Whether you’re in the process of creating your bucket list or you’ve already checked off most experiences, you’ll likely want to add another one: watching the total solar eclipse from a cruise ship deck.
Trust me on this. A total solar eclipse trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — even if you’re not an astronomy geek.
On Aug. 21, 2017, I climbed to the top of the Green Ridge Lookout in Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest in the early morning hours to wait for the moon to pass between the sun and Earth. At approximately 10:19 a.m. PDT, I witnessed one of the most amazing events of my life while donning solar eclipse glasses and sipping Champagne on a mountaintop as the sky darkened around us.
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This awe-inspiring experience is even better at sea, and travelers hoping to view the 2026 eclipse from a ship have plenty of options. The 2024 total solar eclipse that moved across North America, passing over Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, prompted a surge in astrotourism. The boost included a new crop of cruise itineraries targeting the eclipse’s path of totality.
Whether you missed your chance to view the eclipse at sea in 2024 or want to add a second eclipse viewing to your travel wish list, read on for more details on how and where to make it happen in 2026.
When and where is the total eclipse in 2026?
The total eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small area of Portugal. A partial eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It will be Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999. Greenland is predicted to be the first locale to experience totality at 1:07 p.m. ADT.
The path is expected to be around 182 miles wide and stretch about 5,133 miles long. The moon’s shadow is predicted to cross the Greenland ice cap, clip the western edge of Iceland — including the capital city, Reykjavik — then cross over the North Atlantic Ocean to northern Spain, crossing the entire peninsula from the north coast to the Mediterranean Sea.
Why book a cruise to watch the eclipse?
If you can witness the eclipse from land, why would you want to head out to sea to watch it?
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First, you’ll sail with a small group of like-minded eclipse enthusiasts and have access to astronomy and space exploration experts. You can also avoid the crowds and traffic on land with people driving to the viewing spots and jockeying for the best places to park and watch the show.
Additionally, a cruise ship positioned off the coast of Reykjavik will provide up to two minutes and 18 seconds of totality, close to the maximum viewing anywhere along the eclipse path.
“Many people think that a large ship rocks too much to view a solar eclipse. But they’re actually steady enough to do high-quality photography,” said J. Kelly Beatty, senior editor of Sky & Telescope, a print and online magazine for avid sky and stargazers.
Beatty explains that a ship’s maneuverability and weather instrumentation are essential since they provide the flexibility to sail to another location for optimal visibility. Also, if you’re sailing with astronomy experts, they can help guide the crew on the bridge to reposition the ship so all passengers have the best views of the eclipse.
Solar eclipse cruises 2026
Only a few cruise lines are planning festivities for the big event, and some cruises are already sold out. If you’re setting your sights on a stargazing cruise in 2026, don’t wait to book. If 2024 was any indication, these sailings will likely be snatched up faster than a shooting star.
Below are the best solar eclipse cruises for 2026.
Atlas Ocean Voyages
You can choose between two ships and itineraries for solar eclipse sailings with Atlas Ocean Voyages in 2026. Both itineraries were tailored to position the ships in prime eclipse-viewing locations.
The seven-night World Traveller itinerary will sail from Barcelona to Monte Carlo, Monaco, departing Aug. 9. The vessel will be at sea Aug. 12 for the phenomenon.
Passengers sailing World Navigator will view the solar eclipse in Patreksfjordur, Iceland. This nine-night round-trip sailing from Reykjavik departs Aug. 11.
These solar eclipse sailings will feature expert astronomers serving as expedition guides. They will share insights into the solar eclipse during the day, as well as provide detailed descriptions of the night-sky views in the evenings. On board, guests will enjoy special lectures and engaging conversations about the cosmos with fellow explorers.
These sailings are expected to be popular and will likely sell out quickly. Fares for the seven-night World Traveller sailing start from $5,499.50 per person, based on double occupancy. Fares for the nine-night World Navigator voyage start from $8,899 per person, based on double occupancy.
Want to get a head start on your sky-watching skills before 2026? Atlas is also adding stargazing and astronomy workshops to select eight- to 13-night sailings in fall 2024 and summer 2025. Onboard discussions and lectures led by renowned astronomers will cover topics like recent astronomical discoveries and the birth of the universe.
