PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your cabin assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during our orientation session before dinner.

ORIENTATION: Begins before dinner. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

Dinner: Dinner on Queen Mary

Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants.

Evening: CROSSING POINTS: Participants introduce themselves to the rest of the group.

Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning.

Lodging: The Queen Mary Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Learn about the Queen Mary with a 45 minute slide show narrated by one of the ship's officers.

CLASS: Film and Music of the RMS Queen Mary Era

Discuss film and music from 1935 to 1967, the era when the RMS Queen Mary served as an active passenger liner as well as the Great Depression, World War II and Post-War period.

Lunch: Lunch in Hollywood Deli on Queen Mary

Afternoon: CLASS: Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach, a fascinating and fast-changing international seaport, is eager to share its story with the local community. The presentation will cover a general overview of the Port and its operations, the Green Port Policy and the Port's environmental programs, local and regional economic benefits, Port security, infrastructure and transportation issues.

After class, the group leader will guide the group to The Queen Mary History exhibit inside The Queen Mary Story space. Use this time to also explore the Engine Room on your own.

Dinner: Dinner at Long Beach restaurant

Evening: CLASS: Disasters, Losses and Losers, Shipwrecks Famous and Obscure

Not every voyage goes well - history has given us many exciting sea stories and inspired hundreds of books, songs and movies. Come hear the fates of both famous disasters as well as the more obscure events that brought personal heartbreak without the headlines. See ships as they were and, some, as they are today thanks to the methods of marine archeology. Don't worry, its quite safe to attend!

Lodging: The Queen Mary Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On this narrated, guided walk of the ship, learn about her fascinating history while visiting areas not accessible to the general public.

CLASS AND FIELD TRIP: The Art of the Queen Mary and a Look at Art Deco

The Art Deco Talk and Walk of the Queen Mary covers the history of the ship as one of the greatest luxury liners ever built. She has one of the largest collections of original Art Deco artwork and architecture in the world. Learn what the basic style of Art Deco is and see original objects d'art created for the ship during the 1930's, which was the original Art Deco Period.

The World War II Lecture tells the facts and figures of the The Grey Ghost during the Second World War. Having transported over 800,000 troops, serving as a hospital ship as well as the Bride and Baby Shuttle, her performance during the war has truly earned the Queen Mary the reputation of being "an International Historic Treasure".

Lunch: Lunch on your own on the Queen Mary or at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

More than 12,000 marine animals representing over 550 species can be found at this famous aquarium. Explore a diversity of marine habitats from California coastal waters to the icy Northern Pacific.

Dinner: Dinner on Queen Mary

Evening: Orientation to Avalon

Lodging: The Queen Mary Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a trip down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. Visit the Avalon Theater with its extraordinary Art Deco murals and classic 1929 theater pipe organ. Watch a Buster Keaton silent short featuring the theater's own historic organ music. Continue up to the beautiful, world-famous Casino Ballroom and enjoy the scenic view of Avalon Bay from the outdoor balcony.

CLASS: Experience Avalon's past, present & future through the unique perspective of a native historian.

Dinner: Dinner at Avalon restaurant

Lodging: Hotel St. Lauren

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a self-guided nature walk in the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden, which houses some of the most beautiful plants in California. The short walk up to the Memorial is well worth the commanding views of Avalon Bay. The Wrigley Memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr, who lived from 1861 to 1932. It is the centerpiece of the Botanical Garden and was built in 1933-34 with the goal of using as many Catalina materials as possible.

FIELD TRIP: Bus Trip Around Avalon

You will discover the enchantment of Avalon everywhere you turn on this delightful 7-1/2 mile journey along the beachfront, up the hillsides, and through the heart of town. It's the perfect introduction to the town of Avalon. See postcard-perfect views and colorful, local spots as our guide provides interesting Catalina Island highlights and history.

Lunch: Lunch on your own at the restaurant of your choice in Avalon

Afternoon: Free afternoon to explore Avalon and Catalina Island on your own or participate in commercial tours at your own expense.

Dinner: Dinner at Avalon restaurant

Lodging: Hotel St. Lauren

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The return time to Long Beach is determined by the Catalina Express schedule, which changes on a quarterly basis. The group is generally booked on the 8AM boat from Avalon with a return time to Long Beach about 9:15AM. Transportation is provided to take the group back to the Queen Mary.

This concludes the program. We hope you have enjoyed our Queen Mary/Catalina Island program and will join us for other rewarding adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals Included: Breakfast