Legendary Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port Explorer Cruise with Tanya Smith

Tanya Smith Eclipse Cruise

Roundtrip Rotterdam - 28-Nights

Escorted by Tanya Smith
Departs: July 10–August 7, 2027

Join Tanya on an unforgettable cruise to witness a total solar eclipse on the open ocean, where the view is unobstructed and the experience is unforgettable. These special voyages pair prime eclipse viewing with legendary destinations including Greenland, Norway, and Greece. Plus, enjoy expert narration from our onboard astronomer as you watch the celestial event off the coast of Iceland or Spain.

Pricing Details:

  • Interior cabin rate per person: $4570 WITH $700 onboard credit.  Refundable deposit. With the Have it All beverage package: $6399
  • Large Ocean View cabin: $5229 per person WITH $700 onboard credit.  Refundable deposit. Have it All package: $7049 per person.
  • Verandah cabin: $6009 per person WITH $800 onboard credit.  Refundable deposit. Have it All package: $7829 per per person.

Special Offers:

Have It All packages for this sailing include:

    • Up to $300 per person Shore Excursion Credit
    • Signature Beverage Package
    • 3 nights Specialty Dining
    • Surf Wi-Fi

Itinerary

DAY 1 - July 10, 2027 | Rotterdam, Netherlands

The Netherlands’ second-largest city and Europe’s busiest port is home to some of the 20th and 21st centuries’ most important architectural feats, which is particularly impressive when you consider that nearly all of Rotterdam was razed to the ground during World War II. Sometimes referred to as “Manhattan-on-the-Maas,” the city lives up to its reputation as a forward-looking metropolis with fascinating design and some of the Netherlands’ finest museums and most trendy shops.

Marvel at buildings by starchitects Rem Koolhaas and Norman Foster or get lost in the maze of gabled homes in historic Delfshaven, the point from which the Pilgrims set sail for the New World aboard the Speedwell in 1620. In the postwar years, Rotterdam has also become one of the most diverse cities on the continent as waves of migrants from elsewhere in Europe, North Africa and Turkey have come to work in the shipping industry, concentrated here thanks to the city’s location on the deltas of the Rhine and Maas rivers. With its sweeping harbor and massive Europoort, the city has quickly grown to become the largest port in all of Europe.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Copenhagen is one of the easiest European capitals to fall in love with. The sights of old buildings, cobbled streets and the tower- and turret-dotted skyline lend fairy-tale charm—this was, after all, the home of author Hans Christian Andersen. But make no mistake: This is a thoroughly modern city with international clout.

Restaurants around the world draw inspiration from the New Nordic cuisine pioneered by Noma and other Copenhagen restaurants, while Danish design from this century and the last is universally admired and coveted. Urban planners flock here to try to work out just how the city remains so livable and yet so functional, and despite its wealth of old buildings, Copenhagen’s not locked in the past; there are also thrilling examples of modern architecture.

Copenhagen is a city that’s easy to find things to do and explore on foot or by excellent public transport, where everyone speaks perfect English, the food is fresh and innovative, and there’s plenty of locally brewed beer—which, of course, is best enjoyed sitting by the water on a sunny day.

Discover Aarhus, Denmark’s vibrant second-largest city, on a Northern Europe cruise. Explore Den Gamle By’s cobbled streets, visit ARoS Art Museum, stroll the canal, and admire Marselisborg Palace. This charming port blends Viking history, modern culture, and scenic beauty—perfect for your next cruise adventure.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Step ashore in Tilbury, a storied Thames-side port steeped in maritime history. Just a short journey from London, Tilbury serves as your elegant gateway to the British capital. From Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London, savor world-class museums, royal landmarks, and timeless charm—all within easy reach of your Holland America Line cruise.

Step ashore in Tilbury, a storied Thames-side port steeped in maritime history. Just a short journey from London, Tilbury serves as your elegant gateway to the British capital. From Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London, savor world-class museums, royal landmarks, and timeless charm—all within easy reach of your Holland America Line cruise.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Portland and the nearby town of Weymouth sit on the south coast of England in Dorset County near the area’s beautiful beaches. From here, visitors can wander on Chesil Beach or venture further afield to explore some of the most interesting sights of the British countryside. Outdoorsy types will enjoy walking along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see natural arches, cliffs and fossils spanning 180 million years of geological history. Those fascinated by the life of the English aristocracy may prefer a visit to the fabulous Minterne House and Gardens, home to the Digby and Churchill families for 350 years.

