Anyone done a solar eclipse cruise - Oosterdam 2012

[SwissMyst]

Seriously looking at the Oosterdam 14 day Solar Eclipes cruise out of Sydney in November 2012. One does need to be in the ocean almost for this one so that part makes sense. But how do 2000 plus people get outside at the same time to view it? Anyone ever been on one of these special event cruises? Thanks.

PS: we did a solar eclipse land tour once to view it in China and would love to have this experience again. But we had wide open spaces to view it from land.

Can 2000 plus people even be all on the upper decks at the same time anyway? Just for a few minutes, but the moment cannot be missed. All need to be present and accountable at the same time if most of the passengers are intentionally taking this cruise for this event.

I guess this would not be too much different from a sail away - open aft decks, Lido with the top pulled back, Sports deck ......outside Crows Nest ... and they probably open the front bow decks as well for viewing like they do when viewing glaciers --- in fact would it be that much different than getting everyone out and viewing Glacier Bay at essentially the same time?

[High Flyer]

We did the "Total Solar Eclipse Cruise" on the Dawn Princess back on Feb.26, 1998. IIRC it was just off the coast of Aruba where we tracked the event just about noon time. While there were many folks on deck with their telephoto lenses and tripods, I never felt it was crowded. I was sitting on the edge of the pool thinking whats the big deal? Why are all these bearded guys running around with their telescopes and cameras? Then it hit me, the temperature dropped 10+* instantly. There was dead silence. A few moments before the sun was shinning bright then I could see the lights from other ships all around us. Then almost in unisance (sp) as the sun reappeared everyone began to cheer. A cruise I'll never forget.

[RetiredMustang]

We saw the same eclipse High Flyer did in 1998. We were aboard Statendam, just off the coast of Curacao. The Lido and sports decks were pretty full, but not too squished. There were many professional and amateur astronomers on our cruise, and a lot had tripods and cameras with HUGE lenses. I don't know if the bow decks were opened, as we found ourselves a place on the Lido deck, near the bar and children's pool (which had been emptied so people could stand there, giving a bit more room).

The experience was awesome, with totality lasting several minutes. An interesting thing to me was watching shadows rippling on the teakwood decking -- reflections of the turbulent solar corona. My advice -- book the cruise and view the eclipse; it is a unique and unforgettable experience.

Dave

[EatonDoolittle]

Yes, we saw this one also, anchored in Gatun Lake, betweeen the Panama Canal Locks.
It was a smaller ship - Premier line, and they even gave us special glasses to use.
I have some unique photos that the ship photogapher took with special lenses (or filters), I imagine the current technology can do some great things with such an event.

Indeed once in a lifetime - I say go for it.

[Pete Jackson]

We have been on three total eclipse cruises (America Hawaii's Constitution in 1991 off Hawaii's Big Island, Cunard's Sagafjord in 1994 off Brazil, and HAL's Veendam in 1998 off Curacao) and they are great, with all the excitement and the captain will be glad to help build it up, and show what a great navigator he is. A ship is a great way to view a total eclipse since the captain can use the ship's mobility along with the latest satellite photos to minimize the possibilities of clouds interfering with the view.

Yes, they will open the bow, as well as the Sky Deck (on top of the Crow's Nest). There will be lots of room for everybody, even the crew since all normal activities and services will be suspended. They will give out dark filters to view the partial eclipse phases; the total eclipse can be viewed without a filter. The loudspeakers will tell you when tor remove the filter and when you need to use it again.

Enjoy your eclipse cruise!

[SwissMyst]

Wow, what great responses. We loved the experience on land a few years back and this sounds like another really special way to see another one - this one I believe will be one of the longer ones.

It is a very mysterious light for those few moments - unearthly is the best but most scientifically inaccurate way to describe it isn't it because it is very earthly.

I felt it was like the 360 horizon glow when they dim the lights in a planetarium. That description of seeing the lights of the other ships gave me chills.

And yes, it is a given there may be clouds and overcast so the full experience will be for nought. But even with clouds, there will be be such an obvious change "when the dragon eats the sun" even that will be interesting to see as well.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. We are on! Oosterdam and Australia here we come - Nov 2012.