises, I have long hoped for this restoration, especially as it makes available easing the daily onerous crush of pier traffic, and affording a new place to stay overnight right next door.
It’s good to hear that the Queen Mary slowly began reopening after a year of closure. I would want to visit the Queen Mary soon when I have the time to visit Southern California in the future. Cool… 😎
WOW...I'm so amazed and happy that the Queen Mary is being restored. The last I heard, it sounded like she was going to be scrapped. This makes me sooooo happy.
Yeah...it was all media sensationalism. The ship wasn't quite in the dire straights they made her sound like and the city never even considered scrapping her. I spent the last two years trying to correct the information the newspapers were typing.
Long Beach is not doing the bare minimum! I am so pleased that they are going above and beyond to not only make the ship more pleasant and enjoyable but also doing what they can to make the ship more original!
I was there April 3rd as well, still some work to be done but god damn is this a relief. Might be interesting to note Alex that an employee mentioned that the shaft alley passage to the propeller box was closed due to Fire and Safety saying the escalator at the end was not wide enough. Because of this they had tour groups walking back through the exit to get to the Box and steering. Just something we herd though not at all a confirmation :)
Yes actually I was secretly on a video call with my friend when that tour guide said that! lol So there might actually be some truth to that stuff about the escalator being too narrow. And the escalator was also non-functional so I believe they will be removing the escalators and replacing them with stairs (without the beefy side rails on the escalators, the stairs can have an extra 18 or so inches of space!)
We stayed on this magnificent ship in the early 80s and refurbishing was required then. Congratulations on this process and thank you for this information. 👍👍👍. 4-11-2023
Excellent progress, overall. This is the real start to what I hope will be a far better era and legacy for her future. REALLY appreciate the update. This must be marketed heavily and made to be what she is: an utterly unique attraction, war hero and an icon of travel / maritime history. They should lobby to get her on the UNESCO World Heritage site list through the UN and get National Monument status through the Federal gov. Same idea for the SS United States.
Great video. Thanks for the update. Like you, I have always loved the Queen Mary and been on her many times. Enjoyed dinner several times in Sir Winston, Sunday Brunch, and cocktails in the Observation Bar. Would love to stay in one of her cabins someday. I'm leaving this August on the Queen Mary 2 out of Southampton, Uk to Norway for my birthday. So very excited to be sailing a Cunard ship for the very first time.
Thank you for the update! I've been in love with the Queen Mary (and ocean liners in general) since I took a school field trip to her in the early 70's! When I lived in Long Beach I had a membership and would visit her often. I can't wait to go back, sit at the Observation Bar, and toast to the Queen of the Seas and all who sailed upon her!
@@AlextheHistorian I wonder if the pool will reopen in like 2030...which would be by the time it's be in good structural shape and withstandable condition...it hasn't been since the 1980's.
The pool room is on the lower end of their priority list but I think it's safe to say it would be reopen by 2030, I think that's a reasonable time frame, considering the overall restoration plans they have for the ship.
My great grandad and his son ( my grandad) both worked on the queen Mary , they were riveters , I have fond memories of him , he was deaf as a post , he was about five foot two or three, and his forearms would of made Popeye blush, oh and he liked a wee dram or two.👍👍
I have recently came back from a road trip from jervis bay Australia , interesting fact , rms Queen Mary is the largest ship to have ever entered jervis bay , and there is this one picture of her in jervis bay and to me it is the most iconic picture of her.
Nice to see this. Id been on her many times as a kid in the 70s, and hearing so much negativity about her future in recent years was depressing. Hopefully this new attitude will see her well preserved to her centennial and beyond!!!
My dad visited the ship and the Hercules 30 years ago. So many cool photos he showed us kids then and he loved touring the ship. I'm glad she's getting the attention she deserves. No small feat!
I follow what's happening to the "Queen" because my mother was a war bride and her and I (baby of nine months) came to America on the ship. Before my mother passed away, her and I visited the ship. She found the actual cabin she had on her journey. Several years ago, my wife and I spent several day aboard as hotel guests. Keep up the good work.
Very happy to see that the Queens Mary Ship now being worked and allowing tours on her instead of just letting her rot in the weather and awesome footage 🎉
Thank you for this wonderful update! My late husband and I spent a night aboard her during our honeymoon in 1984. We snuck all over that shop, even down to the pool! While relaxing in the observation lounge, we met a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary, a good omen to us. I hope they don't change it too much! I still have our crown lapel pins we were given to show we were hotel guests rather than on a tour.
