The cruise line will operate two Solar Eclipse sailings in August 2026, with an onboard programme designed to bring guests directly to the cosmos
Both voyages will offer guests the chance to experience totality in the open ocean, where they will be accompanied by expert astronauts, astrophysicists, photographers and scientists.
The at-sea programme will include ‘Out of This World: Living in Orbit’ where NASA astronauts will open up about life in orbit; ‘Solar Eclipse 101’ where a solar physicist will explain what happens during totality; and ‘Cosmic Pause: Eclipse Energy Session’ where a dharma will perform an energy transmission session.
Virgin Voyages has also developed a collection of eclipse-themed Shore Things in select ports, including the ‘Eclipse Countdown: Stars & Cider’ in Belfast at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium; the ‘Mallorca Caves: Eclipse Countdown’ in the Genova Caves; and the ‘Eclipse Afterglow: Troll Peninsula Drive & Soak’ in Isafjordur.
SJ Walker, UK director of sales, said, “These voyages give our First Mates a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience to offer their clients. Seeing a total solar eclipse from the open ocean is already incredibly special, but combining it with insights from astronauts, astrophysicists and spaceflight experts makes this a real bucket-list sailing.”
Virgin Voyages is offering two Solar Eclipse voyages this year: the 15-night ‘Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles’ priced from £2,052 per person, and the 12-night ‘Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome’ sailing prices from £2,016 per person.
