Tens of millions of people were in the path of totality when the 2024 total solar eclipse passed over the eastern and central U.S., southeastern Canada and central Mexico last spring. In addition to the more than 43 million people who live within that path of totality, an estimated 4+ million eclipse chasers traveled to see the natural phenomenon in person. In 2024, the eclipse pass over or near major cities, like Montréal and Austin, making it easier for umbraphiles, (dedicated eclipse chasers) to access prime viewing spots.
The 2026 Total Solar Eclipse, however, will be a more remote experience. On Aug. 12, the path of totality will arc over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, western Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of Spain, before ending above the Mediterranean Sea. That doesn’t mean opportunities are scarce, though. Cruise lines have jumped aboard the eclipse-chasing trend, crafting itineraries that will place passengers directly in the path of totality.
Few know more about eclipses at sea than Michael Zeiler, eclipse cartographer at EclipseAtlas.com, who’s taken four eclipse cruises since his first in the Caribbean in 1998. “In recent years, eclipse cruises have been a popular way to see an eclipse,” Zeiler, who will be a guest lecturer on Quark Expeditions’ 17-day Iceland to Greenland Total Solar Eclipse voyage (Aug. 3-19) aboard the Ocean Explorer, told Travel + Leisure. “A ship offers several advantages: access to weather analysis with mobility to relocate in the event of local cloudiness; eclipse experts on board to guide passengers on understanding and observing an eclipse; and a great party at sea with many new and veteran eclipse enthusiasts.”
Other cruise operators are also curating immersive experiences around the event. Craig Moylan, vice president of expedition development at Lindblad Expeditions, told T+L: “A solar eclipse is one of nature’s most breathtaking phenomena—and experiencing it with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions makes it truly unforgettable.”
“With our ability to reposition our expedition ships for clear skies, and the wealth of knowledge and passion of our onboard team of experts—naturalists who specialize in astronomy, scientists, photographers, and cultural specialists deeply immersed in the destination—witnessing the eclipse becomes more than a visual marvel,” he added. “It’s a moment of discovery and education, guided by those who live to explore and share the story of our planet.”
National Geographic experts, photographers and expedition leaders will be joined by naturalists specializing in astronomy and related sciences for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ two total solar eclipse-specific departures: the 12-day Iceland’s Wild West Coast to East Greenland itinerary (Aug. 5-16, 2026), sailing roundtrip from Reykjavík onboard National Geographic Endurance; and the 16-day Arctic Odyssey: Iceland, Greenland and Canada itinerary (Aug. 9-24, 2026), sailing from Reykjavík to St. John’s, Newfoundland onboard National Geographic Explorer.
Read on for more 2026 Total Eclipse cruises designed to deliver front-row seats to one of Earth’s most stunning spectacles.
Aurora Expeditions
Former NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus will share her insights connecting space and the Earth’s polar regions with guests onboard Aurora Expeditions’ 15-day Jewels of the Arctic – Greenland Solar Eclipse voyage aboard the Greg Mortimer (Aug. 2-16, 2026), which will be off the coast of Greenland for the eclipse.
HX Expeditions
Join experts from NASA, Space.com and astronomie.de on HX’s 17-day Solar Eclipse Expedition (Aug. 3-19, 2026) onboard the MS Spitsbergen, sailing from Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island, in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, to Reykjavík. Rahul Venkatraman, Daisy Dobrijevic, and Hans Wilhelm Zekl will share their experience and expertise with guests, explaining the science and history behind solar eclipses, and the art of astrophotography.
New Scientist Discovery Tours
The world’s most foremost solar eclipse journalist Jamie Carter, who is also an author and tour guide, will lead fellow umbraphiles on a 13-day Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Iceland to Greenland polar cruise (Aug. 7-19, 2026) roundtrip from Reykjavík with New Scientist Discover Tours.
Ponant Explorations
French astronaut couple Claudie and Jean-Pierre Haigner will share their experiences in space aboard MIR station and the International Space Station during Ponant Explorations’ 13-night Total Solar Eclipse in The Far North itinerary (Aug. 1-14, 2026), sailing from Longyearbyen to Reykjavík onboard Le Lyrial. Or, join veteran astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, who flew three missions aboard the Atlantis and Discovery shuttles, for an eight-night Total Solar Eclipse from Iceland to Ireland voage (Aug. 10-18, 2026) onboard Le Lapérouse.
