Aboard Le Boréal

Beyond the Arctic Circle, facing landscapes frozen in time by the ice, set off on a fascinating journey to discover the islands of the Far North. For 14 days, from Spitsbergen to Iceland, via Jan Mayen Island and the eastern coast of Greenland, between fjords and glaciers, observe wild and mischievous nature as it wakes itself up, and set off to encounter the communities who live in these parts of the world, guardians of these untamed spaces. In this hushed world, facing completely unobstructed skies, you will seek out a rare phenomenon: the total solar eclipse, and discover its secrets thanks to the exceptional presence of astronauts Claudie and Jean-Pierre Haigneré.

From Longyearbyen, one of the world’s northernmost towns, you will weigh anchor, leaving behind the small colourful wooden homes that dot the landscape.

Aboard Le Boréal

On these summer days, take a journey towards the unexpected, experience the extraordinary and embark on an exceptional 9-day cruise, along Mediterranean shores, with their heady mix of savours, architectural styles and age-old traditions, to seek out a rare phenomenon offered by the sky: the total solar eclipse. Throughout your journey aboard Le Boréal, discover the secrets of this exceptional event thanks to the presence of Joe Rao, meteorologist and eclipse chaser, and Serge Brunier, science journalist, author, photographer and eclipse chaser.

Aboard Le Lapérouse

From Reykjavik to Dublin, set off on a 9-cruise aboard Le Lapérouse to explore the magnificent landscapes of Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland all the way to the Irish coastlines. In this wild world, facing completely unobstructed skies, you will seek out a rare phenomenon: the total solar eclipse, off the coast of Heimaey, on 12 August 2026, and discover its secrets thanks to the exceptional presence of the astronaut Jean-François Clervoy.

Aboard Le Dumont d'Urville

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will begin over Palma de Mallorca, Spain, at 7:38 p.m., reach totality at 8:31 p.m., and end as the sun disappears over the horizon at 8:49 p.m. This voyage aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville offers you the chance to witness the extraordinarily rare setting of the sun just moments after totality, followed by an exploration of the natural beauty and cultural history of the islands of the western Mediterranean.

Begin in Barcelona and set sail in time to arrive in Palma de Mallorca at midday on the day of the eclipse. You will have time to enjoy a tour of some of the city's landmarks, including Bellver Castle and Palma's Cathedral, the second largest in Spain, before returning to the ship to prepare for the evening's eclipse.

With the experience of the eclipse behind you, attention turns to the islands themselves, which despite differences, share a history of successive waves of civilizations—Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Spaniards, Arabs, Byzantines, the French, and Italians—washing over them and leaving marks on language, art, architecture, and cuisine.

Aboard Le Boréal

A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.

Engaging lectures and discussions on board with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including Senior Geologist Emeritus at the National Air & Space Museum (NASM) Jim Zimbelman and archaeologist Janet Duncan Jones. A solar eclipse with a totality of about 4 minutes.

Aboard Le Lapérouse

In the season that sees the sun setting the horizon ablaze, set off towards the unexpected and embark on an exceptional journey along Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, a subtle mix of cultures, savours and age-old traditions, to seek out a rare phenomenon offered by the sky: the total solar eclipse. Throughout your break, discover the secrets of this exceptional event thanks to the presence of Joe Rao, meteorologist and eclipse chaser, and Serge Brunier, scientific journalist, author, photographer and eclipse chaser. On this journey, feel the vibrant pulse of Malaga, stroll through the elegant avenues of Marbella, discover the Andalusian soul of Cadiz, gaze upon the cliffs of Lagos and wander the charming streets of Figueira da Foz. Finally, off the Iberian shores, admire — if weather conditions allow — the captivating spectacle of this rare phenomenon: a total solar eclipse.

Aboard Le Jacques Cartier

Australia’s The Kimberley is one of the world’s last great wilderness frontiers—a vast, sparsely populated region of sandstone escarpments, mangroves, and myriad islands. Wildlife thrives here, from saltwater crocodiles and sea turtles to dolphins, seabirds, and migratory whales. It is also home to some of Australia’s oldest Indigenous communities. This expedition from Darwin to Broome provides ample time to experience The Kimberley in all its variety, with the added attraction of a total solar eclipse.

Sailing west from Darwin, your first day is spent getting acquainted with the ship and its amenities and attending lectures and discussions with your Smithsonian experts and the ship's expedition team as Le Jacques Cartier cruises through the Timor Sea to reach the Bonaparte Archipelago. Bigge Island, the largest in this maze of islands stretching nearly 100 miles along the Kimberley coast and Swift Bay are famous for shelters and caves filled with stunning rock art paintings, some of which date back more than 12,000 years, and many of which, maintained by the Indigenous peoples of the region, are both cultural artifacts and part of a living heritage.