The best way to see a total solar eclipse

The next solar eclipse takes place in August 2026. This natural phenomenon, where the sun entirely vanishes from the sky in the middle of the day, sending the world into momentary darkness, has fascinated us for millennia, and there is no better place on earth to witness this than in the middle of the sea.

Catch nature’s most anticipated show from a perfect vantage point onboard Sun Princess or Sky Princess, both of which will be based in the Mediterranean for their summer seasons.

And there really isn’t a better-named ship for a solar eclipse cruise than Sun Princess, as John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises, points out: “Sun Princess truly lives up to its name, offering an out-of-this-world experience with a front-row seat for a total eclipse of the sun”.

The date of the next solar eclipse is August 12, 2026, and guests onboard Sun Princess and Sky Princess will be treated to the full two minutes and 18 seconds of complete darkness.

Five reasons a cruise is the best way to view the eclipse

1. Cruise ships benefit from total mobility, so you’ll be in the perfect location for the best views. Most eclipse enthusiasts will crowd the towns they find themselves in, in the general line of the eclipse, but those at sea will find themselves in the exact position for a full experience.

2. Out at sea, you also free yourself of any buildings or large trees that can obstruct your view on land. Clear sightlines of the entire sky give you the best seat for watching the entire process from beginning to end.

3. And of course, away from the busy town centres of the continent, you’ll be freed from light pollution, meaning that you’ll come to truly understand what pitch-black means.

4. Princess Cruises’ dedicated total eclipse voyages also enhance the overall moment with expert lectures on astronomy, themed treats and drinks, guided stargazing at night, and celestial themed trivia and events.

5. Plus, with your safety in mind, the cruise line provides specialist safety glasses, which makes viewing the solar eclipse fun and safe.

There’s nowhere quite like the top deck of a ship to witness the sun vanishing from the day sky and throwing the surrounding ocean into pitch darkness, before suddenly – also magically – reemerging… a new light on the same day.

A flexible range of options
Sun Princess – Princess Cruises’ newest ship – offers a range of total solar eclipse voyages, from one-week to 21-days. Whether your focus is to get yourself the best viewing position for the eclipse, or to combine this rare experience with an immersive Mediterranean escape, you can tailor the voyage to your preference.

For a week away, zoning in on the eclipse, board in Barcelona for a journey across the Mediterranean to Rome, departing August 8, 2026. If two weeks is your ideal holiday, then take the option to stay onboard right the way through to Athens, which adds port visits in Naples, Crete, Kusadasi and Mykonos.

Or go full out with a 21-day spectacular, which covers the full spread of the Med, with visits to ports right across the sea, from Gibraltar to Turkey.

For a no-fly option, Sky Princess will set sail from Southampton on August 8, 2026, and call in seven historic and fascinating ports, including Cherbourg, Bilbao, and Lisbon. This round-trip voyage will also line up perfectly for the maximum solar eclipse viewing opportunity.