A solar eclipse will darken the skies next August, creating a rare vision. If things go as planned, many people will be watching the phenomenon from cruise ships.
“Witness a total solar eclipse on the open ocean, where the view is unobstructed and the experience is unforgettable,” reads a Holland America promotion for its 2026 eclipse cruises. “These special voyages pair prime eclipse viewing with legendary destinations including Greenland, Norway, and Greece. Plus, enjoy expert narration from our onboard astronomer as you watch the celestial event off the coast of Iceland or Spain.”
Windstar is offering Iceland cruises during the total solar eclipse focused around the Aug. 12 eclipse next year. A representative for the line who was cited by The Seattle Times said its eclipse cruises keep selling out.
Atlas Ocean Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, HX, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages are also some of the lines promoting cruise-themed trips next summer. Princess Cruises announced in May that it would add a new 14-day cruise of the Mediterranean to its roster for 2026 cruises focused on solar eclipse viewing.
According to the National Solar Observatory, the August 2026 total solar eclipse will pass over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain. Last April, a total solar eclipse was visible in the U.S. NASA said that these total eclipses happen when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the the face of the sun from view and darkening the skies.
“During totality, you may view the Sun without proper eye protection, such as solar glasses,” said the NSO. “But during all other phases of the eclipse, you should only look at the Sun when your eyes are protected.”
While looking directly at the sun always poses a risk of eye damage, Mikhail Kats of the University of Wisconsin-Madison explained that eclipses are particularly dangerous because the darkness blunts some of our natural protective responses. During a sunny day, people will instinctively blink away from the sun, and their pupils will contract in response to the light. Even though the sky is dark during an eclipse, the small sliver of the sun visible can still cause damage if looked at directly.
Despite the dangers, people are clamoring to see the rare sight next summer. Travel Weekly reported that “eclipse sailings are doing incredibly well.” Atlas Ocean Voyages CEO James Rodriguez even told the outlet he would make more eclipses throughout the year if he could.
Rodriguez said that cruises create a communal sense of excitement around the eclipse. He added that cruises also have the advantage of being able to move around to find the best viewing position when there is cloud cover obstructing the eclipse.
Some cruise lines are even planning further ahead for future eclipses. Travel + Leisure reported in June that Holland America has already launched new voyages that are expected to set sail for waters where August 2027 eclipses will be visible.