Imagine stepping aboard a legendary ocean liner, champagne in hand, as a body is discovered before the ship’s final voyage even gets underway. Welcome to Murder on the High Seas: A Farewell Voyage to Die For! — an interactive murder mystery dinner experience aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach that’s equal parts Agatha Christie novel, 1960s dinner party, and full-blown theatrical production.
What Makes This Experience Special
This isn’t a dinner-theater show you passively watch from your seat. You’re a suspect, a witness, or possibly the killer. The story unfolds around your table, weaving in comedy, live music, and actual clues you’ll need to piece together before the evening’s dramatic conclusion.
The setting alone is unmatched. The Queen Mary is one of the most storied ships ever built — and her history gives this particular mystery real resonance. Murder on the High Seas is set against the backdrop of the Queen Mary’s actual final passenger voyage: the “Last Great Cruise” that departed Southampton on Halloween, 1967, arriving in Long Beach on December 9, 1967, where she’s been docked ever since. The ship never sailed again.
That real-world melancholy — a glorious ocean liner making her last crossing — infuses the fictional murder plot with genuine atmosphere. You’re not in a generic banquet hall pretending it’s a ship. You’re on the ship.
The creative team behind this experience is the same group responsible for previous Queen Mary productions including “Murder & Mayhem on the Mary.” They know how to use the ship’s art deco interiors, its creaking corridors, and its faded glamour to maximum dramatic effect.
When & Where
| Date | Day | Doors Open |
|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2026 | Friday | 6:45 PM |
| April 18, 2026 | Saturday | 6:45 PM |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | 6:45 PM |
| May 23, 2026 | Saturday | 6:45 PM |
Venue: Queen Mary Address: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Plan to arrive close to the 6:45 PM door time — early arrivals get to explore the ship’s public spaces before the show begins, which is half the fun.
Tickets & What’s Included
Tickets are $117 per person and include:
- A full multi-course dinner served throughout the evening
- The complete murder mystery show — live actors, plot twists, audience participation
- Live music performed during the event
- Access to the Queen Mary’s public areas before showtime
This is a full evening: figure on arriving at 6:45 and finishing around 10 PM. The price is fair given what’s included — comparable murder mystery dinners in LA regularly run $90–$130 for just the show, without the Queen Mary as your backdrop.
Book through the Queen Mary’s official ticketing page: queenmary.com/whatsondeck.aspx
Why We Love It
Out The Box LA exists because some experiences are worth leaving the house for — and this is exactly that kind of experience.
Long Beach is already an underrated destination. But the Queen Mary is in a category by itself. Even if you’ve visited before as a tourist, seeing it as a murder mystery venue changes the entire vibe. The ship’s art deco salons, the brass fittings, the portholes, the slightly eerie hum of a vessel that went through World War II as a troop carrier — all of it becomes part of the show.
And practically speaking: this is an exceptional date night. It’s novel enough to be memorable, interactive enough that conversation never stalls, and just theatrical enough to feel like a real event rather than dinner out. Groups of friends who love true crime, mystery novels, or just a good costume opportunity will have a field day.
Getting There
By Car: Take the 405 or 710 South to Long Beach, then follow signs to the Queen Mary. The ship has its own dedicated parking lot accessible from Queens Hwy. Parking runs approximately $20–$25 — budget for it, and leave early if you want time to explore before doors open.
By Metro + Rideshare: Take the Metro A Line (Blue) to Downtown Long Beach, then grab a rideshare or the Passport Bus (Long Beach’s free shuttle) to the Queen Mary. The transit combo adds 15–20 minutes but avoids parking entirely.
From LA proper: Budget about 30–45 minutes from Hollywood/Silver Lake/downtown on a Friday or Saturday evening — traffic on the 405 can add time. Give yourself buffer.
Don’t Miss
- Dress the part. The show is set in 1967 — mod fashion, Carnaby Street energy, sharply tailored suits. Full period costume isn’t required, but plenty of guests lean into it, and it adds immensely to the atmosphere. Even a simple vintage-inspired outfit puts you in the spirit.
- Arrive early. The Queen Mary is a museum ship in addition to an event venue. Show up 20–30 minutes before doors open to walk her decks, peer through portholes, and feel the scale of the vessel before the evening’s drama begins.
- Read the table. Part of the fun is figuring out who among the other diners is a plant — an actor playing a character — and who is, like you, a genuine guest trying to solve the mystery. The interaction between real guests and actors is where the comedy lives.
- Book in groups. The April 10 and May 1 Friday dates are ideal for groups wanting a lower-key weeknight feel. The Saturday April 18 and May 23 shows will likely draw bigger crowds and more costumed guests.
Murder on the High Seas runs select Fridays and Saturdays through May 2026. Tickets are $117/person at queenmary.com.
Explore more comedy and interactive events in LA, or discover what else is happening in Long Beach.