According to AdventureSmith Explorations, the global leader in small ship adventure cruising, watching celestial events – in particular, the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse – aboard a small ship offers numerous advantages that are unlikely to be experienced any other way. Aboard one of seven solar eclipse cruises, travellers will have the distinct privilege of viewing this once-in-a-lifetime event reaching remote and pristine areas that larger vessels can’t, and enjoying flexible routing and expert positioning to maximize viewing opportunities.
“Small ship cruises provide an intimate, immersive experience complete with unobstructed horizons, fewer passengers, expert guides, and the perfect blend of sky-watching and wilderness exploration,” said Todd Smith, founder and president of AdventureSmith Explorations. “For those interested in witnessing the Total Solar Eclipse in 2026, there are a handful of opportunities to do so aboard small ships both in the High Arctic and the Mediterranean depending on travelers’ climate and expedition preferences”.
The time is now to book!
These seven small ship cruises will put travellers in the path of totality on August 12, 2026.
Total Solar Eclipse in the Mediterranean
See the eclipse from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, aboard a luxury French ship. Cruise round-trip from Nice with special guest “eclipse chasers,” or from Barcelona, Spain, to Nice, France, with world-class experts from Smithsonian Journeys. These nine-day cruises on the 184-guest Le Dumont D’Urville or 264-guest Le Boreal include excursions in every port while sailing the western Mediterranean.
Arctic Odyssey Under a Solar Eclipse
Sail the Arctic and explore Svalbard, Eastern Greenland and Iceland in one epic voyage aboard the 114-guest Sea Spirit alongside special guest and astrophysicist Dr. Paul Sutter. This adventure offers the lowest starting price on this list, making it an exceptional value.
Spitsbergen – Northeast Greenland
This 14-day expedition brings dramatic coastlines and cruises through icy waters in search of iconic Arctic wildlife to the experience. Think polar bears, musk oxen, whales and arctic foxes. Two special departures aim to position travellers in the center of totality within East Greenland’s vast fjord system, Scoresby Sund. These Northeast Greenland Arctic cruises are aboard the 170-guest Hondius, or 108-guest sister ships Plancius or Ortelius, all of which are equipped for intimate exploration of incredible Arctic waters
Jewels of the Arctic
Enjoy a unique visit to the bird-rich island of Jan Mayen, plus explorations of Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland, aboard the cutting-edge 132-guest Greg Mortimer. Add on the ship’s popular kayaking program to fully experience nature at its wildest with just 19 other paddlers.
National Geographic Arctic Odyssey: Iceland, Greenland & Canada
Following the path of early Viking explorers, this journey mixes Arctic wildlife and landscapes with a riveting history that is brought to life by well-preserved ruins and local communities that thrive on the edge of the Arctic. Travel with a diverse team of experts from Reykjavik, Iceland, to St. John’s, Newfoundland, aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer.
Iceland to Greenland: Mountains, Glaciers & The Westfjords
Embark on a round-trip journey from Iceland to Greenland with the pioneers that led the first successful total solar eclipse cruise in Antarctica. Experience thrilling heli-flightseeing over remote Greenland from the ship’s state-of-the-art helicopters, and gain expert insights from science journalist and eclipse enthusiast David Baron and eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler. Home base is either 199-guest Ultramarine or 138-guest Ocean Explorer. Both ships are perfect for those who enjoy soft adventure and creature comforts
Expedition to the Edge of the Ice Sheet
Aboard a luxury French expedition ship, follow in the footsteps of the Vikings and Erik the Red as you explore four Arctic regions on one unforgettable voyage. Join special guests, astronauts Claudie and Jean-Pierre Haigneré, and navigate to the remote fjords of North-West Iceland for total eclipse viewing. Cruise the icy waters of the Arctic on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition aboard 264-guest L’Austral or 244-guest Le Lyrial, with up to 200 guests aboard their Arctic cruises
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In addition to these current seven Arctic and Mediterranean small-ship cruises, more are likely to be announced as the total solar eclipse nears. Stay tuned to AdventureSmith’s dedicated page for solar eclipse cruises for the latest offerings.
AdventureSmith has been creating custom travel packages for over 20 years and has their finger on the pulse of what’s new for small ship cruises worldwide. Actively explore by land and sea, away from tourist crowds. Learn about AdventureSmith’s cruises and overland tours online at adventuresmithexplorations.com
Photos courtesy of AdventureSmith
Media Contact
Jess Weaver
JVP Communications for AdventureSmith Explorations
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