The 2025 Guide To The Queen Mary Ghost Tour: 7 Spine-Tingling Secrets And Must-Do Paranormal Experiences

The RMS Queen Mary, docked in Long Beach, California, continues its reign as one of the world's most actively haunted locations, and as of December 18, 2025, its array of ghost tours and paranormal experiences are more thrilling and accessible than ever. The legendary "Grey Ghost" has cemented its status as a must-visit destination for enthusiasts of the supernatural, offering everything from guided historical ghost walks to intense, after-hours paranormal investigations. This year's lineup features updated tours and special events designed to bring guests face-to-face with the ship's most famous ethereal residents. The ship's rich and often tragic history—spanning from its glamorous maiden voyage to its service as a World War II troop carrier—has created a perfect storm of residual energy and intelligent hauntings. Visitors in 2025 can explore the most notorious hotspots, including the infamous First Class Swimming Pool, the foreboding Engine Room, and the newly accessible areas that have long been closed to the public. If you are seeking an unforgettable encounter with maritime spirits, this guide provides the essential, up-to-date information you need to plan your ultimate ghost hunting adventure.

The RMS Queen Mary: A Brief History and Biography of the 'Grey Ghost'

The RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. Commissioned by the Cunard-White Star Line, she was the epitome of luxury and speed, a floating palace designed to compete with the finest ships of the era.

• Launched: September 26, 1934, in Clydebank, Scotland.
• Maiden Voyage: May 27, 1936.
• World War II Service: From 1940 to 1946, she was stripped of her luxury fittings, painted battleship grey, and served as a troop transport ship, earning the nickname "The Grey Ghost." She transported over 800,000 soldiers.
• Tragic Incident: In 1942, while transporting troops, she accidentally sliced through and sank her escort ship, the HMS Curacoa, resulting in the loss of over 300 lives. This event is a significant source of the ship's paranormal activity.
• Retirement and Docking: She was permanently retired from service in 1967 and sailed to Long Beach, California, where she has been a hotel, museum, and attraction ever since.
• Haunted Reputation: The Queen Mary is widely considered one of the top 10 most haunted places in America and the world's most haunted cruise ship, with an estimated 150-500 different entities onboard.

The Two Primary Queen Mary Ghost Tours for 2025

For visitors in 2025, the Queen Mary offers two distinct paranormal experiences, catering to both the curious casual visitor and the dedicated ghost hunter. Each tour provides a unique perspective on the ship's haunted history and most active areas.

1. The Haunted Encounters Tour

This is the Queen Mary's essential, hour-long guided experience, perfect for those who want a blend of history and chilling tales. The tour focuses on the most famous and notorious stories of the ship's "paranormal residents."

• The Experience: A theatrical, informative walk through the ship's most famous hotspots. The tour guides, often referred to as "paranormal investigators," share the legends and alleged evidence of activity.
• Key Hotspots Explored: The tour typically includes the First Class Swimming Pool, the Boiler Room area, and the infamous Shaft Alley.
• Intention: To discover the terrifying tales and maritime spirits that refuse to leave the ship.
• Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.

2. The Paranormal Ship Walk: The After-Hours Experience

For a truly immersive and terrifying experience, the "Paranormal Ship Walk" is the ultimate choice. This is an exclusive, after-hours investigation that takes place when the ship is quiet and the veil between worlds is allegedly thinnest.

• The Experience: This is a less theatrical and more authentic ghost-hunting experience. Guests venture into hidden rooms, compartments, and restricted areas not accessible on the daytime tours.
• Intention: To actively seek out evidence of paranormal activity using your own senses and, sometimes, equipment. It is an exploration of the Queen Mary's eerie side.
• Key Difference: This tour offers an exclusive, intimate look at the most active areas without the crowds, making it a favorite for seasoned ghost hunters.
• Pricing Note: While the "Haunted Encounters Tour" is often included with a general admission package, the "Paranormal Ship Walk" is typically a separate, premium ticket, with paranormal experiences starting around $41.00 per person.

