Queen Mary REPAIR Update March 2024
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
- I have an exciting update for you which is all about the near future for the Queen Mary!
#queenmary #oceanliner #steamship
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Repair Update Playlist:
• Queen Mary Repair UPDA...
Thank you to @lumguh for filming the footage for this update!
Drone footage of the Queen Mary is from @aerorealm
• Drone Visits Queen Mar...
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What kinds of repairs/improvements/changes are you looking forward to?
I don’t think they will ever do it but I would like if they build a steam system in the horn so the horn could be blown on steam
It would be cool if they could repair a pool, but I am happy they have preserved the QM the way that they have. I've added this to my bucket list 😊
I wish they would replace all floors to be like original. The carpets take away from the cohesion of the original design, but I understand why they are there.
Ditto on the floors. And I’ve been obsessed with one day soon seeing the original Tourist Class library if not half restored. So much could be utilized with that space. And it would just warm up the ship. It was such a heartwarming space in the ship’s sailing days. And one day eventually, the 2nd Class Dining Room. Would add so much venue opportunities and they could utilize unused spaces originally meant for crew…for crew. Also, the original gates that separated each class and markers for these separations to orient guests and immerse them in the space they’re in. She needs that sense of adventure and dynamic sailing day excitement she had for those 31 years at sea.
The cost to replace the missing aft decking with real teak wood is prohibited. Not even modern cruise ships can afford it. Many new water proof composite materials look just like teak and are a lot cheaper. Think the city has to go with that,
As expensive as $470,000 is to repaint the third funnel, I realized it is about 1% of the reopening costs. Alex, you are fair and unbiased when you say that even though you dislike promoting the haunted aspect of the Queen Mary, they ought stay, at least for the time being, as they bring in a big chunk of revenue. I think the Sunday Brunch is my favorite feature of the ship. It not only allows one to absorb the atmosphere of what was once the largest room on the seas, it eliminates the time it takes to find food elsewhere, which isn’t close. Leisurely eating and relaxing in her other period restaurants allows one to experience her golden years with plenty of time left for tours.
Thanks Conrad. Yeah sometimes it's difficult for me to be unbiased, but I felt that I'd be kidding myself if I thought the Haunted tours didn't bring in lots of money.
It's nice to see that the beautiful old gal is getting a makeover that she's so desperately needs. And thanks for another great video Alex.
I remember being on it back in the 1970s.And I honestly don't believe it's going to be around for the next thirty years or so.
@AmericaFirst69 The ship definitely will. She's on a restoration plan designed to keep her viable for the next 100 years.
It really makes me happy to see the work being accomplished to save the Queen. I will be staying there for the first time since Covid.
Alex, THANK YOU for how you handled the whole “ghost and paranormal” topic. As a former tour guide and concierge in the pre and post Disney days, I am WELL familiar with the sudden onslaught of ghost stories that ‘coincidentally’ arose with Disney’s purchase. Ugh! Hate that. BUT, like Disney itself, the generated income will help prolong and rejuvenate her life. And THAT is what is important.
My 7year old father, younger uncle, and grandparents immigrated aboard the Queen Mary in 1962. I worked aboard, and later for awhile, server as an officer on cruise ships. So the Queeny is super important to my life, both emotionally and in evenings being alive at all.
The village is, or was, kinda awesome. Most of our guests back when I worked aboard would go there and visit at least once. Coffee/tea, a family heraldry shop, fish and chips (of course) -all to be had there. Was pretty cool.
Something they used to have aboard was a library of books and videos for crew members. I used it extensively. It was on the port side, just inside the after entry to the engine room tour. Just to the after end of the entryway. Had to go down a steep ladder and it was awesome.
I wonder what it would be to reopen a library aboard, come in and read (for guests aboard) or even “check out” a video (with a limited run in one’s device), buy ship produced or sponsored digital books- as a revenue source as well as catering to us, her adoring public.
Just a thought.
Anyway, thank you again, Alex, for all you do and your dedication to her.
My wife and I will be staying aboard in April (can’t wait!) during which time I will also be attending my Guard drill weekend. Fortunately that’s also in Long Beach - so I’ll be in uniform once again (remembering my employee uniform) in my lifetime.
First.....
Alex another great watch. Over the years your narration has gotten better and better. Glad to see things looking up for the Queen Mary, remember next time you're down here Coffees on me..............
