Despite it being more than a year away, planning ahead and booking soon might be the only way to get on some of these cruises!

An eclipse is a life-changing event.

Why is Eclipse Cruising the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

For a long time, solar eclipse cruises were something only done by small, boutique cruise lines or charters at exceedingly high prices. However, the 2017 eclipse that went across the USA sparked a real interest in eclipses for many Americans. In 2024, a few lines offered an eclipse cruise, which we were a part of, and they were a smash hit. Now a growing list of cruise lines are unveiling total solar eclipse cruises for August 2027.

The rising popularity of eclipse cruises means that lines, such as Princess, are selling out of the itineraries for 2026, and cabins on 2027 sailings are moving just as fast. In the past, we observed an increase in cost the closer eclipse cruises got to the departure date, so if you are interested in doing one, you’ll want to get a deposit in as soon as you can.

Important!

The safest way to secure the best price is to book now but with a REFUNDABLE deposit. Typically, cruise prices will increase over time, sometimes significantly. In the rare event the fare goes down, having a refundable deposit makes it much easier to reprice to the lower cost.

The 2017 eclipse that started the craze.

What Cruises are Available?

Here are some of the announced total solar eclipse sailings for July 2027. Since this is the hottest type of cruise right now, we expect more to be coming. 

Regent Seven Seas has a 2027 solar eclipse cruise. For an exquisite time, Regent is one of the best in small luxury cruising. If you’d like to learn more about the Regent experience, check out our look at it.

Virgin Voyage’s Eleven-night sailing out of Barcelona will be a fantastic time, as they are making sure to be out at sea for the Eclipse proper, as well as going along to Portugal and Morocco.

Cunard is offering a solar eclipse cruise on the Queen Victoria with a ton of stops at beautiful European ports. Departing from England, you will get a wide variety of places including France, Portugal, and Spain.

For something truly unique, Viking River Cruises is offering a Solar Eclipse cruise on the Nile in Egypt. Experiencing ancient Egypt and a cosmically powerful event all in one trip. But don’t get your hopes up as they are currently sold out. But you can still hope spaces open up.

How Do I Get in on the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

If you want to learn more about what sailing a solar eclipse cruise is like, and why it’s one of the hottest cruises right now, check out our blog post of our experience on Princess Cruises off Mexico’s coast. 

While we expect other lines might join in on the eclipse craze, these are available now. They are all selling out quickly. So, if you are even thinking about this, consider reaching out to us to help get pricing and put down a refundable deposit to lock in your cruise now! 

The post What is the Hottest Cruise for 2027? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

An eclipse is a life-changing event.

Why is this the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

For a long time, solar eclipse cruises were something only done by small, boutique cruise lines or charters at exceedingly high prices. However, the 2017 eclipse that went across the USA sparked a real interest in people. Then, a few lines did an eclipse cruise for 2024, which we were a part of, and it was a smash hit. Now many cruise lines are unveiling total solar eclipse cruises for August 2026.

Seeing the growing popularity of eclipse cruises, they’ve become the hottest cruises on the market, with several lines, such as Princess, already selling out. These are cruises are likely to increase in cost the closer they get to sailing, so if you are interested in doing one, you’ll want to get a deposit in as soon as you can. 

Important!

The best way to secure the best price is to book now but with a REFUNDABLE deposit. For those most part, prices will increase significantly. In the rare event the fare goes down, having a refundable deposit make it easier to reprice to the lower cost.

The 2017 eclipse that started the craze.

What Cruises are Available?

Here are some of the announced total solar eclipse sailings for August 2026. Since this is the hottest type of cruise right now, we expect more to be coming. 

Azamara Eclipse cruises. Azamara, known for longer experiential port callings and smaller ship luxury, has three sailings. 

Virgin Voyages has two 2026 solar eclipse cruises. One sails for 12-nights from Barcelona to Rome and the other sails 15 nights roundtrip from England with visits to Scotland and Iceland.  

