Take a trip back in time when you board the RMS Queen Mary. This retired British ocean liner — once the playground of royalty and celebrities, as well as having served as a warship — now permanently resides in Long Beach, California. Immerse yourself in the elegance of bygone times, and maybe even experience a little paranormal ghost encounter. Here is everything to know about visiting the Queen Mary ship, from tours to dining to how to save money on Queen Mary tickets.
Overview of the Queen Mary Ship
The Queen Mary embarked on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, on May 27, 1936. With five dining areas and lounges, cocktail bars, swimming pools, a grand ballroom, a squash court and even a small hospital, the Queen Mary had set a new standard in transatlantic travel, at least for the rich and famous. She represented the spirit of an era known for elegance, class and style.
The floating palace to the stars hosted celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and more. She also transported British Royalty and American politicians such as Winston Churchill, the Duke & Duchess of Windsor, President Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother), Jackie Kennedy and Robert Kennedy.
Queen Mary Hours
The historic exhibits are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guided tour hours are within that time frame, except for after-hours night tours.
Queen Mary Fun Facts:
- The ship carried 2.2 million passengers in times of peace.
- She carried 810,000 military personnel in World War II.
- The RMS Queen Mary was considered the fastest and biggest vessel used in WWII.
- You may be surprised to learn that the Queen Mary has the Titanic beat when it comes to size, with 1,019.5 feet in length (vs. 882 feet 9 inches in length for the Titanic).
- When the ship launched in 1934, a well-known English psychic, Lady Mabel Fortescue-Harrison, predicted, "The Queen Mary will know her greatest fame and popularity when she never sails another mile or carries another fare-paying passenger." A compelling insight!
- The Queen Mary retired from the sea as an active liner in 1967.
- Since then, an estimated 50 million people have visited the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
- The haunted ship has an elaborate Halloween season with Queen Mary Dark Harbor (a separately ticketed event) as well as additional ghost tours year-round.
- The ship was originally supposed to be named after Queen Victoria.
It's a Hotel!
You can actually book a room and stay on the Queen Mary! Take a step back in time with a stay in an art deco room that offers modern amenities with historic charm. You are not going to set sail, but you can enjoy beautiful views from the anchored boat.
Where Is the Queen Mary Ship Located?
The Queen Mary is a hotel and attraction location in Long Beach, CA. It's located at:
- 1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
It's located about 30 miles from Disneyland and about 25 miles from Los Angeles. The Queen Mary makes a great stop on any SoCal or Los Angeles vacation.
Long Beach has many restaurants, walking paths, ocean tours and other popular attractions such as the Aquarium of the Pacific. Hop over to our blog post on the Aquarium of the Pacific to learn more.
The Passport C route is a completely free transportation service that connects the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific and other attractions to downtown Long Beach.
You can easily get there from surrounding airports such as LAX, Long Beach and Orange County. Take the 405 to the 710 South and follow the signs to the Queen Mary. You can't miss it!
How to Save on Queen Mary Tickets
All guests require a tour ticket or room key.
You can save money on Queen Mary tickets when you purchase through your favorite semi-aquatic friends at Undercover Tourist. Save up to $7 vs. gate prices. You'll choose your date to visit at checkout. Tickets are non-refundable.
One thing to be aware of is that you need to print your tickets to present at the box office, as they do not accept vouchers on a mobile device.
Depending on your interests, there are a few Queen Mary ticket tour add-ons that may be worth it to you.
What to Do on the Queen Mary?
Once you step foot onto this historic ship, you can explore the ship's rich history. See exciting exhibits including Captain's Quarters and the Radio Room. Take in breathtaking harbor views from the deck. Enjoy a casual or elegant meal — or tea — with a view.
Keep an eye out for ghosts! Did you know that the Queen Mary is haunted? In fact, it's considered one of the most haunted places in the world! Guests and crew members report seeing or experiencing apparitions, disembodied voices and strange noises throughout the ship. Haunted areas include the engine room, swimming pools and stateroom B340. You can book a Haunted Encounters Tour separately if you're brave enough, or you might dare to go on a Paranormal Ship Walk or Graveyard Tour after hours.
Be sure to visit the Queen Mary Archive Museum. It has over 50 artifacts on display.
Take one of the tours. You can choose to include either of the following tours when you buy Undercover Tourist tickets:
- Glory Days Tour: Learn the history of when the Queen Mary served as a troopship during WWII.
- Steam & Steel Tour: Learn about the systems of communication and engineering onboard that made the Queen Mary the world's most technically advanced ocean liner of her time.
Queen Mary Dining
To get the full Queen Mary experience, you must dine aboard. There are options for everyone, from quick-service to first-class experiences.
Here are the Queen Mary dining options (most take reservations):
- Observation Bar — Have a drink and enjoy music with stunning views of the Long Beach skyline and harbor.
- Promenade Café — Book a reservation at this relaxed dining experience. Enjoy classic American dishes to contemporary options with an ocean view.
- Chelsea Chowder House & Bar — Reserve an elegant and intimate evening meal that specializes in chowder and fresh seafood, along with an ocean view. The bar is open for lunch (with the Promenade Café menu).
- Midship Marketplace — Get your Starbucks quick coffee or light bite during your visit.
- Afternoon Tea — On Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., enjoy freshly brewed teas, finger sandwiches and sweet treats — all served with sweeping views.
- Sunday Brunch — Enjoy a brunch for royalty with over 50 international dishes that will take you on a culinary journey around the world.
Tips for Visiting the Queen Mary
Here are some Queen Mary ship tips:
- Book dining in advance.
- Purchase Queen Mary tickets through Undercover Tourist to save money.
- Get your parking ticket validated with dining for a parking discount.
- All guests need a tour ticket or room key to get on board (including for dining).
- Explore the seashore areas of Long Beach.
- Horror fans should visit during Halloween or consider an additional ghost tour or Dark Harbor ticket.
- Check the calendar to see events and entertainment hoppening during your visit.
- Visit the Queen Mary Archive Museum.
If you are visiting the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, you can save on Queen Mary tickets as well as other SoCal attractions when you purchase with trusted discount ticket seller Undercover Tourist.
Related: Fun Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids
Related: Our Guide to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Southern California
Hoppy planning!
