by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 1:40 PM ET, Tue March 25, 2025
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will join America’s 250th anniversary celebration in New York in 2026.
The cruise line is partnering with Sail4th 250, the nonprofit organizing the festivities in the Port of New York and New Jersey for the anniversary next year.
Through the collaboration, Queen Mary 2 will participate in an international flotilla of more than 30 tall ships and naval vessels from 17 countries. Visitors will be able to access the ships, watch a fireworks display, experience a military flyover and see an exhibition of 18th-century historic documents.
The parade will take place July 4 along a 15-mile stretch of shoreline in New York and New Jersey. Between 8 and 10 million spectators are expected to attend.
“Cunard has a long and distinguished history with the United States, and we are proud to play a role in this momentous celebration,” says Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “As the world's only ocean liner, Queen Mary 2 will offer guests an experience like no other—immersed in the excitement and grandeur of America's 250th Independence Day. This is a truly unique opportunity to witness history in spectacular fashion, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be part of it.”
Guests can sail aboard Queen Mary 2 for America’s 250th anniversary celebration by booking the “Independence Day Spectacular” voyage from July 3-10, 2026. The ship will depart from New York for stops in Newport, Rhode Island, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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