2027 eclipse travel begins with one date, Monday, August 2, 2027, when the total solar eclipse sweeps from southern Spain across North Africa to the Middle East. Egypt holds the longest totality on the path, about 6 minutes 23 seconds, while Spain’s National Geographic Institute places the Spanish band across the Strait of Gibraltar, covering Ceuta, Melilla, almost all of Cádiz, part of Málaga, and the southernmost areas of Granada and Almería. Because the shadow is narrow, you must stand inside the band to see the sky go dark, which makes choosing a viewing town your most important decision. Spain has set up an interministerial commission to coordinate the event, and Egypt’s tourism ministry has formed a committee to manage visitor flows around Luxor, so popular spots may fill quickly.
Build your plan around a flexible base rather than a single fixed booking. Check weather forecasts a day or two before the eclipse and be ready to move to the clearest location within the path, so pick a city with a reachable backup site and a second route to get there. Protect your eyes at every stage. NASA warns that ordinary sunglasses are unsafe during the partial phases, and eclipse glasses should meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard for direct solar viewing. Those glasses must never be used while looking through a camera, telescope, or binoculars, so bring proper solar filters for your optics and plan those setups before you leave home.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a viewing town inside the narrow path of totality for Monday, August 2, 2027, because you must stand within the band to see the sky go dark.
- Build your trip around a flexible base with a reachable backup site, such as a Spanish coastal town paired with an inland town on the same side of the band, and book trains, buses, ferries, or lodging with free cancellation.
- Protect your eyes with eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard, and bring separate solar filters for any camera, telescope, or binoculars, since eclipse glasses must never be used with optics.
- Before paying any tour operator, get the deposit amount, final payment date, refund schedule, and change policy in writing, and confirm current prices on the official tour page.
- Travelers who want the longest totality should consider Egypt, where the path reaches about 6 minutes 23 seconds, and compare the seven-day Egypt Express from $7,250 with the two-week Egypt in Luxury tour from $25,948.
Choosing Where to Stand on the August 2027 Path
The path is narrow, so the town you choose matters far more than the country on your itinerary. Totality is only visible between the two limits of the path, which means a village a short drive inside the line can give you a better view than a famous landmark that sits just outside it.
Totality is not equal everywhere. Egypt’s maximum eclipse falls at 12:06 Spanish peninsular time, while the central line of the path reaches about 6 minutes 1.9 seconds of totality near 33°N, 17°E, according to NASA’s central-line path table. Spain’s band is shorter, so its towns offer a different trade: easier road access from Europe and more options for changing your plan.
Use the weather to decide where you stand. NASA’s eclipse guidance recommends using the forecast to select the clearest location, so the best base is one that lets you drive or sail to a second point in a different direction. Coastal Cádiz and inland Granada can have very different skies on the same morning.
Spain’s Royal Decree 686/2025 anticipates the movement of hundreds of thousands of people into the totality bands, especially for the first two eclipses in the 2026 to 2028 sequence. The decree sets up a government commission to coordinate that movement, which suggests that roads and hotels in the most popular towns will fill fast.
Egypt’s tourism ministry has taken a similar step, forming a committee to prepare events in Luxor and to consider measures for visitor flows and for avoiding congestion at the main observation areas. The ministry’s announcement means that a second observation area away from the main crowds can be as valuable as a first choice.
Choose your backup before you book anything else. Pick a second site inside the path that you can reach by road or by ship within a few hours, such as a Spanish coastal town paired with an inland town on the same side of the band. Ceuta and Melilla, the Spanish cities on the African coast, are reached by ferry, which gives you a sea route if roads clog on the day.
Then book transport you can change. Prefer trains, buses and ferries with flexible tickets, choose lodging with free cancellation, and avoid tight connections on the morning of the eclipse. A rental car can be the most useful backup in Spain, because it lets you move to a clearer sky without waiting for a timetable.
