Things to Do Aboard The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary, in Long Beach California, is always a popular destination in Southern California. When I was in High School and living in SoCal, this was a great destination for a special dinner date. But you can also stay overnight on board the ship, take a tour, view exhibits and attend special events.
Note: For Queen Mary discount tickets, tours and event ticket options, scroll down this page.
Aboard the legendary Queen Mary you can take a Behind the Scenes Guided Tour of the historic ocean liner and World War II troopship. You can explore the restored areas that have been under wraps since the ship’s final voyage in 1967, such as the Isolation Wards and the aft Machine Rooms.
You can also shop, dine, or even stay the night in an original First Class Stateroom. Historic things to see include the ships Cold War weapons, and the Russian submarine (code name: Scorpion). Special holiday events are a huge hit with locals and visitors.
The Queen Mary Deals & Discounts
The Queen Mary offers a few ways to save throughout the year through various ticket sources. The following Savvy Tix are updated often via savvy partner Goldstar and contain my referral links. As offers come and go, you’ll find them added here, including coupons and discount tickets for upcoming special events through any trusted sources I can find for you.
The Queen Mary Review Discounts Activities
Other Tours & Tickets
If you can’t use the ticket discount options above, book a tour of The Queen Mary online to save time. Options include:
- Queen Mary Passport: Self-guided tour of the ship and an optional audio tour, 4-D Theater Screening, Queen Mar Historic Exhibits, “Passion for Painting” exhibit and choice of Ghosts & Legends show or Haunted Encounters.
- First Class Historical Passport: Self-guided tour of the ship and an optional audio tour, the Glory Days Historical Tour, the Ghosts & Legends show, entrance to the “Passion for Painting” exhibit and Queen Mary Historic Exhibits.
- Royal Passport: Self-guided tour of the ship and an optional audio tour, 4-D Theater Screening, entry to the Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit, entry to the “Passion for Painting” exhibit and Queen Mary Historical Exhibits.
- Grand Voyage Passport: Self-guided tour of the ship and an optional audio tour, 4-D Theater Screening, the Glory Days Historical, the Haunted Encounters tours, the Ghosts & Legends show, entry to Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit and Queen Mary Historical Exhibits.
The Queen Mary — on the bridge
The Queen Mary Combo Passes & Coupons
The following passes are a great choice for locals and visitors, especially with their new custom options. You can download a voucher or show on your smart phone. I’ve posted my affiliate links here, and you’ll often see an offer for an extra percent off on the next page, directly from the source.
- GO LOS ANGELES CUSTOM PASS {best price} — I love their new custom pass (great for locals) that let’s you choose as few as two SoCal attractions to visit over 30 days — you save 20% or more on each venue, including The Queen Mary, if that’s your choice.
- GO LOS ANGELES CARD {details} — If you’re visiting LA or just want to play tourist, the standard pass saves you up to 55% on a choice of top attractions, including The Queen Mary.
- COUPONS & CODES — The previously posted coupons and codes have not been updated for this year. I’ll post new ones here as I find them.
The Queen Mary Annual Events
Many special events and activities occur throughout the year on board the Queen Mary and at the Queen Mary Events Park. You can check the schedule on their website for updates. Plus, be sure to check the discount offers list. Tickets to these tend to sell out, so if you’re going, make sure you plan ahead.
Queen Mary CHILL — special Christmas Holiday Activities
Here are a few annual events I’m looking forward to.
- FEBRUARY: ScotsFestival & International Highland Games
- MAY: West Coast BBQ Classic
- JUNE: ShipKicker Country Music Festival
- AUGUST: Big Bite Bacon Fest
- SEPTEMBER: Shoreline Jam (Labor Day weekend)
- SEPTEMBER: Art Deco Festival
- OCTOBER: The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor (Halloween activities)
- DECEMBER: Queen Mary CHILL (Christmas holiday exhibits).
The West Coast BBQ Classic at Queen Mary Events Park
The Queen Mary Restaurants
Dining on board the ship is a first class experience. I went for the great the ambience and the view, and it turns out the food is quite good, too. You have several options. I recommend making reservations first, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge (562-499-1657)
- Chelsea Chowder House & Bar (562-499-1685)
- The Tea Room (562-499-1682)
- Champagne Sunday Brunch (562-499-1606)
- Promenade Cafe (562-499-1600)
- Observation Bar & Art Deco Lounge (562- 499-1740)
- Midship Marketplace (562-499-1714)
The Story of The RMS Queen Mary
Built by John Brown & Company in Clydebank, Scotland, RMS Queen Mary was part of Cunard’s planned two-ship weekly express service between Southampton, Cherbourg, and New York City. She sailed mostly on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. One of two ships built by the British in response to the German and French superliners built in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
When World War II began, The Queen Mary became a troopship to ferry allied soldiers. After the war, she became a passenger ship again, along with sister ship the Queen Elizabeth. The two ships were the go-to modes of transportation for getting across the Atlantic. But times changed in the 1950’s when jet airliners took over. By the mid-1960s, Queen Mary was showing her age and operating at a loss. She was officially retired from service in 1967.
Now permanently moored at the port of Long Beach, California, The Queen Mary serves as a tourist attraction featuring award winning restaurants, shopping, a museum, and even a hotel. Officially retired from service in 1967, the ship is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Know Before You Go
- Ticket Sources: Here’s where to find the best deals for The Queen Mary online, or save on events at the Queen Mary Events Park. For The Queen Mary Guided Tour get tickets here online. Or you can use a Go LA discount card if you’re visiting several attractions during a week or so.
- Address: The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queen’s Highway, Long Beach, California.
- Parking: When you visit, expect to pay a lot for for parking (around $15 or so).
- Savvy Tip for Military: On Memorial Day weekend, the Queen Mary offers free admission to to active service members of the armed forces, retired military personnel, veterans and special 30% off discounts for their family members. Show your ID at the box office when you go.
- Official Info: See the attraction’s website www.queenmary.com for more details and updates.
Photo Credit: Images courtesy of The Queen Mary.
About Kat Summers
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Amazing photo of the Queen Mary. You could sell that! It would be lovely in a frame or someone use for a painting!
Yes, she is very photogenic isn’t she?
Just added a couple of new ticket deals for the Queen Mary, for spring. Check them out and let me know what you think. Anyone gone to these?
Hi,
Any idea of you’ll be getting more Queen Mary Chill tickets soon?
They’ve been adding a few more dates at a time. No way of knowing when this will happen next. Just keep checking.
How long until you know that new dates will be posted, I really want to go for my birthday on December 23rd!!
Alicia, I have no way of knowing. If you really want to get tickets for a specific day like your birthday, you might want to just get the full-price tickets directly from the venue. Wish I could be more helpful.
I would like to purchase discount tickets to chill queen Mary for dec. 27.
The ticket source for The Queen Mary CHILL event is adding a few dates at a time. If the date you want isn’t showing yet, you can choose to wait and see, pay full price directly, or grab a great deal on one of the dates currently showing as available.