Hari Budha Magar, a Gurkha hailing from Nepal and serving in the British Army for 15 years, faced the loss of both his legs due to an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010. Despite his personal adversity, Hari’s primary goal has been to motivate others that overcoming challenges is possible, no matter the obstacles in life. Leading by example, the 46-year-old Hari became the first above-the-knee amputee to conquer Everest and aims to scale the highest peaks on all seven continents by January 2026, being two mountains away from achieving this feat.
Receiving a Special Recognition Award at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, Hari expressed his joy, stating, “I was absolutely delighted. It was such an honor. I just wanted to climb mountains and raise awareness about disability.” While Hari has ventured worldwide climbing mountains, he had never experienced a cruise ship journey until P&O Cruises, the new headline partner for the awards, surprised all winners with a cruise holiday this year.
Expressing his astonishment, Hari, a married father of three children aged 12 to 29, remarked, “It was just amazing, and not something I was expecting at all. And the holiday wasn’t just for me, it was a trip for the whole family. We had never been on a cruise holiday before. I’m very busy going everywhere, so it was perfect for us to spend time together and do things we’ve never done before.”
Embarking on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords in spring aboard the ship Iona, the family relished a week exploring ashore and indulging in the ship’s offerings. Hari shared, “We expected that on a cruise holiday you might not spend much time on land, but we had so much time ashore, taking cable cars up mountains and exploring the fjords.” The family savored diverse activities together, such as riding the Loen Skylift to Mount Hoven and visiting the fjord village of Olden, renowned for its picturesque landscapes.
Reflecting on the voyage, Hari cherished moments like celebrating his daughter’s birthday with a family dinner at Epicurean on board, where they enjoyed a six-course meal and a birthday cake. Hari also took the opportunity to inspire fellow passengers by sharing his story and engaging in discussions with them during the trip. Despite his mountain background, Hari found a newfound love for sea travel and expressed interest in planning another cruise holiday in the future.
Appreciating the ship’s wheelchair accessibility and the warm reception from the crew and fellow guests, Hari encourages those with mobility concerns to embark on a cruise without hesitation. He advises, “Once you start, you always find a way. People were really friendly. I would say be nice, ask for help and you’ll be fine.”