Tours, Cruises, and Egypt Packages Side by Side
Use this table to match an option to your budget, pace, and viewing style before you read the detailed sections. Every price is a starting figure from an individual listing, not a market average, so confirm the current rate before you book. Where a listing does not show a length or route in our sources, the table says so.
| Option | Starting price as listed | Length | Pace | Where the eclipse is viewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt Express (Eclipse Tour #57-B) | From $7,250 | 7 days | Compact, two cities | Dedicated land site near Luxor |
| Egypt Premium (Eclipse Tour #57-E) | From $13,500 | July 26 to August 8 | Full schedule, Nile cruise | Private Nile viewing venue |
| Egypt in Luxury (Eclipse Tour #57-A) | From $25,948 | Two weeks | Unhurried, land stay first | Land-based Luxor site, then Nile cruise |
| Azamara Onward (Eclipse Tour #57-D) | From $4,499 | See listing | Port-to-port | At sea on August 2 |
| Windstar Star Legend (Eclipse Tour #57-C) | From $4,999 | See listing | Small-ship, port-focused | At sea on August 2 |
| Eclipse at Sea: Spain and Portugal | See listing | See listing | See listing | Spain and Portugal, see listing |
| Sea Cloud Spirit | See listing | Bilbao to Lisbon; Palma to Olbia | Tall-ship pace | Not listed for August 2 |
| Le Boréal | See listing | Lisbon round trip | Ship-based, Algarve and Andalusia | From ship |
| Seabourn Ovation | See listing | Monte Carlo to Dubrovnik | Luxury, port-focused | From ship |
| Silver Shadow | See listing | Nice Mediterranean route | Luxury, port-focused | From ship, partial view only |
If your priority is the longest possible totality, the Egypt options are the only ones built around the path’s longest stretch of totality. The Egypt Express is the lowest entry price of the land-based trips, while the Egypt in Luxury package gives you two weeks, which leaves more room for a second plan if the sky clouds over.
The cruises trade a fixed base for movement. Azamara Onward and Windstar Star Legend both place you at sea on August 2, so your view depends on where the ship is that morning. If you prefer to unpack once and stay put, a land-based or Nile option will suit you better.
The Silver Shadow deserves a close look before you book. Its view of the eclipse is partial, so it suits travelers who want a luxury Mediterranean cruise first and the eclipse as a bonus. Check the listing carefully if full totality is your main goal.
Costs, Deposits, Protection, and Eye Safety Before You Book
Costs start with the route you choose. A long Egypt trip that combines domestic flights, a Nile cruise and private guides will cost noticeably more than a shorter land program built around one base in Spain. Ship fares move with cabin category and with the number of sea days, so a cruise that spends most of its week at sea will price differently from one that docks in a new port every morning.
To see how quickly the numbers climb, look at Luxor eclipse tours of about eight days, which have been advertised around $9,695 per person in double occupancy and $14,995 in single occupancy. Solo travelers should expect to pay more than half again the double rate, so budget for that supplement from the start. Those same tours require a $1,000 deposit.
Before you pay anything, ask each operator for four things in writing: the deposit amount, the final payment date, the refund schedule, and what happens if the viewing site or the travel dates change. Save every email and invoice, and do not rely on verbal promises from a sales call.
Compare cancellation terms side by side. A cheaper package with a strict refund schedule can cost more in the end than a pricier one that refunds most of your payment. Look for travel insurance that covers changes to your schedule caused by weather or by crowd measures, since a closed road or a restricted observation area may not count as a covered reason in every policy. Read the exclusions carefully.
Accessibility varies more than many travelers expect. Ship boarding may use a gangway at the pier or a tender boat, and tender transfers can be difficult for anyone with limited mobility. Ask early how steep the gangway is, whether the port has level access, and how many tender trips each day requires. At ancient sites in Luxor, expect long walks over uneven stone in heat, and ask the operator how much walking is planned and whether a vehicle or a slower pace can be arranged.
Some cruises are already marked sold out or show limited availability. Ask for your waitlist position in writing, then check the booking page often, because cabins are sometimes released when other guests cancel.
Flights and sea days produce most of the emissions on an eclipse trip. A shorter itinerary cuts them the most, and so does a land-based route that moves by train and bus within Spain. Staying several nights in one base, rather than changing hotels every night, reduces travel further.
Buy your eclipse glasses from a seller who can show that they meet the ISO standard for solar viewers, which is set out by the International Organization for Standardization. Check each pair for scratches or punctures before you travel, because a damaged lens offers no protection. Pack more pairs than your group needs so that one lost pair does not leave someone without a view.
