Since returning from our great Danube cruise last summer, we have had the joy of sailing on 5 Seabourn cruises – 2 in New England and Canada, 2 in French Polynesia, and one repositioning from Barcelona to Puerto Rico.

They were all really wonderful, but something was missing. At first I couldn’t work it out, but then as I prepared for our vacation next month, I came to the realization that this trip isn’t a cruise, it is a voyage. Yes, we will be back on Queen Mary 2. No endless champagne and caviar, or soaking in a bathtub. I will once more be doing battle with a plastic shower curtain, but I will be loving it.

Any voyage on Queen Mary 2 is something to be treasured, but this one has the potential to be something even more special.

We will board Queen Mary 2 in Brooklyn on July 3^rd. Then instead of sailing out under the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge, we will anchor overnight in the river so we will have a prime position to observe the celebrations of America’s 250^th anniversary (https://sail4th.org) on the 4^th of July.

The day’s celebrations will begin with the International Naval Review. A Navy vessel will sail up the Hudson River, formally acknowledging an anchored fleet of U.S. and allied naval ships.

Mid morning the International Parade of Sail featuring 48 tall ships, will make its way from the Verrazzano‑Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty, and up the Hudson River.

Then more than 120 aircraft, led by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, will take to the skies for a “thrilling aerial review” over the harbor. For me the most exciting part is that the Royal Air Force Red Arrows are scheduled to be there. They have been scheduled to do shows in Southampton and Liverpool on numerous occasions when we have been on Cunard ships, but the weather has always been too bad. Hopefully they will not have that excuse this time.

In the evening, the celebrations will conclude in “spectacular style with the iconic Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, marking their 50th anniversary”.

Wow! There will be tall ships, navy ships, fly pasts and, we have been told, a spectacular fireworks display. All with the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. What better way to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday? I can’t believe it is only 5 days to go!

Some time after midnight on the 4^th we will pull up our anchor, wave goodbye to the Statue of Liberty, and sail under that imposing bridge as we head north towards Newport. We will watch the glow of the Manhattan skyline fade into the distance as the wind picks up, and the familiar sounds of our liner making her way gracefully through the waves will fill my universe.

I am so ready to be back on board.

Itinerary

This is only a 7-day voyage unfortunately. I would love to stay on Queen Mary 2 after we return to New York and enjoy a 14-day crossing to and from Southampton. Talk about perfection. But other adventures await us, so it is not to be.

Friday July 3^rd                    New York, NY

Saturday July 4^th             New York, NY

Sunday July 5^th                 Newport, RI

Monday July 6^th               At Sea

Tuesday July 7^th               Halifax, NS

Wednesday July 8^th      Halifax, NS

Thursday July 9^th            At Sea

Friday July 10^th                 New York, NY

I am sorry we are not going to Boston this time. Boston in July is always wonderful, and we had such a good time there last 4^th of July. However, an overnight in Halifax sounds interesting………