Blog 212. Day 9/21 Sail4th250 Today’s the Day!

What a time to be both in the U.S.A and on board Queen Mary 2.

*We were all issued with commemorative hats, made in America, delivered to our rooms; flags were handed out on deck.*

This once in a lifetime event took me back to the tremendous Cunard 150 celebrations of 1990, the entire British part of the voyage being crammed with special events, sail parades and fly pasts. We were even blessed with a visit from the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Today’s “parade of sail” started at around 10 am, together with numerous fly-pasts which were hard to record although I did achieve some “hits.”

The decks were crowded especially Deck 13 where there was a slight chance of being “interviewed” on N.B.C. The atmosphere was celebratory, and a joy to be amongst.

Of course, I didn’t really know what was sailing by or flying over. I did take photographs and some video. The Blue Angels led the most amazing “processional” flypast of military aviation, including the Red Arrows, which are on tour in America, presumably for Independence Day. Both parades were more or less over by lunchtime. Below are some pictures taken this morning.

*Many dressed up for this special day long event.*

*Crowds “rammed” on the starboard side of Deck12.*

*It was possible to take pictures through the gaps betwwn pains of tinted glass.*

*And finally, 7-4-26, the way the date is written in the U.S. on the backs of three passe21qgers.*

When the parades appeared to have ended, I was ready for a light lunch. For whatever reason, all my choices were luke warm to cold. I would have Afternoon Tea instead, only to find the Queens Room packed and a large area of the Britannia Restaurant set up for the overspill. Full marks to Cunard to making sure everybody was catered for. One advantage of being in Britannia is the welcome lack of over-amplified live dance music. I can write this blog in peace!

The King’s Court buffet area and other public rooms were decorated appropriately, much to the delight of the 2,100 Americans on board, some of whom appreciated my Stars and Stripes hat, sail boat shirt and a flag to wave.

*U.S.A. 250 Fireworks, New York 4/7/26.* *This picture became out of sync but cannot be changed.*

*The King’s Court “buffet” on Deck 7 decorated for Independence Day.*

After the tea, I booked shore excursions for Newport, Halifax, and New York. Returning any time soon (apart from August, on my way back from Iceland) and back across the Atlantic seems unlikely even ‘though there are some Amtrak trains I still want to ride, including the new Acela, and the updated Cascades service between Seattle and Vancouver. We’ll see.

This afternoon has been more of a normal time. However, the celebrations will soon be continuing around the ship with a grand finale being Macey’s 27 minute firework display, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its inaugural 4th July show in 1976, as well as America 250.

We are anchored 1 – 2 miles from the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, a mile from the Statue of Liberty.

On Deck 13, chairs were set up theatre style in anticipation of a relay from Washington D.C. of a concert, and speech by the President. New York had to do with the V.P.! The threat of storms almost put paid to both evening events. However, from what I understand both P and V.P. got to say what they had to. I recorded the V.P’s,speech relayed on the big screen on Deck 13. In the meantime, I had the opportunity of photographing and videoing parts of a special broadcast dedicated to this morning’s parades, again, on the big screen.

*Relay of the N.B.C. broadcast on to a big screen on Deck 13.*

July 4th in New York ended (as far as we were concerned) with the Macy’s 50th anniversary fireworks display simultaneously on both the Hudson and East River. As you may see from the pictures, we were anchored much to far off to enjoy the real impact of the fireworks. It was a humid night, dark clouds were gathering, sheet lightning and the very occasional streak did add some drama. Any rain came much later. The President hardly, if ever, got mentioned. His event in Washington D.C. was almost cancelled. It was scheduled to be relayed on the big screen and around the ship from 6 pm. However, the threat of dangetous weather had thousands evacuated to safe places. A magnificent “burger and other delicious food bar was set up on Deck 13, I suppose, to councide with the relay from Washington D.C., along with theatre style seating.