Long Beach, CA
Reservations: (562) 499-1657
She was called the Grey Ghost during her years as a World War II transport ship, but even now, with her service long over, the Queen Mary is still associated with ghosts: over a dozen apparitions have been reported aboard the ship.
During her 60-year history, the Queen Mary was the site of 49 reported deaths, so there are plenty of potential spirits to haunt her hallways. Reported hauntings include a young crewman in the engine room, swimmers in the first-class pool, a man in black, and a woman in blue.
The daily Queen Mary Ghosts and Legends Tour includes admission to a special Ghosts and Legends exhibit and a self-guided tour to other places where ghosts have been sighted.
However, for a more in-depth experience, try the Dinner and Ghost Tour, offered on Friday and Saturday evenings. The evening, led by "paranormal host" Erika Frost, begins with dinner in Sir Winston's restaurant, followed by a two-and-a-half hour tour of some of the Queen Mary's most haunted parts, including the propeller box, engine room, boiler room, cargo hold and first class swimming pool. Many of these areas are normally off-limits to visitors.
Frost says she has communicated with many of the spirit energies who live aboard the Queen Mary, and she wants to help them get out and go home. In the process, she could work herself out of a job, but that may take a long time, considering how many spirits hang out in the Queen Mary's halls and holds.
I admit I'm a skeptic when it comes to paranormal phenomena. However, Frost seems so sure that she's experienced them here that I found myself hoping to see Henry as he was said to be swirling around Frost's head, listening for the crying woman and trying to feel John's presence in door 13 where he died, but it was to no avail. Some of my fellow searchers heard something, felt something or experienced one or more of the symptoms of paranormal activity that Frost told us to expect: dizziness, nausea or feeling of heat or cold. Whether it really a paranormal occurrence that brought on their symptoms, the simple power of Frost's suggestions or the effects of too many cocktails at dinner, I can't say.
What I can say is that the Queen Mary is a fascinating, huge old ship with a rich history. She's creepy at night the way any big, old structure can be, and makes noises that aren't easily explained. the tour goes into areas of the ship that are not included in other tours. Whether you're a skeptic or believer in the paranormal, the Queen Mary Dinner and Ghost Tour is an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
Get dressed up for dinner, but be sure your shoes are comfortable and you're ready and able to climb a lot of stairs on your tour.
Can't get to the Queen Mary to see it for yourself? Watch for ghosts on the Queen Mary GhostCam.
