If you’ve been wondering when and how you can see the Total Solar Eclipse, I have some exciting news! Holland America will live stream the solar eclipse from the sea – and you can join in and watch.
Two Holland America Ships Will Witness the Total Solar Eclipse
Holland America Line will have two ships, Koningsdam and Zaandam, positioned off the coast of Mexico for an ideal viewing of the total eclipse. Thanks to this positioning, guests will be some of the first to see totality, weather permitting.
Those sailing onboard other Holland America Line Ships will have the Solar Eclipse Livestream available.
Solar Eclipse Live Stream
A livestream of the event aboard Koningsdam will begin at approximately 10:20 a.m. PST (1:20 EST) at the following link: Holland America’s Solar Eclipse Live Stream (on Facebook)
Here are some details shared by Holland America in a media advisory:
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, beginning over the Pacific Ocean and heading northeast from Mexico, across a wide swath of the United States and into Canada. The first location that will experience totality is off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, around 11 a.m. PST.
Koningsdam Eclipse Cruise
WHO: Zaandam Captain Ane Smit and Dr. Adam Burgasser, a professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, observational astrophysicist, and science lecturer will be aboard Koningsdam’s eclipse cruise and available for comment to discuss what makes this eclipse so special, and why viewing the eclipse aboard a cruise ship is a truly unique experience.
Guests on Zaandam Will be Some of the First to See the Eclipse in Totality
Captain Ane Smit shares, “Our guests will be some of the first to see the eclipse in totality and everyone aboard Zaandam will be working to make that experience extremely special for them—including everyone on the bridge. Our plan is to put ourselves in the path of the eclipse before it starts and be right on the center path when it’s at full totality. We’ll most likely be maintaining a low speed, keeping the sun straight ahead or astern to ensure the best view.”
There’s No Better Place to See the Eclipse than at Sea
“This first total solar eclipse in North America in seven years is something people around the world — including astronomers — are excited to observe, and there’s no better place to see the eclipse than at sea” explains Dr. Adam Burgasser.
“Not only will the Sun be blocked for over 4 minutes, turning day into night, the entire environment will change — the air will cool, plants and animals will react, and the world around us will take on a cosmic stillness. Moreover, at sea we’ll be able to view the eclipse from horizon to horizon, discerning the edge of the Sun’s shadow that will appear as a 360-degree twilight.”
Future Eclipse Sailings
These 2 Holland America sailings have been very popular! At a recent press event, we learned that Holland America will have 3 sailings available to book for the next eclipse in 2026.
Be sure to keep an eye out for those sailings if you’re interested in witnessing a solar eclipse at sea!
Happy Cruising!
Ilana
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