Cunard has confirmed a partnership with Sail4th 250, the non-profit organization coordinating maritime commemorations in the Port of New York and New Jersey for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
As part of this collaboration, Cunard’s flagship RMS Queen Mary 2 will play a central role in the historic event. During the six-day maritime tribute, the liner will offer guests a commanding vantage point from which to witness one of the largest assemblies of tall ships and naval vessels ever staged. The international flotilla will feature over 30 tall ships, with 17 nations already committed to participation and additional invitations extended by the U.S. Navy. The event will also encompass public ship access, maritime festivals, a large-scale fireworks display, and an exhibition of 18th-century historical documents.
Projections indicate that between eight and ten million spectators will line the 15-mile waterfront of New York and New Jersey to observe the July 4 parade of sail. Running from July 3 to 8, 2026, the event underscores Cunard’s longstanding ties to the United States and its transatlantic legacy, which spans more than 185 years.
Positioned in New York Harbor, Queen Mary 2 will offer guests an unparalleled perspective of the maritime festivities, which will also include a military flyover and a culminating fireworks display over the Manhattan skyline. Whether anchored or maneuvering within the harbor, the liner will serve as a premier viewing platform for this significant occasion.
Cunard’s Independence Day Spectacular Voyage, scheduled from July 3 to 10, 2026, will allow passengers to partake in these historic celebrations before continuing to Newport (Rhode Island) and Halifax (Nova Scotia)—both notable for their maritime heritage and colonial past.
Fares for the voyage currently start at US$2,350 per person, based on double occupancy in a Britannia Balcony stateroom.