Solar Eclipse Cruises 2027: The Best Cruises for the Eclipse of the Century
August 2026
David JR Smith
Managing Director
Why makes the 2027 solar eclipse so special?
If there’s something I’ve learnt in the past couple of months, it’s that solar eclipses aren’t quite as rare as I originally thought. However, next August’s eclipse promises to be one for the ages. At its maximum, the Moon will completely obscure the Sun for an incredible 6 minutes and 23 seconds, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible from land until 2114.
The path of totality is equally appealing for travellers, sweeping across the Mediterranean from southern Spain and Gibraltar before continuing through North Africa, Egypt and the Middle East. That puts some of the world’s most fascinating destinations directly beneath the Moon’s shadow and, crucially for us, places several popular cruise routes in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.
And yes, the eclipse will be partially visible from home in the UK – but you’ll need to be within the relatively narrow path of totality to see the Sun completely disappear behind the Moon. London, for instance, will only experience a partial eclipse at around 10am.
And that’s where cruising becomes a very interesting proposition…
Why see the 2027 solar eclipse on a cruise?
It goes without saying that you don’t need to be on a cruise to see the solar eclipse in 2027. Ultimately, get yourself within the path of totality, and you’ll see something spectacular. But you can’t deny there’s something particularly appealing about watching it unfold from the open deck of a ship.
For ships positioned at sea during totality, the open decks can provide an extraordinary viewing platform, with an expansive horizon and few obstacles to interrupt the view. Other itineraries may arrange viewing from port or a dedicated location ashore, depending on where the ship is scheduled to be on 2 August.
There’s also the advantage that many of these voyages have been planned specifically around the event. Several cruise lines have already created dedicated solar eclipse itineraries, positioning their ships – or arranging viewing experiences ashore – within the path of totality at precisely the right time.
Many will also provide the necessary eclipse glasses (the lack of which might have somewhat hindered my 2026 viewing experience).
The best solar eclipse cruises for 2027
Cruise lines have a keen eye for this sort of thing and, as such, many haven’t missed the opportunity to build the 2027 eclipse into their cruise programmes. Some will position their ships specifically for the event, while you’ll find others in places like Tangier, where the eclipse can be experienced from the ship or ashore.
At this point, it’s important to note that not every sailing in the Mediterranean at the beginning of August 2027 is an ‘eclipse cruise’. However, these itineraries – and the ones featured at the bottom of this post – have been chosen because the eclipse promises to be part of the experience, rather than something that just happens to be taking place nearby.
Our picks for the 2027 solar eclipse
Cunard
23 July 2027 (14 nights) – Southampton round-trip on Queen Victoria
Unlike the other two mentions, Cunard’s Queen Victoria will spend 2 August in Tangier, Morocco, placing her directly in the path of totality. Cunard says the eclipse will peak at around 09:45 local time, so you’ll be free to watch from the ship or head ashore to find a suitable viewing point.
I love this option. While watching from the ship sounds fantastic, so does experiencing the sudden darkness as it descends over North Africa. Cunard even recommends avoiding Tangier’s covered souks during the morning and saving them until after the eclipse – which seems like fairly sensible advice if you’ve travelled all that way to look at the sky.
Princess Cruises
24 July 2027 (14 nights) – Rome round-trip on Enchanted Princess
Perfect if you’re seeking a longer holiday, this 14-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Enchanted Princess is a great choice. Billed as “The Mediterranean with Total Solar Eclipse”, the itinerary is built around the eclipse, so 2 August isn’t simply a happy coincidence – it’s one of the reasons for taking the cruise in the first place. Add in the convenience of sailing from Southampton and the attractive lead-in fares, it’s one of the more accessible ways to combine a cruise with the solar eclipse.
Celebrity Cruises
26 July 2027 (11 nights) – Rome roundtrip on Celebrity Ascent
With a strong focus on modern luxury, Celebrity Ascent offers a more contemporary way to experience the eclipse. This Mediterranean voyage has been specifically designed around the eclipse, and with plenty of outdoor deck space and the Rooftop Garden providing some fantastic vantage points, the vessel is particularly well-suited to the occasion.
What actually happens during a solar eclipse?
As I mentioned earlier, my eclipse experience in the wilds of West Sussex this summer was disappointing, to say the least. 2027 has a great deal more promise, though, and a total solar eclipse isn’t simply a better version of what we saw in the UK in 2026 – once you enter totality, things apparently get rather strange.
As the Moon gradually crosses the Sun, daylight begins to fade, and the temperature can drop noticeably. In the moments immediately before totality, you may see the so-called ‘diamond ring’ effect, before the final sliver of sunlight disappears and the Sun’s normally invisible outer atmosphere – the corona – emerges around the silhouette of the Moon. Bright stars and planets can become visible, while the horizon can take on the appearance of sunset in every direction.
Then, for those positioned closest to the centre of the 2027 eclipse path, you’ll have more than six minutes to take it all in before the process begins to reverse and daylight gradually returns.
And this is where totality really matters. Seeing 90% or even 99% of the Sun obscured isn’t the same experience as seeing it completely disappear. The corona is visible to the naked eye only during totality, which is why being inside that relatively narrow path on 2 August is so important.
But what happens if it’s cloudy during the eclipse?
Unfortunately, cruise lines can’t control the weather. That’s the downside. The upside is that August generally offers favourable conditions along much of the eclipse path, particularly across North Africa. Historical climatology is especially encouraging across Libya and Egypt, while southern Spain also typically experiences relatively low cloud cover in August.
And that brings us back to why being on a ship can offer an advantage. A vessel at sea may offer more flexibility than a fixed viewing point on land, and some dedicated eclipse cruises in 2027 might adjust their position if conditions and operational requirements allow. However, I wouldn’t book based on the assumption that the captain will willingly chase gaps in the cloud – ultimately, clear skies can never be guaranteed.
If the weather does decide to play ball, though, you’ll be in for something very special indeed.
When should I book a solar eclipse cruise in 2027?
Short answer – as soon as possible.
Unlike a normal Mediterranean summertime cruise, there’s only one 2 August 2027, and there are a limited number of ships and itineraries to choose from, especially if you want the totality experience. Add in a dash of ‘eclipse of the century’ publicity and those staterooms and suites are going to become increasingly hard to secure.
If witnessing the eclipse is your priority, my advice is to choose the itinerary first and worry about the accommodation second. Look at where the vessel is scheduled to be on 2 August and whether or not it’s a sailing specifically designed around the eclipse.
Of course, all of this is something we can help with. At The Cruise Line, we work with many of the lines offering eclipse cruises in 2027 and can talk you through the available options and viewing experiences. To learn more, simply call our team on 0800 008 6677 or submit an online enquiry for one of the voyages featured below.
FAQs
From when to look up to where you need to be, here are a few of the questions you might have if you’re thinking about travelling to see the total solar eclipse in 2027.
15 Jul '27
22 nights 
Seabourn Ovation
