Sarah Bretz, ContributorHolland America has announced a new slate of cruises in 2026 that will take guests to prime spots in Europe to witness celestial events such as the Northern Lights, the summer solstice above the arctic circle, and even a total solar eclipse.
“After the excitement and success around our 2024 eclipse cruises, we knew our guests were looking for additional opportunities to get a front-row seat for some of the world’s most special natural spectacles,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “Our team has put together a lineup of cruises that not only deliver on that front, but also give guests in-depth exploration of exciting destinations and the premium onboard experience for which we’re known.”
Three Solar Eclipse Cruises
After two highly successful solar eclipse sailings in 2024, three ships from the fleet will be positioned under the path of totality for the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse. While Oosterdam will take guests to the Mediterranean to witness the eclipse off the eastern coast of Spain, Nieuw Statendam will explore northern Europe, sailing off the west coast of Iceland for the eclipse. Guests can also sail aboard Zuiderdam for its Voyage of the Vikings itinerary for the solar eclipse.
Zuiderdam’s 35-Day Voyage of the Vikings Cruise – July 18, 2026 roundtrip from Boston
- In the path of totality for the solar eclipse off the western coast of Iceland, just before arriving at Grundarfjørdur
- Calls at Portland, Maine; Sydney, Corner Brook, Red Bay, St. Anthony, St John’s, and Halifax, Canada; Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb) Greenland; Reykjavik (overnight), Seydisfjördur, Húsavík and Grundarfjørdur, Iceland; Eidfjord, Norway; Rotterdam, Netherlands (overnight); Dún Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland
Nieuw Statendam’s 28-Day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland Legendary Voyage – July 25, 2026 roundtrip from either Dover or Rotterdam
- In the path of totality for the solar eclipse at sea off the northwest coast of Iceland
- Calls at Kristiansand, Eidfjord and Stavanger, Norway; Seydisfjördur, Djúpivogur, Akureyri, Isafjördur, Grundarfjørdur, Heimaey and Reykjavik, Iceland; Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nuuk (Godthåb), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb), Greenland; Runavík, Faroe Islands; Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Invergordon (Inverness) and South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland (overnight)
Oosterdam’s 13-Day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnight Itinerary – August 9, 2026 from Lisbon to Piraeus (Athens)
- Solar eclipse at sea in the path of totality off the coast of Spain between Alicante and Barcelona
- Calls at Alicante and Barcelona (overnight), Spain; Ajaccio and Corsica, France; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Bari (Puglia), Italy; and Kotor, Montenegro
Northern Lights Cruises
2026 is predicted to be a highly active period for auroras, and Holland America will be offering two special Northern Lights cruises to offer guests the opportunity to see them. The voyages, which take place on Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam, feature an overnight in Alta, known as “The City of the Northern Lights.” The sailings will spend five days above the Arctic Circle.
Rotterdam’s 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights Itinerary – October 4, 2026 from Rotterdam to Amsterdam
- Calls at Nordfjordeid, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes and Bergen, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Nieuw Statendam’s 15-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights Itinerary – October 16, 2026 from Dover to to Rotterdam or a 14-Day October 17, 2026 sailing roundtrip from Rotterdam
- Calls at Ålesund, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes and Bergen, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Summer Solstice Above the Arctic Circle
For guests seeking the maximum amount of daylight on the longest day of the year, Nieuw Statendam will take cruisers above the Arctic Circle to celebrate the summer solstice in Honningsvåg, Norway — one of the northernmost cities on the planet.
Nieuw Statendam’s 14-Day Arctic Circle Crossing: North Cape Solstice – June 13, 2026 roundtrip from either Dover or Rotterdam
- Calls at Eidfjord, Maloy, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromsø, and Honningsvåg, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Bookings open for these special 2026 voyages on July 31, 2024. To receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus, travelers must book by October 29, 2024.
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