Cunard will have three solar eclipse sailings, and we have special pricing on two of them. We have arranged special group pricing on two Cunard eclipse sailings. These groups allow us to hold prices even if the standard price goes up. 

Finally, two of the smaller cruise lines, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Windstar Iceland have sailings. They are a boutique and luxurious experience small ship experiences. 

As we said before, Princess Cruises, who we sailed with for the April 2024 eclipse and helped cement solar eclipse cruises as the hottest cruises right now. On August 12, 2026, Sky Princess will sail directly into the “path of totality” on a  special 14-night Total Solar Eclipse Cruise which also visits France, Spain and Portugal. The cruise departs Southampton August 8, 2026. It is currently sold out but you may be able to snag a wait-list spot.

How Do I Get in on the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

If you want to learn more about what sailing a solar eclipse cruise is like, and why it’s one of the hottest cruises right now, check out our blog post of our experience on Princess Cruises off Mexico’s coast. 

While we expect other lines might join in on the eclipse craze, these are available now. They are all selling out quickly. So, if you are even thinking about this, consider reaching out to us to help get pricing and put down a refundable deposit to lock in your cruise now! 

The post What is the Hottest Cruise Right Now? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Now you have seen the Mona Lisa, what else should you see at the Louvre? Here are some of the most famous, important, and interesting pieces in the Louvre. We recently discussed visiting the Mona Lisa and the five most important works of art to see. Today, we share more great works of art at the Louvre.

The Rape of the Sabine Women was a popular subject during the Renaissance. This work by French Baroque painter Nicolas Poussin, has a sister piece at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Jaques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii depicts a Roman legend about a seventh-century BC dispute between two warring cities, Rome and Alba Longa, and stresses the importance of patriotism and self-sacrifice for one’s country.

View the original Stele of Hammurabi which dates back almost 3,800 years. The stele is the oldest written code of laws known to mankind. This the first copy of the text found, and still the most complete, is on a 2.25 m (7 ft 4+1⁄2 in) stele. The stele is now displayed on the ground floor of the Louvre, in Room 227 of the Richelieu wing.

Practical Matters for a Visit to the Louvre Museum

Lines for buying tickets can be long so we suggest buying your entrance tickets online before you visit. Only tickets purchased online guarantee entrance.

Be sure to review the guidelines for a visit.

If you would like to view much of the collection online, the Louvre Museum has an online collection you can view for free.

The Louvre has created some helpful itineraries to consider for your visit.

If you arriving by Metro, Take Line 1 or 7 to the “Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre” station for the closest access.

Alternatively, Line 14 to ‘Pyramides’ station also provides nearby access.

Other Incredible Paris Art Museums

Musee d’Orsay has one of the best impressionist collections in the world in a beautifully restored train station.

If you love Monet waterlilly paintings, you can experience being surrounded by them in a single circular room. It is a stunning experience at the nearby Musée de l’Orangerie.

The post The Louvre: Five More Great Works of Art that Are NOT the Mona Lisa appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Prepare yourself for seeing the Mona Lisa. It will be crowded, and everyone will be trying to snap photos. Worse yet, people want selfies. We took this photo on our last visit. If you want to get up close, move forward slowly and gently as people depart. Patience is a virtue.

Are you at the Louvre and are tired of glimpsing the Mona Lisa from behind hundreds of people? Most of the other works will not be so crowded! Here are some of the most famous, important, and interesting pieces in the Louvre. We especially loved the Vermeers.

Best Things to See at the Louvre not the Mona Lisa

5. The Winged Victory of Samothrace is an ancient classic you you can now see in person. The goddess Nike greets you the bottom of the Daru Staircase.

4. The Statue of Aphrodite (also known as Venus De Milo) was found on the island of Melis in 1820 where it was found partially damaged. One of the world’s best-known artworks, you can see her in gallery 16 on the ground floor of the Sully wing.

3. Leonardo da Vinci, Virgin of the Rocks.

DaVinci painted two highly similar versions. The other is on display at the National Gallery in London.