Portland is also a good jumping-off point to see Stonehenge, one of the world’s most recognizable ancient structures, shrouded in mystery and likely already on your must-see list. Other sites that will appeal to British history buffs are Sherborne Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh and housing his family artifacts, and the unusual Cerne Abbas Giant. At the end of your day exploring, we recommend a stop at the 500-year-old Black Dog Pub back in Weymouth for a pint of local cask ale.

When you arrive in Le Havre, France, opportunities to tour the attractions of the Normandy countryside await as soon as you leave your ship, while the sights of Paris are only 2.5 hours by high-speed train. Omaha Beach is 124 kilometers (77 miles) away and a visit there can be combined with one to the medieval town of Bayeux, home to a famous tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest.

Closer to Le Havre is the Château du Breuil, a family-owned calvados distillery that gives tours and tastings in English (call ahead to check the times). Just across the Seine is the town of Honfleur, its Old Port lined with restaurants, shops and 300-year-old houses. The great medieval city of Rouen, where Joan of Arc was tried for heresy, is also easily reached by train (and deserves a full day of sightseeing and exploration). If you want to make the journey to Paris, the TGV leaves early in the morning and takes you from Le Havre to Gare du Nord in the heart of the city. From there, you can spend the morning shopping on the Champs-Élysées, then have lunch in a restaurant with a view of Notre Dame or the Trocadéro and stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Musée d’Orsay. A full day of things to do in Paris can include a dinner cruise on the Seine before catching a late-evening train back to Le Havre.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Le Verdon, more commonly known as Le Verdon-sur-Mer, provides many attraction options. Relax on the beach, take in panoramic views from the lighthouse; hiking and biking lovers can explore the lush surrounding river gorge. For wine and food lovers are encouraged to tour one of the numerous chateaus located in a destination regarded as the finest wine-producing region in the world.

This Basque city combines a heady mix of ancient roots and ultramodern sensibilities. If you like modern design, Bilbao’s got striking architecture—like Frank Gehry’s shiplike Guggenheim Museum, the soaring Isozaki towers and Calatrava’s glass-bottomed Zubizuri Bridge. If you seek older cultural highlights, there are historic buildings, traditional Basque cuisine and inviting cobblestone streets to explore. Outside Bilbao’s bustling center, there’s lots to discover. Find sweeping views and surprising meals—both traditional and avant-garde—waiting to be savored in hilltop communities. Learn about the Basques’ tragic history and promising future in Guernica, the city bombed by Fascist forces and immortalized by Picasso. Or spend a day in San Sebastián, exploring the historic center, the boardwalk and the curving bay, setting some time aside to sample the city’s famous Michelin-star worthy cuisine.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a wealth of sights, tastes and sounds. An ensemble of neighborhoods both old and new, it’s a city full of history, culture and tradition. After the devastating earthquake that struck in 1755, reconstruction began and the rebuilt Baixa area quickly became one of the city’s busiest districts. From there, you can glance up at São Jorge Castle on one hill while in another direction you’ll find Chiado, one of the trendiest and most elegant neighborhoods.

The spirit of Lisbon can be encapsulated by the soulful musical genre, fado, which can best be enjoyed in the Alfama, the city’s oldest neighborhood. Enter one of the area’s old-school taverns and listen to passionate renditions of Fado Vadio, sung by amateurs, often after a round of aguardiente, an anise-flavored liquor.

Visiting Lisbon, also known as the City of Seven Hills, requires some huffing and puffing but you can opt for touring around in a tuk tuk. Another fun option is to take one of the four elevators to access hilly neighborhoods: The Santa Justa vertical lift, an iron tower, can whisk you from downtown to Carmo for a visit to the historic Convento do Carmo or try the ultrasteep streetcar-type Elevador da Glória to get up to the botanical garden in no time.

Hanging off the southwestern edge of Spain, Cádiz is one of Andalucía’s regional capitals and a place bursting with personality. Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, with a history stretching back 3,000 years, has fallen on hard times in recent years, but a combination of pride, good humor and stoicism keeps it on an even keel. The famous Carnival, one of Spain’s most important in the genre, is a thrilling fiesta into which Cádiz pours all its energy and ingenuity.

The city’s fond nickname, la tacita de plata (“little silver cup”), alludes to its curious geography—it juts out on a long peninsula into a sheltered bay. Old town Cádiz is a warren of cobbled streets where the houses, painted white or dusty ochre, have the weather-beaten look of a place subjected to centuries of wind and salt. This ancient city has one good example of everything that matters: a great food market, a theater (the Teatro Falla, a grand Art Nouveau Moorish gem), a gorgeous cathedral, impressive fortifications and a beach—the picturesque and famous La Caleta.

