Millions of skywatchers observed a partial solar eclipse on Wednesday night as travel operators reported selling out cruises for the August 2, 2027 total eclipse.
While Britain will not see another total solar eclipse until 2090, next year's phenomenon will offer viewing opportunities abroad as the path of totality passes over parts of southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Demand for viewing itineraries has already created waiting lists for popular travel packages. Publisher New Scientist has established a waiting list for its Egypt cruise after selling out, while three of its tour itineraries in Morocco are already fully booked. However, several cruise lines and tour companies continue to offer specialized trips along the path of totality.
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a dark shadow known as the path of totality across the planet's surface. During totality, the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, becomes visible to spectators using proper eye protection.
Spanish coastal cruise options
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is offering an 11-night itinerary named Spain Siesta and The Solar Eclipse Cruise departing from Southampton on July 28, 2027. Following a day at sea, the vessel calls at La Coruña, an ancient port town in northwestern Spain founded in the 9th century, before sailing to Vigo the next day.
On August 2, 2027, guests can choose to observe the eclipse from the open deck of the ship or on land in Cádiz. "With clear skies and a favourable viewing position, you will be ideally placed to experience this remarkable event," the cruise itinerary promises.
Following the eclipse, the ship visits Gibraltar before taking three days at sea to return to Southampton. Fares start from £1,699 per person, with bookings available via fredolsencruises.com.
Cádiz is situated on a narrow peninsula on southwestern Spain's Atlantic coast in Andalusia. Famous for its golden beaches, palm-lined promenades, and historic old town, it sits directly in the path of totality for the 2027 event.
Moroccan and Spanish sea voyages
Celebrity Cruises has scheduled a combined itinerary covering coastal destinations in both Spain and Morocco. The Spain and Morocco Solar Eclipse cruise departs from Barcelona on July 31 and spends two days touring Spanish coastal resorts before heading into open waters for eclipse viewing on August 2.
Watching the eclipse from the open sea provides spectators with an unobstructed 360-degree panorama free from land-based light pollution. Celebrity Cruises described the sailing as "an immersive, breathtaking and unforgettable experience."
The morning after the eclipse, passengers arrive in Tangier, Morocco, before continuing on to several other Spanish ports. Prices for the cruise start from £3,663 per person at celebritycruises.com.
Tangier is a historical port city on the Strait of Gibraltar that has served for centuries as a commercial bridge between Europe and North Africa. Ocean-based astronomy viewings avoid coastal topography, giving observers a clear view down to the horizon.
Long totality viewing in Egypt
In Luxor, Egypt, the total solar eclipse will last for six minutes and 23 seconds, making it one of the longest totality durations of the 21st century. Tour operator Omega Breaks is hosting a nine-day trip named Solar Eclipse & Magic of the Nile to mark the celestial occasion.
Travellers arrive in Cairo on July 27 to visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids of Giza before boarding an overnight sleeper train to Aswan. The trip continues with a cruise along the Nile River on a traditional wooden sailing boat.
Excursions include guided tours of the Kom Ombo Temple, the Temple of Horus, and ancient sites across the East and West Banks of Luxor. On August 2, participants will gather at a private viewing site featuring shade tents, seating, a barbecue, and eclipse glasses. Prices start at £4,499 per person via omegabreaks.com.
Luxor is built on the site of ancient Thebes, the historic capital of pharaonic Egypt during the New Kingdom period. It houses iconic monuments including the Temple of Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, while the Giza plateau near Cairo contains the Great Pyramid.
Mediterranean round trip from Dundee
Ambassador Cruise Line is running a 19-night voyage titled Mediterranean Moments and Solar Eclipse departing directly from Scotland aboard the ship Ambition on July 27, 2027.
The no-fly journey allows passengers to watch the eclipse from the ship's open top deck, offering what the line describes as "a breathtaking 360 panorama where every moment of this rare celestial alignment can be savoured in complete clarity."
Port stops along the route include Gibraltar, Almeria, Alicante, Valencia, Ibiza, and Cádiz. Package prices start from £2,969 per person at ambassadorcruiseline.com.
Dundee is located on the Firth of Tay on the eastern coast of Scotland. No-fly cruise departures from regional UK ports allow travellers to reach Mediterranean destinations without air transit.
Rif Mountain vantage point in Morocco
The Adventure People is offering an eight-day tour named Imperial Morocco and Solar Eclipse 2027 focused on inland viewing in North Africa. Spectators will travel to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, where they will experience nearly a full minute of totality with provided eclipse glasses.
The itinerary includes visits to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which ranks as the third largest mosque in the world, and tours of Morocco's capital city, Rabat.
On August 2, travellers will assemble at an optimal vantage point in Chefchaouen designed for clear viewing. Additional highlights include passing the High Atlas Mountains and taking a guided tour of the oldest medina in Marrakech. Fares start from £1,264 per person at theadventurepeople.com.
Chefchaouen is known internationally for its distinct blue-washed buildings nestled against the steep slopes of the Rif Mountains. A medina is a historic, walled urban quarter found in North African towns, characterized by narrow alleys and traditional souks.
Astronomy tours in Saudi Arabia
The path of totality also spans the Middle East, where Exodus Adventure Travels is operating a 14-day guided group tour called Saudi Arabia Explorer - Total Eclipse.
The tour begins in Riyadh and visits cultural and historical locations across the country, including Buraydah, Jubbah, and Hegra. On day ten, participants will watch the eclipse from the Red Sea coast alongside an astronomy specialist guide. Fares start from £6,489 per person at exodus.co.uk.
Hegra, also known as Al-Hijr or Mada'in Salih, is an ancient archaeological site featuring well-preserved Nabataean tombs carved into sandstone outcrops. The coastal region along the Red Sea offers dry desert atmospheric conditions and low cloud cover, making it favorable for astronomical viewing.
