The Adventures of JMK: The Queen Mary Adventure

Jan-Michael and I have actually talked about going to the Queen Mary several times over the past couple of years. We finally went over Easter weekend. I'm a lucky ducky and got Friday off in observance of Good Friday (all brokers closed!)! So we headed down to Long Beach. We opted for the general admission ticket because I had generous coupons that were only good for GA. However, there are tons of options, including those pricey tours. We guided ourselves around the ship for a couple hours and then headed to the haunted tours (included). The haunted tour was pretty cheesy, but we got to go to other parts of the ship that are otherwise off limits (like the boiler room!).

Here is a little history about the Queen Mary (pulled straight from their site).

The Queen Mary’s story is rich with history, elegance and grandeur. From the time her construction began in 1930 in Clydebank, Scotland, she was destined to stand in a class all her own. Upon her Maiden Voyage in 1936 the Queen Mary was considered the grandest ship ever built and the elite of high society considered her the only civilized way to travel. From celebrities like Fred Astaire to dignitaries such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, she carried some of the world’s most renowned personalities and political leaders. In 1939, at the start of the World War II, the Queen Mary was drafted into service and outfitted as a troopship. Deemed the Grey Ghost due to her new camouflaged grey exterior, she joined the Allied Forces and played a crucial role in their success. When the war ended, she was restored to her former glory and continued passenger service. In 1966, with the growing popularity of travel by plane, Cunard announced the Queen Mary for sale and closed bidding began. The winning bid was $3.45 million dollars and thus began the ship’s transition and new journey to her new home in Long Beach, California.

Queen Mary Timeline http://www.queenmary.com/Timeline.aspx

Ghost stories: Many areas are rumoured to be haunted. Reports of hearing children crying in the nursery room, actually used as the third-class playroom, and a mysterious splash noise in the drained first-class swimming pool are cited. In 1966, 18-year-old engineer John Pedder was crushed by a watertight door in the engine room during a fire drill, and his ghost is said to haunt the ship. One of the most haunted spots of the ship is Cabin B340, which is no longer let out due to the extreme paranormal activity, believed to be the result of the murder of an 8 year old girl. There is also said to be the spirit of a young girl named Jackie Korin who drowned in the second class pool and continues to haunt the first class pool room on board the ship. A young woman by the name of Sarah was said to have been murdered in the first class women's change rooms by an unknown man and haunts the first class pool with Jackie. Some visitors say they have seen women wearing early 1930s bathing suits in the pool areas. It is also said that men screaming and the sound of metal crushing against metal can be heard below decks at the extreme front end of the bow. Those who have heard this believe it to be the screams of the sailors aboard HMS Curacoa (D41) at the moment the light cruiser was split in half by the liner.

If we ever go back, I would like to do a guided tour and learn more about the ship's history. There were a few artifacts and plaques with bits of information here and there. It would also be neat to stay in a hotel room! They have a beautiful "ballroom" and a few restaurants. There is also a floor filled with shops. I hear they have some spooky Halloween parties onboard too!