Now in its 13th season, the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor opened the doors to the afterlife on Friday, Sept. 18, as fans of horror swarmed the ship and its surrounding area.
Those who attended opening night walked, screamed and ran for their lives through several mazes held on and off the ship, which has long been rumored to be haunted. The ghosts and creatures who allegedly still inhabit the legendary vessel have inspired its walk-through mazes.
Spooky actors show up at every turn at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A spooky carnival game lures attendees at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees enter one of the mazes at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spooky actors show up at every turn at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spooky actors show up at every turn at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spooky actors show up at every turn at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stop for a souvenir photo at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A performer fires up the crowd at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll through Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll through Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll through Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees enter one of the mazes at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An attendee is startled inside the Breakout exhibit at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Helena Hang, left, and Maddox Mok of Cypress get in the spirit at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Frightening actors entertain attendees at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Performers entertain the crowd at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Spooky actors show up at every turn at Dark Harbor on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The six mazes include “Lullaby: Teddy’s Revenge,” where the sinisterly playful ghost of Scary Mary rises to accost passengers in the ship’s pool area. There’s also “Infirmary: The Siren Song.” This is where sadistic surgeon Dr. Edwin Masters and his accomplice Graceful Gale torment the living. And for more terror fun, there’s “Big Top Terror: Carnival of Chaos,” which takes a Halloween carnival and turns it into a deadly night of clown mayhem.
Making its Dark Harbor debut this year is “Shipwrecked: Brace for Impact,” a maze that takes place during a blackout voyage that led to the ship’s most chilling collision as drowned sailorsreturn from the depths to haunt the vessel. Besides mazes, people also jumped on carnival rides, played games and hunted for hidden speakeasies.
