Embarking on a 2, 3 or 4-night mini-cruise can be a great way to sample a holiday at sea but it might not give a true picture of a full-length cruise.

I am aboard a cruise ship for a short time and ready to see what a mini holiday at sea is all about. I have a beautiful room with a balcony, although I am told that it is referred to as a stateroom. The dining options are incredibly varied: I can have a fine dining experience for no extra charge or opt for something more casual in the buffet. And the drinks prices seem to be reasonable – just £4.25 for a fruity cocktail. My cruise spends a day in port at Bruges.

I feel like I have made the perfect choice for sampling ship life. I sit back and relax with a Mojito, watching the sunset on the horizon and enjoying the sounds of the live band as we sail from Southampton. I have only been on board several hours, but already I am starting to feel myself being consumed by everything that is on offer and I like that feeling. Later, I may even browse future cruise potential – that would be voyages, not men.

My enthusiasm, however, is short-lived. The last thing I wanted to see was a group of half-naked, intoxicated young women, but that is exactly what I was faced with as a gaggle of hen parties got into full swing. I had enjoyed Beef Wellington in the main dining room and was looking forward to a few drinks in one of the lounges when the young boots appeared and sent me scurrying in search of somewhere more peaceful. This is not what I expected from a short summer cruise. I have already met some nice fellow passengers and we might even book another holiday before we return home.