Queen Mary 2 to Join Historic Sail4th Celebration in New York

Cunard is preparing for Queen Mary 2 to take part in the Sail4th gathering of tall ships in New York Harbor on July 4 as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

As previously announced, the iconic ocean liner will join what is expected to be the largest assembly of tall ships ever brought together from around the world. More than 100 vessels are scheduled to sail from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, pass the Statue of Liberty, and continue along the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge.

Following the event, Queen Mary 2 will depart on a seven-night voyage celebrating the rich maritime heritage shared by the United States and the United Kingdom. According to Cunard, the occasion is particularly significant because it coincides with the anniversary of the company’s first transatlantic voyage.

On July 4, 1840, RMS Britannia departed Liverpool for Boston, establishing what is widely recognized as the world’s first regularly scheduled transatlantic steamship service. Since then, Cunard vessels have crossed the Atlantic every year.

The line also highlighted that Queen Mary 2 will complete its 450th transatlantic crossing this November. To commemorate the milestone, Cunard is offering a sweepstakes, open until July 31, with two places aboard the historic voyage available to win.

Cunard also noted that its first arrival in New York Harbor took place in December 1847, when the wooden paddle steamer Hibernia visited the port. Since that inaugural call, Cunard ships have visited the Port of New York every year for more than 178 consecutive years, making it the longest-standing port relationship in the company’s history.