The Queen Mary Marks 90th Anniversary With A Free Celebration In May

LONG BEACH, CA — The 90th anniversary of the Queen Mary's historic maiden voyage will be celebrated with a daylong celebration on May 27, the same date that the ocean liner first sailed in 1936.

The free event, a centerpiece of the ship’s ongoing year-long anniversary programming, invites guests to step aboard for experiences that honor the ship's legacy.

The celebration culminates in the one-night-only debut of the Starlight Lounge, a revival of the ship’s famed Starlight Club, once a premier nightlife destination at sea during her transatlantic voyage years.

“Bringing back the Starlight Lounge for the 90th anniversary is a powerful way to celebrate this milestone year,” Queen Mary Managing Director Steve Caloca said. “Originally known as the Starlight Club, this space was a defining part of the onboard experience. Giving guests a glimpse of this for the 90th allows us to honor that history while creating a new signature experience for today’s visitors as part of our anniversary.”

The day’s festivities include:

• At noon, Ship’s Officers welcome guests at the iconic ship’s Bell, inviting them to explore a curated lineup of experiences, including the Art Gallery, Special Anniversary Tours, arts and crafts, and interactive moments throughout the ship.

• At 2 p.m., the official program takes place in the Queen’s Salon, featuring remarks from Captain James and Officer Danny, a special performance, an address from a Long Beach city official, an award presentation from the U.S. Veterans Magazine, and remarks from Managing Director Steve Caloca, followed by a closing performance.

• At 3:30 p.m., guests can attend a special lecture by maritime historian Dik Barton.
• At 5:00 p.m., the celebration continues into the evening with live music, tours, and onboard experiences, leading into the highly anticipated debut of the Starlight Lounge.
• At 6:00 p.m. is “Date Night at the Verandah Grill,” where guests can enjoy live entertainment, dancing, and elevated dining in the ship’s newly revived Art Deco venue.

Tickets for the May 27 anniversary celebration are free with an online reservation at this link. Tickets to the Starlight Lounge debut event are available on the Queen Mary website.

For more information on 90th anniversary happenings and offerings, visit www.queenmary.com/anniversary.htm.