Holland America announced Celestial Cruises, exploring the Northern Lights, a total solar eclipse or summer solstice above the arctic circle. These unique adventures can be booked now.
“After the excitement and success around our 2024 eclipse cruises, we knew our guests were looking for additional opportunities to get a front-row seat for some of the world’s most special natural spectacles,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “Our team has put together a lineup of cruises that not only deliver on that front, but also give guests in-depth exploration of exciting destinations and the premium onboard experience for which we’re known.”
Northern Lights Cruises:
2026 is predicted to be a highly active time for auroras, so Holland America is offering its inaugural Northern Lights cruises aboard Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam for guests. The cruises feature an overnight stay in Alta, “The City of the Northern Lights”, and will spend five days above the Arctic Circle. Guests can even receive a wake-up call from the ship any time the aurora borealis is visible. Two cruise options exist. They are:
- Oct. 4, 2026, 14-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights, aboard Rotterdam, from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Calls include: Nordfjordeid, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes and Bergen, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands.
- Oct. 16, 2026, 15-Day Arctic Journey and Northern Lights, Nieuw Statendam, from Dover to Rotterdam OR Oct. 17, 2026, 14-Day Northern Lights, roundtrip Rotterdam.
- Calls at Ålesund, Trondheim, Narvik, Tromsø, Alta (overnight), Åndalsnes and Bergen, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands.
Total Solar Eclipse Cruises:
Due to the success of the 2024 solar eclipse sailings, the line has decided to position three ships under the path of totality for the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse. Guests who book solar eclipse cruises will be provided eclipse glasses and have the opportunity to attend lectures with scientific experts, experience themed activities and more. There are three different cruises focused around the total solar eclipse. They are:
- July 18, 2026, 35-Day Voyage of the Vikings: Solar Eclipse (Legendary Voyage), Zuiderdam, roundtrip from Boston, Massachusetts.
- Guests aboard this cruise will experience the total solar eclipse off the western coast of Iceland, before arriving at Grundarfjørdur.
- Calls include: Portland, Maine; Sydney, Corner Brook, Red Bay, St. Anthony, St John’s, and Halifax, Canada; Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb) Greenland; Reykjavik (overnight), Seydisfjördur, Húsavík and Grundarfjørdur, Iceland; Eidfjord, Norway; Rotterdam, Netherlands (overnight); Dún Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- July 25, 2026, 28-Day Scandinavian Solar Eclipse with Greenland and Scotland (Legendary Voyage):Nieuw Statendam, roundtrip from Dover, England, or roundtrip from Rotterdam.
- Guests aboard this cruise will experience the total solar eclipse from the northwest coast of Iceland.
- Calls include: Kristiansand, Eidfjord and Stavanger, Norway; Seydisfjördur, Djúpivogur, Akureyri, Isafjördur, Grundarfjørdur, Heimaey and Reykjavik, Iceland; Paamiut (Frederikshåb), Nuuk (Godthåb), Nanortalik and Qaqortoq (Julianehåb), Greenland; Runavík, Faroe Islands; Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Invergordon (Inverness) and South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland (overnight).
- Aug. 9, 2026, 13-Day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse with Barcelona Overnight, Oosterdam, from Lisbon, Portugal, to Piraeus (Athens), Greece.
- Guests aboard this cruise will experience the total solar eclipse off the coast of Spain, between Alicante and Barcelona.
- Calls include: Alicante and Barcelona (overnight), Spain; Ajaccio and Corsica, France; Civitavecchia (Rome) and Bari (Puglia), Italy; and Kotor, Montenegro.
Summer Solstice Above the Arctic Circle Cruise:
On the longest day of the year, guests seeking the maximum amount of daylight can sail aboard the Nieuw Statendam to celebrate the summer solstice in one of the northernmost cities on the planet, Honningsvåg, Norway. The cruise takes place:
- June 13, 2026, 14-Day Arctic Circle Crossing: North Cape Solstice, Nieuw Statendam, roundtrip from Dover or Rotterdam.
- Calls include: Eidfjord, Maloy, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromsø, and Honningsvåg, Norway; and Lerwick, Shetland Islands.
Special Offers:
Holland America has two active booking bonuses currently available for the Celestial Cruises. They are:
- The Have It All premium package: includes the standard package amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi, as well as the added perk of complimentary prepaid crew appreciation, and free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
- Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus: Mariner Society loyalty members can enjoy up to $400 onboard credit per stateroom. The cruises must be booked by October 29, 2024 to receive the Exclusive Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus.
For more information about Holland America Line or their Celestial Cruises, call 1-877-724-5425 or visit hollandamerica.com.