Get Scared Out of Your Wits Aboard the RMS Queen Mary
In 1934, the RMS Queen Mary was launched as a state-of-the-art cruise liner. The majestic Queen Mary catered to elite travelers wishing to experience the pinnacle of luxury. However, when World War II began in the 1940s, the Queen Mary was painted grey and repurposed to transport Allied soldiers and weapons to various battlefronts.
Once the war ended, the RMS Queen Mary was restored to its original status as a luxury cruise liner. In 1967, it found its final resting place in Long Beach Harbor, transitioning into a tourist attraction that offers visitors a glimpse into the early days of the 20th century.
It’s unsurprising that numerous crew members and visitors have claimed the RMS Queen Mary is a hub for paranormal activity. To celebrate the ship’s ghostly history, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal decided to host an annual Halloween celebration dubbed Shaqtoberfest.
Shaqtoberfest boasts sea creatures writhing on a haunted wharf, pirates reveling in a chilling fishing village, and eerie clowns shadowing the Wacky Shack Funhouse. The event also features thrilling rides like the Giant Gondola Wheel, themed bars serving Tiki cocktails such as the Zombie, and a pumpkin patch.
Those intrigued by the RMS Queen Mary’s haunted past can join the Haunted Encounters Tour, available year-round. This tour delves into tales of paranormal sightings, including a departed captain, an engineer who met a tragic end, and various ghostly children who seem to make regular appearances.
The RMS Queen Mary presents the ideal setting to celebrate the most haunting season of the year. The phantom you encounter in the Haunted Fishing Village might be an actor in disguise, or perhaps it’s the spirit of a sailor lost at sea, rising from the abyss to wish you a chilling Halloween.
Address:
1126 Queens Hwy
Long Beach, California
United States
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- The Queen Mary ship, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California, USA (map marker is on the named ship feature, not the visitor entrance)
- Coordinates
- 33.752762, -118.189689
- Access
- All visitors boarding the ship need an admission ticket, room key or restaurant reservation. A restaurant reservation includes a $15 boarding admission amount that can be applied to the restaurant bill. The entrance is at 1126 Queens Highway; check the operator’s parking notice because event rates may differ.
- Admission
- The operator pricing page lists rates as of September 7, 2026: General Admission $45 adult/$40 child (10:00–18:00); Off-Hours Admission $15 all ages (06:30–10:00 and 18:00–22:00) for selected areas; and Legacy Tours $55 all ages (10:00–20:00). General and Legacy tickets include a 30–45-minute introductory tour while available; Legacy also includes one scheduled guided tour. Other guided tours have separate prices and age limits. Rates and availability can change; confirm the date-specific ticket calendar.
- Time needed
- The included introductory tour lasts 30–45 minutes while available; a VIP tour is scheduled for three hours. The operator gives no single duration for a general visit, since exhibits, tours and dining vary.
- Best season
- The operator does not name a best season; the ship and its exhibits operate year-round, subject to ticket and event schedules. Seasonal events are separate admissions; check the current events calendar.
- Opening hours
- Hours depend on ticket type: General Admission daily 10:00–18:00; Off-Hours Admission 06:30–10:00 and 18:00–22:00 for selected exhibits, dining and bars; Legacy Tours 10:00–20:00. The FAQ says most historic exhibits are open daily 10:00–20:00. Check the date-specific exhibit/tour calendar because event schedules can change.
- Location checked
- 2026-11-02
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
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