7 Spine-Tingling Secrets: The Queen Mary's Most Active Hauntings and Entities

The Queen Mary’s haunted reputation is built on specific, recurring phenomena and a cast of well-known spectral residents. Exploring these entities is key to understanding the ship's topical authority in the paranormal world.

1. The Infamous Cabin B340: Often called the "most haunted room in America," Cabin B340 is the epicenter of the ship's paranormal activity. Guests and staff have reported beds shaking, faucets turning on, and objects flying across the room. The room was so active it was eventually removed from the rentable inventory for many years, though it has occasionally been made available for special paranormal events.
2. Jackie, the Little Girl: The spirit of a young girl named Jackie is said to haunt the First Class Swimming Pool area, which is considered by many guides to be the most haunted room in the whole ship. Jackie is believed to have drowned in the pool in the 1930s. Visitors often hear her giggling or see small, wet footprints near the empty pool.
3. The Engine Room Worker: A tragic incident in Shaft Alley involved a young crew member, John Henry, who was crushed to death by a watertight door. His ghost is often seen in the Engine Room area, sometimes accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps and the slamming of the door that ended his life.
4. The Lady in White: A glamorous, elegant female spirit is frequently sighted in the ship's lounges, including the Observation Bar. She is believed to be a former first-class passenger who continues to enjoy the ship’s luxurious atmosphere.
5. The Second Class Swimming Pool: While the First Class pool gets the most attention, the Second Class pool is also a major hotspot. The pool's changing rooms and surrounding areas are known for sudden drops in temperature and disembodied voices.
6. The Ghosts of the HMS Curacoa: The spirits of the sailors who perished in the 1942 collision with the HMS Curacoa are said to haunt the lower decks, particularly the forward part of the ship, manifesting as cold spots and feelings of intense sadness or confusion.
7. The New Paranormal Gift Shop: For 2025, the Queen Mary has unveiled a new spooky gift shop located in the heart of the ship's paranormal hotspots. This location itself may become a new focal point for activity, as spirits often interact with new energy and objects.

Beyond the Daily Tour: Special Paranormal Events in 2025

For the truly dedicated paranormal enthusiast, the Queen Mary hosts several high-profile special events throughout the year that go far beyond the standard "Haunted Encounters Tour."

Seeking Spirits: Paranormal Investigation Weekends

Throughout 2025, the ship is hosting specialized "Seeking Spirits" or "Strange Escapes" events. These are elevated paranormal weekends that often feature lectures from notable figures in the paranormal television world. The highlight of these events is a multi-hour, hands-on paranormal investigation of the ship. Guests use professional equipment (EMF readers, spirit boxes, thermal cameras) to conduct their own ghost hunts in the most secluded and active areas, providing a truly raw and unfiltered experience.

Dark Harbor 2025: Southern California's Most Haunted Halloween Event

Every fall, the Queen Mary transforms into the massive Halloween festival known as Dark Harbor. This event is a major draw, featuring haunted mazes, terrifying characters, and a complete transformation of the ship and surrounding harbor. The 2025 Dark Harbor promises new mazes and enhanced experiences, including a new storyline involving a "ruthless Priestess." While more of a theatrical scare experience than a traditional ghost tour, it capitalizes on the ship's dark legacy to deliver a massive, high-production thrill. The event is scheduled for select nights from September 19 to November 2, 2025.

Planning Your 2025 Queen Mary Ghost Tour Visit

To maximize your chance of a genuine paranormal encounter, consider these expert tips:

• Book the After-Hours Tour: The "Paranormal Ship Walk" or a specialized investigation event offers the best chance for activity, as the ship is quieter and the crowds are gone.
• Focus on the Hotspots: Spend extra time near the First Class Swimming Pool, Cabin B340 (if accessible), and the Engine Room/Shaft Alley. These areas have decades of documented, residual energy.
• Check the Package Deals: The Queen Mary often bundles the "Haunted Encounters Tour" with general admission and access to other historical tours like "Glory Days" and "Steam & Steel." This provides excellent value for a full day of exploration.
• Stay Overnight: The ultimate experience is to book a night in one of the ship's 375 rooms. With over 50 of them believed to be haunted, an overnight stay offers the highest probability of a personal, unguided encounter with a maritime spirit.