The subject of both is the adoration of the Christ child by the infant John the Baptist.

2. Théodore Géricault, Raft of the Medusa has become an icon of French Romanticism. The French frigate Méduse, ran aground on 2 July 1816. On 5 July 1816, at least 147 people were set adrift on a hurriedly constructed raft; all but 15 died in the 13 days before their rescue. The event became an international scandal, prompting Géricault to create this work.

1. Eugene Delacroix, Liberty Leading the People. The recently restored painting returned to display in April 2024. Under eight layers of varnish and dirt they found the central figure’s dress was not entirely yellow but originally light grey with bits of gold. Also, they discovered a boot in the lower left corner which for many years had blended into the paving stones.

More Art in Paris not the Louvre

And there is more to great art in Paris than the Louvre. Read more here. Paris holds some of the best impressionist and modern art collections in the world.

Practical Matters for a Visit to the Louvre Museum

Lines for buying tickets can be long so we suggest buying your entrance tickets online before you visit. Only tickets purchased online guarantee entrance.

Be sure to review the guidelines for a visit.

If you would like to view much of the collection online, you can view the Louvre Museum online collection for free.

The Louvre has created some helpful itineraries to consider for your visit.

If you arriving by Metro, Take Line 1 or 7 to the “Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre” station for the closest access.

Alternatively, Line 14 to ‘Pyramides’ station also provides nearby access.

For more things to see at the Louvre that are not the Mona Lisa, read here.

The post The Louvre: The Mona Lisa and the Five Best Things that are NOT the Mona Lisa appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Amazing Modern Art is Displayed at Centre Pomideau

Modern Art

Be sure to plan for a day to visit the Centre Pompidou which is amazing and certainly the best modern art museum in Paris. Any art lover visiting Paris can’t miss it. The collection includes masterworks by Frida Kahlo, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and many, many more. Plan for the better part of a day and you still might not see it all.

To help you prepare, the Centre offers a downloadable map and new visitor orientation online.  In addition, they offer a one-hour orientation tour in English.

The Largest Collection of Impressionist Art in the World: Musee d’Orsay

The best-known museum for Impressionist art is Musee d’Orsay. On the Left Bank, the museum is housed in a beautiful Beaux Arts railway station built around 1900. It houses the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world, such as those by the acclaimed artists Morisot, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, and van Gogh.

Impressionist Art in Paris: Musee de l’Orangerie

It is fitting that Paris has several Impressionist collections. If you are a fan of Monet’s waterlilies, you absolutely must visit Musee de l’orangerie where you can sit in a room and be completely surrounded by them. It is an awe-inspiring and spiritual experience. A small museum in the Garden Tuileries, it is a short walk from the Louvre and also Musee d’Orsay. You can do a virtual tour of the waterlilies here.

Beyond the waterlilies, you can admire masterworks from Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Rousseau, Modigliani, Soutine and more.

Crowds can be very large on the first Sunday of the month, when entrance is free. Try to arrive early when it opens, usually at 9 a.m. While you can see much of it in one to two hours, if you can plan on three or four hours to really enjoy the collection.

Of course, you want to go, but know what to expect.

Are You Sure You Want to See the Mona Lisa?

There are two things you need to know before visiting the Mona Lisa in the Louvre.

First, the painting is much smaller than you expect.

Second, crowds can make it a fairly miserable experience. Depending on when you go, you may wait in a long line. When you get near it, there will be a large jostling crowd–most of whom are taking selfies. It’s more a tourist trap than a space for quiet contemplation of art.

Having said that, there is plenty of incredible art to experience in the Louvre. If you want to see the Mona Lisa, we won’t judge–we’ve done it ourselves. Just keep your expectations in check.

Ready for More Great Travel Tips?

We share our favorite travel secrets and tips every week. You can see them all here. Learn how to not only visit Paris but also visit another world-class city for no added airfare cost.

While in Europe visit some amazing Christmas markets.

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