Have you spent your Country's Independence Day on a Cruise?

[rkacruiser]

If so, what has been your experience?  What recognition was given by your ship's crew that this was a special day?

 

My memory is a Nordic Prince cruise over July 4th.  Before sailing, our Captain, during his "welcome aboard" speech made it very clear that if anyone had any type of fireworks, they were not to be used.  "Fireworks at sea seen by other ships is a sign of a vessel in distress."  I remember him saying.  The ship's dining room was appropriately decorated on July 4th.  The Stewards wore Red, White, and Blue uniforms.  

 

What are your memories?  
 

Edited July 3, 2021 by rkacruiser

[klfrodo]

On an international cruise in international waters with international crew and passengers? I don't expect any "National" recognition.

Now, a holiday or celebration that is recognized around the world, that would be something else. I remember Christmas decorations and a Menorah. 

 

I don't ever recall celebrating India's independence day. There's usually a few crew members and passengers from India on sailings that I've been on.

Edited July 4, 2021 by klfrodo

[WatchHill]

I have a vague memory of an Alaska cruise on the old, old Rotterdam [Ritz Carlton Lounge, crazy stair case system due to the ship being built for "class"].  We arrived in Vancouver from Boston and enjoyed Canada Day fireworks from our hotel by the harbor. Got on the ship the following day and arrived in Ketchikan on the 4th. There was a parade along the waterfront and I kept buying tickets for some community fund raiser. When DH asked me if I knew what the prize was, I shrugged "Probably something very Alaskan?"  Two cords of wood, one cord of wood, etc. he discouraged me from claiming the prize if I won. I found the picture album of this trip and couldn't seen anything 4th of July on the ship. But the Dutch theme was outstanding.

 

Darcy

[hallasm]

No - I’m living in a country with no Independence Day.

[MCC retired]

Every year (except 2020/2021 of course)  , Cunard QM2 offers an Independence Day Cruise r/t from NYC which always spends July 4th in Boston.

[zekekelso]

4 hours ago, MCC retired said:

Every year (except 2020/2021 of course)  , Cunard QM2 offers an Independence Day Cruise r/t from NYC which always spends July 4th in Boston.

I got to see the fireworks in Boston last year. And by last year I mean 2019 - 2020 didn’t really happen, did it. Simply Amazing. I’ve been at the NYC fireworks many years and they are bigger than Boston’s, but there’s something special about Boston’s. 

[zekekelso]

I did a boarding day in Spain once on July 4th. They did nothing, zippo for the holiday, even though 1/3 of the ship were Americans. I wanted to celebrate on my balcony by exercising my creator-endowed inalienable right to cook meat over fire. But apparently the cruise lines don’t recognize such rights and won’t let you bring a hibachi on board. Party poopers. 

Edited July 4, 2021 by zekekelso

[Hlitner]

2 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

I got to see the fireworks in Boston last year. And by last year I mean 2019 - 2020 didn’t really happen, did it. Simply Amazing. I’ve been at the NYC fireworks many years and they are bigger than Boston’s, but there’s something special about Boston’s. 

We have cruised many times over July 4th, but it has always been in Europe, Asia, or the Pacific where there was not much celebration.  But once upon a time we found ourselves staying with friends (who we had met on a prior cruise) in Fleet, England and on July 4th we all trekked over to the nearby Pub where they had a wonderful July 4th party.  The pub's owner told me that it was simply a good excuse for a party and they had decorated the pub with American flags, set off some fireworks outside (pro bably illegal) and even played John Phillip Sousa marches.  We were treated as the token American guests and nobody would allow us to pay for a pint!  So much fun.

 

Hank

[TheOldBear]

Some friends of ours have taken Cunard's Fourth of July sailing three times [twice on QE2, once on QM2]. They just treated it a chance to unplug [not getting up for early doctor's rounds]. 

 

[zekekelso]

13 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

in Fleet, England and on July 4th

I thought July 4 was known as “Rebellious Traitors Day” in England 🙂.  Glad to hear they don’t hold a grudge.  

[jocap]

47 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

I thought July 4 was known as “Rebellious Traitors Day” in England 🙂.  Glad to hear they don’t hold a grudge.  

No- we all have a murky history...

My local town, Whitehaven, gave a pardon to the US Navy for attacking it in 1778, led by former Whitehaven sailor John Paul Jones. HM The Queen came and met with high ranking sailors, and the US Navy had the Freedom of the Town granted to it- I think the only ever recipient!

We have an official - and welcome- visit by the Navy each year.

No grudges.

[lenquixote66]

For my 70th.birthday my family and I did a Caribbean cruise

[SbbquilterUT]

We boarded our Russian River cruise in Moscow 7/4/2019.  There was a cake decorated for the holiday on the table at the dining room entrance.  