Thank you for sharing this info! I have loved the RMS Queen Mary since I learned of its existence when I was a kid. My grandparents took me for a visit and I was captivated - didn't want to leave. We also saw the Hughes H-4 on the same day so I guess that sets the timeline... I got to go exploring twenty years ago when I was there for a music festival - which was assuredly against the rules but I could not resist an open door and it's memories for a lifetime. I've since stayed on board twice - the most recent was 2014. I always thought it would be really cool if they had some sort of sound generator to replicate the sound of the engines during an Atlantic crossing, but also thought I might be the only person who'd like that sort of thing in a hotel... 🤣
Thanks for posting this video! I love this ship and often visit it whenever in Southern California. But I was recently very disappointed when I heard that the ship had all these major issues and she was probably not going to make it... I'm so glad she will!
Turns out the fight went more poorly than I thought. It's on its way to Kington. At least the tours will be reopening in 2024. It really is a fantastic tour.
Thanks! Yeah it was quite interesting, I had to be a on video call with him while he walked around the ship in order to give him specific instruction! lol but he did really really well.
This is the most encouraging news to come out of Long Beach for decades regarding RMS Queen Mary. Of all the remarkable renovations being put into action, the transition to LED lighting throughout the ship could be the greatest. From that first visit as a child and though the decades into adulthood, I always wondered why RMS Queen Mary was always described as a happy ship when she seemed so dark and gloomy. It wasn't until a visit just before the pandemic that I realised how few lights were on throughout the ship. Thanks to this update, it was revealed that only one in three fluorescent bulbs were lit. Now, with the passageways and decorative lights in areas such as Piccadilly Circus illuminated with LEDs, we can finally marvel at how she would have looked while sailing under the Cunard flag. To bring this observation full circle, I was aboard RMS Queen Mary 2 for her Coronation Cruise from Southampton to Liverpool return in May 2023. When visiting areas such as The Grand Lobby, Britannia Restaurant and Queen's Room, one can admire and see the influences in her decor that originated from her stunning and beloved predecessor. It is also here where one can recognise how RMS Queen Mary should look when lighting is fully restored, particularly with the recessed bands of light that are also present aboard QM2. Thank you for not just keeping us up to date, but for continuing to lobby the City of Long Beach to repair this irreplaceable vessel, a floating masterpiece of artistic, engineering and historical craftsmanship. RMS Queen Mary has a soul, and it's wonderful to see her restored.
As always, Alex, you have provided us with another exceptionally well-done update.🚢 Thank you, and we sincerely appreciate your passion for the old girl😉🥂
I first was there in 96 or 98. Again in 2006 or 8. Vas difference in quality as things wore down. Cant wait to go back. Going through the sub was pretty cool.
Wow! The lighting alone makes a huge difference! No more creepy fluorescents. You can tell love is being put into this ship finally after decades of neglect.
I am SO happy those fluorescents are going away! Now the ship actually has this golden glow, like it's supposed to!
Agreed. LEDs are getting better and better.
Wowwww I cannot wait to visit her again 😭♥️ when I heard there’s a possibility the Queen Mary could be gone forever, my heart broke into a million pieces. Even at just the idea of it!!
I almost burst into tears when I clicked, “book a room” (for the millionth time in three years btw lmaooo) and the booking page *ACTUALLY* opened with available dates/rooms!!! 😍
The Queen Mary holds suchhhh a special place in my heart and I miss her so much since moving from Cali to AZ lolol I cannot wait to see her in all her glory again ♥️ and I hope she’s better than before!
This beautiful, historic ship deserves _endless_ praise and care!!!
And the LED's will significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs.
Looks less spooky but that the vibe you go for
Absolutely brilliant to see her emerge from poor maintenance. Her departure from Southampton used to rattle my bedroom window when her foghorn sounded. Having been on the Mary and Elizabeth I could never say one was the best. Lovely vessels and thanks for reviving so many old memories. I also have been on the United States, great but not a solid vessel. Such a shame to see her languishing in semi ruins. My dining chairs come from the first Mauritania and are solid oak. Best wishes from an old guy in the UK.
In 1991 my wife and I were fortunate enough to spend a night aboard the Queen Mary. I woke up somewhere in the middle of the night and went on an impromptu tour of the ship, I went into some of the 'off limits' areas, it was fascinating and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to visit this historic vessel. I'm please to see that people are putting some effort into preserving her for future generations.
