Every cruise ship on the waves right now has her particular charms but few if any can match up to the standards set by the Celebrity Silhouette. Part of the award-winning Solstice class of vessels from Celebrity that has been pushing the boundaries through consistent reinvention and refurbishment in recent years, the Silhouette has all manner of superb and extremely popular features.

The aim of most, if not all, cruise ship designers is to offer all the classic elements of a great experience that holidaymakers expect but to add into that equation some unique characteristics that make the whole experience that little more memorable and enjoyable. That at least seems to be the thinking with each of Celebrity’s Solstice class ships and in particular with the Silhouette. So you’ll find all the luxury pools, spas and gym facilities, along with truly excellent guest accommodation coupled with innovative outdoor features like the cabana-style Alcoves bar and the Lawn Club Grill that has proven so popular.

Elsewhere on the Silhouette you’ll find a restaurant called Qsine, where you can pick your dish via iPad and experiment with some fresh new flavours. There’s also an art studio on-board, where you can try your hand at jewellery-making with interactive demonstrations and with the help of expert tuition. Plus of course the views out to sea can be taken in from a dizzying array of angles and can take your breath away at any moment. Trips on the Silhouette incorporate a range of coasts around Europe and can extent as far as Caribbean at particular times of year.

If you’ve never experienced a full-on cruise holiday before and you’d like to test the waters before you do so then there is no finer way to do so than with the mini cruises offered by many of the best know brands in the industry.