DeltaOne

We'll be flying in to LAX in mid-December, the day before our cruise leaves from San Pedro. We need a hotel for one night. We'll probably take Super Shuttle from LAX to Long Beach. Then, the next morning, take a cab to San Pedro to board the cruise ship. Sound workable?

We thought it would be fun to spend the night on the Queen Mary. Tour the ship, maybe take the free shuttle in to the Pike area if there's time.

I'd love to hear from anyone that has recently stayed on the Queen Mary. Some research indicates some of the rooms are "musty." If so, is it bad enough that you'd advise someone to choose another hotel? Any rooms to avoid? Any info on spending one night on the Queen Mary would be appreciated. Thanks!

Al_LaCarte

DeltaOne,

While I have not personally stayed on the Queen Mary for many, many years, I have heard promising things about it lately. As for location, you've really picked a prime one as far as getting to your cruise ship is concerned. The Long Beach Aquarium, the rennovated Pike area and lots of good, local restaurants make this a pretty desirable area to stay in these days. Especially as a pre-cruise destiantion.

You may wish to check out the hotel on Tripadvisor, etc. to get a feel for how the rooms are. Beyond that I would be asking myself one question, "Do I want to stay on a cruise ship the last night before taking a cruise?" Only you can answer that.

Good restaurants close by:

1. 555 - If I only had one night in the area, this would be the place.
2. King's Fish House on Pine - Neat building, great seafood selection.
3. L'Opera - Italian w/ lots of atmosphere
4. Christy's - Better Italian, a few miles away.

Have fun!

AL

Patrick

This is only a second hand comment, but good friends who travel with us sometimes, reserved three nights on the Queen Mary last summer before meeting us in Oregon. They thought it would be great as they have friends in the Long Beach area. They left after the first night. They called the place a total dump (in terms of rooms). They expected it to be cramped (and it was), but not dirty, bad linens, smelly bathrooms, and uncontrollable airconditioning. What's more on arrival, they were told they were being "upgraded" so they couldn't imagine how much worse it could be that what they got. They haven't stopped talking about it yet.

logandog

I have stayed on The Queen Mary many times, the last in Februrary '05. I make sure I get one of the rooms with the original wood panneling and decor. Also try to book on the starboard side so I have a view of the harbor.
The first class bar is an art deco masterpiece and we love to hang out there. My daughter and her friends like to roam the ship at night looking for one of the many resident ghosts.

happytrailstoyou

I see on www.tripadvisor.com that opinions about the place are quite varied. I guess the answer is that you should definitely stay there if you love Deco ship, otherwise not.

You can take a tour that shows you virtuallly everything.

Tess

I would stay there if it's only for one night--especially if you're a history buff. We've toured but not stayed. The tour guide did show us a couple of the hotel rooms and they looked fine.

Honestly, I can see why the ship is considered to be haunted--I kept looking over my shoulder the entire time we were on the ship--we definitely had company of some sort!! I agree--the bar is magnificent--I personally downed a cold one or two to rid me of the ghostly goosebumps

nez

My teenage niece and I stayed at the Queen Mary last year and we loved it. It IS old and a little dingy, but that was part of what we liked about it.
It was historical, spooky, and fun!
I say go for it!