You Can Watch The Total Solar Eclipse Of 2024 Aboard These Cruise Ships | Smart news

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Holland America Line is hosting two solar eclipse cruises, also aboard MS Koningsdam. Holland America line

Anticipation for the next total solar eclipse, which will be visible from parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada on April 8, 2024, is already building.

In addition to plunging parts of North America into darkness, the path of this celestial spectacle will also cross the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, several cruise lines offer special solar eclipse itineraries. What makes cruising a particularly good option for solar eclipse viewing is that the vessel can easily reposition itself if clouds get in the way, writes Travel + Leisures’ Stefanie Waldek.

Holland America Line, for example, will have an astronomy expert aboard the MS Koningsdam as the cruise ship heads from San Diego to Vancouver for 22 days. Adam Burgasser, an astrophysicist at the University of California San Diego, will lecture and help guests safely view the eclipse from the vessel, which will be strategically positioned off Mexico within the path of totality.

Are you lucky enough to live in one of these cities? The most beautiful show you’ve ever seen in the sky arrives on April 8th! pic.twitter.com/LZ7041Y8Mj

— Great American Eclipse (@AmericanEclipse) May 2, 2023

This first total solar eclipse over North America in seven years is something amateur and professional astronomers alike are all excited to observe, and there’s no better or unique place to observe it than at sea off the coast of Mexico, Burgasser said in a statement.

Sky & Telescope, the journal of the American Astronomical Society, is also hosting a special sail for eclipse enthusiasts. The 15-day voyage aboard Holland America Lines MS Zaandam departs and returns to San Diego, with a stop off the coast of Mazatln, Mexico on the day of the eclipse. The magazine has lined up seven guest lecturers for sailing, including Rick Fienberg, the publication’s senior editor who also leads the company’s solar eclipse task force. Other experts include Natalie Batalha, an astrophysicist at the University of California Santa Cruz; Jeffrey Hoffman, former NASA astronaut; and Natasha Batalha, a scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

Another eclipse itinerary comes from Ring of Fire Expeditions, which is planning a nine-night trip departing from Acapulco. Astronomer Paul D. Maley, who has worked at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for more than 50 years, will be on board, as will Michael Shara, curator and astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History. The dress code is what the company calls Eclipse casual.

The last total solar eclipse visible from the United States occurred on August 21, 2017. NASA / Aubrey Gemignani

Princess Cruises offers two itineraries within the Path of Wholeness: a 10-day Mexican Riviera voyage aboard Discovery Princess (which is already sold out) and a 15-day Panama Canal voyage aboard Emerald Princess. This second sailing will depart from Los Angeles and make several stops at ports in Mexico and Central America before crossing the historic canal. From there, it will head north to the Cayman Islands and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Travelers will be able to view the eclipse from the upper decks while sailing from Cabo San Lucas to Huatulco, Mexico, under the guidance of Fred Cink, an astronomy and space exploration enthusiast, reports Gwen Pratesi for thePoints Guy.

Astronomy enthusiasts who are looking for a more intimate experience might consider UnCruise Adventures, a seven-night sailing on the Safari Voyager, which departs from San Jose del Cabo, Mexico and seats just 66 guests. The crew will position the vessel in waters northwest of Mazatlan on the day of the eclipse.

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Filed Under: Astronomers, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Mexico, Mexico Travel, Moon, Oceans, Pacific Ocean, Ships, solar eclipse, Sun, Tourism, Travel, Water, Water Transport

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