According to the NASA Eclipse website, a total solar eclipse will take place between November 13 and November 14, 2012. One of the best locations to view this eclipse will be from northern Australia and the South Pacific Ocean on November 14th between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. ship's time. Here are some cruises that offer solar eclipse viewing.
Princess Cruises Solar Eclipse Cruise
Princess Cruises offers an 11-day Queensland, Australia cruise on the Dawn Princess that will feature an opportunity to see a total solar eclipse. This round trip cruise departing Sydney, Australia on November 6, 2012 visits the Australian ports of Brisbane, Willis Island, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Port Douglas. There are four sea days on this cruise including November 14, the day of the eclipse.
P&O Cruises Australia Solar Eclipse Cruises
All four of P&O Cruises Australia's ships have itineraries that will be close to the path of the solar eclipse in November 2012.
Pacific Dawn – The Pacific Dawn departs Brisbane, Australia on November 10, 2012 for a seven-night cruise. The itinerary visits Airlie Beach, Yorkeys Knob (Cairns), Port Douglas and Willis Island. The ship is scheduled to be in Port Douglas on November 14, 2012, the morning of the solar eclipse.
Pacific Magic – The Pacific Magic departs Sydney, Australia on November 12, 2012 for a 10-night cruise. The itinerary visits the New Caledonia ports of Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mare, and Vila. The ship is scheduled to be at sea between Sydney and Noumea on November 14, 2012.
Pacific Sun – The Pacific Sun departs Sydney, Australia on November 4, 2012 for a 10-night cruise. The itinerary visits the New Caledonia ports of Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Vila, Mare and Noumea before returning to Sydney on November 14, 2012. Passengers will be able to see a partial eclipse during the morning while in Sydney.
Pacific Pearl – The Pacific Pearl departs Sydney, Australia on November 9, 2012 for a 14-night cruise. The itinerary visits the Caledonia ports of Noumea, Mystery Island, vila, Port Denarau, Suva, Dravuni Island, Isle of Pines before returning to Sydney. The ship is in Vila on November 14, 2012.
Celebrity Cruises South Pacific Eclipse Cruise
Celebrity Cruises offers a 20-night South Pacific Eclipse Cruise on the Millennium. Departing Honolulu, Hawaii on November 2, 2012, the itinerary includes Hilo, Hawaii; Pago Pago, American Samoa; Tauranga, New Zealand; Auckland, New Zealand; Bay of Islands, New Zealand and ends in Sydney, Australia. There are 10 sea days on this cruise including November 14th when the ship is somewhere between Fiji and Tauranga, New Zealand.
Holland America Solar Eclipse Cruise
The 14-day Solar Eclipse cruise on the Oosterdam departs Sydney, Australia on November 7, 2012. The itinerary includes seven sea days and stops in Newcastle, Australia; Brisbane, Australia; Hamilton Island, Australia; and New Caledonia. Holland America's website indicates that the Oosterdam will feature solar eclipse viewing between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. on November 14, 2012. The ship's location will be somewhere between Hamilton Island, Australia and New Caledonia.
Other cruise lines with ships in the Australia market during the November 2012 eclipse include Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. Royal Caribbean offers an 18-night cruise on the Voyager of the Seas and a seven-night cruise on the Rhapsody of the Seas. Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Spirit will also be in Australia.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
