Hotels and Cruise Lines Offer Last-Minute August 12 Eclipse Trips From $1,019

Q: Will the Perseid meteor shower be visible during the eclipse's two minutes of darkness?

Probably not. The Perseids peak on the night of Aug. 12–13, and the eclipse’s totality lasts less than two minutes in daytime or near-sunset twilight, not true night. In normal circumstances, that is far too bright and far too brief for meteor watching. The main benefit of this eclipse coinciding with the Perseids is not that the shower will be visible during totality, but that the same new moon that makes the eclipse possible will leave the sky moonless later that night. That will make the Perseids unusually favorable after sunset and especially after midnight, when meteor rates are expected to be much higher. A meteor during totality is not impossible, but it would be a matter of luck rather than something observers should expect. Only an unusually bright Perseid, such as a fireball, might stand out during the eclipse’s brief darkness. Typical Perseid meteors are best seen under sustained dark skies, with time for eyes to adapt, conditions that a two-minute eclipse does not provide. So the practical answer is no: don’t count on seeing the Perseids during the eclipse itself. Treat the eclipse and the meteor shower as a same-day “doubleheader” — the eclipse in late day, then the Perseids later that night under excellent moon-free skies.

3 articles · Updated · AFAR Media · Jul 17

Less than a month before the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse, rooms, cruises and guided packages are still available across Spain, Iceland and Greenland despite months of heavy booking.
Prices range from $1,019 a night at Iceland’s Hotel Rangá to $200,000 luxury Balearic packages, with several options built around private boats, onboard astronomers or guided transfers into the path of totality.
Cruise operators are using mobility as a selling point: ships from Atlas, Crystal, Explora, Seabourn and Arctic expedition lines plan to position at sea or in Greenland fjords for clearer views if land weather turns unfavorable.
Spain’s Mallorca and northern regions feature the densest land-based options, while Iceland and East Greenland offer longer or more dramatic totality for travelers willing to pay more or travel farther.
The eclipse will darken parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and northeastern Portugal, and remaining inventory is expected to shift quickly as August 12 approaches.