Costa Cruises Marking Solar Eclipse with Special Med Voyage

Costa Cruises Marking Solar Eclipse with Special Med Voyage

Costa Cruises has unveiled a special itinerary centered around the solar eclipse that is returning to the Mediterranean in August after 20 years.

The cruise line said in a press release that there will be two departures for its eight-day Eclipse Cruise aboard the Costa Pacifica, one from Civitavecchia (Rome) on August 8 and the other from Savona on August 9.

“Experiencing a total solar eclipse from the path of totality at sea is truly an extraordinary event we’re thrilled to offer our guests,” said Priscilla Reyes, head of sales for Costa Cruises North America.

“Witnessing this awe-inspiring celestial event from the open water, surrounded by clear horizon views and the shared excitement of fellow travelers, transforms this natural phenomenon into a truly unforgettable moment.”

After visiting destinations such as St. Tropez, Palma and Valencia, the ship will reach the Balearic Sea on August 12, 2026.

At Costa’s eclipse-focused sea destination: “Balearic Sea – Solar Eclipse,” guests equipped with safety glasses will observe the phenomenon from the outer decks.

A subject-matter expert from the Astronomical Observatory of Genoa, Italy, will provide narration to make the experience complete.

The ship will then continue to Olbia and Aranci Gulf, before returning to Civitavecchia and Savona on August 15 and 16, respectively.

Princess Cruises Adds Third Solar Eclipse Voyage for 2026

Princess Cruises has announced a third voyage in its 2026 Total Solar Eclipse series: a 14-day Mediterranean & Adriatic with Total Solar Eclipse cruise onboard the Enchanted Princess, departing from Rome.

The new Enchanted Princess sailing joins two other eclipse-focused Princess cruises onboard Sky Princess (August 8, 2026, from Southampton) and Sun Princess (7-, 14- and 21-day itineraries departing from Barcelona and Athens).

Highlights of the Enchanted Princess itinerary, sailing August 4-18, 2026, include:

  • Civitavecchia (Rome)
  • Naples (for Capri & Pompeii)
  • Kotor, Montenegro
  • Dubrovnik, Croatia
  • Corfu, Greece
  • Messina & Palermo, Sicily.
  • Gibraltar
  • Alicante, Spain
  • Barcelona, Spain

“Adding Enchanted Princess to our 2026 solar eclipse lineup allows more guests to be part of this extraordinary moment at sea while exploring breathtaking Mediterranean and Adriatic destinations,” said Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer. “With limited availability on Sky Princess and Sun Princess, we’re excited to give our guests a new opportunity to be part of this rare astronomical event aboard another of our spectacular ships.”

During the eclipse, guests will gather on the top decks with Princess eclipse viewing glasses, and enjoy lectures from astronomy experts, themed treats and drinks, stargazing at night, solar system trivia and more.

Princess said guests are encouraged to set up their own telescopes on deck and wear festive eclipse-themed apparel and accessories.

Sapphire Princess Sails Along Straits of Malacca for Solar Eclipse

Onboard the Sapphire Princess for the Solar Eclipse

Guest onboard the Sapphire Princess viewed the annular solar eclipse that occurred early in the afternoon of Boxing Day along the Straits of Malacca.

More than 2,600 guests from around the world embarked Sapphire Princess in Singapore on Dec. 17 for an 11-day voyage around Southeast Asia visiting ports including Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Bangkok, Koh Samui and Port Klang before arriving in Singapore on Dec. 28.

Guests and crew were given solar filter glasses to safely view the phenomenon. Hundreds of guests gathered on the upper deck of the ship to witness the solar eclipse.

“Guests onboard were delighted to witness the once-in-a-lifetime ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse onboard Sapphire Princess while celebrating Christmas and Boxing Day,“ said Farriek Tawfik, Director Southeast Asia, Princess Cruises.