Four (relatively) young journalists on a Saga cruise would, as you might expect, stand out somewhat from the other passengers. So it wasn’t long before curiosity got the better of them and we were quizzed on what we were doing on the ship.

Members of a string quartet, male dance hosts and magicians all failed to convince, so we had to settle for the truth.

“You make sure lad you write something nice,” or “Tell them about the wonderful staff luv,” was the kind of response we got from the passengers once they believed our story.

Our ship, Saga Ruby, was on an 18-day cruise to the Mediterranean, which had started in Newcastle. We joined at the next stop – Dover.

Saying something nice about the Saga Ruby cruising is not difficult. The level of care and attention to detail by Saga in general and the crew in particular is evident.

For example, if you live within 75 miles of the departure port, Saga will arrange a car at no extra cost. The driver will pick up your bags and the next time you see them will be in your cabin.

Boarding the ship is a bit like taking a plane but without the hassle. You board in groups and as you step aboard, a steward is there to take your hand luggage and show you to your cabin.

The crew and staff take great delight in their work – and it shows. Nothing is too much trouble. In the Lido Café a steward is on hand to carry your tray to the table should you wish. While in the formal dining room some of the more elderly ladies are escorted to their seat on the arm of a waiter.

The crew’s enthusiasm for their job shows in many ways and is not forced. Most nights, in the dining room there would a celebration, a birthday or anniversary. At some point a cake with a sparkler is produced and the stewards gather around with smiles and laughter to sing their own version of Happy Birthday.

The care and attention extends ashore. At each port of call a selection of excursions are available. They are designed for various levels of mobility so that passengers can select from a standard tour that might involve a fair bit of walking or alternatively enjoy the sights from an air-conditioned coach.

Each excursion has, apart from a local guide, a member of the crew on hand to make sure everything runs smoothly. And as you return to the coach, hot from a day’s sightseeing, there is an ice-cold flannel to cool you down.

Although I enjoyed the excursions ashore I was keen to see if I would enjoy life aboard ship. The days at sea seemed to literally float by and were punctuated by some truly delicious meals.

So a day at sea pans out like this: breakfast in the Lido Café, a walk around the deck, mid-morning coffee in the Britannia Lounge, a beer and lunch on deck beside the pool, an afternoon lecture in the theatre, afternoon high tea at 4.30pm with cream cakes and ‘stickies’, another walk around deck and it’s time to get dressed up for the evening meal, a pre-dinner cocktail in the South Cape Bar, then the evening meal itself, followed by a show in the ballroom and then late night drinks in the Preview Bar.

Oh, almost forgot the late night buffet in the Lido Café, and if you wake peckish during the night you can take advantage of the 24-hour room service.

Gentlemen, make sure your DJ has some slack around the waist band!

All the meals are of the highest standard. Diners can select from four appetisers, three soups, four main courses and four desserts.

The evening meal is served at one leisurely sitting, with allocated seating, leaving you to dine any time between 6.45pm and 9pm without feeling rushed.

All drinks and other charges, like laundry service and Internet access, are charged to your room using a ‘credit’ card which doubles as a cabin key and security check for trips ashore.

Our cruise, billed as ‘Celebrated Cities of the Mediterranean’, took us to Vigo, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Toulon, Barcelona and Leixoes in Portugal.

The itinerary, in most cases, enabled Saga Ruby to arrive in port early in the morning, allowing passengers a full day of sightseeing before sailing for the next port in the evening.

Information about each port is provided via Today, the daily on-board newspaper.

Our Captain, Philip ‘Round the Rocks’ Rentell, also kept us up to date on the ship’s progress with a witty but informative chat over the Tannoy each lunchtime.

Saga Ruby and her sister ship Saga Rose both have a varied and extensive itinerary for 2009, encompassing regions as diverse as the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Baltic, North Africa, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and America.

In May, you can sail with Capt Rentell on a mystery cruise – 18 nights sailing from Southampton with at least ten ports of call.

With ‘Round the Rocks’ at the helm and his caring crew looking after you, you’re bound to have the trip of a lifetime.