Seeing a total solar eclipse is a coveted life experience for many and combining that with a chance to see it at sunset (a rare occurrence) from a yacht at sea is proving popular. This week Windstar has announced a second eclipse cruise for August 2026 – this time aboard its 148-guest sailing yacht Wind Spirit.
Setting sail from Rome on 6th August 2026 on a seven-night Mediterranean Sunset Eclipse cruise, guests aboard Wind Spirit will visit Bastia, Calvi, Alghero, Mahon and enjoy two full days at sea. On 12th August, the yacht will strategically position itself north of Mallorca to have a clear view of the horizon for prime viewing of the eclipse (weather permitting). An eclipse watch party on deck will bring guests together for the memorable event and eclipse glasses will be provided. The journey ends in Barcelona on 13th August. Cruise prices start from £4,568 per person including all meals, soft drinks and port fees.
The 2026 solar eclipse path of totality will pass over Spain and Portugal and last for two minutes and 18 seconds. From Mallorca, the sun will be only a few degrees above the western horizon at 8.30pm when the moon fully covers the sun. This rare evening eclipse with the sun so close to the horizon makes a ship at sea with an unobstructed view of the horizon the ideal place to view it.
“Eclipse cruises are popular because ships at sea can position for clear views,” said Jess Peterson, Windstar’s director of destination experiences and itinerary planning. “Our first cruise to coincide with the 2026 eclipse in Iceland sold out quickly. We then looked at our deployment plans to see what other ships we had nearby the path of totality and the Wind Spirit made sense.”
Windstar Cruises is celebrating 40 years of operating yacht-style cruises. The company is poised for growth as Star Seeker, a 224-guest all-suite yacht, joins the fleet in December 2025, followed by sister ship Star Explorer in December 2026. The two vessels join the line’s Star Class fleet of upscale yachts bringing the fleet to five Star Class plus three Wind Class sailing yachts, all carrying between 148 and 342 guests. Star Seeker will be christened in Miami on 15thJanuary 2026.