Solar Eclipse 2027: Egypt Tour of the Century
Solar Eclipse 2027: Egypt Tour of the Century is built around the August 2, 2027 eclipse. The nine-day program runs from July 31 to August 8, 2027, and starts with arrival transfers through Cairo International Airport. You spend the first days in Cairo and Giza, then take a domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor for sightseeing at its archaeological sites before boarding a Nile cruise.
Expert-led interpretation runs through the trip. Dr. Robert Schoch joins the group for a Q&A session during the cruise, which sails toward Edfu, stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo, and continues to Aswan. The pace is guided and luxurious, with five-star accommodations, meals on full tour days, air-conditioned coach transfers, and early-morning access at Giza.
The tour advertises private entry to the Giza Plateau and the Great Pyramid, including the Queen’s and Subterranean Chambers, along with sunrise access to the Sphinx enclosure.
This trip suits history lovers who want Egypt’s monuments as the main draw, along with luxury travelers and eclipse chasers. It is less suited to travelers who want a slow, leisurely cruise, because the sightseeing schedule is busy. The operator lists the price at $15,985 per person sharing a double room, with a $5,985 single-room supplement, and says prices may change. For current details, see the official tour page.
At a glance
- Best for: History lovers and expert-led travelers who want Egypt’s monuments with a Nile cruise
- Dates: July 31 to August 8, 2027
- Price: $15,985 per person sharing a double room; $5,985 single-room supplement
- Duration: Nine days
- Start and End Points: Arrival and departure transfers through Cairo International Airport
- Availability: Places are limited
Eclipse Tour #57-B: Egypt Express
Egypt Express starts in Cairo, where the proposed itinerary covers the Citadel of Saladin, Coptic Cairo, and the bazaars of Khan el-Khalili before the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The Grand Egyptian Museum comes next. From Cairo you fly to Luxor for Karnak and Luxor temples, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple. The eclipse is planned for a dedicated viewing site near Luxor, led by expedition leader Dr. Patricia Reiff, and the operator says totality there will last up to 6 minutes 23 seconds.
This is a land program. Domestic flights link the two cities, and private motor coaches cover the rest, so you spend far more time at ancient sites than on the road. The schedule places morning and afternoon sightseeing on consecutive days in Cairo and Luxor. The operator gives no formal activity-level rating, so expect a full, busy week rather than a relaxed one.
Egypt Express suits first-time eclipse travelers and anyone with limited time who still wants to see Luxor’s temples and royal tombs. It is the shortest Egypt option in this guide, and it works well for history lovers who want two cities in seven days. Keep in mind that the itinerary is labeled estimated or possible and is subject to change, and the tour is currently marked sold out with a priority waitlist. Check the operator’s tour page for current availability and pricing.
At a glance
- Best for: First-time eclipse travelers and those with limited time who still want Luxor’s temples
- Dates: July 28 to August 3, 2027
- Price: From US$7,250 per person, based on double occupancy
- Duration: Seven days
- Start and End Points: Cairo arrival and return flight to Cairo
- Availability: Sold out, with a priority waitlist
Eclipse Tour #57-E: Egypt Premium
Eclipse Tour #57-E: Egypt Premium, run by Eclipse Tours, runs from July 26 to August 8, 2027, with a starting price of $13,500 per person in double occupancy. A travel protection plan is required at additional cost. The trip opens with four nights in Cairo hotels, then takes in Memphis, Saqqara, Alexandria, and Luxor. From Luxor you board the MS Movenpick Hamees, or a similar ship, for six nights on the Nile, with stops at the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. It ends with a night at Abu Simbel and a final night in Cairo.
Eclipse day is August 2, 2027. The operator describes a private viewing venue along the Nile, a scientists’ Q&A onboard, a gala dinner, and optional stargazing that evening. The listing does not say the eclipse is seen from the ship, so ask the operator where guests will stand before you book. Weather could also block totality or shorten it, and the operator labels the itinerary as estimated and subject to change.
Expect a fairly full schedule. You will travel by coach and by air between cities, and you will change hotels several times. The ship nights give you a break from packing, but this is not a cruise-only holiday, so the sightseeing days are the main event. The operator lists a maximum group size of 200.
This tour suits history lovers who want the Valley of the Kings, Saqqara, and Abu Simbel in one trip, and cruise fans who want a Nile ship with an eclipse program. It also fits eclipse chasers who want a guided, comfortable trip and who want Alexandria and the Nile in one journey. If you are comfortable with a full schedule, it offers more sites and more time on the water than the shorter Egypt options.
