The sky will once again take center stage aboard Holland America Line in 2027. Following the interest generated by its 2026 solar eclipse sailings, the cruise line is preparing a new series of voyages built around astronomical phenomena, with the total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027, as the main highlight.
Two dedicated eclipse cruises are already available, with Nieuw Statendam and Oosterdam scheduled to position themselves in the path of totality off the coasts of Morocco and Tunisia. The voyages combine eclipse viewing at sea with astronomy-themed activities and expert-led enrichment programs.
The concept builds on Holland America Line’s experience with eclipse sailings. During the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, guests aboard Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam were able to watch the phenomenon from carefully selected positions at sea, with two ships stationed off Iceland and another off the coast of Spain.
A Longer Eclipse Journey from Rotterdam or Dover
For travelers who want to make the 2027 eclipse part of a longer European journey, Nieuw Statendam will sail the 28-day Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer from July 10, 2027.
The roundtrip voyage departs from Rotterdam or Dover and visits 13 ports across Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morocco. Overnight stays in Tilbury for London and Barcelona allow additional time ashore.
The itinerary goes beyond the eclipse itself, linking several destinations with humanity’s long-standing fascination with astronomy and the night sky. Among the highlights are Stonehenge near Portland, England, the Alhambra in Málaga and Barcelona’s Montjuïc Observatory.
The voyage then continues towards Morocco, where Nieuw Statendam will take up a position for the August 2 total solar eclipse.
A 14-Day Eclipse Cruise from Athens
A shorter option is available aboard Oosterdam with the 14-day Solar Eclipse & Astronomical Discovery voyage, departing July 31, 2027, from Athens.
The ship will sail towards a viewing position off the coast of Tunisia before continuing to destinations in Tunisia, Malta, Italy and Greece.
The itinerary also includes an extended call in Valletta, giving guests more time to explore Malta and its connection with astronomy and navigation. A visit to the Royal Malta Observatory offers an opportunity to delve into the history of observing and studying the night sky.
From Solar Eclipses to the Northern Lights
Astronomy at sea is not limited to solar eclipses. In autumn 2027, Holland America Line will also offer three dedicated Northern Lights voyages in Norway aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam.
Each 14-day itinerary spends five days above the Arctic Circle and includes an overnight stay in Alta, one of Norway’s best-known destinations for viewing the aurora borealis.
The cruises combine Northern Lights viewing with a broader exploration of Norway’s coastline. Ports of call include Bergen, Tromsø, Trondheim, Ålesund and the Lofoten Islands, while the itineraries also showcase Norwegian fjords, Arctic landscapes and coastal communities.
An additional feature is Holland America Line’s Northern Lights wake-up service. When the aurora appears during the night, guests who have registered for the service can be alerted so they have a better chance of seeing the phenomenon.
Three Departures in Autumn 2027
The Northern Lights program includes three departures: Rotterdam sails on October 3, 2027, while Nieuw Statendam departs on October 16 and November 6, 2027.
Together with the two solar eclipse cruises, the itineraries give travelers several ways to combine a cruise with astronomical highlights in 2027. Rather than simply passing through a destination, the voyages are built around spending time in regions where natural phenomena such as a total solar eclipse or the Northern Lights can be observed under favorable conditions.
For Holland America Line, that makes astronomy an additional reason to choose a particular itinerary — whether that means sailing towards the path of a solar eclipse in the Mediterranean region or heading north in search of the aurora borealis.
Pictures courtesy of Holland America Line
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