Holland America Line adds astronomy experts to 2026 solar eclipse cruises

 

Holland America Line has announced the addition of astronomy experts to its three 2026 solar eclipse cruises. A total solar eclipse will be visible on August 12 and guests aboard Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam will have exclusive access to lectures, presentations and tips on how to make the most of their eclipse viewing.

 

Boston University Professor Meers Oppenheim will be aboard Zuiderdam’s 18-day “Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse” cruise; University of California San Diego Professor Adam Burgasser will join guests on Oosterdam for the 13-day “Mediterranean Solar Eclipse” cruise; and Tom Vassos, former professor at University of Toronto, will be aboard Nieuw Statendam’s 28-day “Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland” cruise.

 

The experts will provide guests with exclusive insight, offering lectures, a special Q&A session and real-time commentary as the three ships position in the path of totality during the eclipse.

 

Voyage of the Vikings and Professor Meers Oppenheim

Zuiderdam’s 35-day “Legendary Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse” cruise departs July 18, 2026, and sails roundtrip from Boston, Massachusetts. An 18-day segment of the sailing is also available to book, sailing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Boston on August 4. The ship will position off the coast of Iceland in the path of totality for the solar eclipse. Prices start from £6549pp for the 35-day option.

 

Meers Oppenheim has been a Professor of Astronomy at Boston University for more than 25 years and is currently the associate director of the BU Center for Space Physics. He studies phenomena that occur within our solar systems and has expertise in ionospheric and solar plasmas, as well as the physics of meteors.

 

Mediterranean Solar Eclipse and Professor Adam Burgasser

The 13-day “Mediterranean Solar Eclipse” cruise aboard Oosterdam sails from Lisbon, Portugal, to Piraeus (Athens), Greece, departing August 9. The ship will sail off the coast of Spain in the path of totality for the solar eclipse. Prices start from £2799pp.

 

Dr. Burgasser is an award-winning professor of physics at University of California San Diego and an observational astrophysicist. He is an author, conducts educational research in physics and is a champion for improving equality and inclusion in the sciences.

 

Guests aboard Oosterdam will have the opportunity to hear about the latest astrophysics research and the connections between astronomy and Mediterranean history as Professor Burgasser will be delivering additional science lectures during the cruise.

 

Legendary Solar Eclipse Voyage with Tom Vassos

Nieuw Statendam is sailing a 28-day “Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland” cruise featuring the total solar eclipse. Sailing roundtrip from Dover, the voyage departs June 24 and will be positioned off the coast of Iceland in the path of totality on August 12. Prices start from £4649pp.

 

An accomplished science communicator, Vassos has taught courses at several universities around the world, including more than 35 years at the University of Toronto. He is an astronomer, author, member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and founder of Cosmologists Without Borders.

 

Joe Chantry, vice president of entertainment and enrichment for Holland America Line, said: “We are consistently striving to curate extraordinary moments for our guests, and the upcoming solar eclipse cruises are no exception. By welcoming three distinguished astronomy experts aboard, we’re offering our guests not only front-row views to a rare phenomenon, but also the opportunity to deepen their understanding in an enriching setting.”

 

Safety glasses for protective viewing will be provided throughout the day of the solar eclipse, as well as themed activities and culinary offerings.

Learn more about Holland America Line

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