Thanks for your time and hard work and posting.
Huge thanks for all the updates after years of waiting, I’ve finally booked a couple nights on the Queen Mary with my dad, who’s never been. Your updated videos have been a huge part of that and I really appreciate it
Thanks you so much! I hope you and your father enjoy your stay. I have a recent "Narrated Tour" video that might help give you ideas of what areas of the ship to explore.
So glad she is moving forward, being slowly restored and being brought up to full power, with all rooms available and restaurants reopening etc! I hope they save the two English phone boxes in the village! Your right about the wedding area on top deck. They need to have something they can put up and take down, but also make it art deco style, or at least something that better matches the ship! Thanks for sharing the good news!
I agree! It should be something Art Deco that matches the British style of Art Deco the ship showcases.
Thank you for this update Alex. It was interesting to learn about the balance of Queen Mary's business planning mixed with restoration progress and the potential land development. The steps towards partnerships with NGOs is a good idea. I think that art restoration (for example) could be achieved in this way. It's a huge project to run a business within a heritage structure and the City of Longbeach is achieving the right balance. Thanks again for your information which brings enthusiasts like me from far away closer to the Queen Mary.
That's certainly some good news. Of course most of us want Queen Mary to look exactly as she was year 1, but as you said there's no reason a ship as a hotel should not make money. There are lots of things to offer. She's a historic ship and a museum, a hotel, and if you give her the right attractive setting, it will generate all kinds of revenue, not just for the ship but the surrounding area.
💯👍Alex, another exceptionally well-done and crafted video, on our Grand Dame of the Oceans. The beloved RMS Queen Mary. Thank you again for all your hard work and commitment as well as devotion to this beautiful ship. 🚢
🙌👏🙌👏🙌👏🥇
I am in the UK and appreciate all that is being done to the Queen Mary. She holds a special place in the hearts of those in Britain who can remember when she and her sister ship, Queen Elizabeth, were both sailing. Thank you for looking after her. A wonderful ship!
Excellent Alex as always. You way of explain the things is so clear and clean that even I, that my English is not so good, understand almost every details. My congratulations.👏🏻👏🏻🚢❤
She's looking great with her new funnel paint! For a historic surface area that size that needs maritime-grade paint and serious safety precautions to do the work, $470,000 is a good price.
The unicorn artwork will be stunning when it's restored. I still think they should recreate a couple third and second class cabins for the tours, but other than that it'll be nice to see the first class pool open again.
Thank you kindly Alex! Another absolutely outstanding update and most encouraging!! I am filled with confidence that our Queen is indeed on a trajectory to the greatest success she has ever known as a Hotel, Museum and Convention Centre. Hugely appreciated!!
Thanks for the update. I really hope that they follow through on the Yarrow Project and rebuild part of the Queen’s enormous and impressive power plant.
The new wind barriers DON’T look awful. In fact..they look cool and chic, even. On the other hand, they are teeth-like in their appearance. Hmm. Maybe once the ship’s visage is properly pearled up, it’ll fit nicely. Unobtrusive. Love the streamlined stainless trim. That funnel, too, was used as..imma say propaganda for the ships “sinking” condition. So…no more ammunition there (not that there’s been any). Probably shouldn’t be shocked by the funnel’s price tag. Wow. But it is a post-pandemic age.
How life is. I’ve had an annual membership since October and haven’t been able to “travel” aboard since. So this video is a nice vicarious visit. If restoring a Second Empire takes years, restoring an 81k ton ocean liner from 1936 will take at least several years. It’s just great to see a plan in place and accountability, too. I’ll admit, though, I am holding my breath. Power dynamics have changed. Let’s keep it that way.
The art of design. You see it even in highly produced HGTV shows. You are supposed to complement and be sympathetic to the home’s design. They could very well make a beautiful and NOT intrusive wedding setup in the original tennis quart half deck. C’mon peeps. Let’s do this.
As a kid, I did enjoy the Ghost and Legends show. Kids may find interest in the ship through the new version. I think the biggest problem is how spaces are treated. If it non-destructively affects the ship…and can be non-expensively altered back - like the Promenade Cafe setup - I’m for it.
Also. Do kind of love the pool hugging the ship’s starboard side in the depiction. But have them enter through C Deck maybe. We don’t want that iconic view to be obstructed. I know it’s just an artist rendering and from a while ago.
