Below is the press release I received about this year’s Dark Harbor Halloween celebrations aboard the Queen Mary.
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The legendary Queen Mary welcomes the return of a frightful Halloween tradition with their annual Dark Harbor event October 3 through November 2, 2013. For 17 haunted evenings guests will experience the deadliest show on earth featuring a new horrific circus of spectacles, freaks and sideshows inspired by some of the ship’s most infamously haunted spirits and tales.
Dark Harbor is pleased to introduce the newest spirit character, The Ringmaster, as she orchestrates the freaks and monsters through the nightmare of evil. The Ringmaster, The Captain and their gaggle of ghosts including Samuel the Savage, Graceful Gale, Half-Hatch Henry and Scary Mary have conjured up an all-new bloodcurdling vintage circus under the big top tent inside the deadly dome.
“Through the actual haunted history of the ship we are able to increase the fright factor for Dark Harbor each year,” commented JJ Wickham, production designer and art director of Dark Harbor. “With the new Ringmaster spirit and her cast of freaks leading the circus- inspired festivities, this season’s event is sure to be the scariest yet.”
An all-new circus maze featuring a terrifying MAD house will disorient guest’s illusions through fatally horrific magic, paranormal wonders and spirited thrills like never before seen. A new freak show of devilish entertainers invites guests to “step right up” and experience fierce and terrifying freaks from beyond the grave. The new Coney Island inspired vintage circus ride “ferris-squel,” mini mazes and chilling side shows will have visitors shocked in awe.
The Queen Mary is often cited as one of the most haunted places in the world. This gives the Dark Harbor event an authentic atmosphere unlike any other theme-park haunt.
Dark Harbor is not only the most unique haunted experience in Southern California but also the best value with ticket prices starting at just $20 online, with Fast Fright, VIP Passes and lodging packages also available. Want more Dark Harbor? Season passes include a General Admission and Fast Fright Pass and are currently available for just $50 through August 19th and $65 after August 19th (restrictions apply). Dark Harbor will be open October 3-5; 11-13; 17-20, 24-27 and Oct 31 – November 2 from 7 p.m. to midnight. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I don’t think the spirits that inhabit the Queen Mary are going to appreciate your mocking them with the circus freaks & sideshow theme. You will probably be ticking them off & I’d be careful, if I were you.
You’re probably right about that, OsakaRose. IF they were mocking the ghosts. I don’t think that’s their intent at all though. However, I do see your point. I’m not sure I’d like that too much if I was a ghost…or maybe I might since I love Halloween. Don’t know, but I think they do try to be respectful.