Sarah Bretz, ContributorHolland America has announced two voyages that will take guests to prime spots to witness the solar eclipse on August 2, 2027. The line has also opened three sailings for booking that will offer passengers the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
The path of totality for the solar eclipse will cross mainly over northern Africa. Two Holland America ships — Nieuw Statendam and Oosterdam — will be positioned off the western coast of Morocco and the eastern coast of Tunisia, respectively, for guests on board to experience maximum totality.
“The excitement around viewing a total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable, and we jumped at the chance to create more itineraries that give our guests the incomparable opportunity of viewing the eclipse at sea,” said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment for Holland America Line. “When you’re at sea, there is a greater opportunity to witness an eclipse in the clear because the ship can attempt to position itself away from cloud cover — and the view on the horizon means you get more of the shadow coming in and going out. Because of that, these cruises are extremely popular: for everyone from professional astronomers to travelers looking to check an eclipse off their bucket list.”
Passengers on both voyages can expect lectures from — and the opportunity to connect with — scientific experts, themed activities, and more. Proper equipment, including eclipse glasses, will be provided. While in port, guests will be able to delve into the way civilizations in the past designed life around phenomena in the sky, including solar eclipses.
“For millennia, civilizations have studied celestial happenings, and that impact is seen even now in many famous landmarks and monuments,” said Grigsby. “We took care to add ports into the itinerary that have some connection to the study of the sun and stars: on the 28-day, one example includes Portland, England, within close proximity to famous Stonehenge, long believed to be built with the solstice in mind. And on the 14-day, guests can visit the world’s largest and most complex astronomical clock in Messina, Italy.”
2027 Eclipse Cruises
28-Day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer
Travelers hoping to extend their adventure can board Nieuw Statendam on July 10, 2027, for a 28-Day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer roundtrip from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or Dover, England. Guests will then explore 13 ports in Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and Morocco — including overnight calls in Tilbury (London) and Barcelona. After a memorable solar eclipse at sea off the coast of Morocco, the ship will sail to Leixões (Porto), Portugal, before returning to Rotterdam.
Guests can dive further into the study of the sun and the sky via excursions to destinations like the Alhambra Palace in Malaga, designed with architectural features that align with the sun’s path, and Montjuic Hill and Observatory in Barcelona — filled with ancient structures aligned with celestial events.
14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery
Guests hoping to supplement their solar eclipse viewing with the perfect Mediterranean vacation can board Oosterdam for a 14-Day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery departing July 31, 2027.
Sailing roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens), Greece, Oosterdam will first sail toward Tunisia, finding the ideal position off the coast for eclipse viewing. Guests will then visit ports in Tunisia, Malta, Italy and Greece. An extended call in Valetta, Malta, provides guests ample time to visit the Royal Malta Observatory and learn how telescopes and scientific instruments aided the study of celestial bodies — and improved maritime navigation.
2027 Northern Lights Sailings
Holland America Line’s ships Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam will offer three Northern Lights cruises in fall 2027. The voyages feature an overnight in Alta, which is known as “The City of the Northern Lights” and spend five days above the Arctic Circle. Guests sailing to see the Northern Lights can sign up to get a wake-up call from the ship anytime the aurora borealis is spotted.
Oct. 3, 2027, 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights: Sails aboard Rotterdam, roundtrip from Rotterdam — calls at Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim (late-night call),Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Leknes (Lofoten), and Åndalsnes, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Oct. 16 and Nov. 6, 2027, 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights: Sails aboard Nieuw Statendam, roundtrip from Rotterdam or Dover — calls at Ålesund, Åndalsnes, Trondheim (late-night call), Leknes (Lofoten), Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Kristiansund and Bergen, Norway
Early Booking Bonus
For a limited time, when travelers book 2027 solar eclipse and Northern Lights cruises with the Have It All premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf WiFi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid gratuities, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium WiFi.
Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by Aug. 27, 2025, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.
Comments
Are you interested in taking a solar eclipse cruise in 2026 or 2027 and if so, which line would you most want to sail? Would you take a cruise to see the Northern Lights? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
