The Ambassador Cruise Line 2026 Solar Eclipse Cruise, departing from Dundee on Saturday, August 8, offers a 13-night voyage to witness a total solar eclipse from the Arctic Circle off the Greenland coast. With a discount code SOLAR10 providing 10% off (equivalent to roughly £200 per person), inside and ocean view cabins start from £1,794 per person after discount, down from £1,994.
Prime Eclipse Viewing and Celestial Events
The eclipse occurs on August 12, when the ship will be positioned in the Arctic Circle, offering optimal viewing if weather permits. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, viewers in the UK and Ireland will see around 90% of the sun covered, the most since the 1999 eclipse. The cruise also coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, featuring up to 150 shooting stars per hour. Ambassador notes, "Incredibly, because the eclipse darkens the sky during the day, there's even the rare possibility of seeing shooting stars in daylight - something very few people on Earth have ever experienced." Later in the trip, passengers may also see the Northern Lights.
Itinerary and Onboard Experience
The journey includes stops in the Faroe Islands, Iceland (including Reykjavik and picturesque villages), and the Shetland Isles. Onboard, the Ambassador Ambition ship carries up to 1,200 passengers with 680 cabins. Facilities include a theatre, library, craft studio, retail shops, spa, gym, two swimming pools, hot tubs, two restaurants, a bistro-style café, and four bars. Full-board dining features locally inspired dishes, a Captain's Gala Dinner, and Baked Alaska Parade. Special guests include astronomer and BBC Sky At Night presenter Pete Lawrence for expert guidance, and impressionist Jon Culshaw for comedy and music.
Booking Details and Alternatives
Suites and balcony rooms are sold out, but inside and ocean view cabins remain. Use code SOLAR10 for 10% off and half-price drinks. Fred Olsen also offers eclipse cruises, including a Wonders of Iceland trip from Rosyth on August 6 (few cabins left) and a Northern Spain cruise from Southampton on August 10, visiting Spain and Lisbon. The August 12 eclipse will be total in parts of Iceland, Greenland, and Northern Spain.
