Today, August 12, thousands of people are looking up at the sky to witness one of the most eagerly anticipated astronomical events of the year: the total solar eclipse. To mark this occasion, Costa Cruises is highlighting a unique way to experience this event from the open sea, where the unobstructed horizon and the ability to position the ship at a strategic location make sailing a prime vantage point for observation.
The Eclipse Cruise 2026 is taking place today aboard the Costa Pacífica, on an itinerary that visits some of the most iconic destinations in the Western Mediterranean. As part of the experience, the cruise ship will stop and completely turn off its lights at a strategic point in the Balearic Sea to allow passengers to view the entire eclipse.
With all its seats sold out for months, this itinerary was designed specifically to coincide with one of the most unique astronomical events of the coming years. The itinerary includes stops in Olbia and the Costa Smeralda, Civitavecchia (Rome), Savona, La Seyne, and Palma.
Costa is already planning a new Eclipse Cruise for 2027
Following the interest generated by the 2026 event, Costa will once again offer this experience in the summer of 2027, coinciding with the total solar eclipse on August 2 of that year, which will be visible from the Alboran Sea.
An itinerary designed around light
Aboard the Costa Fascinosa, the 11-day itinerary—departing from and returning to Valencia—has been designed around different times of the day, combining experiences at sea with visits to some of the most iconic destinations in the western Mediterranean.
The itinerary includes stops in Ibiza, Alicante, Málaga, and Olbia, as well as sailing experiences designed to highlight some of the Mediterranean’s most iconic moments.
The highlight of the trip will take place on August 2, 2027, when the ship will be in the middle of the Alboran Sea, exactly along the path of totality for the solar eclipse. There, guests will be able to watch as the light gradually fades into darkness while the sea reflects the sun’s final glimmers—an experience designed to allow them to witness the phenomenon in an open setting free of visual obstructions.
Beyond the eclipse, the itinerary includes various Sea Destinations—unique experiences on the high seas where the ship stops so guests can enjoy moments designed around the natural surroundings. On this itinerary, these Sea Destinations include a sunrise in Formentera Bay, a sunset overlooking Golfo Aranci in Sardinia, and stargazing at the darkest spot in the Ligurian Sea, where the absence of light pollution allows for a particularly clear view of the night sky.
An offering that combines sailing and experiences on the high seas
The Eclipse Cruise is part of the evolution of the Sea & Land Wonder platform, through which Costa Cruises designs its itineraries as experiences built around a specific theme, integrating moments at sea and on land into a single travel narrative.
In this case, the concept revolves around the succession of experiences that define the journey, from the first rays of dawn to the darkness of the eclipse and the subsequent contemplation of the starry sky.
With this new offering, Costa Cruises is committed to a voyage designed for those seeking to experience an exceptional event from a different perspective, incorporating the solar eclipse into an itinerary centered on observing the sea, the sky, and the light.
