Virgin Voyages, an exclusively adult cruise line is introducing its first-ever Eclipse Voyages as part of its newest series: the Marvelous Voyages.
The cruise line said in a statement that astrotourism – travelling for the sole purpose of stargazing – has been taking off in recent years, National Geographic reports.
A bucket-list experience, the Eclipse Voyages are set for August 2026, giving Sailors the opportunity to cruise towards “the path of totality” offering 12- and 15-night itineraries.
Stops include Dublin, Glasgow and Reykjavik aboard Valiant Lady, and Amalfi Coast, Mallorca and Cannes on Scarlet Lady with special on-board events and appearances to mark the spirit of the trip.
Onboard, guests can look forward to talks and presentations by space explorers and scientists. The ship will be outfitted with telescopes and binoculars with astronomers on standby.
Included in the special programme are new moon ceremonies, starry symphonies and cosmic culinary creations.
Sailors will also receive a pair of solar eclipse shades and a commemorative guide as a fun takeaway.
The brand’s new collection of Marvelous Voyages includes six other sailings between March and August 2026, ranging from eight to 16 nights.
Spanning Iceland to Istanbul, the British Isles to The Baltics, the Marvelous Voyages promise wonder and excitement, all with the comforts Virgin’s Sailors love.
Twelve new ports are on the docket with highlights that include Salerno (Amalfi Coast, Italy), Edinburgh (Scotland), Stockholm (Sweden), Hamburg (Germany), Oslo (Norway), Tangier (Morocco) and eventually Greenland.
Michelle Bentubo, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Voyages, said:
“We already sail to more than 100 international ports, but our itineraries are ever-evolving based on what our Sailors and travel partners are asking for.
“We’ve graduated from only offering short Caribbean escapes and weekender voyages to give our Sailors longer itinerary options of up to 14 nights at more ports around the world.
“Our Marvelous Voyages, paired with Brilliant Lady’s epic itineraries across all four corners of the US, just shows the growth and strength of this monumental brand and the choice we are committed to offering.”
The brand said it is already experiencing record bookings for 2025 after its 2024 sold-out summer season in the Med and Caribbean.
Loyalty Sailors will have first dibs on these off-the-beaten-path adventures, with inventory opening August 14-21 depending on loyalty status.
General inventory will be released between August 21 and September 18. To learn more, visit www.VirginVoyages.com.
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