Arts & Entertainment
Queen Mary Opens 3 New 'Haunted' Staterooms For Overnight Stays
The historic ocean liner is leaning into its paranormal lore as Halloween approaches.
LONG BEACH, CA — If simply spending the night aboard the famously spooky Queen Mary isn't unsettling enough, guests can now book one of three new staterooms inspired by the ship's paranormal lore.
The historic Long Beach ocean liner has unveiled three "Paranormal Passage" staterooms — B326, B328 and B334 — expanding its overnight offerings tied to decades of ghost stories and reported unexplained encounters aboard the ship.
The rooms are now available for overnight stays, according to Evolution Hospitality. The Queen Mary identifies B326 as Jackie's Room, B328 as the Graceful Gale/Lady in White Room and B334 as the Captain's Room.
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According to the ship, the rooms retain historic architectural details, original windows and wood finishes, while specially selected decor reflects some of the legends and mysteries that have become associated with the Queen Mary. Each stay also includes access to the ship's self-guided tour of historic exhibits and preserved areas.
"There's an incredible fascination with the Queen Mary's paranormal history and the stories that have become part of her lore," Queen Mary General Manager Dylan Matteson said. "Our guests want to know more, explore more and get closer to those stories."
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A Room With A Reputation
The three new rooms join the Queen Mary's existing B340 Paranormal Suite, which has long been associated with reports of unexplained activity.
The Queen Mary says stories recorded about B340 have included knocks at the door in the middle of the night, bathroom lights apparently switching on by themselves, faucets turning on and off and bathroom doors opening and closing without explanation.
The new rooms offer another way for guests to immerse themselves in the folklore that has become an enduring part of the ship's identity. Their debut also comes as the Queen Mary prepares for its fall and Halloween season.
Halloween Season Returns
Dark Harbor will return for select nights from Sept. 18 through Nov. 1, transforming the Queen Mary and surrounding harbor with haunted mazes, hundreds of monsters, immersive attractions, live entertainment, themed bars, carnival rides and other Halloween attractions.
New this season is the Grey Ghost Galley, a 90-minute, all-you-can-eat Halloween buffet in the ship's Show Room on Dark Harbor event days. The Queen Mary lists seatings at 4 and 6 p.m., with diners receiving early access aboard the ship before Dark Harbor opens.
The ship is also launching Spookeasy, an event for guests 21 and older combining a cocktail and stories about the Queen Mary's paranormal history with a short tour. The evening concludes at the ship's N.o3 speakeasy with activities including crystal and palm readings and a meditative sound bath. Spookeasy is scheduled for Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 12 and 19.
"Murder on the High Seas," meanwhile, combines a multi-course dinner with an interactive musical murder mystery set during the Queen Mary's final voyage in 1967. A matinee is scheduled Sept. 13, with evening performances Oct. 5, 12 and 19.
For those who prefer their scares on a screen, Movies on the Mary will show Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" on Sept. 28, "Beetlejuice" on Oct. 12 and "The Shining" on Oct. 19 in the ship's onboard theater. The Queen Mary also continues to offer paranormal attractions including its Paranormal Ship Walk, Graveyard Tour and Haunted Encounters tour.
The ship is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its maiden voyage this year. The Queen Mary departed Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage May 27, 1936, and arrived in Long Beach on Dec. 9, 1967.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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