Passengers on Swan Hellenic were among the first in the world to witness the 2024 total solar eclipse.
Shortly after 11 a.m. this morning, as the Swan Hellenic SH Diana boutique expedition cruise ship sailed through the Gulf of California, its guests were immersed in one of the longest total solar eclipses in recent years.
Lasting approximately 4 minutes and 25 seconds, today's total eclipse was almost twice as long as the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017, and the last one visible from the United States until 2044. Furthermore, SH Diana's guests were possibly the first people in the world to see it.
Paul D. Maley, of the Astronomical Society at NASA's Johnson Space Center, has been accompanying the guests throughout the cruise and this morning was back on deck with them to offer ideas and advice.
Also present was Dr. Michael Shara of the American Museum of Natural History, who had previously given an expert talk to help guests experience the moment more fully. Dr. Shara has also been mingling with guests throughout their cruise, following the Swan Hellenic tradition.
The eclipse occurred on the seventh day of an eight-night cultural expedition cruise from Acapulco to La Paz (Pichilingue). At the time, the SH Diana was sailing from San José Island, in Espíritu Santo National Park, to the uninhabited Las Ánimas Island, famous for its vibrant coral reefs, sea caves, and mini-fjords.
Paul D. Maley, of the Astronomical Society at NASA's Johnson Space Center, commented: “What a fantastic experience! I have had the privilege of seeing 84 solar eclipses, but this was by far the longest and most impressive. Experiencing it from the sea is something unique.”
Andrea Zito, CEO of Swan Hellenic, adds: “It has been a pleasure to offer our guests this very special private eclipse experience in the waters of the Gulf of California. And for them to have been perhaps the first in the world to see it! We always aim for Swan Hellenic guests to see what others don't.”
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