DAY TRIP Queen Mary

The RMS Queen Mary has been berthed in Long Beach since 1967. It has since become a floating hotel, restaurant, museum and special events facility.

Its maiden voyage was Dec. 1, 1930 — just 18 years after the sinking of the Titanic, its sister White Star Line ship.

At more than 1,000 feet long, the ship is nearly the length of three football fields, and had a capacity of more than 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members.

During World War II, the Queen Mary was responsible for transporting troops; this element of her history can still be seen onboard the ship.

Named for the consort of King George V, the ship’s facilities included a library, nursery, tennis court and kennels. The designers used woods native to different parts of the British empire when constructing many of the public spaces.

The indoor swimming pool area and first-class dining room are two decks tall.

A famous feature in the dining room is a tiny Queen Mary replica, which would travel along a massive transatlantic map during the voyage to indicate to passengers where they were on their route.

Accommodations ranged from fully equipped, luxurious first-class staterooms to modest and cramped third-class cabins.

Today, visitors can explore many parts of the ship, dine in her dining rooms and sleep in her staterooms.

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GETTING THERE

Take the 405 Freeway north for about 21 miles.

Follow the signs for the 710 Freeway south and merge onto it.

Travel for about three miles, then take the exit toward Queen Mary/Piers F-J.

Merge onto South Harbor Scenic Drive.

From there, make a slight right onto Queens Highway.

The Queen Mary is at 1126 Queens Hwy.

HOURS

The Queen Mary’s regular attractions are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Special nighttime programs are frequently available; call or visit the website to learn more.

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ADMISSION

Tickets are available at the ticket booth in front of the ship. Here are several different types of tickets available.

A general admission passport ($24.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors and military or $12.95 for children ages 5 to 11) includes a self-guided tour of 12 decks of the ship and the Ghosts & Legends of the Queen Mary show, a daily special-effects walk-through of historical and ghostly events.

A first-class ticket ($32.95 for adults, $28.95 for seniors and military or $19.95 for children) also includes a self-guided tour of an adjacent Russian Cold War-era submarine; a short submarine film; and a behind-the-scenes or World War II guided tour.

Those who just wish to visit the submarine can pay $10.95 per adult or $9.95 per child, senior or military member.

For the paranormally inclined, the Haunted Encounters passport ($27.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors and military or $15.95 for children) includes a film, orientation and tour of the more ghostly aspects of the ship; Ghosts & Legends of the Queen Mary; and a ghost-sighting scavenger hunt. The ship’s engine room will be closed to visitors through Nov. 21.

— Candice Baker