Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Travel Guides
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More Next
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2021. Read More Next
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More Next
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals and Events
    • Bus and Trains
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines and Airports
    • Ground Transportation
  • Travel Guides
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Attractions
  3. Festivals + Events
  4. In Photos: The 30th Annual Fleet Week in New York City

In Photos: The 30th Annual Fleet Week in New York City

By Mariah Tyler
May 30, 2018
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Mariah Tyler
Every Memorial Day, for the past 30 years, New York City hosts thousands of Navy, Marine and Coast Guard service members for what is famously known as Fleet Week.

The iconic Sex and The City episode may come to mind, but is Fleet Week really all fantastical escapades with locals? The answer is not really — but kind of. With our curiosities abound we took to the streets to interview the men and women of Fleet Week. Why are they really in town? Do they come from overseas and this is their welcome home?

The Navy dominates the weekend with over 2,000 personnel driving in from regional bases and sailing in on three ships from East Coast ports.

German ships reportedly have on-ship nightclubs while British sailors are allowed two beers a day aboard their ships. These sailors though are not without their alcohol as Fleet Week is loaded with discounts and happy hours of free drinking from New York City establishments welcoming the military service members.
Start Slideshow

1 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Navy Band Concert

Credit: Mariah Tyler

A performance by members of the Navy Band draw a crowd, Thursday afternoon in Washington Square Park.

1 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Arrived in a USS Ford Escape

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Musician First Class, Christopher Jerome from Harrisonburg, Virginia plays the Tuba as a member of the U.S. Fleet Forces band drove up for Fleet Week from Norfolk, Virginia.

2 of 19

3 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Saxophones in the Park

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Two saxophonists stationed in Newport, Rhode Island have been performing all over the city since Monday. They travel the world over playing for a variety of audiences and their favorite places have been Cambodia: “We played at a school for children who are HIV positive who have been cast out by society and we went and play and they were just starved for attention. It was great to just play games and dance with them.” They also loved Tonga. “We play for a lot of schools and the kids are really appreciative of not only guests but live music. It was really fulfilling to reach out to them and got to know the US Navy and the US Navy Band.”

3 of 19

Advertisement

4 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

From New York and Detroit

Credit: Mariah Tyler

GM2 (SW) Yomara Ramoscruz and HM1 (SW/FMF) Dalyn L. Ayers pay a visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Freedom Tower. Ramoscruz is a native New Yorker from the Bronx and spends her weekend acting like a tourist with her Navy Family.

4 of 19

5 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Soon to be Sailors

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Three Naval Academy students, Alex Piecuch, Jake Murillo and Andrew Peele, stand outside the Oculus on their last day of Fleet Week. They spent their time seeing the Jimmy Fallon show and a Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden.

5 of 19

6 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Second Time Around

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Danielle, from Detroit, is on her way to the Freedom tower. This is not her first time in New York City so she is making sure to relax and tag along with her Navy family.

6 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fleet Week Made in the Shade

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Sailors are offered free access to any major New York City Museum, Yankees games, and the subway.

7 of 19

8 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

USS Arlington Marines

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Four U.S. Marines from Arizona, Tennessee, Illinois and South Carolina at the 9/11 Memorial. Pictured second from left, Marquez Moss' favorite New York City experience so far has been the Cheesecake. “I really enjoyed the New York-style cheesecake. It is absolutely fantastic. I set unrealistic expectations for it and it just started over those expectations.” Asked if there is anything else he's seen in the city: “I got most of it done yesterday, seeing Times Square, having the cheesecake, seeing Madison Square Garden, Central Park and all that. Now I’m just looking to get lost and have a good time.”

8 of 19

9 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sailors Looking to Relax

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Todd Fritz and Tyler Nicholson from Rochester, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, spent Fleet Week relaxing, seeing the sights, and letting loose a little bit. Both Sailors arrived on ships from Mayport, Florida.

9 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

First Timers

Credit: Mariah Tyler

CTU1 Askew, from the Hampton Rose area of Virginia and stationed with the USS Arlington has been in the Navy for six years this July. This is his first Fleet Week and first time in New York. Other than wanting to have some pizza and attend a Harley Davidson event, he's been really impressed with the city and how green it is.