The Le Lapérouse ship by Ponant at sea under the moon.
Nick Rains/Ponant
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ seven-night Iceland Total Solar Eclipse itinerary (Aug. 8-15, 2026) onboard Celebrity Silhouette sails roundtrip from Reykjavík; and its 14-night Med, Spain & Portugal Total Solar Eclipse itinerary (Aug. 1-15) sails roundtrip from Southampton.
Holland America Line
Three solar eclipse cruises, each with experts onboard, are on the books for Holland America Line in 2026, ranging from 13 to 35 days. University of California San Diego Professor Adam Burgasser will join guests on Oosterdam for the 13-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse cruise (Aug. 9-22, 2026) from Lisbon to Athens; the ship will be off the coast of Spain on Aug. 12. The 28-day Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland itinerary (July 24-Aug. 21, 2026), sailing roundtrip from Dover (London) onboard Nieuw Statendam, features astronomer, author and Cosmologists Without Borders founder Tom Vassos. And the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse cruise (July 18-Aug. 22, 2026) roundtrip from Boston welcomes Boston University professor Meers Oppenheim onboard Zuiderdam, which will be off the coast of Iceland for the eclipse.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s 9-night Spanish Flair & Solar Eclipse itinerary (Aug. 7-16, 2026) onboard Liberty of the Seas sails roundtrip from Southampton (London), with a sea day Aug. 12.
Princess Cruises
Three of Princess Cruises’ ships are positioning themselves for the Total Solar Eclipse. The 7-Day Mediterranean with Total Solar Eclipse (Aug. 8-15, 2026) onboard the aptly-named Sun Princess sails from Barcelona to Rome; Sky Princess sails roundtrip from Southampton (London) on its 14-Day Spain, France & Portugal with Total Solar Eclipse itinerary (Aug. 8-22, 2026); and Enchanted Princess has its 14-Day Mediterranean & Adriatic with Total Solar Eclipse voyage (Aug. 4-18, 2026) roundtrip from Rome. All three ships will be at sea on Aug. 12 for the eclipse.
Virgin Voyages
Upper deck observation viewing stations, starry symphonies and cosmic culinary creations are all on tap on Virgin Voyages’ two eclipse-themed sailings: a 12-night Total Eclipse of the (Med) itinerary (Aug. 10-22, 2026) from Barcelona to Rome onboard Scarlet Lady; and a 15-night Eclipse in the Land of Fire and Ice (Aug. 5-20, 2026), sailing onboard Valiant Lady roundtrip from Portsmouth. Both ships will be at sea on Aug. 12.
Cunard
Get the royal treatment while viewing the Total Solar Eclipse onboard three of Cunard’s luxury cruise ships. Queen Victoria will sail a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary (Aug. 9-16, 2026) from Rome to Barcelona, calling upon Tarragona, Spain for the eclipse. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton (London) on her seven-night Spain and France itinerary (Aug. 9-16, 2026), Queen Anne will call upon La Coruna, Spain for guests to observe the eclipse. And Queen Mary 2 will overnight in Reykjavík on Aug. 12 for prime eclipse viewing during her 14-night Norway and Iceland itinerary (Aug. 4-18, 2026), sailing from Southampton (London) to New York.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is positioning four of its ships for the 2026 Total Eclipse on itineraries ranging from 12 to 25 days, each of which will host onboard viewing parties. The 12-day Western European Vintages sailing (Aug. 5-17, 2026) onboard Oceania Sirena, will be in Lisbon on Aug. 12 for an anticipated 94% eclipse visibility. Add a few more days for a 14-day Eclipse in Iceland voyage onboard Oceania Marina, directly in the path of totality. Or, sail even longer on the 25-day North & Baltic Sea Embrace onboard Oceania Vista, which expects 93.03 percent eclipse visibility. If a partial eclipse will do, check out the 12-day Jewels of Iceland & Ireland (Aug. 3-15, 2026) itinerary onboard Oceania Insignia, sailing from Reykjavík to Southampton (London).