Royal Caribbean has updated the itinerary for an upcoming Liberty of the Seas cruise centered on the August 2026 total solar eclipse. The adjustment comes after passengers raised concerns about the ship’s positioning for totality viewing.
The change affects the 9-night Spanish Flair & Total Solar Eclipse cruise departing Southampton, England on August 7, 2026. The revised itinerary removes a scheduled stop in Lisbon, Portugal, allowing the ship additional time to reposition for optimal eclipse viewing at sea.
A Reddit user shared the email on social media, in which Royal Caribbean confirmed the decision was made to prioritize the eclipse experience for guests.
“To give everyone the best possible total solar eclipse viewing experience during our sailing, we’ll adjust our route after our visit to Gijón, Spain,” the cruise line wrote.
Instead of continuing south to Lisbon, Portugal, Liberty of the Seas will now sail directly to Vigo, Spain before entering the eclipse viewing zone. This itinerary adjustment allows more time to properly align the vessel for optimal viewing conditions.
Passengers raised early concerns about eclipse viewing
Ahead of the announcement, passengers had already started analyzing the itinerary. Many guests questioned whether Liberty of the Seas’ original routing allowed enough flexibility for the ship to reach the path of totality.
The original poster on Reddit shared:
“It looks like they listened to us! For those of us booked to go on the solar eclipse cruise on Liberty of the Seas on August 7, we originally were not going to see 100% totality, but with this email, I think they listened to us?! If so, super grateful for the change. Also, it looks like the ports changed a bit too to accommodate.”
In fact, one commenter shared that guests were contacting Royal Caribbean directly about their concerns. “People in the facebook group really came through. They were able to communicate with the VP of Guest Services, Ms. Yera-Rodrigues.”
Others emphasized that eclipse visibility was the primary reason many travelers booked the sailing in the first place.
“Woot Woot! I’m just so glad they listened! I’m fine with the changes, the whole point I booked this cruise was to see the eclipse in totality!” replied one cruiser.
In addition, multiple commenters praised Royal Caribbean for actually listening to concerns: “I’m not on this cruise, but this is an incredible success story of a massive corporation listening to feedback from their customers. This is something other companies should take note of.”
While itinerary adjustments are not uncommon in cruising, solar eclipse sailings carry higher expectations due to the limited geographic window required to experience totality. The updated routing appears to directly address those concerns.
Lisbon port removed to prioritize eclipse viewing
Liberty of the Seas was originally scheduled to visit Lisbon, Portugal on Day 7 before continuing to Vigo, Spain.
Cruise observers noted that maintaining the Portuguese port call created a tighter timeline ahead of eclipse day, potentially limiting maneuverability needed to position the vessel within the narrow band of totality.
According to Royal Caribbean, keeping Lisbon on the schedule would have required shortening the port visit significantly, ultimately limiting both the destination experience and eclipse positioning.
“In order to fully enjoy the Total Solar Eclipse and still include Lisbon, the port visit would be shortened to a degree that would have compromised the experience,” the company explained.
The adjustment also allows for expanded time later in the voyage, including a longer visit to Le Havre (Paris), France. Royal Caribbean noted the change enables a “more rewarding and unhurried visit to Paris.”
The revised sailing for Liberty of the Seas is listed below:
- Aug 7, 2026 — Southampton, England (Depart 5:00 PM)
- Aug 8, 2026 — Cruising
- Aug 9, 2026 — Bilbao, Spain (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Aug 10, 2026 — Gijón, Spain (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Aug 11, 2026 — Vigo, Spain (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
- Aug 12, 2026 — Solar Eclipse Viewing at Sea
- Aug 13, 2026 — La Coruña, Spain (7:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Aug 14, 2026 — Cruising
- Aug 15, 2026 — Paris (Le Havre), France (8:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
- Aug 16, 2026 — Southampton, England (Arrive 5:30 AM)
A once-in-a-lifetime Royal Caribbean cruise
The August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse is expected to be one of the most significant astronomical events of the decade, with the path of totality stretching across the North Atlantic before crossing parts of Iceland and northern Spain.
During totality, the moon completely blocks the sun for several minutes, briefly turning daytime skies dark and revealing the sun’s outer atmosphere. It’s an experience many consider truly once in a lifetime.
Royal Caribbean acknowledged the significance of the event in its message to guests, noting that the eclipse is “a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the forefront of your plans.”
Total solar eclipse cruises have grown increasingly popular, as ships can reposition at sea to avoid weather systems and maximize viewing conditions, something land-based travelers cannot easily do.
Royal Caribbean is not alone in planning voyages around the event. Several cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Cunard, and Oceania Cruises, have scheduled dedicated eclipse sailings across Northern Europe.
About Liberty of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom Class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. Originally launched in 2007 and later amplified with upgraded dining, entertainment, and onboard attractions, the ship accommodates approximately 3,600 guests at double occupancy.
The vessel features expansive outdoor decks, multiple pool areas, and signature Royal Caribbean attractions including the FlowRider surf simulator.
Liberty of the Seas is scheduled for a Royal Amplification dry dock in spring 2026, with work expected to take place in late April through May 2026 before the ship begins its European summer season.
The ship is expected to return to service at the end of May 2026, sailing from Southampton shortly afterward, which means the solar eclipse cruise will operate on a freshly refurbished ship.
