Eclipse Junkies Go To Sea
Joan and Steve Boyle.
July 3, 2012
by Joan Boyle
Since the 1970s, my husband, Steve, and I have been eclipse junkies. We’ve driven across multiple state lines and boarded cruise ships in our quest to see a total eclipse of the sun, to experience that unique moment that crosses the ages–a phenomenon prehistoric man also held in wonder.
The goal of every eclipse junkie is to reach the line of totality where the alignment is such that the moon completely obscures the sun, turning day to dusk, leaving visible only a dazzling circumference of corona.
With 30-plus years of eclipse-chasing experience, we’ve come to realize that weather can be fickle. On land, cloud cover can be so widespread, you can’t drive around it in time to see a phenomenon as fleeting as an eclipse.
We’ve discovered the most reliable way to see a solar eclipse is aboard a cruise ship. There are no guarantees about the weather, of course, but nothing beats a dedicated ship captain with the latest in weather technologies to spot and avoid cloud banks.
Steve and I came about our hobby early in our marriage. Steve is a chemist and we have always shared an interest in science. While living on the East Coast in 1970, I remember hearing about a solar eclipse. We weren’t in the line of totality, but we saw the pictures and heard the stories about what an amazing experience it was. We had to see one, too.
Our chance came in 1979. By then living in Denver, we packed our 8- and 5-year-olds in the car and drove the 12 hours to northern Montana, to reach the line of totality. The children still tease us about this unusual vacation, but I’ll never forget that chilly February day and the eerie yet wonderful moment when our humble moon eclipsed the mighty sun.
We were hooked. Our next opportunity was 1991. Steve and I traveled to Mazatlan specifically to be in the optimum position to view a total eclipse. From our perch on land, the clouds rolled in just at the moment of totality, totally blocking the sun. In the distance, we heard the sounds of luckier eclipse watchers starting their boats to go out to sea beyond the clouds.
We learned a lesson…perhaps chances were better at sea than on land. Come 1998, a total eclipse was set for Aruba and environs. We booked a southern Caribbean cruise aboard Dawn Princess with eight other eclipse chaser friends and cruised from lush port to port, relaxing on our balcony and having superb adventures en route to Aruba. We weren’t the only such group, the cruise was an eclipse special, filled with fellow junkies from around the world. Princess had even booked astronaut Buzz Aldrin as a guest speaker to educate and inform.
When eclipse day dawned to clouds and sprinkles of rain, we worried that once again we’d miss the big moment. But the wonderful captain of Dawn Princess guided us to clear skies and a flawless viewing of the total eclipse.
An unexpected grace note came shortly before totality when a pod of dolphins came up to check out what was happening with the sun! They, like us, seemed to be awestruck.
We humans stood in silence on deck as the earth and moon shifted, the skies darkened and the full eclipse emerged. There was a gasp, as we shared this unforgettable event, this basic human experience that had thrilled and frightened since the beginning of mankind.
It’s moments like this that we eclipse junkies live for.
This November, Steve and I have booked a balcony room on Dawn Princess again, this time to Australia for the next total eclipse of the sun.
We know that if there are clear skies to be found that the captain will find them for us and we will again witness the awe-inspiring experience of seeing the moon eclipse the sun. Dolphins, don’t forget to come check it out!
Joan lives in Grand Lake, Colo. and has enjoyed two Princess cruises with a third booked for November.
Thank you, Joan, for sharing your story! Cruising to see an eclipse is surely a bucket list experience! We look forward to welcoming back the “eclipse junkies” in November!
How can my husband and I find out in advance about Princess eclipse cruises? Last September 2010 we were on a cruise to Greenland & Iceland. We knew there would be a solar eclipse in 2011 and so asked the sales staff onboard if Princess would have a 2011 cruise that would enable us to view the eclipse. Unfortunately they didn’t know about the November 2011 Dawn Princess cruise to Australia and the planned eclipse viewing. So we didn’t book this cruise. What about the eclipse in 2013? Is there a Princess cruise we can take to see it?
The eclipse is coming this November 2012. The Dawn Princess will sail from Sydney on November 6 for the November 14 (Australian time) early morning eclipse.
Joan, I’ll be looking for you onboard. My husband decided this was something he wanted to see from onboard too. We’re on the same cruise you’ll be taking. We’re from Houston, TX and flying out on Halloween to see a bit of the Sydney area. So exciting.
Reading your story was so nthrawling i thought i was there w/u guys listening by ear by the beautiful water.I love the water even rain.It reminded me of the feeling u get when you watch the movie the notebook.Ive personally never been on a trip but listening 2 that n looking @ the Princess surrounded by the crystal blue water i kinda went their 4 a min.Thanku 4 putting a smile on my face n my girls as i read it 2them afterwords.We hope u get that next eclispe.
well I did not think I was going again but my daughter surprise me and ask me if I wanted to go. Of course I said yes. So we will be going on Dec. 22 can not wait and even going with her husband mother and father thanks again Melissa for asking me to go. I had a great time last time and I will again.
Book a cruise ! most wonderful vacations i’ve ever taken and cheaper than a week at the beach! i’ve been lucky to have been on most cruise lines.
