All Aboard Long Beach’s Holiday Spectacular Queen Mary Christmas: Where Holidays Set Sail November 23, 2018 - January 6, 2019

All are Invited to this Ultimate Holiday Adventure Featuring 80-foot LED Tree Lighting, Ice Skating Rink, Meet and Greets with Santa, Holiday Entertainment, and More.
The Queen Mary invites guests to step aboard the legendary ocean liner for an all-new adventure filled with incredible holiday festivities, setting sail November 23, 2018 through January 6, 2019. Gather the family for Queen Mary Christmas and enjoy a vintage rush of holiday family fun with live entertainment, libations and treats, ice-skating onboard one of the Queen Mary’s decks, a Gingerbread Village, Stocking Shop, vintage-dressed carolers, light shows, and much more.
From bow to stern, families can embrace the holiday spirit while strolling along the Queen Mary’s decks to uncover a magical Christmas of yesteryear. From the glittering, tree-lined Promenade Deck, enter the beautifully decorated Main Hall with an art-deco inspired Christmas tree centerpiece fit for a Queen. Un-pop a cork or imbibe on delicious handcrafted cocktails while delighting in the ship’s yule lights and breathtaking views at the iconic Observation Bar. On the bow of the ship, immerse yourself inside the amazing, 80-foot Christmas tree made of over 45,000 twinkling LED lights. The tree will be lit each night of the holiday season with a nightly tree lighting ceremony, complete with community entertainment. Guests are welcomed to ‘rock around’ the Christmas tree as it brightens up the Pacific shore with a synchronized display of music and lights.



Queen Mary Christmas visitors can stroll through the photo-worthy outdoor Channel of Lights to access other can’t-miss holiday offerings in the Stern of the ship, such as Gingerbread Village, known for its Singing Baker and a giant gingerbread replica of the Queen Mary, which looks good enough to eat! Kids can also participate in their own gingerbread house decorating activity. From the Village, enter our 4D Theatre for a very special screening of The Polar Express, a festive delight for all of the senses.
Of course, no holiday would be complete without a stop at the True North Ice Skating Rink, atop the ship’s Sports Deck. Grab a pair of skates and glide around the rink, beneath the Queen Mary’s festive stacks and shimmering night sky, overlooking the Long Beach skyline and harbor. True North will have the most unique views out of any ice skating rink in SoCal.
Queen Mary Christmas takes place November 23, 2018 through January 6, 2019. Tickets start at $22 for adults and $16 for children. The Grand Passport ticket is $40 for adults and $20 for children and includes tours and exhibits. VIP tickets include all activities (ice skating, trimming stockings, tours and exhibits) and are $70 for adults and $55 for children. For a full entertainment schedule of tours, activations, experiences, hours of operation and to purchase tickets, visit queenmary.com
 
When Santa is away from his North Pole workshop, his Captain’s Quarters in the Shipyard are his home away from home. Join Santa here for a meet and greet, help him chart the course to the North Pole, and pose for a souvenir photo with the jolly fellow. Guests are welcome to stay a while and decorate a stocking at the Stocking Shop. Santa will most likely then send you to meet his Mrs. As the sounds of Christmas carols play atmospherically, follow the scent of hot cocoa down to the Starboard Lounge, just off the luxury-liner’s Hotel Lobby, for Storytime with Mrs. C. Guests can cozy up to listen to Mrs. Claus read a story and craft their ultimate hot cocoa at the cocoa toppings bar. Adults can sip on holiday cocktails offered at the Starboard Lounge during story time.

Los Angeles Travel Magazine presented Best of SoCal Celebrity Cruises onSunday, September 30, 2018 at OUE Skyspace LA, Los Angeles, CA.

It was an afternoon of celebration at Los Angeles Travel Magazine's Best of SoCal Celebrity Cruises event.

Featured live entertainment included Liz Lira Dance Academy & Boutique, Cirque Mirage and D-DUB Entertainment, as well as giveaways, specialty cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Platinum Bartenders, Bubbly and Rosé bar, delicious bites from Yooshi Sushi Catering & Event Production L.A. Paella Catering Paleta Please, The Mochi Ice Cream Company and Alligator Pear Catering along with interactive installations while overlooking the stunning views of Downtown Los Angeles. From nearly 1,000 feet above the city in the iconic US Bank Tower, OUE Skyspace LA is the premier destination for panoramic, 360-degree views. Guests had the option to experience the heart-pounding adventure of the world’s first ever Skyslide. Additional participants included Essentia Water Lounge Party Rentals / Event Furniture for Rent / Lounge Furniture Rentals Alcazark Photography. Wise Eyes Photography Next&Neat – An Elite Event Co. Barks of Love Animal Rescue and of course Celebrity Cruises.

