Solar Eclipse Cruises: The Ultimate Way to Experience Totality at Sea

Viewing a solar eclipse can be really fun and exciting and many will travel hundred, if not thousands, of miles in order to be in the path of totality.  For viewing a solar eclipse, if you are someone who loves to travel to get away from the city lights and likes to be in the path of totality, then perhaps a solar eclipse cruise appeals to you.

      A Solar Eclipse is the phenomenon where the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, obscuring the sun from view.  While partial solar eclipses occur annually, a total eclipse only occurs on average every 18 months.  A total eclipse happens when the dark silhouette of the moon completely covers the sun showing a solar corona.   The narrow track where a solar eclipse occurs is called the path of totality. During an eclipse, temperatures will drop suddenly, birds, animal and insects may stop making noise all of a sudden, and crescent shaped shadows may appear during the process.

      Why might you choose to experience a total solar eclipse while cruising? If you are like me, you love to cruise and would welcome any excuse to get on a cruise ship.  A major perk to being on a cruise ship during the totality of a solar eclipse is that you would be entirely away from the light pollution from land.  Knowing that everyone onboard is there to see the eclipse, they specifically plan their itinerary so that they will be out at sea during totality, and they will turn their lights off so you will be in complete darkness.  Another plus to being on an eclipse cruise is that you will be with other like minded cruisers thus perhaps finding more in common with your fellow sailors than you would on a typical cruise.

      There are some cons to being on a solar eclipse cruise.  As you will be away from land, you will not experience, in the same way, the phenomenon of hearing the animals and insects quieting during the eclipse.  You will also notice that the cruise comes with a much higher price tag, similar to that of traveling at Christmas or New Year’s.  When pricing out a solar eclipse cruise, I noted that the cost was $3,000 more than the previous week’s cruise on the same ship and cruise line.  That might be a deal breaker for you.

      Regardless of the cons, total solar eclipse cruises are very popular and many of the cruises planned for 2026, 2027 and 2028 are already sold out.  Here is a list of some of the cruises planned to be at sea specifically during a total solar eclipse:

      In 2026: Cruises take place in the Scandinavian region and off the coast of Spain with port stops at Reykjavik or as far down as Barcelona.

Holland America offers 13-day (starting at 12,000 for 2), 28-day (starting at 17,000 for 2), and 35-day cruises (starting at 23,000 for 2)- all of which will be at sea during totality.  There are lots of great port stops on any of these itineraries.

Princess has an 8-night (starting at 5,000 for 2) that views the eclipse off the coast of Spain.  This cruise is totally sold out at the moment though.

Virgin Voyages has two cruises that will have an eclipse focus in 2026.  "Total Eclipse of the Med" (12 nights, Aug 10–22) on Scarlet Lady (starts at 7000 for 2) and "Fire and Ice" (15 nights, Aug 5–20) on Valiant Lady (starts at 8400 for 2).  We love cruising with Virgin and, considering how many nights these cruises are, these are actually great prices.

      In 2027: These cruises will take place mainly in the Mediterranean and off the coast of Spain.  There are many itineraries to choose from some of which are already sold out, while some still have availability.

Celebrity has a 7-night on their new ship the Xcel, which is a round trip cruise out of Barcelona that will be at sea during the eclipse.

Holland America has another handful of cruises available ranging from 14 to 42-nights.

Princess has two cruises, one out of Rome (starting at 17,000 for 2) and one out of South Hampton (starting at 10,000).  These are pricey but have a reputation for doing well, especially for cruises with a special purpose like an eclipse.

Virgin Voyages has a 11-night out of Barcelona (starting at 6,700) that would, of course, be lots of fun.

In 2028: The path of totality will hover around and over the Australian area.  Because this is winter for Australia and the southern hemisphere, most (all) major cruise lines have their ships located in other areas.  If you would like to take a cruise in 2028 during the eclipse, there are some options, however, such as Sky and Telescope, Eclipse Traveler, and Travel Quest International that have some great, but very pricey, vacations planned solely for the experience of viewing the total solar eclipse.  This would, for sure, be a once in a lifetime experience.

      Does cruising during an eclipse sound fun and worthwhile to you? Would you be willing to pay the higher price tag to have the, perhaps once in a lifetime, experience of being in the path of totality while at sea? I would love to help you check that experience off of your bucket list.  But, I would act soon as many of the cruises are selling out, if not already sold out.  Contact me today to find out more details.