Amazing news. It's fantastic to see the care and attention that the majestic Queen Mary is receiving. She is royalty and should be up kept accordingly. I visited her many years ago in 1989 and would love to revisit her soon. Many thanks to the current ownership for making the effort to keep the Queen Mary alive. ✌🏻🇺🇸🚢
Great to see that LB is actually trying to restore her and keep her suitable for public viewings instead of selling her off for scrap, it takes a lot of effort to perform such a feat and definitely deserves praise
Now if only the SS United States in Philadelphia could get the same treatment
She looks so nice! "Better than she's looked in thirty years" was accurate. Thank you and your friend for the updates! I think the Piccadilly Circus lighting should be white or pale yellow for her grand reopening but at least it's a solid band of light again. Otherwise the repairs are excellent.
I sand and refinish hardwood flooring for a living. It would be so cool to preform work on the Queen Mary. A man can dream haha
I used to be a maintenance guy, I'd go there in a heartbeat, even if all they wanted me to do was polish some bronze railing.
So glad to see that at last her preservation is being taken seriously. The enhanced Cruise Terminal can only benefit her long term wellbeing.
I will be staying on Queen Mary on May 13. I am super excited!
I'm hoping to spend my "Big 6-0" on Queen Mary May 11th--still call her 'My Best Girlfriend'😃
In 1974, a few yeas after her reopening, my parents & I went on the tour of the bridge & saw photos of her former masters (called "Captain's Row"), & shocked to see C. Gordon Illingworth listed from 1942-1952 (seeing someone else with my last name is rare, and one as Captain of this famous liner seemed amazing to me to this young boy)
Thanks! Keep up the great work Alex. It’s so nice to see our Queen Mary getting the care and attention she deserves.
Thank you so much for the super thanks!
Wow never seen something like that
I have had the pleasure of spending 20 plus nights on the Queen Mary. I love the ship and am thrilled that it is being refurbished.
I cruise out of Long Beach and always attempted to spend the night before on the Queen Mary she is the perfect way to begin a cruise.
In the future i look forward with great pleasure to staying my nights before a cruise on this magnificent ship.
I am so thrilled that the renovation of the Queen Mary is proceeding. In February of 1977, I proposed to my wife in the Observation Bar of the Queen Mary! We were married in April of the same year. It would be really cool to be able to celebrate our 50th Anniversary on the Queen Mary!
Fantastic news! All the best for this West coast piece of history. Now we need to do the same on the East coast with the SS United States!
I donate to the United States and I encourage others to if possible!
Wonderful. It's good to hear that the old girl has people that care about her. Great video.
If only the SS United States could get this sort of attention and restoration. Would be amazing to see both ships as they were in their prime.
I have herd that they intend to do the same like with Queen Mary. Ss united states will be a hotel/museum. A perfect way to keep her around as it will help provide funding to do so.
There is nothing left of the inside of it. It's just an empty metal shell. Would take untold millions to restore it and everything would have to be built new.
The SS United States is nothing more than an empty hulk.
@@ksavage681 actually , its a plus. all the hazmat has been removed and its ready to receive a remodelled interior. the dirty work is dont for whoever takes it on
I agree, although that ship has been gutted and is impossible to restore the ship now.
I’m so glad it looks like she’s finally turning for the positive, it’s almost enough to make me cry with joy
Nvm I am actually crying over it
The lady looks better than ever! I've been planning to visit QM since like 2015 but tickets to California from the East Coast aren't cheap but since getting there is gonna happen eventually, it's gonna happen right when QM is gonna look brand new
God Bless The Queen Mary!
God Bless The People Working To Save The Queen
I LOVE IT!!!! TOTALLY AWESOME UPGRADES!!! ART DECO IS ALIVE AND WELL IN 2023!!!! SHE LOOKS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!1 I LOVE ALL THE UPGRADES!! PLEASE CONTINUE TO KEEP US UPDATED!! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS GIANT RESTORATION PROJECT!! THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS, SO THE QUENN MARY CAN SHINE AGAIN!!!! I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO THE QUEEN MARY!!! SHE WILL BE SO BEAUTIFUL WHEN SHE IS RESTORED!!!! TOTALLY AWSOME VIDEO!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! GREAT JOB BY EVERYONE INVOLVED.
Thanks John!
