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Three Solar Eclipse Sailings Highlight Holland America Line's New Celestial Cruises in 2026
Holland America
Line is announcing a new slate of cruises that will take guests to prime
locations throughout Europe to witness extraordinary celestial
events. Those seeking to cross off bucket-list items like viewing the Northern
Lights, a total solar eclipse or a summer solstice above the Arctic Circle will
be able to book one of these special Celestial Cruises beginning July 31.
"After
the excitement and success around our 2024 eclipse cruises, we knew our guests
were looking for additional opportunities to get a front-row seat for some of
the world's most special natural spectacles," said Beth Bodensteiner,
chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. "Our team has put
together a lineup of cruises that not only deliver on that front, but also give
guests in-depth exploration of exciting destinations and the premium onboard
experience for which we're known."
Guests
booking solar eclipse cruises can expect lectures from and the opportunity to
connect with scientific experts, themed activities and more. Proper
equipment — like eclipse glasses — will be provided for the safety of guests.
Those sailing to see the Northern Lights can sign up to get a wake-up call from
the ship any time the aurora borealis is spotted.
Three
Solar Eclipse Cruises Offer Total Viewing
After
two highly successful solar eclipse sailings in 2024, three ships from the
fleet will be positioned under the path of totality for the Aug. 12, 2026,
total solar eclipse. While Oosterdam will take guests to the Med to witness the
eclipse off the eastern coast of Spain, Nieuw Statendam will explore Northern
Europe, sailing off the western coast of Iceland for the eclipse.
Guests can also sail aboard Zuiderdam for the popular Voyage of the Vikings,
for the solar eclipse.
July
18, 2026, 35-Day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse (Legendary Voyage), Zuiderdam,
roundtrip from Boston, Massachusetts.
In
the path of totality for the solar eclipse off the western coast of Iceland,
just before arriving at Grundarfjørdur.
Calls
at Portland, Maine; Sydney, Corner Brook, Red Bay, St.
Anthony, St John's, and Halifax, Canada; Paamiut (Frederikshåb),
Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb) Greenland; Reykjavik (overnight),
Seydisfjördur, Húsavík and Grundarfjørdur, Iceland; Eidfjord, Norway; Rotterdam,
Netherlands (overnight); Dún Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland;
and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
July
25, 2026, 28-Day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland (Legendary
Voyage): Nieuw Statendam, roundtrip from Dover, England, or roundtrip
from Rotterdam.
In
the path of totality for the solar eclipse at sea off the northwest coast
of Iceland
Calls
at Kristiansand, Eidfjord and Stavanger, Norway; Seydisfjördur,
Djúpivogur, Akureyri, Isafjördur, Grundarfjørdur, Heimaey
and Reykjavik, Iceland; Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nuuk (Godthåb),
Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb), Greenland; Runavík, Faroe
Islands; Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Invergordon (Inverness) and South
Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland (overnight).
Aug.
9, 2026, 13-Day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnight, Oosterdam,
from Lisbon, Portugal, to Piraeus (Athens), Greece.
Solar
eclipse at sea in the path of totality off the coast of Spain between Alicante
and Barcelona.
Calls
at Alicante and Barcelona (overnight), Spain; Ajaccio and
Corsica, France; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Bari (Puglia), Italy;
and Kotor, Montenegro.
Inaugural
'Northern Lights' Cruises aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam
As
2026 is predicted to be a highly active period for auroras, a growing number of
travelers plan to prioritize seeing them on vacation. Guests seeking to pair
that adventure with an in-depth exploration of Norway can do so on
one of two Northern Lights cruises aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw
Statendam. The cruises feature an overnight in Alta, also known as "The
City of the Northern Lights," and spend five days above the Arctic Circle.
Oct.
4, 2026, 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights, aboard Rotterdam,
from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Calls
at Nordfjordeid, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes
and Bergen, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands.
Oct.
16, 2026, 15-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights, Nieuw Statendam,
from Dover to Rotterdam OR Oct. 17, 2026, 14-Day Northern
Lights, roundtrip Rotterdam.
Calls
at Ålesund, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes
and Bergen, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands.
Summer
Solstice Above the Arctic Circle
For
guests seeking the maximum amount of daylight on the longest day of the year,
Nieuw Statendam will take cruisers above the Arctic Circle to celebrate the
summer solstice in Honningsvåg, Norway — one of the northernmost
cities on the planet.
June
13, 2026, 14-Day Arctic Circle Crossing: North Cape Solstice, Nieuw
Statendam, roundtrip from Dover or Rotterdam.
Calls
at Eidfjord, Maloy, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromsø, and Honningsvåg, Norway;
and Lerwick, Shetland Islands.
Have
It All Early Booking Bonus
For
a limited time, when guests book 2026 Celestial Cruises with the Have It All
premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty
dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the
added perk of free prepaid crew appreciation, along with free upgrades to the
Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
Guests
can also take advantage of Holland America Line's Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus. Mariner Society
loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom
when these cruises open for sale. Guests must book these cruises by Oct.
29, 2024, to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.
For
more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call
1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Find
Holland America Line on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social
media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.
Image
Credit: © Holland America Line
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