I had no such problem at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, California, just south of Los Angeles. I didn't have to wonder if they'd mind me writing about their ghosts. They've made a whole industry out of them.
Originally a luxury cruise ship when she was built in the 1930s, the Queen Mary has a storied history. In World War II, she was commissioned to serve as a troop transport ship and floating hospital. Nicknamed the Grey Ghost, she was such a thorn in Hitler's side that he put a bounty on her: $250,000 and highest military honors to any captain who could sink her. (No one ever collected.)
The Queen Mary crossed the Atlantic Ocean 1,001 times before coming to permanent dock in Long Beach, California. Now, visitors can stay overnight in a stateroom, take one of a number of historic and haunted tours, dine in the restaurants and attend special events.
Since so many people have reported ghostly encounters while onboard the Queen Mary, the owners have set up special "Ghost Encounter" tours, made a film and created a unique, multimedia ghost encounter that would be quite at home in a theme park. There is even a Paranormal Research Center on board the ship.