Hi Alex, thanks for posting this video and I am so pleased to see that the old girl is being restored back to her previous glory. In 2009 I stayed on her for a week, the reason for my visit was because my Grand father's brother "William Tanner" was the quartermaster on her for a number of years and I remember standing on the beach at Ryde Isle of Wight watching her she sailed up the Solent heading towards Southampton. Thanks again.
THANKS ALEX ,, THE VIDEO WAS UPDATED VERY WELL AND SPOKEN ABOUT ON HER NEW REPAIRS ,,.. WE WERE HOPING TO SEE WHAT THAY WERE ALSO DOING IN THE OLD POOL BUT IT WAS CLOSED... THE VILLAGE I ASKED WILL BE TAKEN DOWN IN TIME.. WE CANT WAIT TO SLEEP ABOARD SOON ,, THE Q.M. IS SO AMAZING NOW ,, WE CAN BE SO PROUD TO HAVE HER IN LONG BEACH AS OUR SHIP..
WOW...I am so pleasantly surprised...the Queen Mary looks better than I have ever seen her, and the work that's in progress really sounds promising too! I'm sorry to hear about the Russian Submarine...I knew it was bad, but not that bad...what an eyesore! Excellent video as usual, Alex...thanks for your hard work and dedication!!!!!
"Gosh! We keep using non-boat approved materials. Why does our boat keep breaking?!" 😂
Nice job on this update, Alex! I've got a room reserved for this summer and can't wait to see the Mary!
I hope its a great visit!
Seeing the old girl finally get some love makes me smile.
I was an electrician / fire alarm technician on the Queen Mary. I also installed the shore power to the Russian sub Scorpion moored alongside it. It was an interesting way to learn about their history.
Personally, I like the lighting upgrade. Well, I like to keep things historically accurate there are times that more modern updates should be used if it means better care in the long term for the entire vessel. To me, they go beautifully with the gorgeous deco, architecture, and interiors.
I’m so glad they are renovating this ship. There were talks of dismantling it!!
Your voice and clarity of speech are ideal for this informative topic. Just the facts, told with integrity.
Thank you
I have no idea why some bag on LED lighting, it's great. As a electrician I can say they can't be beat. The Queen Mary is such a important part of nautical history it's nice to see she is getting the TLC that she deserves. Alex what a great update, thanks.....
I was speaking to a commentator, an older gentlemen the other day. When he heard me say the lights will be LED the only LED's he's heard of are those harsh bluish white lights. he said "I hate LED lights, they're so blue!" and I had to tell him that "warm white" exists. He was pretty happy to hear that.
Exactly. I’ve changed all of our table lamps in the house to three-way, warm, white LED lightbulbs. They look very similar to traditional warm, white, incandescent bulbs.
@@lasuvidaboy LED's are so much better that CFL's --- those were the worst....
My late husband Karl was a Master Electrician. He'd likely agree with you. I loved the joke he pulled on his helper down in Death Valley National Monument. He sent him out to the truck for wire stretchers. It became a national park in 1994.
Some people are stuck in the past.
Yes the age of steam proves more to replace one of the Yarrow Boilers and steam turbo generators for the Queen Mary engineering machinery not much looking at without her power equipment right now you only have a third and this is her turbine engines.
The Queen Mary deserves better than empty compartments.
Surely somewhere LB can find a Yarrow Boiler and turbo generator.
Thanks again Alex you have helped this great ship a lot the Queen Mary was getting close to disrepair and you helped save this great Ocean Liner.
Thank you City of Long Beach for restoring this beautiful lady. Shes the Only one of her kind left.
I do like the lighting it has helped this beauty of a ocean liner big time and replacing the flooring to her original 1936 era I like. Long Beach is helping the restoration of this great liner a lot but there’s more to be done they absolutely need to fix the swimming pool and open it to the hotel tenants, all hotels has swimming pools plus Queen Mary’s is inside so the pool water won’t get dirt and debris.
I would hope someday that some of the QM machinery like her boilers turbogenerators and more can be replaced don’t have to replace all but like one boiler one generator so people can see what engineering marvel this great Ocean Liner really had to to power her.
I’m sure there is a old Yarrow boiler somewhere or across seas and a Scotsman boiler it take some money but for this great ship it be well worth it people all over would come to see the power of the Queen Mary!
This is unbelievably good news. We are so used to news being bad news that good news is hard to believe.
