Queen Mary Still Haunted

1803

The Queen Mary sailed from 1936 to 1967 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is permanently berthed in Long Beach California serving as a museum ship and hotel.  Many stories surround the hauntings of the Queen Mary.

The first incident was during World War II. The ship accidentally sank it’s escort ship, the HMS Curacao, where over 200 men drowned. It is said to this day you can hear men screaming and the sound of metal crushing against metal on the decks at the extreme front end of the bow.  In 1966, an 18-year-old engineer, John Pedder was crushed by a watertight door in the engine room during a fire drill, and his ghost is said to haunt the ship. There is also said to be the spirit of a young girl named Jackie Korin who drowned in the second class pool and continues to haunt the first class pool room on board the ship. There are also stories of a young woman by the name of Sarah, whosw ` was said to have been murdered in the first class women’s change rooms by an unknown man and haunts the first class pool with Jackie. Some visitors say they have seen women wearing early 1930s bathing suits in the pool areas. About 50 people have died on the Queen Mary, and as you would expect, the ship’s Morgue is believed to be haunted as well.

The ship had numerous professional paranormal investigations including Ghost Hunters, The Othersiders and Beyond Investigation Magazine.

You can tour the ship, or stay aboard. The First Class Package of tours which includes a behind the scenes or World War II Guided Tour, Ghosts & Legends Show and a self-guided ship walk tour is $32.95 per adult and $19.95 per child.  To spend the night, rates start at $140 plus tax for an inside stateroom. There are 3 signature restaurants, 4 casual eateries and 4 bars/lounges.

Happy Halloween!

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.