The 2026 total solar eclipse won’t be visible from the U.S., but Holland America Line will make it easy to see.
Holland America Line Announces 2026 Solar Eclipse Cruises with Boston Round-Trip Option
Holland America Line is offering three cruise options for the 2026 total solar eclipse, including a round-trip from Boston. These cruises are part of their Celestial Cruises series, which focus on astronomical events.
Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America’s chief commercial officer, mentioned that after the success of their 2024 eclipse cruises, they wanted to give guests more chances to experience spectacular natural events. The new cruises will offer great views of the eclipse, explore exciting destinations, and provide the high-quality onboard experience they are known for.
When Are Holland America’s 2026 Solar Eclipse Cruises?
Holland America’s 2026 eclipse cruises are as follows:
- The Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse on the Zuiderdam, a 1,964-guest ship, will depart from Boston on July 18, 2026, and last 35 days.
- The Scandinavian Solar Eclipse cruise on the Nieuw Statendam, which holds 2,666 guests, will start on July 25, 2026. Guests can choose a round-trip from either Dover, England, or Rotterdam, Netherlands, and the trip will last 28 days.
- The Mediterranean Solar Eclipse cruise on the Oosterdam, with space for 1,964 guests, will begin on August 9, 2026. It will sail from Lisbon, Portugal, to Piraeus, Greece, and last 13 days, including an overnight stay in Barcelona.
Where Will Holland America’s 2026 Eclipse Cruises Take You?
Here’s where Holland America’s 2026 eclipse cruises will sail:
- Voyage of the Vikings: This cruise will travel from New England to Canada, then to Europe, stopping in Greenland, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Iceland. The ship will position itself off Iceland’s western coast for the eclipse before returning to the U.S. It includes overnight stays in Reykjavik and Rotterdam.
- Scandinavian Solar Eclipse Cruise: This trip will visit Greenland, Scotland, Norway, Iceland, and other places. The eclipse will be viewed off Iceland’s northwest coast, and the cruise will include an overnight stay in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh.
- Mediterranean Solar Eclipse Cruise: Passengers will explore Spain, France, Italy, and Montenegro. The eclipse will be seen from off the Spanish coast, with an overnight stay in Barcelona and a visit to Alicante.
The cruises will offer panoramic views of the eclipse and may adjust their location to get the best view, thanks to the ship’s ability to move as needed. The cruises will also feature scientific experts, lectures, and other themed activities, and guests will be provided with eclipse glasses.
In addition to these eclipse cruises, Holland America will offer Northern Lights sailings and a special itinerary to celebrate the summer solstice above the Arctic Circle as part of its Celestial Cruises series.
How Much Will Holland America’s 2026 Eclipse Cruises Cost?
Pricing info is not yet available, but the cruises will open for booking on July 31. Members of Holland America’s Mariner Society loyalty program who book by Oct. 29 can get up to $400 in onboard credit per cabin.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more.
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