At a glance
- Best for: Travelers who want Alexandria and the Nile in one trip and are comfortable with a full schedule
- Dates: July 26 to August 8, 2027
- Price: From $13,500 per person, double occupancy, plus a required travel protection plan
- Start and End Points: Departure from North America, arrival and touring in Cairo, return airport transfer in Cairo
- Availability: Maximum group size of 200 travelers
Eclipse Tour #57-A: Egypt in Luxury
Eclipse Tour #57-A: Egypt in Luxury is a two-week expedition that runs from July 27 to August 9, 2027. It begins in Cairo with museums, Saqqara and the Giza pyramids, then moves south to Luxor. Before eclipse day there are Luxor’s temples and a full-day trip to Dendera and Abydos. On August 2, the eclipse is watched from land in Luxor, with special programming, a scientist Q&A, lunch and optional evening stargazing. Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics says totality there will last more than six minutes. The group boards the Nile boat only the following day, so this is a land-based eclipse, not a view from the ship.
The pace is slower than the seven-day Egypt Express, with more time at each site. After the eclipse, the itinerary visits the Valley of the Kings, then sails to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, with an excursion to Abu Simbel. Four nights aboard are scheduled on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV or a similar vessel, so confirm the ship with the operator before you book.
What sets this tour apart is its access. Private English-speaking Egyptologists guide the group, and Dr. Carolyn Sumners leads the eclipse programming. The tour advertises exclusive use of the eclipse viewing venue and insider access to the Grand Egyptian Museum, Abdeen Palace and the restoration labs at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The group is capped at 48 people.
This trip suits history lovers and luxury travelers who want an expert-led stay of two weeks and enjoy full days of sightseeing. The listing starts at $25,948 per person in double occupancy, and the official tour page has the current figures.
At a glance
- Best for: history lovers and luxury travelers who want an expert-led, longer stay
- Dates: July 27 to August 9, 2027
- Price: From $25,948 per person, double occupancy
- Duration: Two weeks
- Start and End Points: Cairo to Cairo
- Availability: Booking requests accepted; maximum group size of 48
Azamara Onward: Mediterranean Ship for the Eclipse
Eclipse Tour #57-D sails aboard Azamara Onward on a 10-night Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia, near Rome. The tour runs from July 27 to August 6, 2027, and the tour page has current details. The eclipse is the centerpiece, viewed on August 2 while the ship is at sea in the southern Mediterranean. The operator estimates about 6 minutes 8 seconds of totality at its viewing site, and the ship’s open decks serve as the viewing area.
The ship is a small luxury vessel that carries 670 guests and has expansive decks. The schedule is port-intensive, with calls at Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Mahon, Cagliari, La Goulette, Valletta, Catania and Sorrento, so you spend most days ashore. Eclipse day is a scheduled day at sea, which makes this sailing a good fit if you like a new town each morning and a quiet day on deck.
The hosts are a highlight. Dr. Michael Shara, an astrophysics curator and professor at the American Museum of Natural History, joins the sailing alongside Jerry Ross, a former NASA Space Shuttle astronaut, and eclipse traveler Paul D. Maley. Treat their presence as a bonus rather than a fixed schedule.
This sailing suits cruise fans and eclipse chasers who want a ship-based view and time in several ports. Travelers who want to stay in one place on eclipse day will find a land program easier.
At a glance
- Best for: Cruise fans and eclipse chasers who want a ship-based view and several Mediterranean ports
- Dates: July 27 to August 6, 2027
- Duration: 10 nights
- Start and End Points: Barcelona to Civitavecchia, near Rome
Eclipse Tour #57-D: Southern Mediterranean Cruise (Azamara Onward)
The Azamara Onward sails from Barcelona on July 27, 2027, and spends the next ten nights moving through the western and central Mediterranean before it reaches Rome or Civitavecchia on August 6. Calls at Palma, Ibiza, Mahón, Cagliari, La Goulette in Tunisia, Valletta, Catania and Sorrento give you a new place to explore between sea days. On August 2 the ship is scheduled to be at sea, so your view comes from the deck. The operator estimates about 6 minutes 8 seconds of totality at its planned viewing site, but eclipse viewing depends on the weather and is not guaranteed.
