Want to catch the next solar eclipse? See it on a ship

​​When a total solar eclipse was due over the western US, Canada and Mexico in 2024, it caused a huge spike in tourism, with an estimated 4 million people travelling to see the celestial wonder.

There’s similar excitement for the next total eclipse on August 12, 2026, best seen in parts of Siberia, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and Spain. Europe hasn’t seen a total eclipse at all since 1999.

Eclipse-bound… Celebrity Silhouette.

Prime viewing will be just off Reykjavik in Iceland, which will experience 100 per cent totality lasting two minutes and 18 seconds.

A cruise ship is one of the best places to take in a solar eclipse, whose path is more often over ocean than land. Ships, too, have some flexibility in relocating in case of overcast weather.

You also have the company of like-minded enthusiasts and the input of guest experts such as astronomers and NASA ambassadors. Special solar eclipse sailings will feature guest lecturers, star-gazing nights, eclipse-themed events and trivia competitions.

You have no shortage of ship choice for the 2026 eclipse, with cruise companies from budget and expedition to luxury offering itineraries for the occasion.

Azamara Cruises has three ships visiting the Mediterranean, Ireland, and Iceland and Canada. Cunard has three as well, visiting Spain and France, the western Mediterranean, and Norway and Iceland. Flagship Queen Mary 2 will be docked in top spot Reykjavik on the big day.

The 2024 solar eclipse, as seen in Puerto San Julian, Argentina.Credit: AP

Meanwhile, Holland America’s Zuiderdam will be at Grundarfjordur in Iceland. Holland America has two other ships seeking the sun, which will be at sea in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic as day becomes night.

Celebrity Silhouette will also be in Iceland. Other cruise lines offering solar cruises include Carnival, Princess, P&O Cruises UK, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages. These will be either in the Mediterranean or north-west Spain.

If you prefer a small-ship expedition experience, then Albatros Expeditions, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Aurora Expeditions, HX, Lindblad, Quark Expeditions are among companies that will position ships in Iceland or Greenland.

And for small-ship luxury Ponant, Seabourn and Windstar Cruises have solar eclipse cruises too.

Ships are likely to sell out soon. Last month Oceania Cruises realised demand was so high for its single solar eclipse sailing that it added four more. It now has the eclipse covered in Iceland, Ireland, Portugal and the UK.

If you miss out, then you have another chance on August 2, 2027, when a total eclipse sweeps over North Africa and southern Spain. You can expect cruise companies to be offering Spain and Morocco itineraries for the occasion. River-cruise companies have already rolled out dedicated eclipse cruises on the Nile River.

And on July 22, 2028, Australia and New Zealand will be the only countries to experience a total eclipse. You won’t have to get on a cruise ship at all, with the total eclipse passing right over Sydney. Brilliant – in a dark sort of way.