Holland America Line guests aboard the Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam witnessed the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026.

The Zuiderdam and the Nieuw Statendam were positioned off the coast of Iceland to witness the phenomenon and the Oosterdam off the coast of Spain, providing different perspectives.

“Watching a total solar eclipse unfold at sea was an unforgettable experience” said the Nieuw Statendam’s Captain Werner Timmers.

“One of the advantages of viewing an eclipse from a ship is the ability to carefully position the vessel for optimal conditions. Combined with an unobstructed horizon, it created a remarkable way to experience this rare phenomenon and was one of the highlights of my career as a captain.”

2027 Solar Eclipse Voyages

Two dedicated eclipse cruises are available for booking for the next major eclipse on Aug. 2, 2027.

Guests seeking a longer journey can sail aboard the Nieuw Statendam’s 28-day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer, departing July 10, 2027.

Sailing roundtrip from Rotterdam or Dover, the voyage will explore 13 ports across Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco, including overnight stays in Tilbury (London) and Barcelona.

The itinerary was designed around destinations connected to humanity’s fascination with the skies, with opportunities to visit sites such as Stonehenge near Portland, England; the Alhambra in Málaga; and Barcelona’s Montjuïc Observatory before the ship positions off Morocco for eclipse viewing.

For those looking for a shorter getaway, the Oosterdam’s 14-day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery departs July 31, 2027, roundtrip from Athens.

The ship will sail to a location off the coast of Tunisia before continuing to ports in Tunisia, Malta, Italy and Greece.

An extended call in Valletta, Malta, will allow guests to explore the Royal Malta Observatory and learn more about the history of astronomy, navigation and the study of the stars.

2027 Northern Lights Voyages

The company will also offer three dedicated Northern Lights Arctic sailings aboard the Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam in fall 2027.

Each 14-day voyage spends five days above the Arctic Circle and includes an overnight stay in Alta, Norway, known as the “City of the Northern Lights,” giving guests more opportunities to witness the aurora borealis in one of the world’s premier viewing regions.

The itineraries visit destinations including Bergen, Tromsø, Trondheim, Ålesund and the Lofoten Islands, while showcasing fjords, Arctic landscapes and coastal communities.

The Northern Lights wake-up service, ensuring guests don’t miss an aurora sighting if the phenomenon appears overnight.

Available departures include a sailing aboard the Rotterdam on Oct. 3, 2027, and two departures aboard the Nieuw Statendam on Oct. 16 and Nov. 6, 2027.

The company is also offering Northern Lights voyages this fall, sailing aboard the Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam in October and November 2026.