Among the itineraries available is an eight-night Reykjavik to Amsterdam voyage that departs Sept. 12, 2024 (from $2,399 per person, based on double occupancy, for an outside cabin). Additionally, a 13-night Las Palmas, Spain, to Rio de Janeiro sailing will depart Oct. 14, 2024 (from $2,399 per person, based on double occupancy, for an outside cabin). A 12-night voyage from Leith, Scotland, to Trondheim, Norway, will depart June 10, 2025 (from $6,199.50 per person, based on double occupancy, for an outside cabin).
Albatros Expeditions
The 12-night Greenland Solar Eclipse expedition aboard Ocean Albatros will set sail Aug. 10, 2026, from Reykjavik and disembark in the remote village of Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
On eclipse day, Aug. 12, 2026, guests will watch the total solar eclipse from the precise center of the phenomenon as it reaches the isolated Blosseville Coast in East Greenland at 4:37 p.m. local time. The quiet landing beach will offer unobstructed views during totality.
Other highlights of the voyage into one of the world’s most remote destinations include glacier viewing along the east coast of Greenland and the strait of Prince Christian Sound; experiencing the East Greenlandic culture in Tasiilaq; seeing the ancient remains at the farmstead of Erik the Red; and visiting the world’s smallest capital, the town of Nuuk.
Fares start at $17,695 per person, based on double occupancy and including all taxes and fees. Pricing includes Zodiac landings; all meals, with beer, wine and soda served at dinner; informative lectures by expedition teams; a complimentary parka; and transfers between Kangerlussaq and Copenhagen. Gratuities, other beverages and excursions, and extra expenses (not specified in the fare) are at an additional cost. Contact a cruise specialist for specific cabin pricing.
Cunard
Choose among three vessels and voyages for a solar eclipse sailing with British cruise line Cunard in 2026. According to the line, solar eclipse-specific activities and events are in the works and will be released at a later date.
The 14-night westbound transatlantic crossing aboard Queen Mary 2 will depart Southampton, England, on Aug. 4, 2026, and end in New York City. Passengers will have the chance to see the solar eclipse during an overnight stay in Reykjavik on Aug. 12. Additional itinerary highlights include stops in the picturesque towns of Zeebrugge, Belgium; Olden and Skjolden, Norway; and Isafjordur, Iceland. Fares start from $5,998 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
Passengers can also board Cunard’s Queen Anne in Southampton for a seven-night round-trip Spain and France itinerary departing Aug. 9, 2026. Guests can explore the Spanish ports of Santander, A Coruna and Gijon before visiting the charming town of Pauillac, France. Cruisers can savor an eclipse view from the deck of Queen Anne as the ship leaves the Spanish harbor. Fares start from $4,098 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
A seven-night sailing aboard Queen Victoria departs Aug. 10, 2026, from Civitavecchia (near Rome) and sails to Barcelona. This Western Mediterranean cruise stops in Tarragona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and Villefranche and Toulon, France. On Aug. 12, after a day of exploring the historic town of Tarragona, guests can view the eclipse from Queen Victoria’s deck or one of the ship’s open-air venues. Fares start from $3,018 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Cunard Line cruise ship
Holland America
Holland America Line offers three sailings where the ships will be positioned within the path of totality.
The line’s 13-night Mediterranean Solar Eclipse itinerary on 1,964-passenger Oosterdam sails from Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 9, and ends in Piraeus (Athens), Greece. The itinerary includes an overnight stay in Barcelona. Other port calls include Alicante, Spain; Ajaccio and Corsica, France; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Bari (Puglia), Italy; and Kotor, Montenegro. Passengers will be able to view the eclipse from the ship as it sails from Alicante to Barcelona. Fares start from $2,619 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
Cruisers seeking longer sailings can choose between Holland America’s 28-night Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland and the 35-night Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse.
The 28-night Scandinavian Solar Eclipse journey departs July 24 for a round-trip sailing from Dover, England, aboard 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam. The itinerary features stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland, and the vessel will be at sea during the eclipse. Passengers can enjoy a bit more time in Scotland thanks to an overnight stay in Edinburgh, Scotland. Fares start from $5,594 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
Departing July 18, the 35-night Voyage of the Vikings aboard 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam sails from Boston. It arrives in Grundarfjordur, Iceland, on the day of the eclipse. The round-trip journey will cross the Atlantic Ocean twice and will include stops at Portland, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Red Bay, St. Anthony and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador; Dun Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland, as well as the aforementioned ports in Greenland. The ship will dock overnight in Reykjavik and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Fares start from $8,149 per person, based on double occupancy for an inside cabin.
