Holland America Line will commemorate America's 250th birthday with a seven-day cruise departing July 4, 2026, from Boston. The "America's 250th Celebration: Stars & Stripes Voyage" onboard Zuiderdam will visit historical U.S. ports connected to the nation's founding.
The roundtrip Boston cruise includes stops at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; Norfolk, Virginia; and New York City with an overnight stay. The ship will position in Boston Harbor for guests to view the city's Fourth of July fireworks from the water during departure.
"America's 250th anniversary is a singular milestone, and we're excited to mark this historic occasion with a cruise that brings our guests closer to the places where our nation was born," said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. "From walking the grounds of Williamsburg and visiting Ellis Island to exploring Boston's Freedom Trail, this voyage offers an unforgettable journey through American history."
The Norfolk stop provides access to three significant historical sites: Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Holland America Line will offer shore excursions including "Colonial Williamsburg & Governor's Palace" and "Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown," which visits Colonial National Historic Park.
Zuiderdam's July 8 arrival in New York aligns with the conclusion of "Sail 4th 250," a tall ships flotilla scheduled for July 3-8, 2026. The event will feature what organizers describe as the largest fleet of tall ships and gray hull ships assembled in New York Harbor. Guests may observe the ships during the "Farewell to the Fleet" as the tall ships depart for Boston.
The overnight New York stay includes shore excursion options such as "Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island" and "New York City by Land & Sea," which features a cruise on the city's waterways.
Fares for the seven-day voyage start at $1,459 per person based on double occupancy, including port fees and taxes. The cruise departs and returns to Boston, positioning the ship as a base for exploring Revolutionary War sites and early American history locations.
Bodensteiner added that the voyage will include "special events planned to celebrate the Fourth of July in true patriotic style" as part of the onboard experience during this milestone anniversary year.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Holland America Line. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
