Azamara Cruises has forged an exclusive 3-year alliance with Lowell Observatory to augment its 2026 solar eclipse cruises with scientific programming and guided astronomical experiences. The collaboration aims to merge Azamara’s immersive cruising model with Lowell’s expertise in public astronomy and eclipse research.
Under this partnership, guests on the 2026 eclipse voyages will be treated to lectures, guided stargazing sessions, interactive demonstrations, and live commentary during totality, along with specialized viewing glasses. Lowell’s astronomers will contextualize the celestial event scientifically and narratively, enhancing the viewing beyond spectacle alone.
Each ship undertaking the eclipse sailings will be positioned in distinct regions on August 12th, 2026 to optimize observational conditions. Azamara Onward will sail an 11-night route from Athens through the Mediterranean, Azamara Quest will depart Dublin on a 12-night Ireland-centered itinerary, and Azamara Journey will operate an 18-night voyage from Reykjavík through the Arctic.
This venture extends Lowell Observatory’s more than 130-year legacy of eclipse research to a maritime setting. The observatory’s leadership has described the partnership as an opportunity to bring astronomical discovery to sea, offering guests a rare chance to stand in the moon’s shadow from unobstructed ocean vantage points.