The best cruises to see the 2026 total solar eclipse
Get a front row seat for the solar eclipse from the comfort of a cruise ship
Hollif
Excitement is building for the total solar eclipse later this summer, and one of the best viewpoints could be a cruise ship.
The 2026 total solar eclipse will be the first that is visible from Europe in the 21st century and also the first of its kind since 1999.
Taking place on 12 August 2026, the rare phenomenon will darken the skies over the Northern Hemisphere as the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun – known as the “path of totality” – casting a shadow over land and sea that creates an eerie twilight.
A cruise ship can provide a great place to watch a total solar eclipse, as the captain is able to reach areas free of crowds and light pollution. Hotspots include Greenland and much of the Med.
Some solar eclipse sailings with cruise lines such as Saga Cruises and Holland America Line have sold out.
But there are still plenty of other sailings from family-friendly and adult-only cruise lines offering trips around the sunshine ports of the Mediterranean, or the colder and scenic fjords of Iceland and Greenland. Some sailings even depart from the UK, with voyages lasting from a week to up to a month.
Here is our pick of the best total solar eclipse cruises for 2026.
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Best solar eclipse cruises
Enchanted Princess: Mediterranean and Adriatic with Total Solar Eclipse
Civitavecchia, Italy – Naples, Italy – Kotor, Montenegro – Dubrovnik, Croatia– Corfu, Greece – Messina, Italy – Gibraltar – Alicante, Spain – Barcelona, Spain – Civitavecchia, Italy
Departing from Civitavecchia, Italy, this 14-night cruise package arranged by travel agent Cruise Nation starts with a two-night stay in Rome, giving you plenty of time to explore landmarks such as the Colosseum before hitting the water with Enchanted Princess.
This sailing is packed with culture, with chances to eat pizza in Naples before taking in the stunning views and medieval landscapes of Kotor and Dubrovnik. You can relax on the stunning shores of Corfu and climb Mount Etna in Sicily before a well-deserved sea day to witness the solar eclipse en route to Gibraltar, Alicante and Barcelona.
If you are missing the Mediterranean culture on land, Enchanted Princess has its own Italian-inspired town square called Settimo Cielo that hosts the speciality Sabatini’s Trattoria restaurant. Here you can enjoy the Venice-inspired cocktail bar Bellini’s and Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo, too. Passengers can also have a drink in O'Malley's Irish Pub or dine in the Salty Dog Café American diner.
Departs 2 August 2026. From £1,499pp. Flights and balcony upgrade included.
Ambassador: 2026 Solar Eclipse Cruise
Dundee, Scotland – Runavík, Faroe Islands – At sea near Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland – Reykjavík, Iceland – Grundarfjörður, Iceland – Dundee, Scotland
As well as the total solar eclipse, this 13-night Ambassador Cruise Line itinerary will also include the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, where up to 100 shooting stars per hour can be seen.
Departing from Dundee, the cruise ship Ambition will head to the clearer skies of the Arctic with stops in the Faroe Islands and Reykjavik en route.
Guests can have the skies and stars explained to them on board during expert talks from BBC Sky at Night’s Pete Lawrence.
Departs 8 August. From £1,649pp.
New Scientist Discovery Tours: Total solar eclipse 2026, Iceland to Greenland polar cruise
Reykjavík, Iceland – Denmark Strait (at sea) – Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland – Scoresby Sund, Greenland – Kong Oscar Fjord, Greenland – Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, Greenland – Blosseville Coast, Greenland – Reykjavík, Iceland
Guests can sail from Iceland to Greenland on an expedition ship with New Scientist Discovery Tours, which will locate the best spot to see the eclipse on 12 August.
Sailing on AE Expeditions’ Sylvia Earle cruise ship, passengers will visit the ice-filled landscapes of Scoresby Sund, the world’s longest fjord system, during 13-day voyage.
They will also be able to hear from eclipse expert Jamie Carter during the voyage as part of astronomy workshops and expert guidance leading up to the celestial event.
Departs 7 August 2026. From £14,595pp.