It was an afternoon of celebration at Los Angeles Travel Magazine's Best of SoCal event.

Featured live entertainment included Liz Lira Dance Academy & Boutique, Cirque Mirage and D-DUB Entertainment, as well as giveaways, specialty cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Platinum Bartenders, Bubbly and Rosé bar, delicious bites from Yooshi Sushi Catering & Event Production L.A. Paella Catering Paleta Please, The Mochi Ice Cream Company and Alligator Pear Catering along with interactive installations while overlooking the stunning views of Downtown Los Angeles. From nearly 1,000 feet above the city in the iconic US Bank Tower, OUE Skyspace LA is the premier destination for panoramic, 360-degree views. Guests had the option to experience the heart-pounding adventure of the world’s first ever Skyslide. Additional participants included Essentia Water Lounge Party Rentals / Event Furniture for Rent / Lounge Furniture Rentals Alcazark Photography. Wise Eyes Photography Next&Neat – An Elite Event Co. as well as Barks of Love Animal Rescue.

Catalina Film Festival Wraps 8th Annual Fest with Inaugural Expansion Into Long Beach, Plus Tributes To Honorees Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Hart, Ashanti, Rosie Perez, Ramon Rodriguez And Rob Riggle

Coveted Catalina Film Fest Awards Issued in 14 Categories With 100+ Films in Competition
The 8th annual Catalina Film Festival (CFF) wrapped with awards issued in 14 film categories – selected from 100 films in competition from 67 countries screened at venues throughout the famed Catalina Island as well as new sister-city-by-the-sea, Long Beach. The annual film festival also featured career tributes, as well as industry panels, workshops and Lion's Den pitch session as part of the festival's Film & New Media Summit.
CAREER TRIBUTE AWARDS INCLUDED:
Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award: Academy Award-winning actor and civics activist, Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Mr. Holland's Opus), for his work with The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative
Mack Sennett "King of Comedy" Award: Actor and comedian, Kevin Hart (Night School, Ride Along)
Humanitarian Award: Actors, filmmakers and activists, Rosie Perez (White Men Can't Jump; Untamed Heart) and Ramon Rodriguez (The Affair; The Wire), for their work with the film "Pa'lante," to help rebuild Puerto Rico
Avalon Award: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti (Coach Carter; Resident Evil: Extinction) Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti, attends the Catalina Film Festival red carpet on Catalina Island, to receive the festival's coveted Avalon award. Ashanti turned heads on the red carpet wearing a stunning, sheer, silk chiffon gown with high-vent front slits by fashion designer Michael Costello.

Catalina Spotlight Award: Feature film and television actor and comedian, Rob Riggle (Night School, The Hangover, Step Brothers - "The F*&%$#G Catalina Wine Mixer")
Also in attendance were Justine Bateman (Satisfaction, Family Ties) with her short film, Five Minutes; London Brown (HBO's Ballers, The Hustle); Rachel Hendrix (October Baby) with the feature film Virginia Minnesota; Kaitlyn Black (Hart of Dixie); Chris Mulkey (Whiplash) with the feature film, Make Love Great Again; Dana Sparks (Passions); Jim Meskimen (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) with his short film, Son to Son; and Rob Belushi with his short thriller, Dylan.
FESTIVAL AWARDS INCLUDED:
Best of Fest – U.S Feature – Bullitt County
Best of Fest – International Feature Film – Love Possibly
Best of Fest – Documentary Film (Worldwide) – Love Always, Mom
Best of Fest – Conservation Film – Shadow of a Drought: Southern California's
Looming Water Crisis
Best of Fest – Wes Craven Horror/Thriller – My First Time
Festival Treasure Award – Sam Did It
Best of Fest – Screenplay – The Hardest Hit
Best of Fest – International Short Film – Secret Sweets
Best of Fest – US Short Film – An Act of Terror
Best of Fest – High School Student Film – Love Letter
Best of Fest – Advanced Student Film (Worldwide) – Akeda (The Binding)
Best of Fest – Animation Short Film (Worldwide) – Two Balloons
2018 CFF Judges Pick – Make Love Great Again
For a full list of awards, visit www.catalinafilm.org.

