The ‘small is beautiful’ versus ‘big is best’ argument continues to rage, and for many, it is a hard one to call, especially for those traveling with children. The superb value and amazing range of facilities offered by the larger ships is truly incredible, and you can create a more exclusive experience by selecting top grade suites and alternative dining. The business model from the cruise line’s perspective is of course an interesting one – the upfront cost supplemented as the cruise line aims to relieve you of all spare cash within a week before offloading you and targetting the next crowd.

But the most noticeable difference between large and small (and here I am talking management mentality rather than ship size) is the ability of the cruise line to create for you a holiday experience which is personal and unique – that is not to say your holiday will not have those qualities, but that will come from you and the people you travel with. From a passenger perspective, there are advantages to knowing that the ship you are on visits Civitavecchia every Wednesday – you know all the arrangements are in place, everything will go smoothly, the shore excursion programme has been honed, the criticisms of passengers who have gone before will have ironed out any potential problems. But it does remove the possibility of something different happening.

At our recent Regent Seven Seas Cruises event at Shakespeare’s Globe, the charismatic master of Seven Seas Voyager stood to speak about the cruise line he has worked for, in many guises, for fifteen odd years. And as he spoke, he described the type of event which to me epitomizes the small company difference – the ability to create an unforgettable event.

Picture this: Seven Seas Voyager is on the last leg of her World Cruise, westbound across the Atlantic to complete the cruise in Florida. Seven Seas Navigator is repositioning to the Mediterranean, eastbound across the Atlantic to commence her summer season. It is a calm and sunny day. The sea is like glass. Carefully co-ordinating their routes, the ships approach each other, and by 11am, they are just a mile apart. Like the stand-off in High Noon, they stop. Passengers come out onto the decks, wondering what is happening. The Cruise Director is wandering around in full evening dress, the crew have broad grins across their faces. What will happen?

Our picture tells it all – a motorboat, skippered by the Captain, sets off between the ships, with the Cruise Director waterski-ing behind, followed by a shark. (inflatable, I hasten to add). Deliveries are made from one ship to the other, they even swap a guest lecturer. Horns are tooted, hands waved, and it’s all over. But what the company has done is provide a ‘tale to dine out on’ for all the passengers on board. Within days of that event happening, I had heard about it from a whole range of individuals – some who were on the ship, some who were nowhere near it but had heard tell and received pictures from across the world. And now you have heard about it from me!

If you like the idea of experiencing Regent Seven Seas Cruises (even without the promise of cruise director closely pursued by a shark), 2008 is your year – a programme of itineraries far outpassing what was on offer this year. Opportunities to combine cruises to create longer journeys without repeating ports of call, in-depth explorations around Europe, arguably the best ship in Alaska, a selection of long voyages such as the Circle South Pacific and the World Cruise, all these are on offer with all-inclusive pricing. My top choice for 2008 is Seven Seas Navigator’s Discovery Collection. Leaving Athens on October 8th, she transits the Suez Canal en route for Dubai. Then on through the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea to Mumbai, arriving November 1st. A 20 night Indian Ocean Odyssey follows, exploring the Maldives, Seychelles, East Africa and Madagascar en route for South Africa, and finishing in Cape Town on November 21st. Disembark here, or stay on board as she sets course for Rio de Janeiro, and then for Florida, finally finishing her voyage in Fort Lauderdale on December 18th.