I’m sorry. This comment is long. There’s so much to say. So much to discuss. Excited about all the updates. Thanks for keeping us informed in a way we just don’t get widely enough. Would love to see an Art Deco Hollywood Bowl inspired looking event space where the original English village will have been. Let’s highlight the space. In London and Paris, and once upon a time in Disneyland, each building and statue and shape of the streets directs your eye and complements one another. These cities are pieces of art. And for that to be brought to the Queen Mary’s property with historic intrigue would be fantastic.
Thank you for making it this far in my TEDx Talk.
I like the idea of an Art Deco style concert venue as well! In fact I think all the new structures they plan to develop on the land next to the ship should be Art Deco inspired.
@@AlextheHistorianYou might disagree with me here, but I hope the spaces repurposed for the Ghosts and Legends don’t have those hideous Party City theme park props, and just be, like you said, just be the tour group walking through while they tell their little ghost stories and that’s it.
I just visited the ship on Feb 9th, from Calgary, and can compare the visit to previous ones in ‘17 and ‘19. One thing that really made an impression is the beautiful scent in the air from the cleaned and polished wood veneers. So many areas have been brightened with renewed lighting…now metal fixtures and railings gleam and wood paneling is rich and glowing. The new carpeting is a huge improvement. The staff is excited and friendly and many spoke of a personal attachment to the ship. I brought up how much I have learned from your videos to various staff Alex, and all knew about and acknowledged your positive contributions to awareness of the ship. I love to see historic restoration is being done and hope efforts continue in that direction. Queen Mary has such a unique presence with her design, materials and artwork…surely that alone is the most valuable commodity. I feel they are heading in the right direction with this and am excited by what could be still achieved. There’s no question to me that Queen Mary is an irreplaceable, historic treasure that should be protected and valued as much as any world heritage sight. Thanks for another wonderful update.
Yes indeed. The new lighting has made a world of difference.
I wish I could travel back down to the Queen Mary again, maybe for the anniversary of her launch this September, but who knows. Wow that's so humbling that the staff know of my videos! I wasn't sure anyone at the Queen Mary was watching. My hope for this channel and the videos about the ship is to renew interest in the ship and get more people talking about her. Like you said, she is an irreplaceable, historic treasure and the more people who can see and understand it, the more of a positive effect the ship can have on our world.
There’s a young guy there who’s wearing the full commodore regalia that I spoke to. I was really impressed with his deep admiration and dedication to the ship. He told me he no longer does tours so that may give you a clue who I’m talking about…didn’t get his name. He was very aware of your videos and cautiously confirmed some of the things I brought up to him from your updates…although there was a strong sense of protection there as well. I mostly wanted him to know how much I appreciated the work being done and not to be too pushy for information he may not be at liberty to talk about. I didn’t see James around that day but he’s also a great representative and spokesperson for the ship.
I ain’t reading all this
That is so nice to know. My son has a visit planned and I bet he doesn't even know all this. Thsnks!
Awesome to see the preservation of a historic ship like this ,, thanks for what you’re doing
I agree with your position on the false and overly exploited haunted aspects of the ship, as I have mentioned… the sheeple like it though and pay for it.
The only spirits aboard are in the bars and restaurants folks!
Thanks for the update Alex and the tour! Great to hear the positive news about the Queen Mary 😊
The Queen was the only one of the great liners of the 30's to turn a profit. Given the right management and TLC she is doing it again. Mary the Money Spinner!
I love that beautiful old ship. I love the Art Deco period, and I’ve been aboard the QM more times than I can count (back when I lived in San Diego). She was one of my favorite things to show friends and family when they came out to visit.
I always enjoy these updates, you're a great speaker and its super enjoyable to see such respect given to the vessel as well as all the bits and pieces coming together
Thank you!
Glad to hear the ship is doing well, I know it would be expensive but fixing the pool so it's operational again would be a big benefit because I noticed in California few hotels have indoor pools!
Well there's good reason for that, Californians like being outside and so do the visitors, indoor pools aren't very popular there, but I think people would like Queen Mary's.
@@AlextheHistorian I can understand that but California weather at night in October is not warm enough for outdoor pools unless they are super heating the pools and most hotels don't tell you that! I agree the Queen Mary's pool would be popular!
Another great update, Alex. Thank you for the good information!
Thanks for the comprehensive and informative update
Thanks Alex good to see all the work going on.
