4th of July Cruise Festivities: From Fireworks to Apple Pie

Over the Fourth of July holiday this year, American Cruise Lines has nine small ships sailing across the U.S. Its fleet of paddlewheelers and small coastal ships are cruising in Alaska; Puget Sound and the Columbia and Snake Rivers; Mississippi and Ohio Rivers; New England and Maine. Every ship in the fleet will celebrate Independence Day in classic American style with a festive barbecue hosted on the top deck. Ships are decorated in patriotic decor and passengers receive American flag pins and small flags. Onboard, some ships might have photo booths with patriotic hats so all passengers can dress up and commemorate the holiday together. The line also makes sure all passengers have every opportunity to attend fireworks displays -- if they are not already deckside, then attempting to view the displays overhead as they cruise along America's rivers, coastlines and waterways.

This year, American Queen Steamboat Company will celebrate the Fourth aboard three ships. American Queen will be docked overnight in Paducah, Kentucky for the holiday, enjoying themed decor, a picnic lunch and the local fireworks display (with drinks) from the ship at night. American Empress will be docked in Richland, Washington enjoying decorations, patriotic music, a Fourth of July deck party and the Columbia Park fireworks display. American Duchess will be sailing along the river, broadcasting the New York City Fourth of July fireworks spectacular onboard.

Azamara will decorate the Living Room with Fourth of July decorations and host a celebration in the evening. This year it's a port day for both ships, so passengers will mostly spend time ashore. Live music will be featured from Azamara's entertainment staff and a DJ.

Fourth of July celebrations sailing Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will take place on both Grand Celebration and Grand Classica, including a special barbecue and pool party on July 4th, themed foods in the buffet, parades, live bands and performances as well as other themed activities onboard.

Fourth of July aboard Carnival Cruise Line is robust, with activities like an ice cream-eating contest on the lido deck, themed movies like "Captain America" or "Independence Day", a patriotic scavenger hunt, trivia contests, photo opportunities, food and beverage specials and more. Ships are decorated with American flags and crew are outfitted in special costumes like Uncle Sam.

To celebrate Independence Day, Celebrity hosts an Independence Pool Party featuring live music, DJs, pool games and special giveaways. Additionally, the Oceanview Cafe (buffet) and Mast Grill (poolside grill) feature a special "All American" menu.

The 2018 Independence Day sailing of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 will overnight in Boston on July 4, providing a great opportunity for passengers to enjoy celebratory fireworks.

Disney Cruise Line celebrates Independence Day in all-American fashion. As the only cruise line with fireworks onboard, Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy will all have a special themed Fourth of July fireworks show to end the day. The entire Disney Cruise Line fleet celebrates with themed food and drinks, patriotic decor and special activities throughout the holiday for all ages.

In recognition of Independence Day, Holland America serves holiday menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with drink specials. Festivities include a Fourth of July reception and happy hour.

If you're sailing the Caribbean on Island Windjammers over July 4, you'll see the ship outfitted with American flags and sparklers, and burgers are hot off the grill for lunch.

Lindblad hosts an all-American barbecue onboard all ships fleetwide to celebrate Independence Day.

For July 4th on MSC Seaside, cruisers can celebrate with all-American themed bites and activities like sporting events, themed arts and crafts for kids, performances in the ship's atrium, a Fourth of July line-dancing party on the pool deck, movies under the stars and an Americana-themed silent disco. In addition to a variety of patriotic and themed decor in Seaside's four-story atrium, crew will also sport themed costumes during various activities throughout the week. Several all-American favorites are served in the buffet.

To kick off Independence Day on Norwegian, a "Red, White and Blue" theme party is hosted by the cruise director on the pool deck in the afternoon or evening (weather permitting). Activities vary by ship, but cruisers might encounter ice-carving demos, pie-eating contests, pool games, themed trivia, a patriotic scavenger hunt, face painting, a mini carnival for kids, a festive pub crawl (adults only), the ensuing patriotic singalongs, photo shoots with Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty, and even a Fourth of July-themed murder mystery dinner. There are Fourth of July decorations throughout the ship, and passengers will be able to enjoy themed drink specials, desserts and of course, classic American barbecue and apple pie.

Regatta will be sailing the Inside Passage of Alaska this July 4th, and a special "country fair" might be arranged on the pool deck, weather permitting. A Fourth of July barbecue menu is planned for Waves Grill and Terrace Cafe. Waves Grill will feature items like barbecued spareribs and chicken, baked beans, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. In Terrace Cafe, cruisers will find hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and coleslaw, in addition to the food in Waves. Dessert will feature an old-fashioned apple pie; red, white and blue cheesecake; a U.S. flag cake; and watermelon.

To observe Independence Day this year, the Paul Gauguin cruise ship will host a barbecue-themed lunch, Fourth of July-themed trivia contest, country music and dancing, and even an onboard talent show.

Pearl Seas Cruises' ship, Pearl Mist, will conclude an 11-night "Great Lakes & Georgian Bay" cruise on the Fourth of July holiday. The sailing arrives in Chicago on the 4th for the last evening of the cruise. Passengers will be treated to spectacular Chicago-style Fourth of July fireworks displays and celebrations along the waterfront, with a special Fourth of July-themed meal and celebration onboard.

Festivities take place on select Princess voyages and include decorations, specialty decor packages, a Piazza cake display, ice-carving display and Fourth of July picnic-themed buffet offerings.

Select Royal Caribbean ships will host themed events and activities for Independence Day, such as festivities on the Boardwalk or Royal Promenade for the whole family to celebrate together, balloon drops, trivia fun and more.

To commemorate the Fourth of July holiday, Seabourn hosts a themed dinner in the Colonnade with cake and decorations on display in front of The Restaurant and Colonnade.

For July 4th, celebrations onboard Silversea ships are kept low-key with a large mix of international passengers sailing. A special celebratory cocktail is created to commemorate the day, and menus in Silversea's dining venues might highlight Fourth of July culinary favorites.

Ships in expedition line UnCruise's fleet sport decorations for Independence Day, and host a barbecue on deck.

Star Legend is in Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm for the Fourth of July this year. The day will start off with a Fourth of July pancake breakfast in Amphora and Veranda. The ship's lunch menu will feature Alaskan halibut in the Veranda on the carving station, plus Windstar's signature burger and Nathan's hot dogs. A Fourth of July wine tasting will be held for passengers (featuring American wines). Dinner will include a large July 4th cake display at the Amphora entrance along with Alaskan King crab kegs. Alaskan beer and drink specials are on tap.