I will probably never be able to travel to see her but just knowing that enough people care about this brings tears of gratitude to my eyes.
Lovey. I visited her in 1996,and I have been in love with her since the 1970s.
So glad she was able to escape the ship breaker's torch. I had a great aunt who once took a cruise on the Queen Mary. To see that ship being scrapped would be awful to even think of!
this RESTORATION is a fabulous shot in the arm that was needed 40 years ago. i am glad the city is now taking ownership of this great ship. next year i am planning to visit and maybe stay aboard for two nights! maybe by then more lifeboats can be added so it can look like she did at her grand opening to long beach all those years ago. Thank You for the updates
Alex, you do a wonderful job updating us. I have been visiting the QM since the early 1970's as a school boy on class field trips. My wife and I were married aboard her, April 1st, 2003 and have has stayed in the hotel countless times, including during the past New Years Eve Ball's that they used to throw. In 2019 my wife and I went to the River Clyde in Scotland to see the site where QM was built. I'm so glad they plan to scrap that vile submarine. Keep the updates coming.
I am AMAZED at what simply removing the tacky plexiglass wind barriers do for the ship's facade. Little details really make HUGE differences. And what an incredible compromise to Queen Mary Island, the first-of-its-kind cruise terminal/entertainment center. Isn't it interesting how the news threw the "ship is sinking" when it was the popular opinion and most watchable and now all we're seeing from them is "The ship is open! Great news!"?
I'm still winded at how fast these fixes are being made! Can it really be done in this short amount of time (not diminshing the hard work it has taken)!? I didn't think it was possible, but THIS is what happens when people who care are put in charge of restoration and sympathetic renovation. I cannot wait to see her in person again and am going to jump on membership as soon as I possibly can. Really appreciate the 411 on when the membership becomes effective.
I can go on and on about how happy this video has made me. Thanks to our sleuth-Tuber Alex.
I agree 100% Matthew. It's really been frustrating over the years to dispell the media rumor that the ship was sinking or was about to be scrap! But now people can see the bright future ahead of the Queen of the North Atlantic!
5:10 Wow, that side by side comparison makes it easily distinguishable. Green or golden caramel brown.
Thank you so much for this update. I too fell in love with the QM when visiting Long Beach from England. Each visit I always made a point of going onboard and drinking in the history. It's been many years since my last visit (2004) but have continued to follow her story through sad decline and now seemingly back upwards! * yesterday I watched from my home window as QM2 sailed out to sea, a magnificent ship, but not nearly as beautiful as her older sister :)
Thanks Alex good news.
As a frequent passerby to and from Carnival cruises, I have long hoped for this restoration, especially as it makes available easing the daily onerous crush of pier traffic, and affording a new place to stay overnight right next door.
What a pleasant surprise
Good to know that there fixing that beautiful Lady. She was in limbo and disrepair for so long.
It’s good to hear that the Queen Mary slowly began reopening after a year of closure. I would want to visit the Queen Mary soon when I have the time to visit Southern California in the future. Cool… 😎
More than 3 years closed actually!
@@AlextheHistorian Thanks. 😊
This is awesome news. The Queen was really run down in 2010 upon our last visit.
wow this is a dream come true. anyone else feeling emotional?😅
What a great update! You're doing an excellent job keeping us informed. Thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
I'm so glad the Queen Mary is going in the right direction! thank you for the update
You are so welcome
WOW...I'm so amazed and happy that the Queen Mary is being restored. The last I heard, it sounded like she was going to be scrapped. This makes me sooooo happy.
Yeah...it was all media sensationalism. The ship wasn't quite in the dire straights they made her sound like and the city never even considered scrapping her. I spent the last two years trying to correct the information the newspapers were typing.
@@AlextheHistorian Thank you and thank you for sharing the true information with us.
Wow, I thought that thing was about to get scrapped. Nice to see it's being saved.
Love your work. It's not just entertaining, and not only useful. It's special. Well done.
Thank you!
Long Beach is not doing the bare minimum! I am so pleased that they are going above and beyond to not only make the ship more pleasant and enjoyable but also doing what they can to make the ship more original!
She's looking pretty good. Thanks for all the updates.
