A Muse at Sea: One Guest's Poems | Ambassador Cruise Line

We strive to provide the warmest welcome at sea, so we’re always proud when we see guests coming back to sail with us again and again. While most guests return home from their cruise with a phone full of photos and a heart full of memories, one guest brought back even more: poems.

A frequent cruiser, Gillian is no stranger to the Ambassador experience. Her most recent sailings sparked more than just happy memories; Gillian put pen to paper and wrote some wonderful verse inspired by her time at sea. These poems are a lovely reminder of why so many guests choose to sail with us more than once, whether that’s for our ladies of the sea, our expansive itineraries, our characterful dining experience or simply the friends you make along the way.

We think her pieces perfectly capture the spirit of an Ambassador cruise, and she’s been kind enough to let us share her work.

GILLIAN'S CRUISE POEMS

ICELAND CRUISE 2026

We set off from Belfast got soaked through, Dripped at check in what a to do!
Boarded the ship, Unpacked at our ease, The weather outside was blowing a breeze,
Explored at our leisure, Met people we knew, Gillian was recognised by one of the crew,
Cruising now was a yearly tradition,
We met the Captain and his crew, Raised our glasses to places anew,
Two days at sea packed with fun things to do, Drama and musicals,
Walking the deck, Meeting new people, As on we did trek,
Dining in the Buckingham, Where we ate all our meals,
Nibbling in Borough Market, For afternoon tea, These are the places just for me,
As we drew near to our first port of call, Gillian really was having a ball,
The Golden Circle was the trip, With geysers and a waterfall, But mind you don't slip,
Between the crack in the earth where two plates dip,
I saw lava fields covered with a green spongy mass, And bubbling holes with hot steaming gas,
I saw Strokkur and Litli Geysir, Shooting hot steam and water,
High into the sky, Soaking the onlookers, As they passed by,
In the far distance a glacier was creeping, Like a giant that had woken previously sleeping,
Next I saw mountains with snow on their sides, And fjords where our ship glided inside,
The rainbow road at Seydisfjordur was a beautiful sight,
And quaint painted houses painted bright,
As we passed the Arctic Circle, A ceremony on deck,
Led to our Captain and crew soaked to their neck,
We were one happy family, All of us on board, Sailing the ocean and fjords,
We were treated like Kings each and every day,
The meals were delicious, That's all I can say,
The theatre was my favourite space, New shows each and every place,
Lectures and quizzes and craft to entertain,
Live music and drama, No one could complain,
So as we start our journey back to whence we came,
A rockin' and a rolling, Isn't such a pain,
I love this ship Ambition, I really want to stay,
And sail to places everywhere, Each and every day

HAROLD AND ALEX, HOLYROOD RESTAURANT

Harold and Alex what a team, Living the life such a dream,
Serving us all each and every night,
How amazing, What a delight,
Clearing the tables with a smile every day,
Why would we wish to all go away, Treated like a Queen,
With wine and food galore, I just want more and more,
Dressed in dinner jackets with black bow ties,
Such politeness and elegant guise,
Parading the baked Alaska with such aplomb and show,
As we wave our linen white napkins, Faces aglow,
So thank you for all your work each day,
Pleasing me in every way, With sadness I leave you,
It's home I must go, My little face is full of woe

A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE

A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!
Ambassador exceeded all my expectations and when they say the warmest welcome at sea - they mean it!
Great service, great food and drinks and fab entertainment! Will certainly be back on board again soon!

– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot

NORWAY CRUISE FJORDS

It's Retro Rock Rebellion, Tonight's Palladium show,
I've seen musicals and dancing and plays all at sea,
I would love to be joining them, It's a show life for me!,
We were at Haugesund today, The sun shone bright,
I sunbathed to my heart's delight,
I loved our trip on the Flam railway,
The mist was eerie all the way,
Like a shimmering shroud a snowy glow,
We stood there watching far below,
Our ship passed under a suspension bridge,
Gliding with ease It was such bliss,
Bergen was picturesque, Stavanger too,
We explored them all With our Ambassador crew,
We've dined in style, Dressed up each night,
Enjoyed the silent discos, What a sight,
Rollin' and a rockin' across the dance floor,
We really wanted to do much more,
The fjords are just such a delight,
We watched them lit up by soft moonlight,
But now we are leaving, Back home we will go,
Tobermory our final port, Before we are home

GILLANNE THE TROLL

Gillanne the Troll was ugly and bold, She lived in Iceland,
Which was oh so cold,
With twisted locks of flaxen hair and a ruddy complexion,
People would stare!, A boil on her chin, Another on her nose
Two sticky out ears, And podgy smelly toes,
One tooth with wrinkly skin so green,
They often wondered where she'd been,
Her smell was putrid from afar, And even close up she smelt so sour,
Her breath it stank of rotten fish, She served it up at every dish,
She slept in a cave, Spent her time underground,
Snoring and farting, What a terrible sound,
Waking then eating over and again, What a life she led,
Would it ever end?, Her size was huge,
She lumbered around, Her stomach resembled a mossy mound,
She was known as the Sorceress,
A woman well known, For her wisdom and knowledge,
Truly a crone, At night when the moon, Was full in the sky,
She wore moon glasses, To help her see, gave a sigh,
Her pet raven Albay was taught to heed her cry,
When off he was sent to seek herbs close near by,
With these potions Gillanne would cure all sorts of ills,
Nowadays we humans just pop a pill!
One day in a century she would bathe in a spring,
Of hot bubbling water, Deep from within,
But some days you'd see her, A puffin on her head,
Squawking and squealing wanting to be fed,
The cooing and chattering sound,
Echoed through her cave,
Making her happy the puffin was brave,
But if ever the sun rises before Gillanne is abed,
You might find a stone where once was her head,

Really welcoming and exceptional service

Really welcoming, I work for a company that handles their luggage at a nearby port and throughout the cruise last week for 4 nights to Holland and Belgium I was greeted warmly, amazing entertainment and care to staff including the exceptional Aleksandr oltianov who's been on the ship due to the war in Ukraine, shout out to Sheena and Kristine for making my holiday flawless and will definitely book again. Also recommended this to my family members one who has nectar and informed them about the partnership.

– Verified Guest Review, Trustpilot

WHERE WILL YOUR STORY TAKE YOU?

If Gillian’s verses have you dreaming of your own adventure to Iceland, Norway or beyond, take a look at our upcoming itineraries and see where your own story might begin.

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WHY CRUISE WITH AMBASSADOR

Experience more of the Arctic with Ambassador. Sailing from UK ports with welcoming service, comfortable smaller ships and a wide range of destinations, it's easy to discover dramatic landscapes, local culture and memories worth writing home about along the way.

For more destination guides, travel tips and must-see locations, be sure to read the articles on our blog.