Pacific Legends
Queen Mary Offers Cozy Overnight in Long Beach
If you love cruising, but don't have the time or money, spend a night on the Queen Mary -- a historic ship that gives you the taste of a real cruise.
The Queen Mary in Long Beach is not going anyplace soon. But it really doesn't need to - there is plenty to keep you occupied for a night or a weekend.
Pulling up to this giant ship ready to board with your suitcase-in-hand is reminiscent of that scene in Titanic where excited passengers are scurrying on board while the well-heeled are having their trunks portaged and their automobiles lifted onboard. While the Queen Mary is small by today's cruise ship standards, it looks mighty big from the parking lot.
Up the elevator and along the gangplank you go, just like you're boarding the Love Boat headed to the Mexican Riviera. The first thing that hits you, once on board, is that this ship is historcal - it's like entering the lobby of a fine old hotel with its antique furnishings, although many aspects of the ship and its quarters have been updated to the 1960s, the ship's later years. It's also apparent during this weekday visit that many people on board are participating in some sort of a conference - whether it's business, social or family-oriented.
After checking in at the lobby, we were anxious to see what our shipboard accommodations were like. Ours was a little larger than a standard stateroom, although not huge. We had two king beds, and all that you might expect in a reasonably upscale hotel room, with plenty of closets and work areas and a bathroom that, although small, offered both fresh and salt water, hot and cold. We were ona ship, all right, but we had phone service and TV. We also had a porthole - you might ask for a harbor view, as we had a fairly ordinary view of the dock and nearby construction.
Then it was off to explore this grand ship. Launched in 1934, the Queen Mary made 1,001 Atlantic crossings before its retirement in 1967. During its heyday, this was the way that America's elite shuttled between the U.S. and Europe and so the ship was outfitted to make this journey as comfortable as possible.
As you move around the ship on a self-guided tour, you come across many salons - all regal with their decidedly British influence in decoration. In-laid wood gives many of these areas a boardroom feel, while original paintings and artwork help to complete the mood. Outside, the old-wood decks made it easier to imagine you are on the open sea taking your daily walk and enjoying the vast ocean scenery. But most interesting are some of the areas normally inhabited by the crew - the crew's quarters, radio room, the wheelhouse. Throughout your tour, you begin to recognize the Queen Mary really is a museum - this is a big, old charming ship not to be confused with the gleaming, modern vessels of today.
That charm extends to the ship's restaurants where you can choose between fine dining at the 4-star Sir Winston's, the slightly less spectacular Chelsea or the surprisingly good Promenade Café, where we had a wonderful dinner for reasonable prices.
We also made a point to take a couple of special tours. The Ghosts and Legends Tour plays upon the ship's reputation for being haunted and is the Queen Mary's version of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Through special effects and an over-the-top tour guide, this little 45-minute adventure aims to put a little good-natured fright into visitors. We were actually more intrigued with some of the places in the ship that this tour takes you such as the engine room and an indoor swimming area, all sparsely lit to make them as spooky as possible.
Moored next to the Queen Mary is the Scorpion, a Cold War Russian submarine that seems to be in good enough shape to head out to sea. Visitors can walk through or see all the compartments in this claustrophobic vessel and wonder at the ability of sailors to stay trapped inside this machine for many weeks at a time as the submarine patrolled underwater to avoid detection. It's a fascinating self-guided tour - just be limber enough to squeeze through the round hatches that serve as passageways between the compartments.
The Long Beach area is a colorful waterfront with lots of restaurants and tourist attractions and major hotels. It's well worth carving out a morning or afternoon to go see the Aquarium of the Pacific, just across the harbor from the Queen Mary. Home to more than 12,500 ocean animals, the Aquarium features 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits. We spent a couple hours wandering through the exhibits and found each one fascinating and a fun experience for oldsters as well as youngsters.
Of course one of the most popular exhibits at Aquarium of the Pacific is Shark Lagoon, the Aquarium's newest. With more than 150 sharks, the lagoon includes large sharks, rays and shark touch pools where you reach down and feel them as they swim by. There is much more at the Aquarium including exhibits on Southern California/Baja, Northern Pacific and the Tropical Pacific. The Aquarium and the Long Beach Harbor are a nice complement to your Queen Mary "excursion" and help to create a complete travel experience.
Finally it's time to check out of your stateroom and you realize this could be more than a one-time experience - a stay on the Queen Mary would be the perfect romantic adventure anytime. It combines elegance, novelty and history to make this a completely different experience than the average getaway.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach Harbor, an easy 90 minute drive from San Diego or less from most parts of Los Angeles.
WHAT: The Queen Mary Hotel, the actual ship that made 1,001 Atlantic crossings, a sea-going home to some of America's most famous people.