Thank you for another great update. I am so glad that the Queen is once again profitable and able to continue restoring more and more parts that needed attention. I am kinda sad to hear that the London town area is slated to be bulldozed but I do know it is in such a dilapidated state that it was needed. I was kind of hoping it could have been replaced with a new town / mall shopping venu but maybe that is just not in vogue anymore. I suppose a concert venue would be both a good location (as it is away from other parts of the city and would not "disturb" neighbors) as well and generate some good amounts of money to go toward the restoration work. I am also kinda sad that the park might go away to place this venue. The American Diabetes society used to do their annual charity cycling ride from the Queen Mary around downtown Long Beach and over hte harbor bridges to Palos Verdes... they used that park as a finish line and end of the ride celebration area... but when it went downhill and became a homeless camp area, and with the new bridge construction they stopped using long beach for their event. I would love to see non-profits com back to using the area around the Queen for events like that. I am alos kinda with you on the haunted theme things surrounding hte ship... don't personally care for it but yeah... part of raising the funds. I would love to see more history related tours that talk about the ships passengers and it's service in the war.
I worked at the Pike, which is near where the Queen Mary is docked. It was an absolute dream to be able to see her on a daily basis.
Also, I was super lucky to have my Jr. year H.S. Prom on board. Super cool!
The pike went downhill after 2015
We've been on the ship several times. Once for an Art Deco event last fall, where we stayed on the ship and loved it. We've done one of the cocktail experiences and been to the Meet me at the Mary Tuesday events in the Observation Bar. I'm good with whatever brings awareness and revenue into the ship to help with renovation and preservation.
100 years… this unstoppable ship… she still lives… even tho she is haunted… She shall live forever!!
crazy to think she has sat there longer than she was in service, and been mismanaged that whole time !
good mention of QE2 and Rotterdam ( Britannia too !), imagine the difference that type of management would have made to QM
Great video, wonderful to hear all the good news!
For the transit work, I actually wouldn't mind the city taking control of the two PE 500 class replica's the Port of LA built for their now closed waterfront red car system. I could see the old pedestrian passage under Ocean Blvd to be reactivated to serve as an entrance to a terminal located next to it, then run down Pine Ave on a ROW, then a ROW along Shoreline Dr, then over the bridge to the Queen Mary. Either that or an arial tram or a complete restructuring of the shuttle buses because what they have now does not work.
Great video Alex, am happy to see all the developments on the ship, albeit I am so scared that Ghosts and Legends is returning. The current paranormal tours, as much as it annoys me, seems to be much more respectful of the ship rather than G&L
I like your idea of building a replica Red Car system to take people to the Queen Mary, now that's style!
@@AlextheHistorian Best part is that there would be no cost for the equipment since it already exists and just needs minor repairs from what I've heard.
Thanks for the update Alex.
I won’t lie, the English Village is a cherished 90’s memory for me. Sad to see it go, but the space could definitely be better used. So glad the Queen is getting new life.
Always look forward to these updates!
I love your content keep it up it is so good, and it always makes my day when you post a new video
Nice thanks for the information
My late uncle sailed every summer, on both of the Queens and most of the famous ocean liners.
ANY news that doesn't mention "scrapyard" is damn good news to me.
I wish they would do a historical weekend like the Grand Hotel does in October for "Somewhere in Time" weekend. Everyone dresses in period garb and lives as if it was 1920's 1930's 1940's...
Imagine if they plan a few ballroom events or tour experiences for historical enthusiasts and reenactors where they could dress up in 1920s or 30s fashions. It could be educational for families, and heighten up the immersive experience of how past travelers must have felt in the golden age of ocean liners and transatlantic crossings.
Every Tuesday they host "Meet me at the Mary" where guests can enjoy happy hour at the Observation Bar. They come dressed in vintage clothing and a swing/jazz band plays. And every year the ship hosts events thrown by the Art Deco society of Los Angeles (huge event).
@@AlextheHistorian that is awesome~! Either events especially the Art Deco one could be a topic to cover for a future video and a glimpse of seeing QM filled with "passengers" in period clothings again. :D
Thank you so much for the update!
Thanks for update awesome video alex
Thanks Ozzie!
@@AlextheHistorian$470,000 to repaint a replica funnel?!? That's crazy
Another great update!
Great update and very informative!
I’m thrilled to hear of the ship’s progress. There is no paranormal stain. You cannot deny there are spirits abounding.
