The Queen Mary: Admission, Tours, and Paranormal Experience

If you’re visiting Southern California and enjoy a mix of history and legends, the Queen Mary offers an intriguing way to spend an hour or two. This stately ocean liner, now docked in Long Beach, combines elegant Art Deco interiors with stories of wartime service and ghostly whispers. Whether you’re a history buff, a thrill-seeker, or just curious about haunted ships, this tour can provide an authentic glimpse into a bygone era.

What makes this experience particularly appealing is the guided tour’s storytelling—expert guides bring the ship’s corridors to life, highlighting both its engineering marvels and spooky tales. Another plus? The relatively modest price—around $40—offers a chance to explore an iconic vessel without breaking the bank. That said, some reviewers mention that the paranormal claims can be a bit lighter than expected, so if you’re after full-blown ghost hunting, you might want to temper your expectations.

This tour is best suited for curious travelers, history lovers, and those interested in maritime legends. If you’re traveling with kids who enjoy stories of ghosts and history, or if you’re simply looking for an engaging, story-rich activity in Long Beach, the Queen Mary guided tour is a solid choice.

Key Points

• Historic grandeur: The ship’s elegant Art Deco interiors make for a visually stunning experience.
• Expert guides: Knowledgeable guides add depth and humor, making the stories more memorable.
• Ghostly legends: The tour covers haunted spots and ghost lore, appealing to paranormal enthusiasts.
• Wartime stories: Learn about the Queen Mary’s role during WWII, adding a meaningful dimension.
• Value for money: At $40, it’s an affordable way to explore a famous maritime icon.
• Limited time: The 1-hour tour is concise but packed with interesting details.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Exploring the Queen Mary: An Overview

The Queen Mary has been a fixture in Long Beach since her retirement from transatlantic service. Once a luxurious vessel that carried the world’s elite, she now serves as a floating museum and haunted attraction. The tour offers a window into her glamorous past as well as her more shadowy legends—perfect for those who like their history with a side of mystery.

For just about $40 per person, we find that the tour strikes a good balance between affordability and depth. It’s a brisk one-hour experience, making it a great addition to a day of sightseeing without requiring a huge time commitment. You’ll be guided through the ship’s decks, corridors, and hidden spaces, gaining insights that you might miss exploring on your own.

What the Tour Includes

Your ticket grants access to the ship’s decks and, if you choose the guided option, a knowledgeable guide who is passionate about sharing the ship’s stories. While meals and beverages aren’t included, the tour provides a comprehensive look at the vessel’s architecture, wartime service, and ghost stories.

The Guided Tour Experience

Many reviewers emphasize the quality of the guides. One said, “Tour guide Gus was fantastic!” suggesting that engaging guides can really elevate the experience. Guides tend to be humorous, informative, and capable of balancing the ship’s grandeur with its spooky legends.

However, some reviews point out that the paranormal aspect might be lighter than some visitors hope. Gerald from Australia mentioned, “Whilst being billed as a paranormal experience, all that was presented was a stock standard introduction to the Queen Mary. No mention of paranormal and no apology offered.” So, if your main goal is ghost hunting, be aware that this might be more of a storytelling tour rather than a spooky, ghost-hunting expedition.

A Closer Look at the Ship’s Highlights

More Great Tours Nearby

The Elegant Art Deco Interiors

The Queen Mary’s interiors are largely preserved or restored to their 1930s glory, showcasing sleek lines, luxurious materials, and stunning design. The Art Deco motifs give visitors a real sense of the era’s style, and many find the ship visually captivating. As one visitor noted, “The art deco interiors are beautiful,” making this part of the tour a feast for the eyes.

Hidden Corridors and Secret Spots

Part of the appeal is exploring areas not always open to the public. The guides often take you to lesser-known corridors, crew areas, or hidden compartments. One enthusiastic review shared, “Really enjoyed our ghost tour seeing lots of hidden parts of this amazing ship.” These spaces add an element of adventure, especially for those curious about what lies behind closed doors.

