Makeover On the Way for the Queen Mary

The Queen Mary, which has been a floating hotel in Long Beach for almost 40 years now has new owners. Known as "Save the Queen", the new ownership plans to $6 million over the next year and a half renovating the ship. Ownership rights of the lease also includes the rights to develop the 45 acre property that surrounds the ship. The owners have hired a company called Hostmark Hospitality Group, known for the management of many upscale hotels around the world to run the day to day operations. It will be interesting to see what if any impact this will have on Carnival Corporations operations out of Long Beach. Carnival currently operates Mexican Baja and Riviera cruises out of the building adjacent to the Queen Mary that used to house the Spruce Goose wooden airplane which is a few years back was moved from the domed building to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in Oregon. Passengers on Carnival cruises that arrive early at the terminal currently get to go through early check in at the Queen Mary. It is one of the easiest check in processes that we have been through of all our cruises to date. With the renovation plans, it won't be long before we plan another cruise out of Long Beach with a pre cruise stay at the Queen Mary.