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
- Coordinates
- 33.75276, -118.18969
- Access
- Every onboard visitor needs a ship-admission ticket or room key. A restaurant reservation also permits boarding; the operator lists a $15 restaurant admission amount that can be applied to the bill. Address: 1126 Queens Highway. Parking arrangements and rates can change for events, so check the operator’s parking notice for your visit date.
- Admission
- The operator pricing page lists rates as of September 7, 2026: General Admission $45 adult / $40 child (10:00–18:00), including one 30–45-minute Embarkation Tour while available and access to 23+ exhibits; Off-Hours Admission $15 all ages (06:30–10:00 and 18:00–22:00) for selected exhibits, restaurants and bars; Legacy Tours $55 all ages (10:00–20:00), including the introductory tour and one scheduled guided tour. It also lists a 3-hour VIP Tour at $189 (ages 13+), Paranormal Ship Walk at $75 (ages 13+), and Friday/Saturday Graveyard Tour at $85 (ages 16+). Rates and availability can change; confirm the selected date in the official ticket calendar.
- Time needed
- The included Embarkation introductory tour lasts 30–45 minutes while availability lasts. The operator’s VIP Tour is scheduled for three hours. No single total visit duration is recommended for general admission; exhibits, restaurant stops and additional tours change how long a visit takes.
- Best season
- General ship admission and events are available year-round; the operator names no single best season. Dark Harbor runs on select nights September 18–November 1, 2026; it is separate from general ship admission and requires a separate ticket. Check its event calendar.
- Opening hours
- Ticket-product schedules listed by the operator: General Admission daily 10:00–18:00; Off-Hours Admission 06:30–10:00 and 18:00–22:00 for selected exhibits, restaurants and bars; Legacy Tours 10:00–20:00. The FAQ separately says most historic exhibits are open daily 10:00–20:00. Check the date-specific ticket and exhibit schedule because hours depend on admission type and events can change them.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-10
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-14
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