Most cruise ships offer high levels of comfort and service, with everything laid on and passenger needs paramount. But for a wall-to-wall decadent holiday akin to a five-star hotel on land there are dedicated luxury ships where the entire onboard ambience is refined and personal.

These ships tend to be small to medium-sized with much more space set aside for communal areas than their larger cousins. Some feel more like private yachts than cruise ships, with as few as 49 passengers, while others have several superb restaurants to choose from and plenty of activities.

Whatever the size, attentive, personalised service is what sets these ships apart – you’ll be greeted with champagne upon embarkation and crew-to-passenger ratio will be as high as 1:1.5. Passengers can expect to be called by name in the dining room and cabin, and their favourite tipple remembered at the bar.

Fine dining is a big part of the luxury experience, and menus will be varied, creative and fresh, delivered to the highest standards of presentation by often world-class onboard chefs. Experienced sommeliers will be on hand to recommend wines (included in the price on many luxury ships), premium spirits and champagnes (usually at an extra charge), and there will be sumptuous bars and cigar lounges in which to enjoy them.

At sea, space is the ultimate premium, and this is reflected in the cabin grades. Top suites will have several rooms manned by a team of personal butlers, superb positions on the ship, and even grand pianos, plunge pools and private decks. All cabin grades should have the highest quality toiletries and bed linen, spacious bathrooms and 24-hour room service. Most luxury ships have spas of varying size and quality plus immaculate boutiques and casinos for splashing your cash.

In port, disembarkation should be a leisurely and queue-free affair. Many ships offer personalised excursions and intimate-sized groups; some small ships even have drop-down platforms with sailboats and jet skis, others offer once-in-a-lifetime cultural tours.

Whatever luxury means to you, there’s a cruise ship to match it. Ask your ACE travel agent for ideas.