Ghostly Legends and Haunted Locations

The ship’s haunted reputation is well-known, and the guides often tell stories of ghostly residents and unexplained sounds. Some visitors, like David, appreciated the humor and storytelling: “Our guide was funny and informative. He was also struggling with a cold, but we really appreciated his efforts.” While the ghost stories are part of the narrative, some reviews suggest that they are more atmospheric than terrifying.

The Ship’s Role in WWII

A key part of the tour covers the Queen Mary’s wartime service, where she was converted into a troopship during WWII. This adds a serious historical dimension, highlighting her engineering feats and her contribution to the war effort. For history buffs, this segment enriches the experience, making it more meaningful.

Logistics and Practical Tips

The tour duration is approximately 1 hour, making it manageable even for those with tight schedules. Check the availability for different starting times, as the tours are scheduled regularly. It’s advisable to wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be walking through various decks and corridors—some uneven or historic in nature.

The experience is available in English and Spanish, accommodating a broader range of visitors. You can reserve in advance and even pay later, offering flexibility if your plans change. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour, adding peace of mind.

Group sizes tend to be small or medium, fostering an intimate atmosphere where guides can engage directly with participants. This makes the storytelling more accessible and personalized.

Analyzing the Tour’s Value

At $40, the Queen Mary tour provides good value, especially when considering the quality of the guides and the depth of stories. The ship itself is a marvel of engineering and design, and the guided narrative brings her past to life. Although the paranormal stories may not satisfy ghost-hunting enthusiasts looking for intense hauntings, they serve well as atmospheric tales that enhance the ship’s mysterious aura.

Some reviewers mention that guides can talk fast or seem less informed, but these seem to be exceptions rather than the norm. The overall consensus is that knowledgeable guides make the experience engaging, often peppering their narratives with humorous asides.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

This experience is particularly well-suited for history lovers, vintage design fans, and those interested in maritime legends. Families with kids who enjoy stories of ghosts and adventure will likely find it entertaining. It’s also ideal for travelers seeking a unique, story-driven activity that offers a glimpse into both luxury travel of the past and wartime bravery.

If you’re interested in ghost stories but don’t expect full-blown paranormal investigations, this tour offers a good balance of spooky tales and historical facts. Those seeking a more intense haunted experience, however, might find it somewhat tame.

The Sum Up

The Queen Mary guided tour offers an affordable, engaging way to connect with a historic ship that has charmed and haunted visitors for decades. Its blend of stunning Art Deco interiors, intriguing wartime stories, and ghostly legends makes for a memorable experience. The knowledgeable guides, who can be humorous and insightful, elevate the tour beyond mere storytelling.

This experience is best for travelers who enjoy a mix of history and legends, and who appreciate a well-organized, concise tour. It’s particularly suitable for families, history buffs, and those curious about haunted ships. While it might not satisfy hardcore paranormal enthusiasts, it provides a solid, enjoyable glimpse into one of the most famous ships in the world.

If you’re looking for an affordable, accessible, and atmospheric activity in Long Beach that blends history with a touch of mystery, the Queen Mary guided tour is well worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, families with kids who enjoy stories of ghosts and adventure may find this tour entertaining. The half-hour to hour-long format keeps it manageable for younger audiences.

Are meals and drinks included?
No, meals and beverages are not part of the tour. Visitors should plan to eat before or after the experience.

Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, making it flexible if plans change.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?
Yes, the tour is offered in both English and Spanish, accommodating a broader group of travelers.

What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes are recommended, as you’ll be walking through decks and corridors that may be uneven or historic.

How long does the tour last?
The guided tour lasts about 1 hour, making it easy to fit into a busy sightseeing day.

This well-rounded look at the Queen Mary tour shows it’s a genuinely enjoyable experience—balancing history, architecture, and legends—at a price that makes it accessible for many travelers.

You can check availability for your dates here: