Destinations Europe Norway

Phenomena of the skies

From the wintery midnight sun, to the majesty of the Northern Lights, to the wonders of a solar eclipse. Getting away from the lights of the land on a cruise gives you the opportunity to view our spectacular skies like no other.

7 min 20 Jun 2025

Rebecca Proctor

Cunard writer

Cruise under the midnight sun

Northern Lights cruises

Solar eclipse cruises

Cruise under the midnight sun

Visit the far reaches of the Northern Hemisphere in the summer months, and you may get to experience the famous midnight sun. Sometimes known as 'polar day', the midnight sun never sets, hovering just above the horizon even at local midnight time. The result - a beautiful sunset that never ends.

Being at sea is the perfect way to experience this beautiful occurence: with no light pollution at sea, you can see more of the sky than ever before, and toast to a brand new day.

If you wish the experience the midnight sun, Cunard cruises visiting the North Cape are the prime choice of itinerary. From atop the steep cliff at the North Cape, there is nothing but open sea scenery between you and Svalbard, with the golden sun floating above the sea all night long. Why not sail on Queen Anne in June 2026 to visit? Or, if our flagship is your favourite, Queen Mary 2 visits in July 2027. Both itineraries include a tour of some of Norway's most stunning fjords; another ethereal world, ideal for discovery by water.

Northern Lights cruises

Some would say that the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is the most well known, and beautiful, sky-bound spectacle in the world. It's also said that Norway is one of the best places to see it - and we would agree. Destinations within the Arctic Circle such as Tromsø, Narvik, and Honningsvaag, give as good a chance as any to see this mysterious light show - of course, factors such as time of year and weather will have the final say on whether they make an appearance.

Cunard sails to northern Norway each year, and those itineraries that visit in the autumn and spring months are labelled 'Northern Lights cruises'. Though nobody can ever guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear, these cruises are designed to give you a good chance of seeing them, and some might even have experts in the phenomena on board as part of our Insights programme, to deliver talks and Q&As on this and other wonders. Whether you choose to view the display from your stateroom balcony, bundled up in blankets with your loved one, or find a viewing spot out on deck with a hot cocoa, you can witness this once-in-a-lifetime experience your way.

Sail on Queen Anne in October 2026 for a wintery tour of the Arctic Circle, including port calls in Tromsø and Narvik, and pretty Stavanger on the way back to Southampton. Similar cruises sail in 2027; pick from Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne, or Queen Victoria depending on when you wish to go. Or, if you cannot wait for your chance to see the Northern Lights, you can still book a voyage in 2025; Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on 7 November 2025 for a 12-night tour of Norway, including an overnight port call in Tromsø for stunning nighttime exploration.

Solar eclipse cruises

In August 2026, and again in August 2027, Cunard ships will be placed at the ideal locations for one of the rarest heavenly phenomena - the solar eclipse. Ocurring during normal daylight hours, the moon moves across the sun, blocking the earth from its light, and creating an illusion of nighttime for a magical few seconds.

Being on a ship offers a unique (and luxurious) vantage point from which to view eclipses: not only can you be on deck, high above ground level and with better viewing of the sky above, but you also might find yourself away from busy towns and cities, where light, sound and hustle and bustle can cause distraction and discomfort. Instead, find yourself the perfect spot on deck ahead of time, order yourself a drink, put on a pair of eclipse-viewing glasses, and enjoy.

In 2026, you can have the chance of viewing the solar eclipse on one of three Cunard Queens. Queen Mary 2 will be visiting Norway and Iceland, and on 12 August 2026, she will be calling at Reykjavik, before setting off across the Atlantic to New York. The eclipse is due to occur in the late afternoon, but you needn't rush back on board: Queen Mary 2 will remain in Reykjavik overnight, so you get to explore the city late into the evening, should you wish.

Further south, Queen Anne will be departing La Coruña, in the early evening, when the eclipse occurs. Weather permitting, you can return to your ship after a day exploring on shore, and bask in the fading sun on Queen Anne's deck with a cocktail, ready for prime eclipse viewing as you sail out of port. A perfect day.

Lastly - at least for 2026 eclipses - Queen Victoria will be finishing up a day visiting the Spanish port of Tarragona, as part of her Mediterranean season out of Italy. Discover the Roman ruins of Tarraco and taste the very best of Spanish flavour before returning to Queen Victoria. Soak in the Pavilion whirlpool, have a cup of tea on the Lido deck, or enjoy a glass of complimentary sparkle that comes with your stateroom on your balcony, as you sail away from shore under the darkening sky.

The solar eclipse retruns on 2 August 2027, and it's Queen Victoria who plays host to viewers once again, this time in Tangier, Morocco. Viewable from north Morroco all the way across the Mediterranean to southern Spain, the solar eclipse is due to reach its peak at 9.45am local time, so you have plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Whether you choose to go up on deck for a coffee to enjoy the spectacle, or decide to venture into port to view from the beachfront, this is sure to be a wonderful sight to share with your travelling companions. If you don't want to miss the eclipse, we advise staying away from the souks during the morning - the canopies and closer buildings may make viewing difficult. Save them instead for the afternoon so you can experience the sights, smells and sounds of Tangier, and get the best of both worlds!