Uncover Secret Bars, Private Patios, and To-Die-For Specialty Cocktails at Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor

Stumble Upon the Strongest Spirits at Dark Harbor and Sip on a Green Gummy Bear, Watery Grave, S.O.S. and More
September 27 – November 2
Darkness will once again descend upon the legendary Queen Mary in Long Beach for Dark Harbor, Southern California’s most terrifyingly authentic haunt, with six mazes, private patios, and FOUR new captivating secret bars masked in menacing darkness, waiting to be uncovered. Those daring enough will have the opportunity to venture through Dark Harbor in hopes of stumbling upon the demented delights brewing within The SideBar, Door 13, The Line Up, and The Broken Compass. Guests are encouraged to push their curiosity, mingle with monsters, and test their fears in hopes of discovering the strongest spirits at Dark Harbor to sip on the to-die-for new specialty cocktails that only lurk within.
“All throughout Dark Harbor, monsters and crew members will possess a select number of wooden tokens to distribute. These tokens provide a mystifying clue hinting at the location of an access point,” hinted Charity Hill, Executive Producer Dark Harbor. “Everyone is going to want to be in a secret bar. It’s our ultimate bar experience. And this year, one of the secret bars is a place on the ship where people have wanted to gather for years and we’ve never opened it up to Dark Harbor, until now.”
Guests can gather these elusive coins by interacting with chaotic characters, making the ultimate wish at the new Gallows Wishing Well, and by taking control and pulling strings in the Imperium Puppet Theatre. For those select guests who are able to successfully decode the treachery and trickery laid upon them, Dark Harbor’s secret bars will offer their spell binding specialty cocktails that are out of this world. Cocktails include The Pickled Punk - a flavorful whiskey-based shot chased with pickle juice and the Green Gummy Bear - a mixture of watermelon vodka, midori, lime roses juice, a splash of soda and a gummy bear to garnish. For those that are really daring, try the Watery Grave - a spiced rum-based drink mixed with grenadine, coke and lime or the S.O.S. – a Jägermeister, ginger beer and lime juice blend located within Deadrise.

In addition to the new secret bars and specialty cocktails, Dark Harbor hosts additional bars including Crime Scene Alley and Hideaway, The Last Drop, The Barrel Tasting Room, Rusty Nail & Pier and 9-degrees Ice Cave, which will also provide guests with delectable drinks to quench their deadly thirst. For those with more than just a hunger for horror, cabana menus offer tantalizing table service platters with a variety of enticing entrée options. Head to the Mess Hall at Deadrise for a loaded macaroni and cheese cup or work up an appetite for Poison Pizza at Feast. Guests can take a break from the tricks with treats like crepes, iScream malts and shakes, cotton candy martinis, and liquid nitrogen infused kettle corn that will chill guests to the core.
Named one of the top 10 most haunted places on Earth by Time Magazine, The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor offers the most authentically frightening experience available. Bringing the true infamous tales of The Queen Mary to life, the annual event begins September 27 and continues through November 2, 2018. General admission ticket prices start at just $20 online, with Fast Fright, Evil Express, VIP, Ultimate Scream, and lodging packages available. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.queenmary.com/dark-harbor.

The 46th Season of Knott’s Scary Farm Brings Frightening New Nightmares to Life Starting September 20th – October 31st

The 46th season Knott’s Scary Farm returned with 14 mazes and haunted attractions and over 1,000 monsters lurking in the fog for 25 terrifying nights. This year, a new and unearthly scare zone is made its sinister arrival to the park, for the first time the lake underneath Silver Bullet revealed the horrors and creatures it kept hidden, until now. Forsaken Lake unleashed gothic creatures, which have been ravaged by the dark and murky waters, as they wander their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.
At Knott’s Scary Farm, the park is the attraction and this year it featured several new upgrades like, freshly new themed landscaping, enhanced ride lighting, HangTime debuted it’s never-before-seen Halloween inspired lighting scheme plus, there are selected rollercoasters in the dark and newly enhanced park décor.
Ghost Town Streets, Carnevil and The Hollow scare zones returned to terrorize guests every night of Knott’s Scary Farm. The monsters that live within these streets covering every inch of the park midways, leaving nowhere to hide.
There is a new dance party at Fiesta Village which featured rhythmic music, performances by a live DJ throughout the night, dancing and sugar skull go-go dancers with Awaken the Dead.
Highlights from the Opening Night and Chef's Specialties: