Carnival Details Onboard Celebrations For America’s 250th Anniversary

Carnival Cruise Line is gearing up to host a variety of onboard activities and celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary next month. Festivities will include ship meetups with fireworks on both coasts, special onboard activities and offerings across the fleet, and more.

Onboard Activities & Offerings

Embarkation on select vessels will feature forty-foot patriotic inflatables on deck, including a star-spangled bald eagle and a flag-themed star. In addition, all vessels will be decked out (no pun intended!) with 250th birthday banners and other decorations.

Special events on board will include the Red, White and Blue deck party and US YAY! party with balloon drops and appearances from Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat. Themed food and drinks will include strawberry shortcake, specialty cocktails, “America’s Cruisin” beer, and limited-edition America250 souvenir Coke cans.

On each sailing the week of July 4, one military family will receive an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. Veterans and active-duty military on those sailings will also be given a special-edition military pin.

Ship Meetups

There’s no better way to celebrate Independence Day than by enjoying a fireworks show! Passengers aboard select ships in Carnival’s fleet will have front-row seats to fireworks displays on both U.S. coasts.

On July 4, seven ships sailing from the East Coast will meet up near Carnival’s Bahamian destination Celebration Key for a fireworks spectacular. Over in California, three vessels will also meet up to enjoy the West Coast’s largest fireworks show, the Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom (for which Carnival is the official cruise line sponsor).

Community Events

Carnival Cruise Line’s tribute to the United States Semiquincentennial will extend into several of its homeport communities. The line will hold a number of celebrations on board for community partners and veterans:

• Baltimore, Maryland aboard Carnival Pride on June 28
• Long Beach, California aboard Carnival Radiance on June 30
• Jacksonville, Florida aboard Carnival Elation on July 2
• Tampa, Florida aboard Carnival Paradise on July 2

Carnival is also supporting shoreside fireworks shows and celebrations as a sponsor:

• The Virginia Sail250 Fireworks Show on June 20 in Norfolk
• The Port of San Diego Big Bay Boom fireworks show on July 4 in San Diego
• The Miami-Dade 250 Independence Day Celebration on July 4 in Miami