Holland America to Sail Trio of Solar Eclipse Cruises in Europe — What to Know

02.08.2024 - 12:55 / travelandleisure.com / Beth Bodensteiner / America Line

Holland America Line is offering a unique way to see the solar eclipse that will cross over Europe in 2026 by sailing a trio of cruises into the path of totality.

The cruises, which will launch in July and August 2026, will bring space enthusiasts to the Mediterranean and to the western coast of Iceland, Holland America shared with Travel + Leisure. They follow similar cruises the company sailed earlier this year for the Great American 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,” Beth Bodensteiner, the chief commercial officer for Holland America Line, said in a statement shared with T+L. “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.”

The shortest of the eclipse options is the 13-day Mediterranean cruise on the Oosterdam, which takes off on Aug. 9, 2026, with plans to view the eclipse off the coast of Spain between Alicante and Barcelona. 

Then there's the 28-day Scandinavian voyage on the Nieuw Statendam, which sails on July 25, 2026, and hits the path of totality from the northwest coast of Iceland (with stops in Greenland and Scotland for good measure). 

The longest option is the 35-day «Voyage of the Vikings» on the Zuiderdam, which includes seeing the path of totality from the western coast of Iceland. That cruise sails roundtrip from Boston starting on July 18, 2026, and includes stops in Halifax, Canada, Greenland, Reykjavik, Rotterdam, Netherlands, and more.

The total solar eclipse is expected to pass across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain on Aug. 12, 2026, according to the National Solar Observatory (NSO). While partial eclipses can occur every few months, total solar eclipses tend to happen just about every 18 months.

Beyond the solar eclipse, Holland America is also offering cruises to see the Northern Lights and spend five days above the Arctic Circle in 2026 on both the Rotterdam and the Nieuw Statendam.