Raw to Roar with Ros

Episode 5 : CRUISE IONA

It was decided for me when my travel buddy Bev announced to me that the IONA was sailing to Norway in early June 2022. I had never experienced a ship before and it held no interest for me. It was described to me decades ago as a moving hotel which you could never get off. My experience of the IONA couldn’t have been further from that, and I simply had to share this with you.

On the ocean of life let your mind be the ship and your heart be your compass.
and “Don’t spend your entire life building a ship, without ever tasting the salt of the ocean.”

Alexander Den Heijer

From the moment you step onto the ship, it is another world. The IONA is iconic and stands tall over 19 stories high. To walk around deck 8 of 19, it is one mile. That is hard to get your head around. 3 pools, circa 20 jacuzzies dotted all over the place, theatres, movies, restaurants, shows, magicians, musicals, live music, story telling, libraries, silent disco, pantomime, spa and luxury steam rooms, golf, tennis, sporting facilities and a running track are just a few of the treasures I found on board.

Sunday was a sailing day from Southampton and over 18 hours, going along the ocean at 20 knots, the vastness of the earth was so apparent to me. Staring out over the ocean and seeing only horizon, no land, no other sign of civilization except the birds in the sky on the very wet and windy day: I was reminded of just how physically vulnerable we are, yet we think we are giants. I felt so truly blessed in that moment to be able to stare out the window at the magnificence of our oceans.

“If a ship is strong, the ocean’s tides do not bother it”

Matshone dhilwayo

Everyday of the 7 days I was blessed to enjoy the IONA were magnificent. From the 2 full days at sea, to the 4 we got to enjoy disembarking in the most scenic beauty of Norway were spell bounding. Waking up in our double cabin that was luxurious with the most exquisite bed linen and wooden furniture, enjoying a cup of coffee on our balcony whilst looking out over mountains topped with snow, whilst the sun breathed down on us from above : was just to much for my senses to acknowledge in each moment. It was truly amazing to be experiencing this aboard a luxury cruise liner. I felt blessed. Bev and I made the most of everyday. There were adventures to be enjoyed off the ship and indeed something for everyone on the ship. Never a moment left you bored. I know our mindset had much to do with it, but we appreciated the decadence of the ship against the hard work we both put in, to afford to go. Having said that, it is very affordable in that there are so many payment options and special discounts to making it alluring as an alternative to flight.

Now that I am back at home and about to start work again in the morning, I am dazzled at how the experience awakened my soul. Be it the sailing, the ocean, the mountains capped with snow, sunbathing in a jacuzzi, the company I kept, the breath taking scenery of Norway, the buzz of the ship: it all just surpassed my expectations and I am incredibly grateful and joyful for the experience. IONA, you delivered. Thankyou!