Finding the best spot to view a total solar eclipse can be challenging on a planet whose surface is more than 70 percent water.
Sometimes the secret is to charter a small, nimble ship that can get you exactly where you need to be. And when the ideal route takes you across the South Pacific, island hopping among tropical gems, you have an unmatched opportunity to keep one eye on the heavens while experiencing a spectacular taste of heaven right here on Earth.
TravelQuest invites you to join us as ...Show more
we discover some of the most beautiful parts of southern Polynesia – while sailing toward an unforgettable rendezvous with the total eclipse of the Sun on November 14, 2012. With the 330-passenger M/S Paul Gauguin as your viewing platform, you can enjoy all the amenities of a five-star luxury ship, plus the added adventure of exploring the unspoiled islands of Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
A Unique Eclipse Experience
The path of the 2012 total solar eclipse lies mainly over a remote expanse of the South Pacific. The small portion that crosses land does offer limited viewing opportunities around sunrise in Australia, where another TravelQuest adventure is bringing travelers to witness the event from a point near the Great Barrier Reef. But those joining us aboard the Paul Gauguin have the added advantage of mobility on eclipse day, which maximizes your chances of seeing one of nature’s most profound spectacles.
From the point we’ve identified in the ocean south of New Caledonia, you should be able to observe totality for an incredible three minutes – at 75% of the maximum possible, the longest that many eclipse chasers will ever spend under the Moon’s shadow. And the Sun will be 40° above the horizon in mid-eclipse!
Beauty In Every Direction
When you’re not gazing up at the southern skies, you can choose from a wide array of earthly diversions on an itinerary designed to showcase the warm hospitality of the Polynesian people and the incredible beauty of the islands they call home. The agile Paul Gauguin – one of the world’s top-rated small cruise ships and a favorite of TravelQuest guests – brings you to seldom-visited ports of call whose breathtaking scenery will stay with you forever.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard – and to gathering on deck November 14th to witness the total solar eclipse from a truly remarkable vantage point.
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