Great Ships Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)

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What was once the fastest passenger ship on one ocean is now a unique attraction on another.

From her maiden voyage in the 1930s, the RMS Queen Mary was one of the fastest ocean liners of the era, being the 14-year holder of the Blue Riband for the fastest liner on the Atlantic.

It was this speed, some 30-plus knots, that best served the ship during her time as a troop carrier in World War II.  Most of todays cruise lines will be in the 21-25 knot range.

The "Grey Ghost," as she was known, was too fast for German U-boats to catch.

At the conclusion of the Queen Mary's 1,000th Atlantic crossing, the ship was retired from service and moved to Long Beach, California, where she now houses a hotel, restaurants and an amateur radio station.

The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California; 877-342-0738