The Azamara Onward is a 670-guest small luxury ship with expansive decks, which gives you room to find a clear spot on eclipse morning. Hosts Paul D. Maley, Jerry Ross, a former NASA astronaut, and astrophysicist Dr. Michael Shara lead the eclipse programming. The pace balances port days with time at sea, so you can spend a morning in a harbor town and an afternoon watching the coastline slide past.
The fare starts at $4,499 per person in double occupancy, which makes it the lowest starting price among the ship-based eclipse options in this guide. Eclipse-viewing glasses, hosted eclipse experts, shipboard meals, non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, spirits and onboard gratuities are included. Government port fees and taxes are not, and availability is limited. For current fares, see the official tour page.
This cruise suits eclipse chasers who enjoy a ship’s routine and want a port-rich Mediterranean route, especially travelers who would rather change scenery every few days than unpack in one base.
At a glance
- Best for: Eclipse chasers who enjoy cruises and port-rich Mediterranean trips
- Dates: Sails July 27 to August 6, 2027
- Price: From $4,499 per person, double occupancy, plus government port fees and taxes
- Duration: Eleven days and ten nights
- Start and End Points: Barcelona, Spain, to Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy
- Availability: Limited
Windstar Star Legend: Small-Ship Route From Rome to Athens
Eclipse Tour #57-C is an eight-night, one-way voyage from July 28 to August 5, 2027, aboard Windstar’s all-suite Star Legend. The ship sails from Rome to Athens with calls at Stromboli for scenic cruising, Catania, Valletta in Malta, Katakolon and Chania on Crete. On August 2, guests watch the total eclipse from the southern Mediterranean Sea, where the operator estimates about 6 minutes 8 seconds of totality. Weather may still prevent or shorten the view, and viewing glasses are included.
With 312 guests, the Star Legend feels intimate, and Travel + Leisure describes it as casual, social and destination-intensive. Private balconies are limited to the top suites.
What sets this trip apart is the eclipse hosting. Eclipse veterans Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre lead the group, alongside former NASA astronaut Jerry Ross and Paul D. Maley. Because the route ends in Athens, you will need to book onward flights from there rather than returning to Rome.
This sailing suits small-ship cruise fans who want a one-way Mediterranean route with an eclipse day at sea, and history lovers will enjoy the Sicilian, Maltese, Peloponnesian and Cretan ports along the way.
At a glance
- Best for: Small-ship cruise fans who want a one-way Mediterranean trip with an eclipse day at sea
- Dates: July 28 to August 5, 2027
- Price: From $4,999 per person in double occupancy, with port fees and taxes extra; see the tour page for current fares
- Duration: Eight nights
- Start and End Points: Rome to Athens
- Availability: Limited to the last two suites when checked
Eclipse Tour #57-C: Southern Mediterranean Cruise (Windstar Star Legend)
Eclipse Tour #57-C sails for eight nights, from July 28 to August 5, 2027, embarking in Rome and disembarking in Athens. The ship calls at Catania, Valletta, Katakolon and Chania, and it cruises past Stromboli along the way. August 2 is the centerpiece, when guests watch the total solar eclipse from the southern Mediterranean Sea. The official tour page estimates about 6 minutes 8 seconds of totality. Because you watch from a moving ship, the route and the weather that morning shape your view, and the listing warns that ports, routing and visibility can change.
The Star Legend is a small, all-suite yacht with 312 guests and suites of at least 277 square feet. Meals, non-alcoholic beverages and eclipse viewing glasses are included. The itinerary mixes port days with one regular sea day, and Travel + Leisure describes the ship as casual and destination-focused, with a smaller shore-excursion selection than larger ships offer. Eclipse programming is led by Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre, whom the tour calls veterans of 25 solar eclipses. Former NASA space shuttle astronaut Jerry Ross is also listed as a host through August 2.
This trip suits eclipse chasers who want a fixed-price package with eclipse-specific programming and a Mediterranean cruise around it. It works well for travelers who are happy with a relaxed pace between ports and plenty of time onboard. It is less suited to anyone who wants a long list of shore excursions.