I appreciate your videos.
I personally don't deny the ship is haunted. I've had paranormal experiences. HOWEVER, I have personally spoken to the very people who invented the most famous "ghost" stories told on the tours. Characters like "Jackie" the little girl who "haunts" the swimming pool, were created by talented show writers working for Disney between 1989-1992. The writer told me that Disney wanted to increase the ship's profitability, unfortunately the ghost stories that crew and staff had weren't exciting enough for the main ghost tour, so the real stories they did use were retold more dramatically, and then new stories were created to make the overall tour follow a good story flow. It's these fake stories and the over-sensationalized way they are told that has led people to come to the ship and gloss over her amazing history in order to interrupt tour guides while they explain fantastic history and statistics with their boring question "Yes, but is this room haunted?"
I hope they save the two telephone booths and repurpose them on the ship. One of them can still be a traditional telephone booth and the other one can be from doctor who! I think that would be rather cute and a great photo Opportunity.
The Tardis in the show isn't a phone box, it's a Police call box. I don't think they would fit in onboard but might be useful at the bottom of the boarding ramp. There is a whole lot of nothing around the Queen!
Another great video!
Kids and families love the paranormal aspect. It seems like it would not be detrimental to the longevity of the ship. In fact quite the opposite. It allows kids to experience the ship in a way that can be enthralling.
Well I'll put it this way, the ship was very popular for the first two decades it was open, and then when Disney introduced all the paranormal stuff starting in 1989, in hopes to make the ship even more profitable...that's when the ship suddenly experienced 30 years of disinterest and low visitor numbers.
While there are some children that are fascinated by ghosts and the paranormal, I can't tell you how many people over the years have commented on my videos saying "I would NEVER step foot on that ship, its really haunted and there's evil spirits on it. I'd rather take my family somewhere else." -From a business perspective, those are the bad kinds of comments. A haunted building like the Stanley Hotel in Colorado can make good money from marketing its "haunted" aspect, because that elevates it from "old hotel" to "old HAUNTED hotel". But with a ship as large and expensive as the Queen Mary, it's been proven that the haunted marketing has been detrimental to the ship. People who come for the paranormal aspect of the ship stay for a few hours to a whole day...but families looking to get away for a weekend spend a lot more time and money on the ship. This is why Disneyland does not market the haunted aspects of its original hotel or the older buildings within the park itself.
Totally agree with you about the haunted nonsense. I think its tacky and cheapens the QM and her legacy and that of her crew and passengers.
Nice update! I’m going there this month!
I hope you enjoy your visit!
Thanks!
Tyvm 4 update. I see your point re: cheapening with false ghost narrative-but it does bring in the punters (customers) & raises awareness. But Met doesn't do this!
Excellent presentation as usual! I liked how you added some pros and cons. I am soo upset that the english village is being scraped.I loved the Queens BBQ place and the themed shops..The english village was such A great part of the Halloween maze expierence. So glad I still have pics and vids of the place. ps is Scottish Fest back?
It hasn't been officially confirmed, but they say they are looking towards bringing the Scottish Festival back in Summer.
HI ALEX ,, ANY NEWS ABOUT THE SUB THATS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION TO BE REMOVED,, ,, WE ARE HOPING IT WONT SINK AND HIT THE QUEEN MARYS BOW ???? THANKS...
Sorry, Ronald. There hasn't been any news recently about it. I don't expect there to be news about it until next year.
Hi Alex! I'm getting married on the Queen Mary in September 2025! We are getting married on the capstan deck, queens salon and cocktail hour in the model ship room. I am so glad they are getting rid of the "English cottage" area. I was there today doing a walkthrough with the event staff and they have done so much amazing work. I'm very excited for Sir Winstons to re open! One thing is though the ferry boat doesn't run all the time to the Queen Mary. I think all the ticket booths in the parking lot should be taken down as well I think they distract from the beauty.
Yep, the ticket booth buildings in the parking lot will be demolished along with the English Village. Congratulations!
I hope they'll reopen the boiler room for visits!
So far this is a pretty good video
I've stayed 4 times already since the re-opening and still haven't seen the whole ship. As much as I agree on the point of ghost seances it looks like since the interest in there, people will be doing it with programs offered or on their own. For example, once someone setup a bunch of weird equipment in front of B340 with loud speakers. I'm sure that's a disturbance to the hotel guests. So at least those "planned" seances contain that interest in a dedicated areas at certain times.