WHEN: Midweek is always best if you can do it because you'll have fewer people on board. If you go on a weekend be sure to reserve well in advance.
WHY: History, charm and the chance to stay on board one of the premiere cruising ships of its time. Numerous restaurants and attractions are nearby in the colorful Long Beach harbor area. We especially recommend the nearby Aquarium of the Pacific
HOW: Contact the Queen Mary at (562) 435-3511.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California family vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Northwest vacation ideas.
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Sprawling over an area that is roughly the size of Western Europe, French Polynesia is a surprising destination in the South Pacific Ocean. With the mind blowing scenery, great mountain peaks, stunning waterfalls, beautiful valleys filled with fragrant flowers, isolated beaches and islands, lagoons incredible and turquoise waters, French Polynesia is an overseas country within the French Republic, and consists of five archipelagos such as the Society of the island, Southern Island, the Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands, Tuamotu and the island groups.
French Polynesia is better known by the name of its main island, Tahiti, society is in the archipelago. Each of the groups of islands in French Polynesia has its own importance, and is known for its unique culture and ethnicity. In addition, all 118 islands are popular with tourists from around the world.
The most popular among groups of islands in French Polynesia is the archipelago Society, covering incredible destinations such as Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Huahine and Tahaa and Raiatea. Crystal-like clear water, stunning beaches and reefs reefs, rising volcanic peaks, and beautiful waterfalls - all summary of the island of Tahiti, which is not only the most prominent island group in society but also in throughout French Polynesia.
Sometimes known as the "Island of Love, 'Tahiti includes two island masses, as Tahiti-Nui and Tahiti-Iti, which are united by an isthmus, ie, the plateau of Taravao. In addition, Tahiti is also home to the capital as well as the bustling port of Papeete, which in turn houses a number of police stations, government offices, airlines and travel agencies, banks and telecommunications center.
In spite of the main island is Tahiti in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is the most beautiful and romantic of all the islands in the South Pacific. One of its specialties is brightly colored lagoon, which contains A number of rare and beautiful marine species.
The beauty of the island is further enhanced by two majestic mountains that dominate the island, such as the Mountain and the Otemanu Pahia Mt. Bora Bora is also famous for its mythic and mysterious legends. Therefore, it is no wonder why the island is in much demand with honeymooners, newlyweds and couples celebrating their anniversaries.
When Tahiti gives the title of "The Island of Love, and Bora Bora recognized as the destination most beautiful on earth, Moorea is known as the magical island, with its irregular volcanic peak, beautiful crystal clear ponds, small, isolated motus. Located just Ten miles from Tahiti, Moorea is the focal point of Tiki Village, which is frequented by couples wishing to celebrate their marriage or renew their vows in a special way.
When it comes to Huahine, is popular with tourists as the Garden Island. Located some 120 kilometers northwest of Tahiti, Huahine, Bora is easily accessible from Bora, Tahaa and Raiatea. Other destinations not to miss in society is Tahaa Archipelago, also known as the Isle of vanilla, and Raiatea, otherwise called the Sacred Island
With over 75 coral atolls spread over more than 100 miles in the eastern Pacific Islands consists Taumotu as magnificent as Rangiroa islands - The largest atoll in the archipelago, Manihi, known for its crystal-clear lagoon and Fakarava - an atoll of rectangular shape. Located about 1500 kilometers northwest of Tahiti's Marquesas Islands, which consists of 12 volcanic islands, of which only six are inhabited. Gambier archipelago is located about 1500 kilometers southeast of Tahiti, and is home is about 14 small mountainous islands, among which are the largest and most populated island is Mangareva. Over However, Austral Islands is south of Tahiti, and is well known for its art and culture unique.
All these islands groups provide a range of options for visitors to enjoy a host of activities from land and water sports activities full of fun and adventure activities. Only a few of them are Deep sea fishing, parasailing, kayaking, scuba, 4x4 safari tours, hiking, climbing, and more. Similarly, for tourists, a plethora of options available. For example, Bora Bora in the Society archipelago provides a continuum of attractions in the form of Maraes old and the remains of the Second World War.
With these results of the attractions and activities to enjoy, French Polynesia is based tourists from all over the world. Therefore, accommodation available to cater to each taste and budget. Perhaps the most popular choice among newlyweds on their honeymoon, and is on the water bungalows, complete with the most sophisticated and facilities.
About the Author:
Six exclusive luxury Sofitel and Novotel resorts in French Polynesia, including a private island, offering outstanding natural beauty, sparkling turquoise waters, and all the romance of the South Seas to travelers and honeymooners in search of the ultimate paradise island experience.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - French Polynesia - A Heavenly Destination