Today, August 12th, thousands of people are turning their gaze to the sky to witness one of the most anticipated astronomical phenomena 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 clear horizon and the possibility of positioning the ship at a strategic point make sailing a privileged setting for observation.
The Eclipse Cruise 2026 takes place today aboard the Costa Pacifica, on an itinerary that visits some of the most iconic locations 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 for total observation of the eclipse.
With all places sold out months ago, this itinerary was specifically designed to coincide with one of the most unique astronomical events of the coming years. The route includes stops in Olbia and the Emerald Coast, Civitavecchia (Rome), Savona, La Seyne, and Palma.
Costa is already preparing a new Eclipse Cruise for 2027
Following the interest generated by the 2026 edition, Costa will offer this experience again in the summer of 2027, coinciding with the total solar eclipse of August 2 of that year, which can be seen from the Alboran Sea.
An itinerary conceived around light
On board Costa Fascinosa, the 11-day itinerary, departing from and arriving in Valencia, has been designed around different times of the day, combining experiences at sea with visits to some of the most emblematic destinations in the western Mediterranean.
The tour includes stops in Ibiza, Alicante, Malaga and Olbia, as well as sailing experiences designed to highlight some of the most characteristic moments of the Mediterranean.
The highlight of the voyage will take place on August 2, 2027, when the ship will be positioned in the Alboran Sea, precisely on the path of totality of the solar eclipse. There, guests will be able to witness the gradual shift from light to darkness as the sea reflects the sun's last rays, in an experience designed to allow guests to witness the phenomenon from an open and unobstructed environment.
Beyond the eclipse, the itinerary incorporates various Sea Destinations, unique experiences at sea where the ship stops to allow guests to enjoy moments designed around the natural environment. On this particular cruise, these Sea Destinations include a sunrise in the bay of Formentera, a sunset over the Golfo Aranci in Sardinia, and stargazing at the darkest point in the Ligurian Sea, where the absence of light pollution allows for exceptionally clear skies.
A proposal that combines sailing and offshore experiences
The Eclipse Cruise is part of the evolution of the Sea & Land Wonder platform, with which Costa Cruises conceives its itineraries as experiences built around a specific inspiration, integrating moments at sea and on land within the same travel narrative.
In this case, the concept revolves around the succession of experiences that mark 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 proposal, Costa Cruises is committed to a trip designed for those seeking to experience an exceptional event from a different perspective, integrating the solar eclipse into a journey designed around the observation of the sea, the sky and the light.
