Virgin Voyages Reveals Full Guest Lineup for 2026 Solar Eclipse Voyages
Virgin Voyages has revealed the full speaker lineup, special guests, and exclusive onboard programming planned for its two 2026 Solar Eclipse voyages.
Virgin Voyages has revealed the full lineup of astronauts, scientists, photographers, broadcasters, and space industry leaders who will be sailing on its two 2026 Solar Eclipse voyages.
The cruise line has also renamed both itineraries, with the voyages now sailing as Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles aboard Valiant Lady and Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome aboard Scarlet Lady.
While both voyages share the same eclipse theme and many onboard experiences, Virgin Voyages has confirmed slightly different speaker lineups for each sailing, alongside several guests who will appear on both voyages.
Guest Speakers Across the Eclipse 2026 Voyages
Speakers Appearing on Both Eclipse Voyages
The following guests are scheduled to appear on both Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles and Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome:
- Alyssa Carson – Astrobiologist, Science Communicator & PhD Candidate
- Andrew McCarthy – Cosmic Photographer & Astrophotographer
- Dara Ó Briain – Physicist, Comedian & Broadcaster
Exclusive Guests: Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles
Joining Valiant Lady’s Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles voyage will also be:
- Pamela Melroy – NASA Deputy Administrator (Ret.) & Shuttle Commander
- Dr. Ryan French – Solar Physicist, Author & Eclipse Expert
- Captain Tony Antonelli – NASA Retired Astronaut & Space Shuttle Pilot
Exclusive Guests: Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome
Joining Scarlet Lady’s Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome voyage will also be:
- Dylan Taylor – Commercial Astronaut & CEO, Voyager Technologies
- Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi – Astrophysicist, Cosmologist & Science Communicator
- Ron Rosano – Virgin Galactic Astronaut 017 & Spaceflight Educator
- Sirisha Bandla – Virgin Galactic Astronaut 004
- Sir Will Whitehorn – Virgin Founder & Former President, Virgin Galactic
Special Eclipse Experiences
Virgin Voyages has also shared more details about the exclusive programming planned across both eclipse voyages, with activities taking place throughout each sailing rather than only on the day of the eclipse.
Astronauts & Visionaries
Sailors will have the opportunity to attend lectures, discussions, Q&A sessions, and presentations hosted by the guest speakers, including current, former, and future space voyagers alongside leading science communicators.
Solar Eclipse Essentials
Every sailor will receive complimentary eclipse viewing glasses along with access to curated viewing experiences designed to make the most of totality at sea.
Cosmic Cuisine
Virgin Voyages is introducing a celestial specialty menu across both voyages, featuring cosmic-inspired dishes and the Total Eclipse of the Cocktail, a glitter-and-charcoal creation designed especially for the event.
Additional Programming
Additional programming will include wellness rituals, ceremonies, musical performances, VIP viewing parties, and other eclipse-themed entertainment created exclusively for these two voyages.
Exclusive Happenings & Events
- Out of This World: Living in Orbit – From building the ISS to spacewalking to the overview effect, NASA astronauts open up about life in orbit in a way that doesn’t happen at a conference or a keynote.
- Virgin Galactic: Ask an Astronaut – Will Whitehorn, architect of Virgin’s commercial spaceflight program, alongside Virgin Galactic astronauts come together for an open Q&A on what it actually takes to leave the atmosphere.
- Solar Eclipse 101 – A solar physicist walks through exactly what happens during totality and how to watch safely, making it the essential warm-up session before the main event.
- Eclipse Photography Masterclass – A cosmic photographer covers how to capture the corona, Baily’s beads and the diamond ring effect on a phone, with two minutes of totality to put it all into practice.
- Cosmic Pause: Eclipse Energy Session – A dharma teaching on light and shadow followed by an energy transmission session, timed to the eclipse for Sailors looking for an inner experience to match the celestial one.
- Designated Eclipse Watch Zones – Totality experienced three ways: in silence, with a live musical score or with real-time expert narration as the sky goes dark. Sailors choose how they want to meet the moment.
Solar Eclipse: Iceland & British Isles
- Ship: Valiant Lady
- Length: 15 nights
- Dates: August 5 to August 20, 2026
- Route: Portsmouth • Dublin • Glasgow • Liverpool • Belfast • Siglufjörður • Ísafjörður • Reykjavik • Edinburgh • Portsmouth
Solar Eclipse: Barcelona to Rome
- Ship: Scarlet Lady
- Length: 12 nights
- Dates: August 10 to August 22, 2026
- Route: Barcelona • Palma de Mallorca • Ibiza • Cannes • Ajaccio • Tuscany & Cinque Terre • Salerno • Catania • Rome (Civitavecchia)
Book with VV Insider
It’s not too late to book both Solar Eclipse voyages currently qualify for $200 bonus Sail Forward Loot when booking an eligible Limited View Sea Terrace or above as well as current Virgin Voyages offers. Lock-It-In rates are not eligible.
Bookings made through VV Insider also include access to the Red Diamond Club, featuring ad-free access to VV Insider, Diamonds loyalty rewards, and personalized planning support before your voyage.
