The R.M.S. Queen Mary and Catalina Island

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00-4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby on “A” Deck to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Remember to bring your name-tag (sent previously).

Dinner: In one of the Queen Mary’s dining rooms, we’ll have plated meal with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase. Enjoy sweeping views of the city of Long Beach and the harbor.

Evening: Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The Queen Mary has an overall length of 1,019.5 feet and more than six decks. Our program involves daily walking of distances up to 1.5 miles to/from the scheduled activities; climbing stairs; carrying luggage to/from the Queen Mary/bus/Catalina Express boat; and walking to meals outside the hotel properties. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; stairs.

Breakfast: Aboard the Queen Mary, the breakfast buffet offers a variety of hot and cold items plus milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: For our first learning session, we’ll gather in a meeting room with a local expert and learn about the Queen Mary’s service during World War II when she was the largest and fastest troopship, known as the Grey Ghost because her exterior colors were repainted navy gray. She transported more than 800,000 troops and served as a hospital ship as well as the Bride and Baby Shuttle. Her performance earned the Queen Mary the honorary title International Historic Treasure. We’ll then be joined by one of the ships lively on-board experts for an exploratory walk through the ship. We’ll learn about her fascinating history while visiting areas not accessible to the general public.

Lunch: Aboard the Queen Mary, we’ll have a tasty meal in one the dining rooms with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: After some independent time to explore the Queen Mary on our own, we’ll gather with one of the ship’s officers for a presentation on the Queen Mary as one of the greatest luxury liners ever built. In addition to her history, we’ll learn about her distinction as one of the finest repositories of original Art Deco artwork and architecture in the world and see original objects d’art created for the ship during the 1930s.

Dinner: Aboard the Queen Mary.

Evening: We’ll gather with our Group Leader for an introduction to Avalon, the only town on Santa Catalina Island. It was originally settled by the Tongva people before becoming more developed and turning into a resort community in the 20th century. There are small, traditional buildings left over from failed attempts to commercialize the city in the late 19th century. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Luggage will be transported from the dock to the hotel on Catalina Island.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving to Catalina Express Landing dock. Boarding boat, riding approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 1 mile throughout the day; urban streets and sidewalks; shuttle service available.

Breakfast: Aboard the Queen Mary.

Morning: We will check out of the Queen Mary, board a motorcoach, and ride to the Catalina Express Landing dock. From there, we’ll board the boat for the 22 mile ride from the mainland to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island.

Lunch: At a restaurant on Avalon, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of lemonade, coffee, tea, water included; other beverages are available for purchase.

Afternoon: We’ll stroll about half a mile with several stops around main street downtown. While overlooking Avalon and the bay, we’ll learn about the town’s past, present, and possible future through the unique perspective of a native historian. We will finish our afternoon together with a visit to the Catalina Island Museum for a comprehensive look into Catalina’s colorful history. Check in to our hotel will be available after 4:00 p.m.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Avalon. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Activity note: Getting in/out of taxis; on/off open-air tram. Walking about 1/2 mile; six ramps inside casino (no elevator).

Breakfast: At the hotel, the breakfast buffet offers choices such as scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted pastries, plus juice, coffee, tea, water.

Morning: We’ll walk back to the hotel and then take taxis to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden. Accompanied by our Group Leader, we’ll go on a self-directed exploration through the garden that has a special emphasis on California island endemic plants including those that grow naturally on one or more of the California islands and nowhere else in the world. The short walk up to the Memorial is well worth the commanding views of Avalon Bay. The memorial honors William Wrigley, Jr. (1861-1932), founder of the chewing gum company of the same name. It is the centerpiece of the Botanic Garden and was built in 1933-34 with the goal of using as many Catalina materials as possible. From the garden, we will board an open-air tram for a ride through town led by a local expert. We will be able to experience the enchantment of Avalon everywhere we turn on this mile ride along the beachfront, up the hillsides, and through the heart of town. It’s the perfect introduction to the town of Avalon. We’ll see postcard-perfect views and colorful, local spots as our expert provides interesting Catalina Island highlights and history.

Lunch: On your own to have what you like in Avalon. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We’ll be joined by a knowledgeable expert who will take us on a walk down memory lane to the days when bands were big and movies were just beginning to talk. We’ll explore the Avalon Theater with its extraordinary Art Deco murals and classic 1929 theater pipe organ. Situated above the theater, we will continue our expert-led walk up six ramps to the beautiful, renowned Casino Ballroom and enjoy the scenic view of Avalon Bay from the outdoor balcony. We’ll learn about the history and culture of these iconic places.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like in Avalon.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 9 miles, approximately 1 hour.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll set out by motorcoach to Catalina Island’s only airport, where members of the Catalina Conservancy Education Department will lead our exploration. Commissioned by the Wrigley family, the Airport in the Sky is about 10 miles from Avalon and was so named because of its close proximity to the island’s highest point.

Lunch: At the airport’s DC-3 Grill restaurant, we’ll have café trays with a sandwich, side dish, homemade cookie, and choice of fountain soda or water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll visit the Nature Center at Airport in the Sky featuring native and endemic plants of Catalina, as well as other exhibits tracing the Island’s history from its original inhabitants, the Tongva people, to its “discovery” in 1542, and on to its identity as an island of recreation. We will ride back to the hotel after our field trip.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer, and departure in the morning. The Group Leader will announce when luggage should be left in the lobby to be transported from the hotel to the dock.

Activity note: Walk 0.8 mile (or take shuttle) to Catalina Express Landing dock. Boarding boat; riding approximately 1.5 hours back to Long Beach. Luggage will be transported from hotel to dock.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will walk to the dock (or take the shuttle) to the Catalina Express Landing dock and board the boat for the ride back to Long Beach. Transportation will be provided from the landing to return to the Queen Mary with arrival expected by approximately 9: 15 a.m. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!