Despite being a fan of the ship, I seem to be way behind on some issues. Can anyone help me understand? :-)
1. I can see why a glass barrier on the front promenade would be necessary for safety -- but for wind? The ship isn't moving forward anymore.
2. How did it cost more than $450,000 to paint a funnel? I know that the proper color and durability of paint, and scaffolding, can be expensive. But this amount is eye-watering.
3. Instead of haunted-ship tours, how about revisiting the ship's military, wartime and international diplomatic heritage?
1. The ship may not be moving, but there are miles of flat land and ocean surrounding the Queen Mary, and the wind can whip up something wild, especially when the seasonal Santa Ana Winds start in the summer and fall. The Santa Anas are no joke, I've seen it flip trailer-trucks.
2. So I had made a mistake in the pricing. It was $450,000 for the funnel and for the automated parking gates together. I think the actual price of the funnel repaint was closer to $300,000. And its that price because the funnel is 60 feet tall and wide enough that three locomotives side-by-side could pass through it. It requires marine-grade paint, and because there was no scaffolding, it also required hiring climbing-painters, people who hanged off the side of the funnel and worked on it.
3. There is already an attraction devoted to that on the ship, its called "Their Greatest Hour" and requires ship admission to enter. That being said, there could be more offerings that aren't focused on ghosts...but ghosts are easy, you don't have to pay for ghosts, ghosts don't have to be seen in order for the ship to charge money for a tour, and ghosts don't ever need to go home at the end of their shift.
@@AlextheHistorianThank you so much for the background. I love your videos!
I have it booked for a week in June. 2024. Last time I was there 2019.
I hope you enjoy your next visit!
They could restore the deck tennis courts for hotel guests to use?. Maybe?
I think they should put things like deck tennis, shuffle board, squash court, back on board and repair the swimming pool and restore her to the Ocean Liner she is. Then the customers could experience what life was like to sail on her in her glory days without ever leaving the harbor along with the museums already on her. And it sounds like they have some good projects in the future.
My paternal grandfather travelled on her in 1960
great video Alex !
Maybe the ghost tour visitors could be made to wear dunce hats so normal people can identify and avoid them ? lol
The teak replacement panels look awful imo , look forward to its eventual replacement?
I’m probably alone here, but I still wish Disney’s theme park had gone in around the surrounding land. I do still think it’d be really cool to have a stand alone dark ride built to take guests through the history of ocean liners.
Disney had planned to move the Queen Mary a quarter of a mile further away so visitors didn't have to see her rusting hulk near the Disney property. They would have abandoned the ship soon after opening their theme park.
@@AlextheHistorian huh I didn’t know that. I assumed based on the SS Columbia the fake ocean liner built for the park’s repurposed plans in Tokyo DisneySea that they would’ve kept it. The more ya know lol
The theme park that ended up in Tokyo, not Long Beach, is probably the crown jewel of Disney parks in particular, theme parks in general. The Disney Co even built for that park an elaborate (& obviously smaller) replica of the QM. The proposal for LB, however, required acreage of costly land infill, which ironically enough is what I believe the park in Tokyo sits on.
coming in clutch!!!
Glad to see they're remodeling this ship asbestos they can
They're certainly lead by the recent success.
As long as asbestos isn’t disturbed, it poses no problem
Great information Alex! What is happening with that awful submarine?
One way they could make fast stacks would be in a large empty space or somewhere which is 100% wasted space gut it and add numerous new hotel rooms at a lower rate say 100 dol a night. This would bring new guests likely in the 100’s. I’d say that would help the ship out a lot
Just done some calculations and if we squeezed 5 new large 4 berth cabins and 12 2 berth cabins this could bring 3.25k a day. Charging 169 dollars and 250 dollars a night respectively
Based on your calculations, that would be a project costing at least $10 million. At the rate of earning $3.25k a day, it would take 8 years to pay back to cost of constructing those rooms, and that's not counting the cost of running and maintaining those rooms...that would bring your $3.25k figure down much further. At best, it would take 10 years to turn a profit on those rooms.
The problem isn't that they need more rooms, it's that they need to offer more attractions and entertainment.
@@AlextheHistorian that does make sense. Was just one of my ideas they could bring money the other would be to restore the pool and charge guests to use it
You mentioned trams and aerial trams, but. What about aquatic trams that could travel from Downtown Long Beach to the Queen Mary, and vice versa?