All three itineraries feature onboard lectures from scientific experts, solar eclipse-themed events and other activities. Passengers will also receive eclipse glasses to safely view the phenomenon.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Holland America ship
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises will offer two itineraries that will provide an opportunity to witness the 2026 solar eclipse at sea. The 14-night Spain and Portugal sailing departs Aug. 7 aboard Ventura. It will dock on Spain’s northwestern coast for the solar eclipse in Ferrol.
The round-trip voyage leaves from Southampton and includes calls at Santander and Gijon in Spain and Madeira and Lisbon in Portugal. Stroll along the cobblestone streets in the medieval town of Alfama and soak up some sun along one of Santander’s numerous beaches, among other diversions. Fares for an inside cabin start from about $1,813 per person, based on double occupancy.
The line’s adults-only Arcadia will embark on a round-trip, 16-night sailing from Southampton on Aug. 4. Ports of call in Iceland include an overnight in Reykjavik. The ship will be docked in Isafjordur on Aug. 12, the day of the eclipse.
Other stops include the charming town of Akureyri, situated on Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord, and Belfast, where you can tour a castle, learn about Titanic history or visit a local pub for a pint of Guinness. Fares for an inside cabin start from about $2,284 per person, based on double occupancy.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises‘ 14-day Spain, France and Portugal with Total Solar Eclipse cruise aboard 3,660-passenger Sky Princess will include a total eclipse viewing while the ship sails off the coast of Spain.
The round-trip voyage will depart Southampton on Aug. 8, 2026, and stop at seven European ports. Guests can soak in art and history in Cherbourg, France; explore the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; and stroll among Roman ruins in Cartagena, Spain.
During the eclipse, passengers can gather on the top decks to view the celestial event with provided safety glasses. The sailing will also include lectures from astronomy experts, themed treats and drinks, stargazing at night and solar system trivia.
Prices for the Total Eclipse Sky Princess voyage start from $4,197 per person, based on double occupancy, for an inside cabin. Suites and oceanview cabins are already sold out.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages recently announced the line’s first-ever Eclipse Voyages for August 2026 as part of a new series of sailings dubbed Marvelous Voyages.
The 12- and 14-night solar eclipse sailings will follow the eclipse’s path of totality. The 12-night sailing will take place on board the 2,770-passenger Valiant Lady, featuring stops in Dublin; Glasgow, Scotland; and Reykjavik. A 14-night sailing aboard the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady will include port calls in Mallorca, Spain, and Cannes, France.
Details of the itineraries, including pricing, are still in the works. However, Virgin promises that “galactic grandstands outfitted with telescopes and binoculars will transform the ship’s upper decks into observation viewing spaces with astronomers on standby.” Additionally, Sailors (the line’s moniker for passengers) can expect special solar eclipse-themed programming, such as new moon ceremonies, starry symphonies and cosmic culinary creations (think Milky Way milkshakes). They’ll also snag a pair of solar eclipse shades and a commemorative guide as a fun takeaway.
Virgin Voyages Sailing Club members will have first dibs on the solar eclipse sailings and will be able to book from Aug. 14-21, 2024 (the date you can book depends on your loyalty status). Bookings will open to the general public beginning in September. Check back here for updates.
Windstar Cruises
For an intimate solar eclipse sailing, consider Windstar Cruises‘ seven-night Around Iceland: A Total Solar Eclipse sailing aboard 312-passenger Star Pride. The all-suite yacht departs from Reykjavik on Aug. 10, 2026. The round-trip voyage includes port calls at Grundarfjordur, Isafjordur, Akureyri and Heimaey, Iceland. The ship will overnight in Seydisfjordur. Along the way, passengers can explore historic Viking villages, hike to waterfalls and lava fields and seek out wildlife.
The sailing will feature special solar eclipse programming, such as an eclipse watch party and solar eclipse-centric onboard presentations about the phenomenon. Details will be announced at a later date, according to the line.
While on board, passengers can take advantage of Windstar’s open bridge policy, which allows guests to visit ship bridges and chat with officers while vessels are underway. (Note that access will sometimes be limited when ships are undergoing tricky maneuvers.)
Fares for Windstar’s solar eclipse cruise start from $3,899 per person, based on double occupancy.
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