Upgraded Points
November 20, 2025
By Katie Corrigan Seemann
The following highlights have been excerpted and adapted from an article originally published by Upgraded Points. In the piece, writer Katie Corrigan Seemann outlines cruising as a way to view the 2026 and 2027 solar eclipses, plus lists current availability. Kelly Gorrell of AdventureSmith Explorations is quoted on the benefits of viewing these notable events via small ship cruises.
A total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the Mediterranean and the Arctic on August 12, 2026. If you don’t have any plans yet, there’s still time to book a solar eclipse cruise—one of the best ways to position yourself in the path of totality, since ships can adjust their position to give passengers the best views.
Where You Can See the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse
The August 12, 2026, total solar eclipse will be a highlight of summer travel for those seeking peak experiences. “Anyone can visit the Arctic and see a polar bear, but to then pair that with seeing a total solar eclipse from the deck of your ship? That turns an epic expedition into a truly once-in-a-lifetime one,” says Kelly Gorrell of AdventureSmith Explorations, a company that specializes in small-ship expeditions.
Interest in eclipse travel is already surging. AdventureSmith Explorations has seen a 215% increase in interest over the last few months, while Road Scholar reports a 68% increase in enrollments for astronomy programs and plans to launch solar eclipse cruises in 2027.
A solar eclipse cruise is one of those rare, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. The good news is that there are still cruises available for both the solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, and on August 2, 2027.
If seeing a total solar eclipse is on your bucket list, now is a great time to combine that with a cruise vacation for a truly memorable vacation.