I was there April 3rd as well, still some work to be done but god damn is this a relief. Might be interesting to note Alex that an employee mentioned that the shaft alley passage to the propeller box was closed due to Fire and Safety saying the escalator at the end was not wide enough. Because of this they had tour groups walking back through the exit to get to the Box and steering. Just something we herd though not at all a confirmation :)
Yes actually I was secretly on a video call with my friend when that tour guide said that! lol So there might actually be some truth to that stuff about the escalator being too narrow. And the escalator was also non-functional so I believe they will be removing the escalators and replacing them with stairs (without the beefy side rails on the escalators, the stairs can have an extra 18 or so inches of space!)
Omg she looks better now
Hoping for more improvements for her
This is a bigger reason to visit her
Exciting news indeed! She's looking SO much better!
Glad to see my friend is still alive😀
Wow. Saw her at the ocean terminal, Southampton in 1962. She looks so good here.
We stayed on this magnificent ship in the early 80s and refurbishing was required then. Congratulations on this process and thank you for this information. 👍👍👍. 4-11-2023
Excellent progress, overall. This is the real start to what I hope will be a far better era and legacy for her future. REALLY appreciate the update. This must be marketed heavily and made to be what she is: an utterly unique attraction, war hero and an icon of travel / maritime history. They should lobby to get her on the UNESCO World Heritage site list through the UN and get National Monument status through the Federal gov. Same idea for the SS United States.
Great video. Thanks for the update. Like you, I have always loved the Queen Mary and been on her many times. Enjoyed dinner several times in Sir Winston, Sunday Brunch, and cocktails in the Observation Bar. Would love to stay in one of her cabins someday. I'm leaving this August on the Queen Mary 2 out of Southampton, Uk to Norway for my birthday. So very excited to be sailing a Cunard ship for the very first time.
Thank you for the update! I've been in love with the Queen Mary (and ocean liners in general) since I took a school field trip to her in the early 70's! When I lived in Long Beach I had a membership and would visit her often. I can't wait to go back, sit at the Observation Bar, and toast to the Queen of the Seas and all who sailed upon her!
She is looking good .Well done .That ship is an asset to the City .
Thanks Alex, amazing update and so nice to have new footage. Hope you get to visit her soon!
Thanks! Yeah I was able to get this footage plus lots of B-roll footage for future history videos!
I love QM. I’ve been staying on her since I was a kid, 50 years worth.
Fantastic Video !!!
Thats fantastic news to see that this relic of a bygone era is still being maintained and upgraded
She's looking fantastic. Thank you so much for the update!
Hi Big Old Boats, omg I didn’t know you were here! I love your videos.
Hi Big Old Boats, I agree the ship is starting to really buff up to a shine! I'm excited to see more of the restoration projects emerge.
@@AlextheHistorian I wonder if the pool will reopen in like 2030...which would be by the time it's be in good structural shape and withstandable condition...it hasn't been since the 1980's.
The pool room is on the lower end of their priority list but I think it's safe to say it would be reopen by 2030, I think that's a reasonable time frame, considering the overall restoration plans they have for the ship.
@@AlextheHistorian plans are looking up for sure... it cost a 1930s mansions worth to travel on the Queen Mary in 1936 ... now anyone can.
My great grandad and his son ( my grandad) both worked on the queen Mary , they were riveters , I have fond memories of him , he was deaf as a post , he was about five foot two or three, and his forearms would of made Popeye blush, oh and he liked a wee dram or two.👍👍
Thanks for the info, love watching your repair update vids!!
Glad you like them!
I have recently came back from a road trip from jervis bay Australia , interesting fact , rms Queen Mary is the largest ship to have ever entered jervis bay , and there is this one picture of her in jervis bay and to me it is the most iconic picture of her.
Nice to see this. Id been on her many times as a kid in the 70s, and hearing so much negativity about her future in recent years was depressing. Hopefully this new attitude will see her well preserved to her centennial and beyond!!!
My dad visited the ship and the Hercules 30 years ago. So many cool photos he showed us kids then and he loved touring the ship. I'm glad she's getting the attention she deserves. No small feat!
I follow what's happening to the "Queen" because my mother was a war bride and her and I (baby of nine months) came to America on the ship. Before my mother passed away, her and I visited the ship. She found the actual cabin she had on her journey. Several years ago, my wife and I spent several day aboard as hotel guests. Keep up the good work.
She looks so brand new ship!
Very happy to see that the Queens Mary Ship now being worked and allowing tours on her instead of just letting her rot in the weather and awesome footage 🎉
Fun video. Thanks for posting it. Can't wait for the Mary to reopen.
Good News. R M S Aquitania ship beautiful.
