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As astronomical wonders continue to capture global attention, Holland America Line announces the addition of astronomy experts to its three 2026 solar eclipse cruises. A total solar eclipse will be visible on Aug. 12, 2026, and guests aboard Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam will have exclusive access to lectures, presentations and tips on how to make the most of their eclipse viewing. 

Boston University Professor Meers Oppenheim will be aboard Zuiderdam’s 18-day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse cruise; University of California San Diego Professor Adam Burgasser will join guests on Oosterdam for the 13-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse cruise; and Tom Vassos, former professor at University of Toronto, will be aboard Nieuw Statendam’s 28-day Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland cruise. 
 
These distinguished experts will provide guests with exclusive insight into one of nature’s most extraordinary spectacles, offering lectures, a special Q&A session, and real-time commentary as the three ships position in the path of totality during the solar eclipse.

Voyage of the Vikings and Professor Meers Oppenheim

Zuiderdam’s 35-day Legendary Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse cruise departs July 18, 2026, and sails roundtrip from Boston, Massachusetts. An 18-day segment of the sailing is available to book, as well, sailing from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to Boston on August 4. The ship will position off the coast of Iceland in the path of totality for the solar eclipse.  

Meers Oppenheim has been a Professor of Astronomy at Boston University for over 25 years and is currently the associate director of the BU Center for Space Physics. He studies phenomena that occur within our solar systems and has expertise in ionospheric and solar plasmas, as well as the physics of meteors. He also enjoys teaching both introductory astronomy for non-scientists, astronomy majors, and graduate classes. 

[Pinnacle Vista Suite]

Mediterranean Solar Eclipse and Professor Adam Burgasser

The 13-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse cruise aboard Oosterdam sails from Lisbon, Portugal, to Piraeus (Athens), Greece, departing on August 9. The ship will sail off the coast of Spain in the path of totality for the solar eclipse.  

Dr. Burgasser is an award-winning professor of physics at University of California San Diego and an observational astrophysicist investigating the lowest-mass stars, coldest brown dwarfs and exoplanets. He is an author, conducts educational research in physics and is a champion for improving equality and inclusion in the sciences.   

Guests aboard Oosterdam will have the opportunity to hear about the latest astrophysics research and the connections between astronomy and Mediterranean history as Professor Burgasser will be delivering additional science lectures during the cruise. 

Legendary Solar Eclipse Voyage with Tom Vassos

Nieuw Statendam is sailing a 28-day Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland cruise featuring the total solar eclipse. The roundtrip Dover, England, voyage departs June 24 and will be positioned off the coast of Iceland in the path of totality on August 12.  

An accomplished science communicator, Vassos has taught courses at several universities around the world, including more than 35 years at the University of Toronto. He is an astronomer, author, member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and founder of Cosmologists Without Borders. 

[Solar eclipse cake; photo by Scott Eddy]

Additional enrichment on the solar eclipse cruises includes providing specialized protective equipment (safety glasses) for safe viewing, themed activities and themed culinary offerings throughout the day of the solar eclipse. Visit Holland America Line online for all the details and to book your cruise.

Where not expressly mentioned, images courtesy of Holland America Line.