Step aboard one of the world's most legendary ocean liners at The Queen Mary — a magnificent 1930s Art Deco transatlantic passenger ship permanently docked in Long Beach Harbor and designated a National Historic Landmark. Explore its sweeping decks, elegant first-class staterooms, engine room, captain's quarters, and Art Deco public rooms on a self-guided Shipwalk Tour — then dive deeper with optional exhibits and experiences covering WWII history, celebrity passengers, paranormal encounters, and the Russian Scorpion Submarine docked alongside.
Key Highlights
- Step aboard this iconic 1930s British ocean liner and wander her Art Deco corridors, first-class salons, the Bridge, and the engine room at your own pace
- Discover the Queen Mary's remarkable WWII story as the legendary Grey Ghost — the troopship that carried up to 16,000 soldiers per crossing
- Experience the Ghosts and Legends Show
- Explore the Russian Scorpion Submarine docked alongside — a rare Cold War-era Soviet submarine and one of the most unusual and compelling exhibits at the Queen Mary
- Visit the Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit — a moving tribute to Princess Diana featuring authentic personal items, iconic fashion pieces, and the story of her enduring global legacy
About The Queen Mary Ticket
The Queen Mary was launched in 1934 and spent three decades as one of the most celebrated and glamorous ocean liners in the world — carrying royalty, celebrities, and heads of state across the Atlantic in extraordinary Art Deco splendour before being permanently retired to Long Beach Harbor in 1967, where she has since become one of California's most beloved and most visited historic landmarks. Walking her decks today is like stepping directly into a beautifully preserved world of 1930s maritime elegance — the original wood panelling, the sweeping staircases, the spectacular first-class lounges, and the Observation Bar with its original Art Deco mural still intact above the bar remain exactly as they were during the golden age of ocean travel.
The self-guided Shipwalk Tour covers the ship at your own pace, exploring the public rooms, passenger decks, the Bridge, and the engine room with an optional audio guide providing historical context for every corner of the vessel. The Queen Mary's story spans far more than her glamorous passenger years — as the Grey Ghost during World War II, she was stripped of her Art Deco finery, painted battleship grey, and converted into the fastest troop transport in the world, carrying up to 16,000 soldiers per crossing at speeds that made her virtually impossible for U-boats to intercept. Winston Churchill is said to have credited the Queen Mary with shortening the war by a year. The WWII tour explores this extraordinary chapter of her history in compelling depth.
Beyond the history, the Queen Mary offers one of the most popular paranormal experiences on the West Coast. The Ghosts and Legends Show uses theatrical effects, film, and storytelling to explore the ship's most famous supernatural encounters — dozens of spirits are said to haunt the vessel, with the first-class swimming pool and engine room among the most frequently reported hotspots. The Haunted Encounters package takes the experience further with a guided paranormal tour, film, and ghost sighting scavenger hunt. The Russian Scorpion Submarine, docked alongside the ship, adds a completely different and equally fascinating Cold War chapter to a visit that is consistently described by reviewers as one of the most characterful and most historically rewarding attractions in southern California. Book your Queen Mary ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 15%.
The self-guided Shipwalk Tour covers the ship at your own pace, exploring the public rooms, passenger decks, the Bridge, and the engine room with an optional audio guide providing historical context for every corner of the vessel. The Queen Mary's story spans far more than her glamorous passenger years — as the Grey Ghost during World War II, she was stripped of her Art Deco finery, painted battleship grey, and converted into the fastest troop transport in the world, carrying up to 16,000 soldiers per crossing at speeds that made her virtually impossible for U-boats to intercept. Winston Churchill is said to have credited the Queen Mary with shortening the war by a year. The WWII tour explores this extraordinary chapter of her history in compelling depth.
Beyond the history, the Queen Mary offers one of the most popular paranormal experiences on the West Coast. The Ghosts and Legends Show uses theatrical effects, film, and storytelling to explore the ship's most famous supernatural encounters — dozens of spirits are said to haunt the vessel, with the first-class swimming pool and engine room among the most frequently reported hotspots. The Haunted Encounters package takes the experience further with a guided paranormal tour, film, and ghost sighting scavenger hunt. The Russian Scorpion Submarine, docked alongside the ship, adds a completely different and equally fascinating Cold War chapter to a visit that is consistently described by reviewers as one of the most characterful and most historically rewarding attractions in southern California. Book your Queen Mary ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 15%.
