3 SeaDream II: 4,333 tons, 108 passengers - cruises the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula for Seadream Yacht Club

This gorgeous little ship offers the ultimate in exclusivity. Even the sun loungers - Balinese-style, teak bottomed and thickly cushioned - are as substantial as most ships' double beds, and are screened off and set on a raised platform for fabulous, uninterrupted sea views. There are also hammocks out on deck for the last word in lazy relaxation. The service is stupendous, too - and the Gourmet Menu in the ship's chic restaurant would have Gordon Ramsay drooling into his coulis...

What's new in 2006? This winter SeaDream offers Latin American itineraries visiting offbeat `yachtie' ports like Punta del Este in Uruguay and Ilha de Giphoi, Brazil. Look out, too, for this year's Oscar winners; SeaDream cruises are part of the spoils featured in the winners' goodie bags.

4 Voyager of the Seas: 137,250 tons, 3,114 passengers
- cruises the Caribbean, Canada and New England for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

This was the biggest cruise ship in the world when it launched in 1999, and gave its name to a whole new class of Royal Caribbean mega-vessels. Its list of innovations are as long as your arm - they include the first ice rink at sea, the first rock climbing wall afloat (a real toughie up the side of the funnel), and the first shipboard roller blading circuit. With so much to do (and no charge for using these amazing facilities) it's an excellent ship for families. My favourite part of the ship,though, is Johnny Rockets, a lovingly-recreated 1950s American diner with a juke box on every table and staff who do rock and roll dance routines as they dish up burgers and milk shakes - great fun.

What's new for 2006? Voyager of the Seas comes to Europe for the first time this summer, so you won't need to fly the Atlantic to try out her eyeboggling facilities. Or you could sit tight for a year and try her identical sistership Navigator of the Seas, which will revolutionise cruising out of Southampton in summer 2007.

5 Superstar Virgo: 75,338 tons, 1,974 passengers - cruises the Far East for Star Cruises

Its cosmopolitan atmosphere is a welcome relief from the British and American cultural influences on so many cruise ships. When I tried it, my fellow passengers were Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian and - as a lover of Oriental food - I was in heaven. SuperStar Virgo has the first Indian restaurant at sea as well as a top-quality Japanese teppanyaki counter (where chefs juggle eggs, toss bowls of rice about like cocktail waiters, and still manage to prepare fantastic meals before your very eyes) and even a six-seater tatami room, complete with lacquered low tables, floor cushions and sliding screens - THE place to make like an extra from Memories of a Geisha...

What's new for 2006? Star Cruises brings its uniquely Far Eastern style to the Mediterranean for the first time this summer, when the 42,276-ton / 1,480-passenger SuperStar Libra starts operating seven and 14-night sailings out of Valletta, Malta. Like Virgo, Libra is a great ship for foodies - it offers Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants as well as western fare.

6 QE2: 70,327 tons, 1,728 passengers- cruises worldwide for Cunard Line

QE2 is a true original - the last survivor of the great liners, and a grand old lady of the seas. It's also a great ship for watching the British at play - it attracts cartloads of eccentrics and the social oneupmanship on its annual world cruise is vastly entertaining The food's good as well - and the hilarious quizzes held daily in the Golden Lion pub are a highlight of every cruise.

What's new in 2006? Cunard offers several `mini-cruise' options for travellers who want a short `taster' cruise aboard QE2 this year; they include a two-night sailing from Southampton to Bruges, departing December 15 2006.

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