The 680-passenger Pacific Princess is small but perfectly formed. This delightful vessel is like an English country hotel, where the décor is a reaction against the over-the-top glitz for which cruising was once known; everywhere is clubby and intimate. The bars and lounges overflow with mahogany wood, deep luxurious carpets and huge sofas; they are so inviting you can't resist enjoying a cocktail and listening to the music. Other great places to meet friends are the casino and the Pacific Lounge atop the ship with great views. The library is possibly the most attractive at sea, while the gamut of treatments on offer in the Lotus Spa is perfect for some personal pampering. If you just want to chill then there's nowhere better than the delightful pool.

For cruisers for whom the most important part of the day is when the sun has disappeared over the yardarm and thoughts turn to dinner, Pacific Princess is definitely in the spotlight. Night after night, the culinary experience in the Club Restaurant never disappoints. In the Sterling Steakhouse the menu boasts prime cuts of grain-fed beef in gargantuan proportions. In the atmospheric Toscana, the Italian cuisine is nothing short of divine. The Panorama Buffet has a relaxed ambiance, incredibly fresh food, and an incomparable setting with many tables on the open terrace enjoying unimpeded views.

There are nine grades of suites and staterooms ranging from compact, 158 sqft Inside Staterooms to ocean view and balcony cabins. Or splash out on a suite with a wrap-around balcony; it's in these where the Pacific Princess' romantic 'Ultimate Balcony Dining' - dinner served on your own balcony - comes into its own.