Sarah Bretz, ContributorCarnival Cruise Line has announced that it will be offering 10 special sailings in 2026 to commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The voyages, which will sail from six homeports, will bring guests together for ship meetups and patriotic experiences. The cruises will sail from Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, New York City, Long Beach, and San Francisco.
On July 4, 2026, the country’s birthday, seven ships sailing from east coast homeports will meet up near Celebration Key for a unique celebration at sea. Three ships will unite off the west coast near Ensenada. During the meetups, each ship will host patriotic birthday-themed deck parties. The voyages will also feature patriotic entertainment and special food and beverage offerings.
“We’re America’s cruise line, and we’re commemorating this milestone in a big way! Uniting our ships will multiply the fun and make America’s 250th birthday even more memorable for guests who celebrate at sea,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The cruises we’re opening for sale today offer great variety, so guests can choose their ideal way to take part in a truly once-in-a-lifetime occasion.”
From the east coast, guests can choose from short getaways that include sailings on Carnival Conquest and Carnival Glory, both departing on July 3, 2026, offering three-day cruises to Celebration Key at Grand Bahama from Miami and Port Canaveral, respectively.
Departing July 2, 2026, Carnival Sunrise will sail a four-day Bahamas cruise from Miami and Carnival Elation will sail to the Bahamas on a four-day cruise from Jacksonville.
Guests looking for a longer sailing can select a seven-day eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Celebration from Miami, departing on June 28, 2026, visiting Celebration Key, Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk.
An eight-day eastern Caribbean sailing on Carnival Vista from Port Canaveral, departing on June 27, 2026, calling at iconic ports including San Juan and St. Thomas is also available. Northeastern guests can set sail on Carnival Venezia from New York City on July 1, 2026, an eight-day cruise that visits Celebration Key, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay.
Guests can also join America’s 250th birthday celebration from the West Coast with three cruise options departing from California. On July 3, 2026, Carnival Firenze will sail a three-day Baja Mexico cruise from Long Beach over the July 4th weekend, while Carnival Luminosa sails a four-day option departing July 2, 2026 from San Francisco. Both will feature stops in Ensenada. On June 30, 2026, Carnival Radiance will sail a five-day Mexican Riviera cruise from Long Beach, visiting both Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. The three ships will also unite at sea on July 4, 2026.
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