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March 14, 2025

On August 12, 2026, the sky will transform into an extraordinary cosmic spectacle: a total solar eclipse will be visible in some areas of the Northern Hemisphere. To celebrate this rare event, Ponant Explorations is offering three exclusive sea voyages, designed to provide the ideal observation point, far from light and atmospheric pollution, off the coasts of Iceland, the Balearic Islands, and the North Atlantic. On board the company’s elegant expedition ships, guests will enjoy a unique and evocative experience, guided by internationally renowned experts.

During each cruise, the ship will head into open sea at sunset, when the light begins to soften. The captains, constantly updated on weather conditions, will precisely position the vessel at the best observation point, far from mountains and clouds. On the panoramic decks, guests—equipped with protective glasses—will listen to the explanations of astronomers, scientists, and astronauts with years of experience. As the light fades and the landscape is wrapped in an eerie silence, the Moon’s shadow will completely obscure the Sun, leaving only the spectacular solar corona visible. A powerful and almost mystical moment, to be experienced suspended between sky and sea.

The first of the three itineraries, the Mediterranean cruise aboard Le Boréal, stands out for its contemplative and family-friendly spirit. Departing from and returning to Nice, from August 6 to 14, 2026, this journey along the southern European coasts is designed not only to witness a rare celestial phenomenon but also to cultivate the art of slow and shared travel. On board, the Kid Explorers Club will be active, offering tailor-made activities for younger travelers, both during navigation and shore excursions, making the experience perfect for families.

Over these nine days, guests will sail through Mediterranean landscapes rich in history, flavors, and traditions. The itinerary includes Calvi, with its wild Corsica featuring mountain peaks and turquoise beaches; Bonifacio, an authentic fortress town carved by wind and salt; and Marseille, a historic port and vibrant metropolis that still retains the charm of antiquity under the gaze of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. From here, excursions are available to the Provençal villages of Gordes, Les Baux, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The journey continues along the French coast to Port-Vendres, a small fishing port nestled between the sea and the Albera Massif, where history and nature coexist harmoniously. Le Boréal will then set course for extraordinary Barcelona, an open-air museum city where Roman ruins, medieval quarters, and modernist avant-garde architecture coexist. The cruise concludes in Palma de Mallorca, the heart of the Balearics, amid Moorish architecture, art foundations, and golden beaches. Guests will also have the chance to visit the Miró Foundation, which encapsulates the island’s creative soul.

It is precisely off the coast of Mallorca, weather permitting, that the journey’s highlight will unfold: the observation of the total solar eclipse. A rare and majestic event—the nineteenth of the 21st century—that will briefly transform the day into an enchanted night. Scientific journalist and astronomy expert Serge Brunier, along with meteorologist and eclipse chaser Joe Rao, who has over forty years of experience, will lead the observation and reveal the secrets of this extraordinary phenomenon.

The other two cruises offered by Ponant Explorations will take guests to the planet’s far north. One of these, a fourteen-day expedition, takes travelers beyond the Arctic Circle, through remote islands, ice-carved landscapes, and vast skies, in search of a rare and fascinating astronomical event: the total solar eclipse. Aboard Le Lyrial, the itinerary runs from Longyearbyen to the Icelandic coast, via the volcanic island of Jan Mayen and eastern Greenland, crossing one of the planet’s most wild and pristine territories.

From timeless fjords to ancient glaciers, each stop immerses guests in primal nature and the life of Arctic communities that still preserve ancestral traditions. After departing from Spitsbergen, the northern waters reveal floating ice and snow-capped peaks mirrored in the fjords under the enchanted light of the midnight sun. Navigation continues in silence, among colonies of seabirds, bearded seals resting on ice floes, and the elusive shapes of Arctic foxes and reindeer. With a bit of luck, guests might even glimpse the unmistakable figure of the polar bear, undisputed king of these lands.

The route leads to Jan Mayen, remote, volcanic, and completely uninhabited, a meeting point between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, once a whaling refuge and now home to numerous bird colonies. Continuing toward East Greenland, a stop is made in Ittoqqortoormiit, where the hospitality of the ancient Inuit community reveals a lifestyle deeply connected to the surrounding environment. The exploration continues into the icy labyrinth of the Scoresby Sound, the world’s largest fjord system, where monumental icebergs rise against copper-colored seabeds and golden moorlands. In these waters, home to narwhals, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and northern wolves, guests will feel the grandeur and delicate fragility of nature. Throughout the voyage, passengers will be guided by a team of expert naturalists and joined by two special guests: astronauts Claudie and Jean-Pierre Haigneré. Drawing on their extraordinary space experience, they will enrich the adventure with exclusive talks, orbital mission stories, and scientific insights on the eclipse and the universe.

The final stretch of the journey unfolds along the Icelandic coast, from western fjords to villages steeped in cliffs and legends. It is in these mysterious waters that, weather permitting, the ship will pause to witness the long-awaited moment.

The third route, from Reykjavík to Dublin aboard Le Lapérouse, takes travelers from Iceland’s volcanic shores to Ireland, passing through the enchanting Faroe Islands, the Shetlands, and the Isle of Skye. This nine-day cruise is an invitation to explore remote, legendary landscapes suspended between sea and sky, where nature reigns supreme and Norse myths still seem to whisper among the cliffs.

Departing from Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, the journey begins through lands sculpted by fire and ice. After leaving the city, the ship heads to Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Here, among lunar landscapes shaped by the Eldfell volcano and colonies of gannets and seabirds, guests will prepare to witness an extraordinary celestial event. On August 12, 2026, off the coast of Heimaey, the captain will position the ship in the optimal spot to observe the total solar eclipse. Onboard, the experience will be enriched by the presence of astronaut Jean-François Clervoy, a veteran of three NASA missions, who will share his unique perspective on the universe and the profound meaning of such astronomical events.

The journey continues to the Faroe Islands, with their dramatic and unspoiled landscapes dotted with colorful villages and cliffs home to thousands of birds. In Tórshavn, the capital of the archipelago, navigation proceeds along jagged coasts, fjords, and highlands seemingly suspended in time. Next is a stop in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, where guests can visit Jarlshof, one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the British Isles, with evidence dating back over 4,000 years. Each stop includes a complimentary excursion for each guest, with a selection of experiences designed to reveal the authentic soul of these places—from nature walks to cultural tours, Viking history to wild landscapes. The cruise continues to Scotland with a visit to Portree, on the Isle of Skye, an emblematic land of Gaelic culture and Celtic mythology, before concluding in the vibrant and welcoming city of Dublin, disembarking with northern colors in your eyes and the memory of an eclipse lived on the edge of infinity in your heart.

Choosing Ponant to witness the 2026 total solar eclipse means embarking on a unique experience that combines the beauty of sky and sea. Thanks to the flexibility of expedition ships, captains can adjust routes in real time to ensure the best viewing conditions, seeking clear skies when necessary. Each itinerary is designed to offer an intimate and authentic observation experience, with the opportunity to explore unique natural environments, guided by experts who will lead guests through the discovery of this rare celestial phenomenon.

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Giorgia Lombardo

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