The Queen Mary, Long Beach’s crown jewel of maritime majesty, has been turning heads since 1936 with its classy grandeur. Come the 4th of July 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Managing Director Steve Caloca and his spirited crew will again crank the dial to eleven for their annual “All-American” Independence Day extravaganza, with the 2025 edition set to be the most memorable outing yet. This isn’t just a party—it’s a full-throttle, family-friendly voyage through eras, packed with revelry, toe-tapping tunes, and a 15-minute fireworks finale that will paint the Long Beach sky in bursts of awe-inspiring glory.
Moored forever in Long Beach Harbor, this 80,000-ton behemoth—stretching over 1,000 feet with 12 decks, 200 staterooms, and room for 2,000 revelers—throws open its gangways for a celebration on every deck, nook, and cranny on the vessel. Whether you snag General Admission ($65 Adult, $45 Child) or splurge on VIP ($185), you’re in for a wild ride across themed areas, each channeling vibes representing different times, spanning the last century.
General Admission folks will dive into a whirlwind of all-American fun. The Sports Deck morphs into a 1910s Old Time Fair, a kid’s paradise with games galore. If you’re craving a Beach Boys-esque romp to a simpler age before the counterculture revolution, the Verandah Deck’s 1960s Beach Bash serves up sandy vibes and surfside grooves. The Observation Bar and Ship’s Gallery flip into a 1970s Patio 534, where disco returns with hip-swaying index-finger-pointing fervor. The Royal Salon’s 1980s–90s Glow Bar pulses with neon-lit nostalgia, while the Bow & Mauretania deck hosts a 2000s Hip Hop Day Party that compels jiving and bopping. Country lovers can two-step at the Grand Salon’s Country Tailgate, complete with live tunes and a bodacious BBQ spread. The night crescendos with a jaw-dropping fireworks show from the stern, lighting up the harbor in red, white, blue, and other shades.
Suffice it to say, VIPs get the royal treatment. Think exclusive access to swanky spots like the 1920s Gatsby Garden Party at the Verandah Grill or a clandestine 1930s Hush Hush Speakeasy tucked away in secrecy. The Britannia Salon and Deck’s 1950s Nifty Fifty bash brings poodle-skirt pizzazz, and a one-time pass to the Grand Salon’s BBQ Buffet (plus a complimentary champagne toast for those 21+ and a dessert bar) confirm why it’s the best way to take in the 4th of July. That being said, the biggest incentive to go VIP is the prime fireworks viewing from the Capstan Deck, where the 9:00 p.m. pyrotechnics dazzle up close and personal; in fact, the view is so all-encompassing that the only other way to even remotely capture the experience would be to wear 3D glasses in a movie theater, except this is the real thing.
When the pyro in the sky fades, leaving only streaks of celebration in its wake, the party doesn’t quite stop. From 9:30 to 11:00 p.m., a Silent Disco Afterparty ($20 add-on) keeps the decks rocking. Slip on a headset, pick your jam, and dance with the crowd.
Those inclined to go full-bore and make it an extended adventure are advised to book one of the Queen Mary’s legendary staterooms at special July 4th rates. After a fulfilling, but inevitably depleting day, it stands to reason one might want to stay in—and where better than in a bed steeped in history.
From the 1940s USO Bunker in the Queens Salon to the 2020s Social Media Lounge at Kings View, every inch of the Queen Mary is primed to appeal to all ages and generations, yielding seven-plus hours of immersive fun. Being a yearly Southern California Fourth-of-July staple as it’s been, the Queen Mary’s shindig in Long Beach is a one-of-a-kind salute to 249 years of American freedom, served up with unmatched flair and a skyline-igniting bang.
Cover image caption: An officer watches the 4th of July fireworks aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. Photo courtesy of Mathew Martinez.
For more information and to purchase tickets to 4th of July 2025 festivities at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, visit queenmary.com.