They already have them. You can take a water taxi from Downtown to the Queen Mary.
Great video! What is the dome now? It use to be the Spruce Goose...
Spruce Goose is in Oregon now. It’s just a carnival cruise entrance holding area basically
Need to start restoration of abandoned spaces back to original and taken thing out that been basterize over time
Just FYI, your link for annual pass come up to me as page not found. I am local to QM and would like to visit again, as long as it is not prohibitively expensive.
Sorry about that. I copy and pasted the whole description, and thought I deleted the link. If you want to purchase an annual pass, you can't do it online, you have to go to the ticket booth at Queen Mary.
Dear Alex
Thanks for the update
I happen to be going to jervis bay very soon , and if possible the maritime museum which has a picture of queen Mary in jervis bay, would you be interested in seeing the picture ?, let me know and I can send it to you.
Thanks Alex. Anything new on getting rid of that old submarine?
Nothing new unfortunately. I dont expect to hear anything until next year.
@@AlextheHistorian Thanks Alex. Keep up with the great updates.
$450 thousand?!?!?! Someone is gouging the fix up project with extremely high prices. If it keeps going like this they won't be able to save her. That's almost half a million bucks just for 1 funnel. WOW!
It turns out that half of that price was the installation of all new automated parking systems, they just lumped the two together and called it "the funnel repaint project" so I guess the repaint was more like $225,000.
But the ship is already saved. All her major safety repairs have been completed, brand new emergency power, fire suppression, and pumping systems were installed, and the ship has been very popular recently and turning a profit.
@@AlextheHistorian fantastic. I stayed on the ship in 1980. She is beautiful. Thank you for getting back.
Any news on when the Verandah Grill might be restored and open?
The Verandah Grill was restored to a satisfactory condition in the 1990s and remains a place where tours and private meetings can be booked.
The hauntings are part of the ship’s story, and I hope they never stop doing ghost tours.
Anything on the USS Iowa?
Damn. 450k for a single funnel sounds ridiculous. I wonder if Long Beach is vetting the contractors and process to make sure they werent getting skimmed.
They were, but the problem is, when you're a city looking to hire people for a big job, all candidates for the job are looking to skim them. Private contractors don't see the city as a client, they see them as a giant dollar sign
@AlextheHistorian true. It also doesnt help that public works and publically funded restoration projects are also either contracted out or are incredibly rare. For example, when the WPA and CCC did all their public works projects dur8ng the 1930s, it was statistically up to 25% cheaper than when they contracted private firms for labour to do the exact same thing. Then again, the US Army was overseeing said initiatives, so things had to be a bit more straight and narrow. People try to make things as convoluted as they can now so they can make that little bit of extra $. Take my city of Pittsburgh for example. We had a project for an under-river light rail tunnel that ballooned to half a billion dollars back in 2010. They could have rebuilt our entire streetcar network for almost the exact same cost.
@iananderson5050 I know what you mean, where I live, Portland Oregon, we need to have our bridge over the Columbia replaced. A simple bridge, nothing flashy, they originally estimated $1-1.5 billion. Now it's approaching $8 billion and they aren't anywhere near starting construction yet. ...$8 billion for a bridge...geez.
Like the boondoggle train they're building between Vagas and Rancho Cucamonga.
Very impressive that they’re managing to power up those old 225vdc fans on the ceiling above the promenade. Maybe they have universal motors and can also function on 220v ac
Those fans are not original to the ship, they are vintage-looking modern fans that are sold to businesses.
@@AlextheHistorian I wondered about that. They found nice quality replicas for it. I know there are originals in some of the cabins; would be neat if they could fire those up
When it need drydocking? Are there any planning to do it.
The city of Long Beach intends to construct a new dry dock to service the Queen Mary and future ships. That kind of project will take many many years and I don't expect to really hear much about it until 2026. Thankfully, after recent inspections of the ship's hull, it was found to be in much better shape than was originally suspected. She also has a functional Sacrificial Cathodic Anode System that protects the hull from being completely degraded by the water.
Alex did you hear about the fight that broke out in long beach
Yes I did. I wish people would learn the value of kindness and good behavior.
The ship could do with an out door pool as was on her sister ship Queen Elizabeth
$500,000 to paint ONE funnel correctly? That is WILD!
