Holland America Line unveils 2027 solar eclipse cruises

Friday, May 30, 2025 0

* Two ships to be at sea during path of totality in August 2027

* Departure from Dover available on 28-day voyage

* Northern Lights cruises in 2027 available to book

Holland America Line has launched two new solar eclipse cruises departing in summer 2027.

The total solar eclipse will occur on August 2, 2027, with the path of totality crossing mainly over Northern Africa. Two ships, Nieuw Statendam and Oosterdam, will be positioned off the western coast of Morocco and eastern coast of Tunisia, respectively, for guests to experience maximum totality.

Nieuw Statendam will operate a 28-day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer voyage, sailing on July 9, roundtrip from Dover. It will visit 14 ports across Denmark, the UK, Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco, including overnight calls in Tilbury (London) and Barcelona. Following the solar eclipse at sea off the coast of Morocco, the ship will sail to Leixões (Porto).

Select excursions will highlight the importance of phenomena in the sky, such as Alhambra Palace, Malaga, which was designed with architectural features that align with the sun’s path; and Montjuic Hill and Observatory in Barcelona, featuring ancient structures aligned with celestial events. Prices start from £6,299pp.

A 14-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery itinerary will depart July 31, on Oosterdam. Sailing roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens), the ship will head toward Tunisia, for eclipse viewing. It will then visit ports in Tunisia, Malta, Italy and Greece, including an extended call in Valletta to allow time to visit the Royal Malta Observatory. Prices start from £3,719pp.

Guests on both voyages can expect lectures from scientific experts alongside onboard themed activities. Equipment such as eclipse glasses will be provided for the safety of guests.

These sailings join three existing itineraries that are bookable for the 2026 eclipse: a 28-day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland; a 35-day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse, with eclipse viewings off the northeast coast of Iceland; and a 13-day Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnight, with eclipse viewing off the west coast of Spain.

In addition, Northern Lights sailings, also departing in 2027, are now available to book. They feature an overnight stay in Alta, Norway,

Rotterdam will operate a 14-day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights with History Channel sailing, departing from Rotterdam on October 3 and calling at Bergen, Ålesund, Trondheim (late night call), Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Leknes (Lofoten), and Åndalsnes (all Norway); and Lerwick (Shetland Islands). Prices start from £3,199pp.

Meanwhile, Nieuw Statendam will cruise from Dover, departing October 15 on a 15-day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights cruise. It will visit Ålesund, Åndalsnes, Trondheim (late night call), Leknes (Lofoten), Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Kristiansund and Bergen. Prices start from £3,279pp.

Guests sailing to see the Northern Lights can opt for a wake-up call from the ship any time the aurora borealis is spotted.

Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment for Holland America Line, said: “The excitement around viewing 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.

“For millennia, civilisations have studied celestial happenings, and that impact is seen even now in many famous landmarks and monuments. 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 cruise, guests can visit the world’s largest and most complex astronomical clock in Messina, Italy.”

For a limited time, when guests book 2027 solar eclipse and Northern Lights cruises with the ‘Have It All’ Early Booking Bonus, they will receive shore excursion credit, speciality dining credit, prepaid crew appreciation, the Elite Beverage package, premium Wi-Fi and up to US $300pp onboard credit.

Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line’s Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to US $400 onboard credit per stateroom when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by August 27, 2025 to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.