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Witnessing a total solar eclipse is breathtaking spectacle, a phenomenon that occurs roughly every 18 months, when the moon passes between the sun and earth, blocking the sun's rays and casting a shadow on our planet. In order to see the total eclipse, you must be in the path of the moon's shadow. Oftentimes, the best viewing platform for any sort of eclipse or solar event is from the deck of a cruise ship at sea, since it can maneuver into the best spot for viewing. The next opportunity for a total eclipse comes up on Dec. 14, 2020, with optimum viewing this time around in Chile and parts of Argentina.
There are a handful of voyages that will get you optimized viewing of the 2020 event. Holland America's Westerdam embarks on a lengthy 22-night "South America, Antarctica and Solar Eclipse" voyage from Santiago, Chile (at San Antonio), to Buenos Aires, with an at-sea day planned off the coast of Argentina on Dec. 14, offering prime eclipse viewing from the ship's decks. Onboard, special guest speakers, including an editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, astronomer and even a former astronaut, will lend context to the event.
Princess is offering the chance to witness the total solar eclipse on a similar route (from San Antonio to Buenos Aires), minus the Antarctic visit, on its 15-night "Cape Horn and Strait of Magellan Itinerary" aboard Coral Princess. Passengers can witness the event from the ship's deck while sailing off the coast of Argentina on the 14th.
Finally, California-based tour operator Wilderness Travel is offering an eclipse-themed program with a tropical slant aboard Paul Gauguin (of Paul Gauguin Cruises). On this 14-night French Polynesian voyage, sailing round-trip from Papeete, Tahiti, on Dec. 5, you'll be joined by guest expert, explorer/educator Jean-Michel Cousteau; eclipse day viewing will be from aboard the ship, maneuvered to a prime position in the Pacific to allow for optimized day-of event viewing.
Cruising The World