Fantastic video. Thank you for posting!
Thanks for the update Alex!
Thank you for this wonderful update! My late husband and I spent a night aboard her during our honeymoon in 1984. We snuck all over that shop, even down to the pool! While relaxing in the observation lounge, we met a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary, a good omen to us. I hope they don't change it too much! I still have our crown lapel pins we were given to show we were hotel guests rather than on a tour.
Don't worry Linda, any changes made to the ship are to return her to a historically accurate appearance. 🙂
I wish I could go back in time at will to travel on the Queen Mary on the ocean in her heyday.
Me too
Thank you for sharing this info! I have loved the RMS Queen Mary since I learned of its existence when I was a kid. My grandparents took me for a visit and I was captivated - didn't want to leave. We also saw the Hughes H-4 on the same day so I guess that sets the timeline... I got to go exploring twenty years ago when I was there for a music festival - which was assuredly against the rules but I could not resist an open door and it's memories for a lifetime. I've since stayed on board twice - the most recent was 2014. I always thought it would be really cool if they had some sort of sound generator to replicate the sound of the engines during an Atlantic crossing, but also thought I might be the only person who'd like that sort of thing in a hotel... 🤣
I would love to hear the sound in the engine room, but not in my cabin lol
Thanks for posting this video!
I love this ship and often visit it whenever in Southern California. But I was recently very disappointed when I heard that the ship had all these major issues and she was probably not going to make it... I'm so glad she will!
The paneling always had that dingey look. Can’t believe the difference. And the enclosed promenade!!! Stunning
She's looking very lovely! I hope the dispute with the SS Keewatin can get resolved so that it can get the same treatment.
I heard Keewatin found a new home on the other side of the lake
@@AlextheHistorian The charity organization that's been running it is still fighting that.
Turns out the fight went more poorly than I thought. It's on its way to Kington. At least the tours will be reopening in 2024. It really is a fantastic tour.
Great video update, thanks Alex! Looks like your friend got some great footage! 😃
Thanks! Yeah it was quite interesting, I had to be a on video call with him while he walked around the ship in order to give him specific instruction! lol but he did really really well.
I am so pleased to see her looking so good. We all look good when done up right!
This is the most encouraging news to come out of Long Beach for decades regarding RMS Queen Mary. Of all the remarkable renovations being put into action, the transition to LED lighting throughout the ship could be the greatest. From that first visit as a child and though the decades into adulthood, I always wondered why RMS Queen Mary was always described as a happy ship when she seemed so dark and gloomy. It wasn't until a visit just before the pandemic that I realised how few lights were on throughout the ship. Thanks to this update, it was revealed that only one in three fluorescent bulbs were lit. Now, with the passageways and decorative lights in areas such as Piccadilly Circus illuminated with LEDs, we can finally marvel at how she would have looked while sailing under the Cunard flag. To bring this observation full circle, I was aboard RMS Queen Mary 2 for her Coronation Cruise from Southampton to Liverpool return in May 2023. When visiting areas such as The Grand Lobby, Britannia Restaurant and Queen's Room, one can admire and see the influences in her decor that originated from her stunning and beloved predecessor. It is also here where one can recognise how RMS Queen Mary should look when lighting is fully restored, particularly with the recessed bands of light that are also present aboard QM2. Thank you for not just keeping us up to date, but for continuing to lobby the City of Long Beach to repair this irreplaceable vessel, a floating masterpiece of artistic, engineering and historical craftsmanship. RMS Queen Mary has a soul, and it's wonderful to see her restored.
So happy about this!
Well done Alex, well done.. Mike
Another wonderful Queen Mary video.
Wow! Great updates and great news! Thankyou!
As always, Alex, you have provided us with another exceptionally well-done update.🚢 Thank you, and we sincerely appreciate your passion for the old girl😉🥂
My pleasure!
I thought they weren't going to restore Her? This is wonderful news!!! The Queen Mary was always my favorite hotel in LB.
Restoration work began in February of 2022, and will continue for the next 5 years or more.
Wonderful that this care is being taken of an actual floating piece of history. Thank you for this update.
Wow she looks amazing!!
I first was there in 96 or 98. Again in 2006 or 8. Vas difference in quality as things wore down. Cant wait to go back. Going through the sub was pretty cool.
Such a massive, endless task it must be to keep up with restopration of such a large piece of history. Bravo to the workers!
Keep it up I enjoy watching your videos thank you so much