I’d never thought of Southampton as a potential gateway to paradise, not like Gatwick or Heathrow. But I was a virgin cruiser, you see. Not to be confused with the brand name, because this was Celebrity Line.

Now back from experiencing my first ever cruise I can vouch that indeed, for two delicious weeks, I was truly made to feel like a very important person.

Easy elegance in ambience and care were the keywords. Extravagant artworks graced the corridors of our light and airy ship – but they didn’t shout, any more than the quiet, impeccable service.

From the pristine Egyptian cotton bedding and towelling, through the sumptuous arrays of diverse foods, as healthy or decadent as you liked (spirulina or syrup-soaked waffles and cream) to the sublime attention that seeped from every corner of the cosseted ship, you could not help but feel special.

My memorable maiden voyage was a 14-night Canary Islands cruise on the exceptional ship Celebrity Eclipse, leaving Southampton for Ponta Delgada, Madeira, Tenerife, Grand Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Lisbon. With six full days at sea and seven ports, the schedule offered the perfect balance for deep relaxation and high adventure.

Awesome at first sighting, at almost four times the size of the Titanic, the Eclipse accommodates nearly 3,000 passengers, most enjoying spectacular vistas, plus 1,200 crew. Who would have thought such a treasure could be found just an hour’s drive from my Worthing home? Not I. And nor could my newfound friend from London. “Oh my wow,” he would declare at least twice a day when stumbling upon another onboard treat. It became somewhat of a catchphrase.

So on we go, my mum and I, up onto the good ship Celebrity Eclipse, clutching half a dozen bottles of water or so. As bottled water packages are advertised at a premium, we’re under the impression that water afloat is a sacred commodity.

But not so, we soon discover, exploring out on deck before the ship sails. We view a selection of seductive ice creams and tentatively enquire how much they are. We’re virgin cruisers, don’t forget. The man behind the Mast Grill counter smiles and directs us down deck to the buffet Oceanview Cafe.

Here we’re greeted with an even bigger and better array of glistening ice creams, giant cornets and heaving rows of colourful sweets and sauces reminiscent of Willy Wonka. And everything’s free – including, sigh of relief, the iced and lemoned water.

And this is just the entrance to a world of endless choice. Beyond the ice cream lies a plethora of possibility. Chinese food, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Turkish, Thai.

There were meats, fish, seafood, eggs, of all descriptions, sauted, scrambled, baked, poached, fried, florentined or kebabed. There was sushi, seaweed, tofu and miso, chickens, burgers, pizzas and pastas, lush fruit, live salads and a world of coloured cakes. All in the middle of a visibly sparkling blue sea.

At first it was a tad overwhelming. But after an early morning start in the gym, melons, poached eggs, salads and a freshly cooked steak, salmon or sea bass seemed the right way forward.

One night we celebrated the misfortune of a very large tuna that had been caught in port that day. It lay in state on its silver platter, regally decorated with colourful fruits of the land. I gave thanks then, as the gifts of earth and ocean came together.

Outside the ship’s ten restaurants, cafés and bistros, the challenge of further choice beckoned. Welcome to the bedazzling world of on-board entertainment. There were enticing walkways of designer and tax-free shops, live theatre, cinema, casino, swimming pools, spa, gym, clubs, bars and activity lounges.

And believe me, there were activities. Tours of the super-oiled kitchens serving up to 16,000 daily dishes, cookery classes, IT classes, healthy eating classes, whiskey tasting, wine tasting, talks on rheumatism, arthritis, Ayurvedic medicine, Hot Glass shows, art auctions, poker tournaments, table-tennis, yoga, pilates, stretching. Oh yes, and bingo.

Most of the time I settled for a whirlpool or outrageous hammock up on deck twelve, watching the ocean go by. You didn’t even have to fight for sunbeds, with spaces abundant and fluffy towels everywhere.

I thought this was a cruise, I hear you say, where you invade foreign shores armed with your Canon (the photographic kind). Well, yes, but not to Madeira. We heard it was a gem, but a heavy preceding night in the Quasar club decreed that we fondly remember the cake of the same name and head instead for the hammocks. Docked in the sunny harbour, the sea glinting, swaying gently to the rhythm of sweet-piped music and on-tap smoothies, we discovered the meaning of sheer luxury. Madeira may have been our loss, but a deserted ship was certainly our gain.

The Celebrity umbilical was cut. At Ponta Delgada we journeyed in a jeep into the lush interior of the Portugese island of Sao Miguel, breathing in the magic of the rolling green hills, expansive blue lakes and forested peaks. In Tenerife we bused to Spain’s highest point, Mount Teide, a massive and thankfully dormant volcano. And in Lisbon we jaunted round the beautiful city atop an open, red, double-decker bus, stoically melting into our seats, even in autumn.

Elsewhere in the Canaries we lay on sandy beaches and frolicked in the warm sea. To top it all, at the end of a hard day there was always the VIP harbour homecoming of fruit punch, iced water, sparkling white flannels and authentic smiles that made you feel proud to be stepping back up the Celebrity gangplank.

I’ve left the best bit till last, because it is an abiding memory. The Lawn Club, on uppermost deck fifteen, home to mini-golf, boules and giant jenga, is a half-acre oasis of real grass. It was here I experienced my moment of elation.

Lying in a secluded spot on the green grass, the late afternoon sun warm on my face, I looked up at the blue sky as the magnificent Eclipse pulled out of Fuerteventura. Gulls were chasing the vessel, hungry for scraps of food, and I watched them swoop, hover and soar effortlessly. On my back, at peace with the world, I was carried on the wide open ocean towards a new day. Another port, another place. Could it get any better? I felt so privileged to be there.

Anyone for a cruise?

The Facts 

Join Celebrity Eclipse on a 13-night Canaries and Azores cruise from £1,999 per person (based on two people sharing an ocean view stateroom) departing from Southampton and calling at Ponta Delgada (Azores), Madeira (Funchal, Portugal), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Tenerife (Canary Islands), Lanzarote (Canary Islands) and Lisbon (Portugal).

For more information or for bookings call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk