There’s something profoundly moving about watching fireworks bloom over Boston Harbor from the deck of a cruise ship, especially when those pyrotechnics are celebrating the birth of a nation. Come July 4, 2026, Holland America Line will offer passengers exactly that experience aboard the Zuiderdam, departing on a seven-day voyage that reads like a love letter to American history.
The “America’s 250th Celebration: Stars & Stripes Voyage” isn’t just another themed cruise – it’s a carefully curated journey through the very places where American independence was forged. Starting from Boston, the cradle of the Revolution, the ship will position itself in the harbor to give guests an unparalleled view of the city’s legendary Fourth of July fireworks display. It’s the kind of moment that transforms a simple cruise departure into something approaching the sacred.
A floating history lesson
The itinerary reads like a Revolutionary War textbook brought to life. After departing Boston with that spectacular fireworks sendoff, Zuiderdam sails north to Saint John, New Brunswick, before making a rare call at Norfolk, Virginia. Here’s where history buffs will find themselves in paradise: Norfolk serves as the gateway to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown – three destinations that collectively tell the story of America’s earliest chapters.
The ship’s shore excursions don’t merely scratch the surface. The “Colonial Williamsburg & Governor’s Palace” tour transports guests to Virginia’s historic peninsula, where costumed interpreters bring the 18th century to vivid life. Meanwhile, the “Jamestown Settlement & American Revolution Museum at Yorktown” tour connects the dots between America’s first permanent English settlement and the battle that effectively ended the Revolutionary War.
Tall ships and city lights
Perhaps the voyage’s most spectacular moment comes during the overnight stay in New York City, timed to coincide with “Sail 4th 250” – a gathering of the world’s largest fleet of tall ships in New York Harbor. As Zuiderdam glides past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on July 8th, passengers might catch glimpses of these majestic vessels departing for Boston in the “Farewell to the Fleet” ceremony.
The overnight in Manhattan provides ample time to explore beyond the port. Guests can dive deeper into America’s immigrant story with the “Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island” excursion, or take in the city’s famous skyline from the water on the “New York City by Land & Sea” tour.
The patriotic package
Starting at USD1,459 per person (double occupancy, including port fees and taxes), this seven-day voyage offers remarkable value for what amounts to a floating celebration of American heritage. It’s the kind of cruise that appeals to history enthusiasts, patriotic travelers, and anyone seeking a uniquely American experience on the water.
Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Line’s president, captures the voyage’s essence perfectly: this voyage isn’t just about visiting historical sites, but about connecting with the places where the American story began. From Boston’s Freedom Trail to the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg, every port of call reinforces the extraordinary narrative of a nation’s birth.
For cruisers seeking something more meaningful than the typical Caribbean cruise, Holland America’s semiquincentennial celebration offers an opportunity to literally sail through American history – with front-row seats to some of the most stirring moments in the nation’s 250-year journey. Visit the Holland America Line website for more information.
About the Author: Staff Writer