At a glance
- Best for: Eclipse chasers who want a fixed-price package with eclipse programming and a cruise-based Mediterranean trip
- Dates: Sails July 28 to August 5, 2027
- Price: From $4,999 per person in double occupancy, with the lowest cabin categories crossed out on the tour page
- Duration: Eight nights
- Start and End Points: Rome, Italy, to Athens, Greece
- Availability: Waitlist only
Eclipse at Sea: A One-Time Voyage Through Spain & Portugal
Eclipse at Sea: A One-Time Voyage Through Spain & Portugal is a sailing aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit, built around the total solar eclipse of August 2, 2027. NASA’s eclipse path table charts the path beginning over the Atlantic Ocean. Confirm the sailing dates and the eclipse-day plan with the operator before you book.
The ship carries 136 guests and 85 crew, so it feels closer to a small yacht than a large liner. Staterooms and balcony suites sit alongside a library, spa, gym and swim platform. Because you move between ship and shore, ask about accessibility and gangway needs before you book, especially if you use a wheelchair or walk with difficulty.
This sailing suits eclipse chasers, history-minded travelers and anyone who wants a smaller ship with a premium cabin, rather than a large liner.
At a glance
- Best for: Eclipse chasers, history-minded travelers and people who enjoy a learning-focused, structured itinerary
- Dates: Total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027, viewed from the ship at sea
- Duration: 12 days
- Start and End Points: Lisbon to Palma
- Activity Level: Structured, with onboard teaching, shore field trips and historic-city visits
Sea Cloud Spirit: Tall Ship on the Lisbon to Palma Route
Sea Cloud Spirit is a small, luxury tall ship with 136 passengers in 69 cabins, according to [AFAR](https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-review-of-the-sea-cloud-spirit-sailing-ship). Its hand-managed sails are the centerpiece of the experience, and guests spend much of the day watching the crew work them while the ship calls at port towns. The eclipse, however, is not part of the published plan. The operator’s [official calendar](https://www.seacloud.com/en/cruise-calendar/) lists a July 20 to 27 sailing from Bilbao to Lisbon, starting at $7,995 per person, and an August 6 to 16 voyage from Palma de Mallorca to Olbia, starting at $11,425. Neither covers August 2, and the calendar does not list an eclipse-specific sailing.
The pace is slow. [Cruise Critic](https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/sea-cloud/sea-cloud-spirit) describes the rhythm as relaxed, with guests mostly observing the sailing rather than hauling on lines, and its reviewed itinerary included lectures and tastings. Expect a few talks and plenty of time on deck, but no eclipse lecture or special viewing arrangement is promised for these sailings. The calendar offers a request option for each voyage, though it does not show how many cabins remain.
This ship suits slow travelers and sailing fans who want a classic ship experience, with the eclipse as a bonus rather than the main event. If a confirmed view of totality is your priority, ask the operator directly how it plans to handle eclipse day before you book.
At a glance
- Best for: Slow travelers and sailing fans who want a classic tall-ship experience
- Dates: July 20 to 27, 2027, and August 6 to 16, 2027
- Price: From $7,995 per person for the July sailing; from $11,425 per person for the August sailing
- Duration: Seven nights (July); 10 nights (August)
- Start and End Points: Bilbao to Lisbon (July); Palma de Mallorca to Olbia (August)
- Activity Level: Relaxed, with sailing watched from the deck and some lectures
Le Boréal: Lisbon Round-Trip Through the Algarve and Andalusia
PONANT’s Le Boréal runs an eight-day, seven-night round trip from Lisbon, following Portugal’s Algarve coast and Spain’s Andalusian shore. Ports on the route include Portimão, Marbella, Málaga, Cádiz and Figueira da Foz. Shore options are built for movement: kayaking near Benagil Cave, walking tours, wine and food tastings, city visits, and a flamenco performance.
On August 2, 2027, the ship is positioned at sea for eclipse viewing before it docks in Málaga. The operator says totality should last nearly four minutes, though visibility depends on the weather. Guests then have time ashore in Málaga to explore the city.
The pace alternates between port and water. The itinerary includes a full day at sea and a morning at sea before Cádiz, so you get long stretches on deck between shore days. Onboard lectures come from geologist Jim Zimbelman and archaeologist Janet Duncan Jones, both Smithsonian Journeys experts, and each port includes an excursion or activity.
This sailing suits active travelers and cultural explorers who want a shorter ship-based eclipse trip. PONANT lists fares from $11,070 per person, and the official listing has the current rates. As of November 8, 2026, the stateroom and suite categories were marked sold out, and the voyage was not available to book online.
