04 Mar 2025 | By Sara Macefield In Destinations

Astrotourism: My Solar Eclipse At Sea Experience

The day had finally arrived and there was no escaping the air of anticipation as we cruised off the Mexican Coast while the minutes ticked down to the solar eclipse, which we would be among the first in the world to experience.

Witnessing the so-called Great North American Eclipse under the path of totality had been the main reason why so many of the 3,000 guests booked this Princess Cruises’ voyage in the first place.

Groups of friends and family, many in specially-printed eclipse T-shirts, excitedly bagged their places on the decks of Emerald Princess hours before it was due to happen, though I was relieved to see there was plenty of space for everyone to grab a spot, with some eclipse-watchers even in the pool.

We’d all been given special protective glasses along with stern warnings not to look directly at the sun without them until totality, when it would be safe to do so as the sun would be completely obscured by the moon.

“It’s starting to happen,” a woman cried 40 minutes beforehand as she gazed up through her glasses. I glanced up and could see what looked like a bite had been taken out of the sun’s perfect circular form.

Published 4th March 2025, Last updated 16th June 2026
By Sara Macefield In Destinations

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