by iryna macey, cruise expert at cruise addict
From Ny–Ålesund, home to the world’s northernmost post office, to Port Lockroy, home to the world’s southernmost post office, I have been fortunate enough to experience places that many people only dream of visiting.
Like many travellers, I have stood in front of some of the world’s most famous landmarks. I have admired the Eiffel Tower in Paris, gazed at the Great Sphinx in Egypt, walked through the Colosseum in Rome, crossed the famous Shibuya Crossing and enjoyed postcard–perfect views of Mount Fuji in Japan, posed beneath the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, walked along the Great Wall of China and visited iconic cities such as Dubai, Singapore, and London.
Yet when I look back on my travels, it is often the less famous places that hold the biggest place in my heart.
I fell in love with the dramatic beauty of Geirangerfjord in Norway, cruising between towering mountains and waterfalls. I stood in awe beside Goðafoss in Iceland, mesmerised by the raw power of nature. I wandered through the narrow streets of Sorrento in Italy, explored the tropical island of Langkawi in Malaysia, walked through the ancient ruins of Delos in Greece, and admired the magnificent Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman.
Some experiences pushed me far beyond what I ever imagined possible. I dived beneath the icy waters of Antarctica, climbed Mount Etna during an eruption, walked among thousands of penguins and seals in South Georgia, visited a local grocery store in Greenland after admiring the turquoise waters of the Kangerlussuaq Fjord, swam with sharks in the crystal–clear waters of Le Taha’a in French Polynesia and enjoyed Brazilian seafood stew overlooking the harbour in Búzios.
Those moments reminded me that travel is not always about ticking famous landmarks off a list. Often, it is about discovering beauty in unexpected places.
My passion for travel started long before I boarded my first ship. As a little girl, I spent hours studying maps and atlases. I would memorise countries, capitals, oceans, and mountain ranges, dreaming of places that felt impossibly far away — the Amazon River, Sri Lanka, Antarctica, and countless destinations I hoped to see one day.
Travel was not something that came easily. Growing up in Ukraine, seeing the world required determination and sacrifice. I knew I had to create my own path to make those dreams a reality.That path led me to the cruise industry.
Working onboard ships allowed me to turn my passion into a career and made travel accessible in a way I never imagined possible. Over the years, I worked on some of the world’s largest cruise ships, carrying more than 4,000 passengers and 1,500 crew members. I also experienced life on small expedition vessels with only 300 guests and 200 crew, where exploration and destination immersion became the focus of every voyage.
Those experiences taught me that there is no single way to travel.
With my family, I have crossed the Pacific to Hawaii on a giant cruise ship packed with entertainment, restaurants, and activities. I have also explored the Greek Islands aboard smaller vessels that could access secluded harbours and hidden gems that larger ships could never reach. During a bus trip through Central Europe, we had an unexpected two–hour stop in Budapest for an early morning coffee, giving us the chance to walk through empty streets and enjoy an unforgettable view of the Hungarian Parliament.
It reminded me that sometimes the most memorable travel experiences are the ones you never plan.
Travel has now taken me to all seven continents. I’ve swum in every ocean and explored remote islands, bustling cities, deserts, glaciers, rainforests, and tiny villages hidden far from the usual tourist trails.
Along the way, I have walked countless kilometres on my own. I have navigated unfamiliar streets without GPS, explored places without mobile phone reception, and found myself completely outside my comfort zone more times than I can count.
Those moments taught me one of life’s greatest lessons: sometimes the best discoveries happen when you do not know exactly where you are going.
Every destination teaches us about history, culture, nature, and people while inspiring curiosity and new perspectives. Travel highlights the world’s diversity in languages, traditions, food, and landscapes while showing that people everywhere share many common hopes and values.
Travel has shaped who I am today. It has taught me resilience when plans changed unexpectedly. It has taught me independence when I found myself alone in unfamiliar places. It has taught me patience, confidence, adaptability, and gratitude.
For me, travel is not simply a hobby or a holiday. It is a passion. It is curiosity in motion. It is a lifelong journey of learning, discovery, and connection.
And no matter how many countries I visit, how many oceans I cross, or how many miles I travel, I know there will always be another story waiting just around the corner.
Iryna is the owner of Cruise Addict, a Central Coast travel agency specialising in cruising. A former cruise ship crew member, she has spent more than 1,100 days at sea across all seven continents and visited almost 70 countries. Iryna shares real–life experiences to help travellers explore the world with confidence. iryna@cruiseaddict.com.au | cruiseaddict.com.au | 0400 448 772 | 1300 076 101