10 of 19

11 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Short Visits Between Deployments

Credit: Mariah Tyler

From left to right, MM3 Kobia, DC2 Sanchez, CS2 Wolanksi and Marine Staff Sergeant Cynthia Wolanski look for good iced coffee after a re-enlistment ceremony. Marine SSgt Wolanski drove up from Fort Meade, Maryland to visit CS2 Wolanski as she re-enlists for her Naval duty on USS Little Rock and before Cynthia leaves for overseas in a couple of months.

11 of 19

12 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sailors Who Shop

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Ava Brooks and Natasha Patterson arrived at the 9/11 Memorial for a promotions ceremony with shopping bags from a USO That's My Dress event. Natasha has been in the Navy for three years. As for Fleet Week: "It’s been fun, it’s just good to see a lot of different people. Everybody is just really thankful so it’s really nice to see everybody and their support.”

12 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Looking for Brick Oven Pizza

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Daniel Walters and Edward Crespo from California and Puerto Rico, respectively. They are on the USS Mitscher, based in Norfolk, Virginia. They're looking forward to sightseeing and grabbing a few drinks. Edward did some planning before arriving, and wants to head to John's of Bleecker Street for brick oven pizza. The things that surprised them the most about New York City? “So it kind of surprised me, riding on the train. Like how the people are just in their own little bubble, zoned out, with their earbuds in and like they have no idea what’s going on around them at that minute that they are on the train,” said Crespo. “They don’t interact with each other, it’s just like bubble.” And for Walters, “I knew there was a lot of people but just seeing the masses. It is kind of overwhelming.”

13 of 19

14 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

R&R With a Little Work

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Members of the U.S. Navy taking a break from tank dive demonstrations in Times Square.

14 of 19

15 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Good Times in Times Square

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Meet Steven A. Guevara from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He works as a cook onboard ship. “We are in New York right now just walking around, not knowing what to do or where to go because it’s really overwhelming. But it’s a really nice place. We are here to show the American people what their taxes pay for and to meet some of the guys and girls, of course. I’m here to have a good time.” His top three things he wants to experience while in town are the 9/11 Memorial, a Yankees game, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

15 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

USS Mitscher

Credit: Mariah Tyler

The USS Mitscher all dressed and moored at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for Fleet Week.

16 of 19

17 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Oh, Canada!

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Two Sailors from Quebec, Canada traveled in for Fleet Week on the HMS Malta which is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Top three things they have each been excited to see are the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. Their first impressions of New York City: “It's pretty different from Quebec but it is a good experience and I like it so far.”

17 of 19

18 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spotted on the South Brooklyn Ferry

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Bonham, originally from Indiana and stationed on the USS Mitscher, rides with his Navy friends to Brooklyn on a ferry. "I’ve been here a couple days. Yesterday I had duty on ship so I was stuck on the ship all day but on Wednesday I went to see the Freedom Tower, that was pretty cool,” Bonham said. “And I ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. Today I hit up a bar and I had a tour of the gold vault at Goldman Sachs. That was amazing. Right now we are going to a tattoo parlor.”

18 of 19

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 19

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ferry Ride with Professional Sailors

Credit: Mariah Tyler

Two U.S. Sailors on the South Brooklyn NYC Ferry as they head towards Red Hook to get tattoos. Both Stevens and Keenan are from the USS Mitscher which is the last all male ship unit.

19 of 19

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Mariah Tyler

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 19 Navy Band Concert
2 of 19 Arrived in a USS Ford Escape
3 of 19 Saxophones in the Park
4 of 19 From New York and Detroit
5 of 19 Soon to be Sailors
6 of 19 Second Time Around
7 of 19 Fleet Week Made in the Shade
8 of 19 USS Arlington Marines
9 of 19 Sailors Looking to Relax
10 of 19 First Timers
11 of 19 Short Visits Between Deployments
12 of 19 Sailors Who Shop
13 of 19 Looking for Brick Oven Pizza
14 of 19 R&R With a Little Work
15 of 19 Good Times in Times Square
16 of 19 USS Mitscher
17 of 19 Oh, Canada!
18 of 19 Spotted on the South Brooklyn Ferry
19 of 19 Ferry Ride with Professional Sailors

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap
  • Travel Guide Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Travel + Leisure Sites
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

View image

In Photos: The 30th Annual Fleet Week in New York City
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.