Why cruise-goers are going starry-eyed for astrotourism
Astral phenomena dominating the night sky in recent months has inspired cruise lines to release a raft of new itineraries. Will Payne reveals how agents can utilise these cosmic anomalies to boost their astrotourism sales
Meteor showers, the Northern Lights, solar eclipses – the very definition of “you had to be there” moments. And what better place to witness these cosmic events than out at sea where light pollution and masses of people can’t spoil the show?
So far this year the UK has been treated to several stargazing showpieces, including the Perseid Meteor shower in August, a partial solar eclipse in April and a rare sighting of the Aurora Borealis a month later.
Cruise lines have since capitalised on these events by releasing a range of new itineraries designed to get customers closer than ever to these celestial experiences. Paul Maley of the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society says witnessing an astral phenomenon is an unforgettable moment.
“Even though I have seen these phenomena many times, each experience feels like the first, since no-two visual appearances are identical,” Maley tells Cruise Trade News. “It is gratifying to see a first-time observer scream with delight or amazement.”
Maley urges travellers not to hesitate when it comes to booking a cruise to see one of these amazing occurrences. “Being at sea gets you away from the crowds,” he advises. “At sea you also have much better mobility, which means you can keep far from the clouds.”
When asked if there are any more phenomena we should be keeping an eye out for over the next few years, Maley says the impending explosion of the recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis will make the otherwise impossible-to-see star visible for a few days, before it fades for another 80 years.
In August 2027, meanwhile, a total solar eclipse will be visible above the Mediterranean Sea, which Maley says will be the longest occurrence of its kind for “the rest of our lives”.
Sailing to the stars
Virgin Voyages is just one of the cruise lines capitalising on these events. Earlier this year, the company launched its first-ever Eclipse Voyages as part of its Marvelous Voyages series, which, from August 2026, will give travellers an opportunity to cruise towards the path of totality on 12- and 15-night itineraries.
To make the occasion even sweeter, the line will roll out new culinary creations – like Milky Way milkshakes – while erecting grandstands, outfitted with telescopes and binoculars.
Michelle Bentubo, chief operating officer for Virgin Voyages, said the line’s customers are “actively looking” for more enriching experiences.
“It’s clear that with astrotourism on the rise and the path of totality for the 2026 eclipse primarily over the ocean, cruising is an ideal way for our sailors [customers] to witness the rare phenomenon,” she says. “Fans of our brand are always asking us to give them more aspiring experiences. We’re being intentional about our itineraries and deployments and planning them further out.”
Holland America Line (HAL), meanwhile, unveiled six new sailings ranging from 13 to 35 days to enable guests to witness extraordinary astro events, such as the solar eclipse, the Aurora and summer solstice in the Arctic. Guests on solar eclipse cruises can learn more about the cosmos during onboard lectures from scientific experts, who they can later meet in person.
It’s clear that with astrotourism on the rise and the path of totality for the 2026 eclipse primarily over the ocean, cruising is an ideal way for our cruise-goers to witness the rare phenomenon
“[These experiences] are perfect for guests who want a holiday that inspires and enriches their lives,” says Karen Farndell, director of sales and marketing for HAL. “We’ve also structured the sailings to offer as much variation as possible.”
Farndell urges agents to highlight to clients the unique nature of witnessing a solar eclipse or summer solstice while sailing.
Elsewhere, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has highlighted “astrotourism” as a trend which continues to gather momentum in 2024. According to research from National Geographic, somewhere between one and four million people travelled to see the solar eclipse, which took place in April of this year.
“Travelling to destinations specifically to stargaze has been gaining momentum over the past decade and it’s a bucket list activity we can help people with,” says Gary Anslow, vice president of sales in the UK and Ireland for NCL.
Carnival Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours and Windstar Cruises are just a few of the other lines jumping on this trend. Earlier this year, guests aboard Swan Hellenic’s SH Diana in the Gulf of California were plunged into darkness for four minutes and 25 seconds during the longest total solar eclipse in recent years.
One of those guests was Maley, who described the eclipse as the “longest and most awesome” of the 84 he’s experienced. “Seeing it from the sea put it in a class of its own.”
Trade opportunity
The rise in the number of event-based cruise itineraries in recent months comes down to travellers looking to broaden their horizons in a post-pandemic world. After Covid-19, the industry saw an uptick in holidaymakers looking to book bucket-list trips to places like Australia, South America and the Southeast Asia, having not been able to travel properly for such a long time.
But after spending a few years ticking off their wish lists, customers are now looking to go one step further and pair their holiday with a once-in-a-lifetime event – whether that be a solar eclipse, a Formula One Grand Prix or a must-see concert.
In turn, this presents agents with an opportunity to convert non-cruisers into holiday-at-sea-lovers by offering them an itinerary coupled with an event they would otherwise struggle to witness if they weren’t on open waters.
Four of the best cosmic cruises
Total solar eclipse: P&O Cruises and Ambassador Cruise Line
The 14-night Spain and Portugal cruise aboard Ventura, round-trip from Southampton via Santander, Gijon, El Ferrol, Madeira, Lisbon and Vigo, departs 8 August 2026, from £1,449pp.
The 10-night Multi-Generational Adventure to France & Spain and the Solar Eclipse cruise aboard Ambience, round-trip from Tilbury via Le Verdon, Getxo, La Coruna and Gijon, departs 5 August 2026, from £1,998 for the first guest, with the second sailing free.
Northern Lights: Cunard
The 13-night Norway and Northern Lights cruise aboard Queen Victoria, round-trip from Southampton via Andalsnes, Tromso, Narvik, Alesund and Stavanger, departs 22 March 2026, from £1,449pp.
Summer Solstice: Holland America Line
The 13-night Arctic Circle Crossing: North Cape Solstice cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam, round-trip from Dover or Rotterdam, via Eidfjord, Maloy, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromso, Honningsvag and Lerwick, departs 13 June 2026. Prices including the ‘Have it All’ package start from £3,069pp.
