Queen Mary celebrates 90th anniversary of maiden voyage

The Queen Mary, one of Long Beach’s most iconic landmarks, marked 90 years since its maiden voyage with a daylong celebration and ceremonial rechristening on Wednesday, May 27.

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Thousands of locals and visitors stepped aboard the iconic ship to celebrate on the exact date the legendary ocean liner first set sail in 1936. As part of the ship’s ongoing, yearlong anniversary programming, the free event offered a lineup of experiences for guests that honored the Queen Mary’s legacy, while also bringing new life to the iconic vessel.

Among the visitors on Wednesday was Gayane Hovhannisyan, 35, from Los Angeles. While she has been to the Queen Mary before, she said, she hadn’t experienced the ship to such an extent as the 90th celebration offered guests.

“The 90th anniversary, it’s an incredible, incredible experience,” Hovhannisyan said. “There’s a lot of events planned out. We just went to the engine room, which was incredible. My mom was absolutely terrified, but it’s just amazing being (here) and learning about the history of the Queen Mary and how things were in the past, and getting to see exhibits.

“I think anyone who was able to be here today got to experience something that’s magical.”

The Queen Mary embarked on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, and arrived in New York City five days later.

Once the most advanced ocean liner in the world, the Queen Mary redefined transatlantic travel with groundbreaking engineering, Art Deco design and unmatched elegance, according to the ship’s website. Over the decades, the ship has served as a luxury liner, a World War II troopship, and after it retired, a cultural and historic treasure permanently docked in Long Beach.

The Wednesday festivities began with the ship’s officers welcoming guests at the iconic vessel’s bell, inviting guests to explore the art gallery, special anniversary tours, arts and crafts, and interactive moments throughout the Queen Mary. Guests were also able to attend a special lecture by maritime historian Dik Barton.

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In the Queen’s Salon, Capt. James Sanders and officer Danny Rangel, Mayor Rex Richardson and other city officials spoke about the ship, as did Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary. There were also performances, and the U.S. Veterans Magazine awarded its inaugural “Service to Our Country” award to the Queen Mary in recognition of the ship’s efforts during World War II.

“For 90 years, the Queen Mary has stood as a global symbol of elegance, resilience and cultural significance all around the world,” Richardson said during the celebration. “This ship carried people across oceans, carried soldiers to war, carried families, memories, history and moments that shaped the 20th century.

“The Queen Mary is not only simply preserved, she is alive,” Richardson added. “She is welcoming guests; she is creating jobs and opportunity. She is continuing to stand as one of the most iconic landmarks, not only Long Beach, not only in Southern California, but anywhere in America.”

Caloca, meanwhile, touted the Queen Mary’s future.

“This is the new golden era of the Queen Mary,” Caloca said, “and we are committed to stewarding in the next 90 years of the luxurious RMS Queen Mary.”

In the afternoon, there was a ceremonial rechristening of the Queen Mary by Sanders and the crew. A new historical artifact was also unveiled, and there was a dedicated tribute to Commodore Everette Hoard in the Visitor’s Center.

The celebration was scheduled to culminate in the one-night-only debut of the Starlight Lounge, a revival of the ship’s famed Starlight Club, once a premier nightlife destination at sea during the Queen Mary’s transatlantic voyages, officials said. The restored Art Deco venue hosted live music, dancing and more for visitors.

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