Tangier is a place that descended from the gods—its hilly setting makes it one of the possible real-world locations for the mythical Pillars of Hercules that flanked the Strait of Gibraltar and guarded the entrance to the Mediterranean. It has been a bustling port since antiquity, repeatedly fought over by everyone from the Phoenicians to the Arabs. Today, Tangier is every bit a modern Moroccan city, but until recently its history as an international zone—it was periodically under the administration of several countries—attracted a libertine counterculture of artists, musicians and writers such as Henri Matisse (who was drawn by the dazzling quality of the light), Paul Bowles, Jack Kerouac and the Rolling Stones. Tangier now positions itself as a bridge between Europe and Africa, as well as the center of Morocco’s booming manufacturing industries. With a new port and a medina that’s been given a makeover, Tangier is the confident face of 21st-century Morocco—yet it’s still able to draw back the curtains far enough on its history to attract visitors.

While Málaga was long considered just a stopover on the way to southern Spain’s Costa del Sol beach resorts, in recent years a buzz has developed around the Andalucian city. There is a brand-new $100 million port promenade filled with restaurants and a bold new branch of Paris’s Centre Pompidou built in the form of a colorful glass cube. A handful of other major new museums include one devoted to one of the city’s most famous sons, Pablo Picasso—it’s also the hometown of another famous Spanish export, actor Antonio Banderas. Where once many buildings were dilapidated, an entire swath of the historic center is now pedestrianized and filled with shoppers, diners and street musicians. Tapas bars with outdoor tables line the old town’s Calle Strachan, while all over Málaga a boom in fine dining is taking place. The city makes a fine base for day trips to many of Andalucía’s most famous sites. Unlike many southern Spanish cities, Málaga doesn’t really shut down over the hot summer months; its waterfront location helps keep temperatures from soaring to uncomfortable heights. The 10-day summer Feria is becoming more popular each year, drawing visitors with its calendar of bullfights as well as dancing and drinking—activities the city’s residents enjoy before and after the Feria too.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital’s tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona’s attractions: There’s Gaudí’s mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d’Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.

On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital’s tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona’s attractions: There’s Gaudí’s mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d’Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Strategically located at the southern tip of Europe, facing Africa, Gibraltar offers a fascinating mix of cultures. With a history that includes Moorish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English influences (among others), this tiny, 6.7-square-kilometer British Overseas Territory is most famous for the giant Jurassic limestone rock soaring above the territory’s main commercial and residential areas. The Rock contains an abundance of history (military and otherwise), not to mention significant flora and fauna, and a labyrinth of caves and tunnels.

Venture into Gibraltar’s densely populated streets for Spanish, British, Middle Eastern and Italian cuisine, as well as tax-free shopping on everything from luxury brands to handmade arts and crafts and artisanal edibles. Browsing and snacking around town is the perfect chance to hear Yanito, the singsong Spanish-English hybrid spoken here. There are also historic and holy places in Europa Point, and the Museum of Gibraltar provides an opportunity to learn about the region’s history and prehistory, as well as the migration habits of its birds and marine life.

Sail along Spain’s coastline and watch the 2027 Solar Eclipse from the comfort of your Holland America Line ship — an experience like no other.

Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is sometimes dismissed as Lisbon’s business-minded sibling. But underneath its commercial and industrial surface, there flourishes a lively scene for the arts, food and music amidst Art Deco buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage-designated historic core.

Take time to visit the port wine cellars where the city’s famous export is blended and stored. Then explore a turn-of-the-century bookstore, the neoclassical Stock Exchange Palace or the sprawling arts complex.

Tumbling from the newer sections of the city down to the banks of the Douro, Porto’s oldest quarter, Ribeira, can feel contemporary one minute with starkly modern galleries and chic bistros and ancient the next with narrow alleyways strung with laundry lines and worn stone stairways connecting the cobblestone streets. Wander the neighborhood, from more commercial strips to residential back streets where old ladies chat and children bobble soccer balls. Down by the Douro at Ribeira Square, the streets open up, the sky is blue and cafés set their tables and chairs out on the plaza, eager to serve you. This is no stern, humorless, all-business city. Porto knows how to relax and enjoy life.

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Enjoy a full day at sea!