At a glance
- Best for: Active travelers and cultural explorers who want a shorter ship-based eclipse trip
- Dates: July 30 to August 6, 2027
- Price: From $11,070 per person
- Duration: Eight days and seven nights
- Start and End Points: Lisbon, round trip
- Availability: Sold out as of November 8, 2026
Ovation: Seabourn’s Monte Carlo to Dubrovnik Eclipse Cruise
The Seabourn Ovation sails a 14-night Mediterranean route from Monte Carlo to Dubrovnik, leaving July 23 and arriving August 6, 2027. Before the eclipse, the ship calls at Portofino, several Corsican ports, Olbia in Sardinia, Civitavecchia, Amalfi, Giardini Naxos and Valletta. It then visits Saranda in Albania and Bari before reaching Croatia.
Most days are port or embarkation days, so the ship works as your base rather than a place to rest between sightseeing. The schedule has only two days at sea. On August 2 the ship is set for Solar Eclipse Cruising, and August 3 is a separate full day at sea. Your view of the eclipse therefore comes from the decks of a moving ship, and the route that morning shapes what you see.
The ship itself is a 600-passenger luxury vessel, and AFAR highlights its calls at Corsica, Sardinia, Malta and Albania as a less-traveled Mediterranean route. Those ports give you more than the usual beach-and-harbor stops, with Valletta’s fortifications and Albania’s Adriatic coast among the least crowded stops on the list.
Expect to pay at the top of the eclipse cruise range.
Silver Shadow sails a 14-day round trip from Nice, departing July 28 and returning August 11, 2027. The route makes 12 port calls across France, Italy and Malta, including Saint-Tropez, Alghero in Sardinia, Trapani in Sicily, Valletta in Malta, Naples, Livorno in Tuscany and Portofino, with two days at sea. Silversea schedules the eclipse on August 2 in international waters, between the Trapani and Valletta calls.
The view is partial, not total. Silversea describes the eclipse near Lampedusa as 99% obscuration, and timeanddate.com lists the Lampedusa event as partial with a maximum magnitude of 0.995. If your goal is totality, choose one of the total-eclipse options covered earlier in this guide. If you want a long Mediterranean voyage and are happy to watch a partial eclipse from the deck, this ship fits that plan.
Days are split between shore excursions and time on board. Every suite includes butler service, and onboard enrichment lectures and entertainment are included in the fare. The itinerary does not give an overall activity rating, so the amount of walking depends on the excursions you choose. In 2026, Silversea’s listing showed an All-Inclusive starting fare of $7,600 per guest, but the limited-time offer banner on that listing expired November 2, 2026, so the current fare and suite availability are on the official site.
Silver Shadow suits luxury cruise fans who want a long Mediterranean route, enjoy port-hopping between Riviera, Sicilian and Maltese towns, and accept a partial eclipse. Read the eclipse wording carefully before you book, because the marketing centers on the eclipse while the view from the ship is partial.
At a glance
- Best for: Luxury cruise fans who want a long Mediterranean route and are happy with a partial eclipse
- Dates: July 28 to August 11, 2027
- Price: From $7,600 per guest for the All-Inclusive fare shown in 2026
- Duration: 14 days
- Start and End Points: Nice, France, round trip
Choosing Your 2027 Eclipse Trip Before the Path Fills
Start this week by choosing your base town, not your tour. Pick one town inside the Spanish band, such as a coastal town in Cádiz, and an inland backup in Granada or Almería, then check the road or ferry route between them. If Egypt is your goal, decide between a Luxor land stay and a Nile ship first, because the Egypt Express tour is already marked sold out with a priority waitlist.
Next, match your dates to the tour windows. The Egypt Premium tour runs from July 26 to August 8, and the Egypt in Luxury tour runs from July 27 to August 9. Email each operator and ask for the deposit amount, the final payment date, the refund schedule, and exactly where guests will stand on August 2. Ask for your waitlist position in writing, and save the reply.
Then order your eye protection now rather than in July. Choose glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2:2015 standard, check them for scratches, and pack a spare pair for each person in your group. Buy a separate solar filter for any camera, telescope or binoculars you plan to use.
Finally, make your transport flexible. Book trains, buses or ferries that allow changes, and avoid tight connections on the morning of the eclipse. Keep the two days before August 2 free so you can check the forecast and move to your backup site if the sky looks cloudy.