That is a big price tag but I'm sure it cost a lot in paint, primer, plus having to remove the old paint and prepare it for new paint. Also it's up very high so I'm sure it's a kind of dangerous job.
Alex, I recently visited the Queen Mary, and I have a very personal story I’d like to share with you. Is there a way I could contact you?
That big clear area where the gazebo used to be… what’s under that? It’s screaming for an outdoor pool and deck for hotel guests.
That is the dome over the Second Class Main Lounge. It's a room standing two decks high. If you built a pool there, the room's height would have to be cut down and the stage would be downsized. It's a rather beautiful room.
I’d love to visit the RMS Queen Mary. Are there any plans to replace her lifeboats? She just doesn’t look right without them. They also need to scrap that eyesore submarine.
Yes there are plans to restore the 11 existing lifeboats and put them back on the davits, and then to create 13 lightweight replica lifeboats to fill the other davits. And there are plans to dispose of the submarine.
Another point I’d like to make is that believe it or not this is a nearly 100 year old ship now in this soon coming 30’s decade, and like all old ships that live on like this they acquire mystique and we need to get over that somehow.
Any dice on the Russian sub next to it?
It also has been condemned and the City of Long Beach is looking for ways to dispose of it. However, due to the high price of getting rid of it (money in excess of $5 million), we likely won't see the removal of the sub until work begins on the land development next to the ship, in the coming years.
@@AlextheHistorianDang, I'm worried that it will sink before that happens and will be more of an ecological mess than it currently is.
I sincerely hope they keep the Ghost and Legends tour out of the First Class Swimming Pool. Any restoration efforts they are undertaking to restore the room will be in vain if they again rig the pool tank with fog machines, theatre lighting, and hidden speakers. It’s a bit disappointing to hear this attraction is coming back. I hope they confine it to areas of the ship that won’t be so invasive to historically intact spaces.
$470k for a funnel paint job?! Yo, give me materials, and I'll paint it (correctly and damn near flawlessly) for only for ~$10k. And that $10k is a huge embellishment. $460k of that cost better be paint. Yeeesh. Queen Mary getting fleeced.
Edit: Did math and double checked.
The surface area of the oval ship funnel is approximately 4,422.65 square feet. For priming and painting, you would need approximately 25.27 gallons of paint, assuming a coverage rate of 175 square feet per gallon for both prime and paint. This estimate allows for two coats. Sand, prime, paint. What else did they do?
Edit2: quality Marine Red paint and primer is ~$65/gal. To be conservative, let's say $100/gal. $100 x 30gal (5 more gal than what we need) is $3,000. To be overly cautious, let's double that. $6000. $470k for $6k in paint. What??. Where is my disconnect? $464k in labor??
Again, WHAT?
Man, a concert venue immediately adjacent to the ship will be a nightmare for hotel guests...
What advice would you give to the people taking care of the SS United States?
Unfortunately I don't have any. They are faced with an impossible scenario that has only one outcome.
My Uncle was the Chief Engineer on United Ststes for most of her service life. Ijad been on her several times so I have something of a personal connection to her. My only advice would be to give up. They are facing an impossible situation and the money certainly isn't there..Her current location isn't a tourist area, in fact it's a slum. The Battleship New Jersey has a simikar problem. Some fool decided placing it in Camden, NJ was going to be good for the economy there. Camden is the worst place in the entire State and the museum ship struggles qith low attendance. My personal feeling is that Unitrd States could be sunk with dignity and used as a Reef Ship.
Hey Alex. If u were to own the Queen Mary and had the funds to do so would u restore her to look like she did the day she arrived to Long Beach or keep as is just repairs and upgrades for me I’d completely re do the entire ship to what she looked like the day she arrived to California I’d especially bring back the old layouts bring back the 2nd class swimming the long gallery etc but just make the hotel accommodations
If my money was unlimited, I would restore the ship to how she looked in the 1930s, complete with the old silver and gold ballroom on Promenade Deck and the first class staterooms on Sun Deck.
@@AlextheHistorian yes! I’d basically just return her to her original glory
... Half a Million for a paint job on that funnel..?!?! ...
Sorry but $450,000 to paint one funnel. I have been restoring cars and classic yachts for twenty years so it sounds like California for sure
I hate how the queen mary sits there un long beach looking so proud like shes the most beautiful thing in the city yet previously have no affiliation with the city no im just joking
I want to pool to be open not ghost tours😭