Life can be hard. Ever had that feeling you’ve lost your way? That you’re going round in circles and getting nowhere fast?
My advice is get yourself a decent GPS. But the problem may be deeper than that. You’re not lost on the clockwise carriageway of the M60 somewhere between junctions 1 and 27, but rather you’ve gone missing on the motorway of life. If that’s you, I have a suggestion.
You need to rediscover yourself.
At this point I can imagine what’s going through your mind. Since this is a blog on cruising, you’re thinking, the rediscovery process is going to involve stepping aboard a cruise ship.
Well damn you, you’re right. It so happens that cruising is one of the most effective ways to learn about the inner you. On a cruise you are both literally and metaphorically taking yourself off on a voyage of self discovery.
Self knowledge
We’re often told it’s a wise man who knows himself. And much the same, no doubt, can be said of women, bless them (though not in a patronising way).
Even though we are always present in our own lives, and ever privy to the non-stop monologue running through our minds, when it comes to self knowledge, many of us are surprisingly deficient.
One reason could be that we’re stuck in a rut. We go through our daily routine on auto pilot and there’s nothing to challenge us. Little chance to learn something fresh about ourselves.
Personal development
Sometimes we only really find out who we are, when confronted by out-of-the-ordinary circumstances, such as a personal crisis.
But why wait for something bad to happen, when we can top up our personal development simply by exposing ourselves to unfamiliar but enjoyable scenarios. That’s where cruising comes dramatically into its own.
It provides an easy escape from our normal schedule. On a cruise, mighty oceans, tropical isles, romantic sea ports, exotic civilisations can all become part of our everyday experience.
Floating village
In a matter of hours we can flee our static home environment to take up residence in a floating village. Suddenly we find ourselves teaming up with a community of like-minded adventurers to share unforgettable events.
And here’s the amazing paradox. It’s only when we’re lost in the magic and unfamiliarity of it all, that we truly start to find ourselves.
Those parts of our psyche that were previously underused are subjected to extra stimulation. We start to unearth inner qualities we never knew we possessed.
Our judgement, resourcefulness, social skills and spirit of adventure can all be sharpened by the experience.
Cruising for self discovery
The simple truth is that almost any cruise you take can be a catalyst for self discovery.
There’s an education to be had on every liner and in every sea lane.
But if you’re looking for specific holidays to learn about yourself and encourage self growth, then here are some ideas to get you started.
My top three suggestions
You can relive the historic trip made by Charles Darwin in 1831 in HMS Beagle, by signing up to this 7 night Galapagos Islands cruise. This was certainly a voyage of discovery for Darwin who, as a result of his findings on the islands, went on to write his revolutionary theory of evolution.
If you’re seeking a complete change of scene to refill the ink cartridges in the laser printer of your mind, then this 11 night Far East Azamara cruise is a strong candidate. You’ll set foot in four different worlds in the shape of India, Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore.
And finally if you want to get right away from it all and feast your eyes on some breathtaking scenery, one of these 7-night Alaskan cruises could be just what you need.
Cruise deals
On the other hand, you might not care a jot for all this self discovery baloney. You’re not looking for pathways to inner re-engagement. You just want to take yourself off on a bloody good holiday.
And to be honest, I don’t blame you.
If that sounds more like you, well you’ll find plenty of options to consider amongst these cruise deals.
Leave a Comment