Inclusions
- Self-guided Shipwalk Tour
- Ghosts and Legends Show
- Queen Mary Historic Exhibit
Exclusions
- Dining and beverages
Insiders' Tips
Download the ship's official map before visiting and plan your route to include the engine room and ship model gallery — both are frequently missed by visitors who follow the main public rooms route only. The Observation Bar is a time capsule of 1930s Art Deco with its original mural above the bar and period furniture — arrive before sunset for a drink on the newly restored Observation Deck outside. Visiting on a weekday delivers a noticeably more mellow and unhurried experience than busy weekend days.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
Child Policy
Accessibility & Facilities
Restrictions
- Open daily from 10:00am - 06:00pm
Child Policy
- Children under 3 years old are free of charge.
- The Queen Mary is a family-friendly destination suitable for visitors of all ages
Accessibility & Facilities
- Multiple dining options on board including the Observation Bar, Promenade Cafe, and seasonal dining venues
- Gift shops available on board
Restrictions
- Some areas are not accessible to guests with mobility restrictions due to the historic nature of the ship
- The 4D Theater experience involves special effects including loud noises, strobe lights, and other effects that may affect guests with certain medical conditions
- Separate Special Event tickets required on blackout dates
Cancellation Policy
- cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Queen Mary in Long Beach?
The Queen Mary is a magnificent 1930s British ocean liner permanently docked in Long Beach Harbor — a National Historic Landmark and one of California's most visited historic attractions, offering self-guided tours of its Art Deco interiors, exhibits on its WWII service as the Grey Ghost, a Ghosts and Legends Show, the Russian Scorpion Submarine, and the Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit.
What is the Ghosts and Legends Show at The Queen Mary?
The Ghosts and Legends Show is a theatrical experience that explores the Queen Mary's most famous paranormal encounters — using film, theatrical effects, and storytelling to bring the eerie stories of the ship's alleged spirits to life. The first-class swimming pool and engine room are among the most frequently reported paranormal hotspots on the vessel, and the Haunted Encounters ticket tier takes the experience further with a guided paranormal tour and ghost sighting scavenger hunt.
What is the Grey Ghost history of The Queen Mary?
During World War II, the Queen Mary was converted into a troop transport and painted battleship grey — earning the nickname the Grey Ghost. She could carry up to 16,000 soldiers per crossing at speeds that made her virtually impossible for German U-boats to intercept, and Winston Churchill credited her with shortening the war by a year. The WWII Tour explores this extraordinary chapter of her history in depth.
What is the Russian Scorpion Submarine at The Queen Mary?
The Russian Scorpion is a Cold War-era Soviet submarine docked directly alongside the Queen Mary — a rare and fascinating exhibit exploring the world of Soviet naval operations during the Cold War. Access to the Scorpion is included with the First Class, Grand Voyage, and selected Haunted Encounters ticket tiers.
What is the Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit at The Queen Mary?
The Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit is a moving tribute to Princess Diana featuring authentic personal items, iconic fashion pieces, and the story of her enduring global legacy. It is included with the Royal and Grand Voyage admission tiers, adding a deeply personal and emotionally resonant dimension to the wider Queen Mary experience.
How long does a visit to The Queen Mary take?
Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours exploring the Queen Mary depending on the ticket tier and the number of experiences included. The ship is enormous — visitor reviews consistently note that 4 hours is not excessive and that the engine room, historic exhibit, and Visitor Center alone reward an unhurried exploration before any optional tours begin.
Is The Queen Mary accessible for wheelchair users?
Due to the historic nature of the ship, some areas are not accessible to guests with mobility restrictions. Tours may require extensive use of stairs and prolonged standing, and the ship's original 1930s construction means full wheelchair accessibility throughout is not possible. Guests with specific mobility requirements should contact the Queen Mary directly before booking to confirm which areas and experiences can be accommodated.
What are the best dining options on The Queen Mary?
The Observation Bar is consistently rated the most atmospheric venue on the ship — a time capsule of 1930s Art Deco with its original mural above the bar, period furniture, and a newly restored Observation Deck outside, ideal for sunset drinks. The Promenade Cafe offers more casual dining options, and the ship hosts regular evening events including jazz nights, karaoke, and live music throughout the week.
Do I need to book The Queen Mary tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended, particularly for the Haunted Encounters and VIP Tour experiences which have limited capacity, and during the busy summer season and holiday weekends when the ship attracts its highest visitor numbers. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 15% on the standard rate with instant confirmation and your chosen ticket tier secured before you travel to Long Beach.
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