The Amerigo Vespucci ship is preparing to experience one of the most symbolic moments of the Vespucci World Tour – 2026 North American Campaign. After its stop in Baltimore, where it is engaged in SAIL250 Maryland, the Italian Navy tall ship will reach New York waters in the late evening of Thursday, July 2, ahead of the great Sail4th250 – International Naval Review, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States. The training ship will remain anchored off the coast of New Jersey until the morning of July 4, when it will take part in the spectacular naval parade along the Hudson River alongside over fifty tall ships and military vessels from around the world.
The Grand Parade on the Hudson on July 4
The parade will kick off from the Verrazzano Bridge and head up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge, passing in front of the Statue of Liberty. Besides being one of the most anticipated events of the American celebrations, for the Amerigo Vespucci this represents one of the most prestigious stops of the North American campaign. The campaign began on May 9 from Genoa and is promoted by the Ministry of Defense and the Italian Navy, with the production of Difesa Servizi S.p.A., as part of the official program for the US celebrations.
The initiative also involves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry for Sport and Youth, and the Minister for Disabilities, with the support of ITA – Italian Trade Agency, Veronafiere-Vinitaly, and Enel.
Docked in New York until July 8
Once the parade concludes, the tall ship will remain docked until July 8 at Pier 86 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where it will host an intense schedule of institutional events dedicated to promoting Italy. Among the main events is the presentation of the next edition of Vinitaly.USA, which will focus on the role of Italian wine in the North American market and the excellence of national production.
There is also great anticipation for “Vespucci & America’s Cup: two icons of the sea meet in New York,” an event during which the prestigious America’s Cup trophy—arriving directly from New Zealand, the current titleholder—will exceptionally come aboard. The initiative also represents an ideal passing of the baton toward the next edition of the competition, which will arrive in Italy next year. Additionally, an event promoted by the Municipality of Genoa will take place on board to showcase the city from which the World Tour departed last May.
During its stay in the Big Apple, numerous Italian authorities will come aboard, including Undersecretary of Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Commander General of the Carabinieri General Salvatore Luongo, Italian Ambassador to the United States Marco Peronaci, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Giorgio Marrapodi, Consul General in New York Giuseppe Pastorelli, Mayor of Genoa Silvia Salis, and CEO of Difesa Servizi Luca Andreoli. Representatives from Sport e Salute, America’s Cup Partnership, ITA – Italian Trade Agency, and Veronafiere will also participate.
A Long Love Story Between the Amerigo Vespucci and New York
The 2026 visit will be the Amerigo Vespucci’s ninth to New York. The first dates back to 1933, at the end of the ship’s first Atlantic crossing after departing from Gibraltar. Following its postwar return in 1951, visits occurred in 2000, 2017, and again today, confirming the strong historical bond between Italy and the United States. This relationship starts right from the ship’s name, dedicated to the Florentine explorer who realized that the lands reached by Christopher Columbus belonged to a new continent destined to take his name.
It was precisely in the United States that the famous nickname “the most beautiful ship in the world” was born. In 1962, in the Mediterranean, the American aircraft carrier USS Independence, after identifying the Italian tall ship via radio, greeted it with a phrase destined to go down in history: “You are the most beautiful ship in the world.” This recognition was reiterated sixty years later, in 2022, by the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush, which confirmed via radio: “After 60 years, you are still the most beautiful ship in the world.”
Event Schedule
July 5 will be dedicated to the presentation of Vinitaly.USA, organized by Veronafiere, Vinitaly, and ITA, while the evening will feature the meeting between the Vespucci and the America’s Cup trophy, attended by Minister Andrea Abodi.
On July 6, the ship will host the Francesca Rava Foundation conference and the Municipality of Genoa’s event dedicated to promoting the city to international tour operators and the press.
On July 7, the United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit will take place, featuring the participation of the Commander General of the Carabinieri.
The Amerigo Vespucci will be open to the public for onboard tours on Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM, and on Tuesday, July 7, from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM. To visit the Amerigo Vespucci in New York, registration is required following the instructions on the website www.tourvespucci.it.
Upcoming Stops on the World Tour
After the New York stop, the Amerigo Vespucci will set sail for Boston, where it will participate in Sail Boston from July 11 to 16. It will subsequently reach Canada for the Rendez-vous naval de Québec (July 23-26), then make a port call in Montreal from July 29 to August 3 before its next Atlantic crossing.
The return to Italy includes stops in Cagliari, Taranto, and Venice for the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium, concluding the tour in Trieste during the Barcolana 58 and the arrival of the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce.
Amerigo Vespucci Ship in the US – FAQ
When will the Amerigo Vespucci arrive in New York?
The tall ship will reach New York waters in the late evening of Thursday, July 2, initially remaining at anchor off the coast of New Jersey.
Which event will it participate in on July 4?
It will take part in the Sail4th250 – International Naval Review, the grand naval parade organized on the Hudson River to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.
Where will it be docked after the parade?
From July 4 to 8, it will be docked at Pier 86 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York.
Can the Amerigo Vespucci be visited?
Yes. Tours will be open to the public on July 5 and 6 from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM, and on July 7 from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, subject to prior registration on the official Vespucci Tour website.