That was an exciting account of chasing the eclipse which I have taken so lightly in my lifetime. The trip in November sounds awesome. I think it would also be exciting to see the Northern lights.
I absolutely fell in love with cruising. I love being on the balcony and watching the gorgeous sunsets with no obstructions.
Thanks forr sharing.
In 2004 when our daughter and son-in-law said they wanted to take us on our 1st cruise to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary, I thought oh no!. As a little girl I used to get sick just crossing the Mersey from my home in Liverpool, to Birkenhead, about 25 min ferry ride. But I took the advice of friends and my Dr. gave me a presription for Transderm Scop, a little patch that sticks behind my ear. Well we have now been on 9 cruises ( Princess being our favorite ) I have only been sick one time, whale watching last year, when we were on stand-by and ended up taking 2 seats on a rubber raft holding about 15 very young people, and us, Hubby is 81 and I am 76. Well my patch, which should be changed every 4 days, I had forgotten about, so the medicine had worn off, and you can imagine my horror when I had to throw up in a plastic H.E.B. bag I had in my purse, which also had a hole in the bottom…but thats another story !!!
Now we are saving and planning something big for our 60th in Jan.2014 and it will only be on Princess.
Shirley, reading your comment has taken us back in time as we left Hoylake, near Birkenhead in 1974 for Australia, and went back for a holiday for the first time in 2011 and one of the highlight’s was a trip on the Ferry to Liverpool which revived many memories. We are now going on our first cruise during the 50th year of our marriage. We are going for 14 days round New Zealand over Christmas with Princess Lines and really looking forward to spending Christmas at sea. We have taken note of your comment regarding sea sickness and will look for the patches you used.
I hope to see you on the Dawn in Australia this November. I didn’t know the term, but I guess I am an “eclipse junkie” also. I had a great experience in Germany in 1998. I hope we meet to exchange eclipse stories.
Im another in the list……november +Dawn in Australia= ECLIPSE!!
There are 10 ‘eclipse junkies’ in our group — some repeaters from the Dawn Princess in 1998 and some who will experience totality for the first time. We have several days at sea before the eclipse to get acquainted. Look for us on board!
Time now to plan for the total eclipse on land in the US in August 2017!
Thanks for a lovely story. My husband and I will be seeing our second solar eclipse by cruise ship this November also. Our first was in ceduna (south Australia) in 2002. Yes we are hooked. Luckily the clouds parted for the magic only to close right back over moments after it finished. We did our math and our November cruise is definitely our best option to see the eclipse including wonderful meals and entertainment.
Our first was also 2002 at Lydhurst South Australia.
Princess,
how about a cruise from Australia to Faeroe Is and Svalbard via India and the Suez Canal for the total solar eclipse on 20 March 2015. We need a ship because there is 90% chance of cloud.
Oh my goodness, I Am doing my first ever cruise in November with two of my closest friends to witness the solar eclipse, for my 50th birthday and am very nervous! Reading this story and all the comments has put me at ease a little. I also get very seasick so shall be off to visit the doctor first!
And you were so giddy about the eclipse that you didn’t relaly get any sleep before hand. At least I got some sleep before I had to set up the tele and camera. By the way, after I dismounted my camera, I put the 26mm eye piece on. You missed the best part. It was an amazing site.
I cant wait to November…to take the cruice..This is my email is any want add to my group…We start with 2 from Florida!!..wanda-enid@hotmail.com
Great photos Randi and Mike. Sky was coludy here in Tennessee that night.Brings back memories of 38 years ago when Mike and I took our multiple exposure shortest day photos from the Delta River bank.Ken Stumpenhorst
Add me to your list of “eclipse junkies”. I have always wanted to see an eclipse, and would be out there with my welders glass for anything I could find. In May 1994, I packed up my then-6 month-daughter and my then-4-year-daughter and headed off to the Christa McCauliffe Science Center in Concord. They projected an image of the annular eclipse on the side of a building, and we watched from there. On Christmas Day, in 2000, we took out our trusty welders glass, and watched another annular eclipse from inside (with a couple of forays out into the cold). In January 2009, I stumbled upon the fact that there would be a total eclipse in Tahiti in 2011. My then-17-year-old-daughter and I headed off to the Cook Islands. The tour I was interested in was sold out, so we made our own. We found an airplane ride out of Rarotonga, and flew off that morning. Unfortunately, we were with a Japanese tour group, and no one spoke English. We sat near the engine. On our side of the plane, we had limited viewing time, and when I could see, my view was blocked by the engine. My daughter wormed her way into a group near the front bulkhead, and was lucky to have a better view that I did. I had some glimpses of the total eclipse, but not very much. I was very disappointed, until I learned that most people on the tour I couldn’t get on were clouded out. So, when I found out that there was an eclipse this year ON MY BIRTHDAY, I started planning. I am sailing on the Dawn Princess with both of my daughters. I am very excited, and happy to join this group! I would love to meet up with others on the ship!
I’ve been searching for information about the March 2015 solar eclipse that is set to occur over the Faroe Islans/Norway. Do you know whether Princess will offer a cruise in that area? So far I have only seen European cruise lines that I am not familiar with. Seeing a total eclipse is definitely on our bucket list.