America's Cruise Line Will Unite Ships for Special Meetups
Featuring Patriotic Entertainment, Food and Drink
MIAMI, Nov. 21, 2024 – Carnival Cruise Line is unveiling details about 10 special sailings for 2026 commemorating America's 250th birthday that will bring guests together for ship meetups and unique patriotic experiences. The cruises include a variety of itineraries that range from three to eight days and sail from six different homeports: Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, New York City, Long Beach and San Francisco. To see the special sailings that open for sale today, click here.
On July 4, 2026, America's 250th birthday, seven ships sailing from east coast homeports will meet up near Celebration Key for a unique celebration at sea, while three ships will unite off the west coast near Ensenada. During the meetups, each ship will host patriotic birthday-themed deck parties. The cruises will also feature patriotic entertainment and special food and drink 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 or Carnival Glory, both departing on July 3, 2026, offering three-day escapes 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. And for northeastern guests, Carnival Venezia will depart New York City on July 1, 2026, for 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 featuring 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.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit , or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
ABOUT CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
Carnival Cruise Line, part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is the first cruise line to sail over 100 million guests and is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line, for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other. Since its founding in 1972, Carnival has continually revolutionized the cruise industry and popularized the cruise vacation as an affordable and fun travel option. Carnival operates from 14 U.S. and two Australian homeports, as well as seasonally from Europe and employs more than 48,000 team members representing 120 nationalities.
Carnival's fleet of 27 ships reflects an exciting period of growth that continues with the addition of seven ships through 2033: two ships joining in February 2025 when P&O Cruises Australia integrates into Carnival; a fourth and fifth Excel class ship scheduled for 2027 and 2028 respectively; followed by three additional new ships from an innovative new class currently under development. Carnival's next new guest offering will be the all-new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, set to debut on Grand Bahama next summer.
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