Royal Caribbean: Spanish Flair and Solar Eclipse
Southampton, England – Bilbao, Spain – Gijon, Spain – Vigo, Spain - La Coruna, Spain – Le Havre, France – Southampton, England
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Sail from Southampton with Royal Caribbean and experience the eclipse aboard Liberty of the Seas.
This cruise visits charming Spanish coastal towns and cities including Vigo and La Corona with a sea day in-between to find the best spot for the eclipse.
On board, passengers can enjoy a water park, slides, the brand’s infamous Flowrider surfing simulator, ice-skating rink and rock-climbing wall.
Departs 7 August. From £949pp.
Princess Cruises: Mediterranean with Total Solar Eclipse
Barcelona, Spain – Gibraltar – Cartagena, Spain – La Spezia, Italy – Civitavecchia, Italy – Barcelona, Spain
Experience the solar eclipse on one of the newest ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, Sun Princess.
Departing from Barcelona, guests can meet the monkeys in Barcelona and experience the coastal charm of Cartagena before a sea day to witness the total solar eclipse. The seven-night sailing finishes off with port stops in Italy to visit La Spezia for excursions to Tuscany, Florence and Pisa and another stop, Civitavecchia, that provides access for day trips in Rome.
If you are after sea views, Sun Princess boast 1,500 balcony rooms. It has also partnered with Brazilian artist Romero Britto to design the speciality Love by Britto 68-seat restaurant, featuring decor inspired by his Pop Art and Cubist style.
Departs 8 August 2026. From £999pp.
Celebrity Cruises: Med, Spain and Portugal Total Solar Eclipse
Southampton, England – Porto, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Palma de Mallorca, Spain – Barcelona, Spain – Ibiza, Spain – Malaga, Spain – La Coruna, Spain – Bilbao, Spain – Southampton, England
Enjoy high-end bars, pool parties and unique immersive theatre shows aboard Celebrity Apex as you sail around Spain and Portugal during a 14-night cruise to see the total solar eclipse.
Guests from the UK have the convenience of departing and returning to Southampton – and highlights include a stay into the early evening in Porto and a late night departure from the party island of Ibiza.
On board, guests can raise a glass to the eclipse from the Magic Carpet platform that hangs over the edge of the ship.
Departs 1 August 2026. From £1,699pp.
Virgin Voyages: Eclipse in the Land of Fire and Ice
Portsmouth – Dublin – Glasgow – Liverpool – Belfast – Siglufjordur – Isafjordur – Reykjavik – Edinburgh – Portsmouth
See the solar eclipse without any kids disturbing you.
Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages has a 15-night round-trip sailing from Portsmouth that includes stops in Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool and Belfast before a relaxing two days at sea.
Guests can then prepare to view the total solar eclipse from the trademark red hammocks from the cruise line’s balcony cabins or from a lounge chair at The Dock cocktail bar.
Sailing on Valiant Lady, you will also head further north to Siglufordur and Reykjavik in Iceland before heading back to Portsmouth via Edinburgh.
Guests can enjoy a range of dining options, such as the Italian Extra Virgin or Gunbae Korean BBQ, as well as Virgin Voyages’ iconic Scarlet Night pool party.
Departs 5 August. From £4,050 per cabin based on two people sharing.
Fred Olsen: Wonders of Iceland with the Solar Eclipse
Rosyth, Scotland – Torshavn, Faroe Islands – Reykjavik, Iceland – Isafjordur, Iceland – Akureyri, Iceland – Rosyth, Scotland
Follow the path of the solar eclipse around Iceland with Fred Olsen.
Sailing aboard Balmoral on a 12-night cruise, Go Stargazing experts can guide you through the eclipse.
The voyage departs from Rosyth in Scotland before heading towards Iceland, where guests can explore natural wonders include the erupting Strokkur Geyser and the waterfalls of Dynjandi and Gullfoss.
Excursion opportunities including taking a dip in geothermal pools and horseriding.
Departs 6 August 2026. From £2,699pp.
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