Arrive in the historic port of Dover with Holland America Line, your gateway to the rich heritage and iconic sights of England. Explore Dover Castle, venture into the bustling city of London, and experience the picturesque English countryside. Our cruise offers a luxurious and comfortable base from which to explore, with amenities and service that cater to your every need, making your visit to Dover a seamless addition to your European adventure.

The Netherlands’ second-largest city and Europe’s busiest port is home to some of the 20th and 21st centuries’ most important architectural feats, which is particularly impressive when you consider that nearly all of Rotterdam was razed to the ground during World War II. Sometimes referred to as “Manhattan-on-the-Maas,” the city lives up to its reputation as a forward-looking metropolis with fascinating design and some of the Netherlands’ finest museums and most trendy shops.

Marvel at buildings by starchitects Rem Koolhaas and Norman Foster or get lost in the maze of gabled homes in historic Delfshaven, the point from which the Pilgrims set sail for the New World aboard the Speedwell in 1620. In the postwar years, Rotterdam has also become one of the most diverse cities on the continent as waves of migrants from elsewhere in Europe, North Africa and Turkey have come to work in the shipping industry, concentrated here thanks to the city’s location on the deltas of the Rhine and Maas rivers. With its sweeping harbor and massive Europoort, the city has quickly grown to become the largest port in all of Europe.

Tour Highlights:

  • Experience the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse at Sea — Witness one of nature’s most spectacular celestial events from aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam.
  • 28-Day Legendary European Voyage — Explore an extraordinary collection of destinations across Northern Europe, the Atlantic coast, Mediterranean and North Africa.
  • Overnight Stays in London & Barcelona — Enjoy extended time to experience two of Europe’s great cities, including evenings ashore.
  • Discover Copenhagen & Aarhus — Experience Denmark’s colorful waterfronts, royal heritage, Viking history and Scandinavian culture.
  • Explore London & England’s Historic Coast — Visit Tilbury for London and Portland along England’s dramatic southern coastline.
  • Experience France from Normandy to Bordeaux — Call at Le Havre, gateway to Paris and Normandy, and Le Verdon, gateway to renowned Bordeaux wine country.
  • Discover Spain’s Cultural Treasures — Explore Bilbao, Cádiz, Málaga and Barcelona, from Basque Country and Andalusia to the Mediterranean coast.
  • Visit Lisbon & Porto — Experience two of Portugal’s most celebrated cities, known for historic neighborhoods, beautiful architecture and legendary food and wine.
  • Step Into North Africa in Tangier — Discover Morocco’s fascinating blend of European, African and Arab influences.
  • Stand at the Crossroads of Two Continents in Gibraltar — Visit the famous Rock of Gibraltar overlooking the meeting point of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
  • Sail Aboard the Elegant Nieuw Statendam — Enjoy Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ship featuring sophisticated dining, live entertainment, panoramic lounges, pools, spa, fitness center and more.
  • A Rare Combination of Exploration & Relaxation — Port-intensive stretches are balanced with days at sea to relax and enjoy everything Nieuw Statendam has to offer.

Meet Your Tour Host: Tanya Smith

Travel has always been a central part of my life, shaping both my passions and my perspective. Several years ago, I chose to become a travel advisor so I could share my love of exploring the world with others. I specialize in designing customized itineraries that bring each client’s dream vacation to life. I have visited more than 30 countries and 46 states, traveling solo as well as with family and friends. My experiences range from humanitarian missions to leisure travel, giving me a well-rounded understanding of the many ways people engage with the world. I recognize how important it is to travel with confidence, comfort, safety, and the anticipation of meaningful, unforgettable experiences. My goal is to embrace as much of life’s diversity as possible—and to help others do the same through exceptional, thoughtfully crafted travel experiences.

Cost & Payment Schedule:

To Book This Tour

Tanya Smith at tsmith@morriscolumbus.com or call 801-483-5240 to book!

Picture of About Tanya Smith

About Tanya Smith

Travel has always been a central part of my life, shaping both my passions and my perspective. Several years ago, I chose to become a travel advisor so I could share my love of exploring the world with others. I specialize in designing customized itineraries that bring each client’s dream vacation to life. I have visited more than 30 countries and 46 states, traveling solo as well as with family and friends. My experiences range from humanitarian missions to leisure travel, giving me a well-rounded understanding of the many ways people engage with the world. I recognize how important it is to travel with confidence, comfort, safety, and the anticipation of meaningful, unforgettable experiences. My goal is to embrace as much of life’s diversity as possible—and to help others do the same through exceptional, thoughtfully crafted travel experiences.

Contact Me

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