Queen Anne Solar Eclipse Cruise: Tapas, Totality & A Sky Full Of Surprises

Life On Board Queen Anne

Queen Anne herself feels modern and bright, with a contemporary twist on classic ocean-going style. The ship is beautifully kept: everywhere felt spotless, fresh and well looked after, which really added to that sense of being looked after and “away from it all”.

The food on board was a real highlight. Whether it was leisurely breakfasts as the coastline slipped by, long lunches between shore visits or relaxed dinners after the show, every meal felt carefully prepared and beautifully presented. Service throughout was fantastic: warm, attentive and genuinely friendly without ever feeling intrusive.

Entertainment was another strong point. One standout was a delightfully humorous production of Pride and Prejudice, which brought Austen’s world to life with a playful twist that had the audience laughing throughout. It was the perfect way to round off an evening after time on deck or ashore.

Embarkation and disembarkation were impressively smooth. From joining the ship to leaving at the end of the cruise, everything felt organised and efficient, with staff on hand at each stage to guide and assist. It made the whole experience feel effortless.

Ports Of Call: Pintxos, Cider & People Watching

Our itinerary was a lovely mix of Spanish and French ports, each with its own personality and flavours.

Bilbao & San Sebastián

Sailing into Bilbao set the tone, but it was our visit to San Sebastián that really stole my heart. This has long been one of my favourite places for tapas and a cheeky glass of Rioja, and it did not disappoint. Hopping between pintxos bars, trying little plates bursting with flavour, and pairing them with a rich, velvety Rioja felt like the perfect way to spend an afternoon. It is a food lover’s paradise, all within a wonderfully walkable, atmospheric setting.

A Coruña

A Coruña added another layer of character to the journey: a handsome Galician city with sea views, interesting architecture and a relaxed, authentic feel. It is the kind of place where you can wander, pause for a coffee or something stronger, and simply soak up local life between sights.

Gijón: A Taste Of Asturian Cider

In Gijón, I made sure to try the local cider, a regional speciality. There is something very charming about enjoying it in situ, surrounded by locals who have grown up with this tradition. It really rooted the experience in northern Spain and added that sense of “I’ve properly been here, not just passed through.”

Cherbourg: Perfect For People Watching

Our call into Cherbourg brought a touch of French flavour to the voyage. I found a lovely square that was absolutely ideal for people watching: order a drink, sit back and simply watch daily life unfold around you. After all the excitement of ports and sky-gazing, that slower, café-culture pace was a perfect contrast.

Chasing The Shadow: The Solar Eclipse Experience

Of course, the star of this cruise was always going to be the solar eclipse. On the day itself, there was a quiet buzz around the ship: people gathering on deck, eclipse glasses in hand, eyes on the sky.

A guest speaker provided a running commentary as the event unfolded, explaining what we were seeing and building the anticipation as the light slowly changed. The atmosphere on deck grew more charged and almost reverent as we approached totality.

Then it happened: that incredible, otherworldly moment when the sun was completely obscured. The light transformed, shadows sharpened, and there was a strange, beautiful hush as everyone around simply looked up in awe. It is a feeling that is very hard to put into words; a mix of excitement, insignificance and absolute wonder. To mark it, I now have a certificate confirming that I witnessed totality, a lovely keepsake from an unforgettable experience.

A Sky Full Of Wonders: Meteors & Dolphins

As if the eclipse were not enough, the night that followed treated us to another spectacle: meteors streaking across the sky and a meteor shower that lit up the darkness. Standing out on deck, wrapped up against the sea breeze, watching those sudden trails of light was almost hypnotic. With the ship far from city lights, the sky felt huge and full of stars.

The next day nature continued to put on a show, this time at sea level: dolphins appeared alongside the ship, racing and playing in the bow wave. Guests lined the railings, cameras in hand, but it was just as special to simply watch and be present in that joyful moment.

Why This Voyage Felt So Special

This Queen Anne solar eclipse cruise managed to combine so many elements into one seamless journey:

• A bright, modern ship with excellent food, fantastic service and very good entertainment.
• Smooth, stress-free embarking and disembarking that made the whole experience feel polished and premium.
• Characterful ports with delicious local specialities, from tapas and Rioja in San Sebastián to cider in Gijón and café culture in Cherbourg.
• A once-in-a-lifetime celestial event, framed and explained by a knowledgeable guest speaker, and complemented by meteors, a meteor shower and dolphin sightings.

It was one of those voyages where every day brought something memorable, and where both the destinations and the journey itself felt incredibly special. For anyone who loves the idea of combining classic cruising with authentic food experiences and rare natural phenomena, this kind of sailing is a truly magical way to travel.