Celebrate the USA's 250th birthday aboard this once-in-a-lifetime patriotic cruise

The U.S. has a big birthday in 2026, and Holland America Line will take guests to the heart of the festivities.

The country will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, or semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026. In honor of the occasion, a week-long cruise will take passengers to historic cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (along with Canada).

“America’s 250th anniversary is a once-in-a-generation 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,” Beth Bodensteiner, the cruise line's president, said in a news release. “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. And with special events planned to celebrate the Fourth of July in true patriotic style, it promises to be a meaningful and memorable experience for everyone on board.”

When is Holland America’s semiquincentennial cruise?

The round-trip sailing will depart on July 4, 2026, from Boston on the line’s 1,964-guest Zuiderdam ship.

Where will the cruise sail?

The cruise will linger in Boston Harbor, where passengers will have a chance to watch the Massachusetts city's fireworks from the vessel.

That will be followed by visits to Saint John, New Brunswick, in Canada, and Norfolk, Virginia, where guests can take shore excursions to Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, which make up the Historic Triangle.

The cruise will wrap up with an overnight stop in New York – which will host the largest flotilla of tall ships from across the globe in the Port of New York and New Jersey – before returning to Boston.

How much does the cruise cost?

The America's 250th Celebration: Stars & Stripes Voyage currently starts at $1,459 per person based on double occupancy, including port fees and taxes. Holland America cruise fares include accommodations, many meals onboard, entertainment and more.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Holland America Line unveils history-filled cruise for America’s 250th