Cruise Offers A Floating Escape

The MSC Musicas horn reverberated across the Port of Durban, declaring its departure as it gained speed, whooshing through the harbour mouth on a sticky, late summer afternoon.

The farewell cheers of the enthusiastic cruise passengers above us almost drowned out the clink of our champagne glasses as we celebrated the view from our deck 12 cabin balcony, and our freedom on the Indian Ocean for the next few days.

With a little help from a tug and marine pilot, who was swiftly airlifted into the helicopter thwapping above, the ship broke away and powered effortlessly into the horizon.

Our destination: the pristine sands of Portuguese Island some 6 798 nautical miles away in Mozambican territory. Three nights and two full days of blissful escape.

On deck 13, the 2 550-passenger capacity cruise ships pools were already bursting at the seams with rotund bodies. Drinks flowed in anticipation of the late Friday afternoon sail-away party, signalling the first night of our journey.