[Essiesmom]

I think my most memorable July 4 was in 1983, on a professional study tour to the Soviet Union.  We traveled from Moscow to Kiev, Baku, Yerevan, Tbilisi, and back to Moscow.  Talk about bubble tours…  We had an escort, who was very punctual, regimented, and uptight.  But the farther we got from Moscow, the more she loosened up.  By the time we got back to Moscow, she was even smiling.  We left Moscow on July 4, and all the way to the airport on the bus we sang patriotic American songs.  We were so glad to be heading to Helsinki.  EM

[rkacruiser]

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

My trans-Atlantic and North Cape Cruise on Royal Viking Sky ended in Copenhagen on July 4th.  The evening before we arrived, the dining room was decorated to celebrate our Independence Day.  Of course, nothing special on the morning of disembarkation.  I remember my July 4th dinner in Copehagen.  There was a Burger King a short walk from our hotel.  And, they served Danish beer!  A Whopper, Fries, and a Danish Beer was my July 4th dinner that evening.  

[ldubs]

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

My trans-Atlantic and North Cape Cruise on Royal Viking Sky ended in Copenhagen on July 4th.  The evening before we arrived, the dining room was decorated to celebrate our Independence Day.  Of course, nothing special on the morning of disembarkation.  I remember my July 4th dinner in Copehagen.  There was a Burger King a short walk from our hotel.  And, they served Danish beer!  A Whopper, Fries, and a Danish Beer was my July 4th dinner that evening.  

 

Was that the Burger King at the entrance to Stroget from the City Hall square?  

 

About a dozen years ago we took a family group cruise to the Mexican Riviera during July 4th.  It was a RCI ship.  They threw a pretty good party on the pool deck that included grilled ribs.    

[davecttr]

10 hours ago, jocap said:

No- we all have a murky history...

My local town, Whitehaven, gave a pardon to the US Navy for attacking it in 1778, led by former Whitehaven sailor John Paul Jones. HM The Queen came and met with high ranking sailors, and the US Navy had the Freedom of the Town granted to it- I think the only ever recipient!

We have an official - and welcome- visit by the Navy each year.

No grudges.

There are two versions of that attack. the local one has it not being successful because one of the shore parties forgot to do the destruction stuff because they went in the nearest pub and got drunk, the US navy being dry 😉

[ericfromri]

11 hours ago, jocap said:

No- we all have a murky history...

My local town, Whitehaven, gave a pardon to the US Navy for attacking it in 1778, led by former Whitehaven sailor John Paul Jones. HM The Queen came and met with high ranking sailors, and the US Navy had the Freedom of the Town granted to it- I think the only ever recipient!

We have an official - and welcome- visit by the Navy each year.

No grudges.

thank you good Sir!!!  John Paul Jones is one of my personal heroes because he is  the father of the US Navy where i spent my entire career.

[K32682]

Not being an American I would absolutely not appreciate if the line went star spangled silly on July 4 unless it were cruise primarily of U.S. destinations (e.g. Alaskan or Hawaiian) in which case I would put up with it. 

[ldubs]

I don't whine about other country's celebrations.  We enjoy doing Cinco de Mayo here in California.   It is an important day for our friends from down south.   

[Aquahound]

Sailed over a July 4 weekend several years ago, and the ship was appropriately adorned with red, white, and blue.  We got very lucky because because we were in the vicinity of a Disney ship that night, so we got to see their fireworks show.  

 

Likewise, I would gladly partake in honoring similar holidays of other nations while aboard as well.  For example, if I knowingly boarded a ship with majority French passengers sailing over July 14th, I'd be happy to raise a glass to their Fete Nationale (Bastille Day).   Kinda arrogant not to.  🙄  

[jocap]

12 hours ago, davecttr said:

There are two versions of that attack. the local one has it not being successful because one of the shore parties forgot to do the destruction stuff because they went in the nearest pub and got drunk, the US navy being dry 😉

True... there wasn't enough fuel to set the fleet alight, so they went to the local pub....

We have statues of J P J spiking the cannons around the harbour...

Also in Whitehaven is the grave of George Washington's grandmother, and her slave Jane is buried with her... she married a local trader.

[jocap]

12 hours ago, ericfromri said:

thank you good Sir!!!  John Paul Jones is one of my personal heroes because he is  the father of the US Navy where i spent my entire career.

Then you're very welcome to a tot of rum in Whitehaven any time! 🙂

[ericfromri]

4 minutes ago, jocap said:

Then you're very welcome to a tot of rum in Whitehaven any time! 🙂

same goes for you next time you're in in the Boston area

Edited July 5, 2021 by ericfromri

[c-boy]

" Not being an American I would absolutely not appreciate if the line went star spangled silly on July 4 unless it were cruise primarily of U.S. destinations (e.g. Alaskan or Hawaiian) in which case I would put up with it. "

🤨   Something tells me you don't get many likes on here or anywhere.