The decommissioned ocean liner Queen Mary had a royal guest visiting her court in Long Beach for the very first time Thursday.
MS Queen Elizabeth docked in the berth next to the one Mary has occupied since 1967. It's the first time a modern Cunard line ship has stopped in Long Beach, according to the shipping line.
Several ocean liner officials joined Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia for a ribbon cutting Thursday, after Elizabeth docked in foggy conditions. Now a museum and event venue, the Queen Mary was open for free admission all day.
Together, the 80-year-old Queen Mary and her "niece" -- Elizabeth is a sister ship of the Queen Mary II — have made over 2,000 trans-Atlantic voyages, according to a Cunard news release. Cunard ships' earlier visits to Long Beach have consisted of "floating salutes," but they didn't dock.
A fireworks show was scheduled for 6 p.m., around when Elizabeth was set to depart the port.
