Holland America Line Announces Celestial Event Cruises for 2026

Holland America Line has announced a range of new celestial event cruises, taking guests to cross off bucket-list items like viewing the Northern Lights, a total solar eclipse, or a summer solstice above the Arctic Circle.

These special events will feature lectures from scientific experts, themed activities, and more. Proper equipment (like eclipse glasses) will be provided for guests. Guests sailing to see the Northern Lights can sign up to receive a wake-up call from the ship any time the aurora borealis is spotted.

"After the excitement and success around our 2024 eclipse cruises, we knew our guests were looking for additional opportunities to get a front-row seat for some of the world's most special natural spectacles," said Beth Bodensteiner, Chief Commercial Officer for Holland America Line. "Our team has put together a lineup of cruises that not only deliver on that front, but also give guests in-depth exploration of exciting destinations and the premium onboard experience for which we're known."

Three Solar Eclipse Cruises
Three Holland America ships will be positioned under the path of totality for the Aug. 12, 2026, total solar eclipse. 

Oosterdam will offer a 13-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnight voyage, departing on Aug. 9, 2026. The ship will spend the solar eclipse at sea in the path of totality off the coast of Spain between Alicante and Barcelona. Calls at Alicante, Barcelona, Ajaccio, Corsica, Civitavecchia (Rome), Bari (Puglia), and Kotor, 

Nieuw Statendam will sail a 28-day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland (Legendary Voyage, departing July 25, 2026. The ship will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse off the northwest coast of Iceland. This voyage calls at Kristiansand, Eidfjord and Stavanger, Seydisfjördur, Djúpivogur, Akureyri, Isafjördur, Grundarfjørdur, Heimaey, Reykjavik, Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nuuk (Godthåb), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb), Runavík, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Invergordon (Inverness), and South Queensferry (Edinburgh). 

Zuiderdam will sail its popular Voyage of the Vikings itinerary during the 2026 solar eclipse. The ship will be sailing off the western coast of Iceland, just before arriving at Grundarfjørdur during its 35-Day Voyage (departing July 18, 2025).  This cruise calls at Portland, Sydney, Corner Brook, Red Bay, St. Anthony, St John's, Halifax, Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nanortalik, Qaqortoq (Julianehåb), Reykjavik, Seydisfjördur, Húsavík, Grundarfjørdur, Eidfjord, Rotterdam, Dún Laoghaire, and Belfast. 

Northern Lights Cruises
Guests seeking to pair the adventure of seeing the Northern Lights with an in-depth exploration of Norway can do so on one of two Northern Lights cruises aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam. The cruises will feature an overnight in Alta (aka "The City of the Northern Lights") and spend five days above the Arctic Circle.

Rotterdam will sail a 14-day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights cruise (departing Oct. 4, 2026) from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, Netherlands. Calls at Nordfjordeid, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes, Bergen, and Lerwick. 

Nieuw Statendam to offer a an Arctic Journey and Northern Lights cruise (15-day departing Oct. 16, 2026 from Dover or 14-day departing Oct. 17, 2026 roundtrip from Rotterdam. Calls at Ålesund, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes, Bergen, and Lerwick. 

Summer Solstice Above the Arctic Circle
For guests seeking the maximum amount of daylight on the longest day of the year, Nieuw Statendam will celebrate the summer solstice above the Arctic Circle in Honningsvåg, Norway on a 14-Day Arctic Circle Crossing: North Cape Solstice (departing June 13, 2026). This cruise sails roundtrip from Dover or Rotterdam, with calls at Eidfjord, Maloy, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, and Lerwick. 

Bookings 

These special Celestial cruises from Holland America Line will open for bookings on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. For a limited time, when guests book 2026 Celestial Cruise with the ‘Have It All’ premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included, plus prepaid crew appreciation, and upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi. Guests can also take advantage of Holland America Line's Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus for up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom. 

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