From croquet on the lawn to her very own trainer, EMILY BAMBER savours a cruise dedicated to all the finer things in life

"MOST  people gain seven to 14lb on a week's cruise." My personal trainer Jonathan wasn't beating about the bush. "But we want you to go home looking great and not feeling like you have to go on a diet."

Click here now for amazing trips to Cote d'Azur!

Pulling in my tummy I nodded eagerly, trying not to think about last night's excesses at the Martini Bar, the five-course dinner or the fact that I'd accidentally had three lunches that day.

I was on new cruise ship Celebrity Eclipse, which recently had its naming ceremony in Southampton following its dramatic rescue mission to repatriate stranded British tourists from Spain.

With indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and fitness centre, art collection, glass-blowing studio and world-class entertainment troupe on board, the 2,500 unexpected guests must have thanked their lucky stars for a volcano in Iceland they couldn't pronounce.

The ship is testament to the finer things in life and a bit like staying at a modern country house hotel. There is a well-stocked library, lots of cosy bars and a comfortable tasting cellar where you can learn about the ship's 338 wines. The top deck is given over to a real grass lawn for playing croquet or bowls, honing your golf on the putting green or just curling your toes into the turf, all overlooked by a pavilion serving Pimm's at the bar.

It's also food heaven. Dining in 10 outlets ranges from formal, intimate speciality restaurants to a creperie and Italian-style café. You can meet chefs on a galley tour, take part in cookery competitions, learn how to match wine to food and even play Tom Cruise and mix your own cocktails.

Fortunately, for weak individuals like me it can all be made guilt-free with a personalised health plan at the AquaSpa and fitness centre.

Want incredible offers to Cote d'Azur? Click here now...

Jonathan measured my body mass index, metabolic rate, hydration levels and worked out how many pounds I needed to shed. He drew my "problem areas" on to a chart (oh, the humiliation) and designed a six-month programme of exercise, nutrition and detox that started right there.

First up was Ionithermie, a cellulite-reducing wrap that claims to shift inches while you have a nice lie down. Then I had an Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow to stimulate my immune system with a cactus brush that made my skin tingle.

There are fitness classes for the dedicated, such as the scary-sounding Body Sculpt Boot Camp or, for an easier route to beauty, I could have gone for a St Tropez tan, teeth whitening, lip enhancement or even Botox. Light meals at the AquaSpa Café and "clean cuisine" restaurant Blu mean you can carry on the good work.

But nothing could keep me away from Qsine, a fascinating restaurant (£20 a head) where you order via iPad and nothing comes on a plate. The good news for my health kick was that all the dishes are miniature. Highlights were disco crab on a bed of neon lights, sushi lollies, a meatball trilogy and desserts you decorate yourself.

Strolling around the ship it occurred to me that, despite carrying 2,850 passengers at full capacity, the design of Celebrity Eclipse means you are rarely with more than 100 or so people. Apart from the main dining room, theatre and the stunningly positioned Sky Lounge, the public spaces are intimate. There are enough restaurants, cafés, lounges, bars, sunloungers, reading rooms, shops and casino spots to avoid having to queue.

The cabins range from compact insides and balcony staterooms to a selection of suites, including family complexes with a second bedroom. The ship also has a small, well-equipped children's club. The few I saw were having a great time but it is largely an adult environment.

If you're looking for luxury in the Med, including the Côte d'Azur, the Canary Islands, a mini-break to Paris or Ireland, or fancy seeing St Petersburg and the Baltic capitals in style, then Celebrity Eclipse could be perfect. The Celebrity Cruises ship sails from Southampton all summer.

Despite being filled with delicious food and wine I came home feeling fit and healthy having also learning the basics of croquet (apparently you don't hold the mallet like a golf club), the ins and outs of glass blowing and, in the amazing iLounge, how to use Mac programs I'd previously ignored.

And against all the odds, there's still no sign of that extra 14lb.

Celebrity Cruises (0845 456 0523/www.celebritycruises.co.uk) offers a 14-night Spanish Mediterranean cruise on board Celebrity Eclipse from £1,499pp (two sharing an inside cabin).

Calling at Vigo, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Barcelona, Provence, Palma and Seville. Departs Southampton, July 24 and August 21, 2010.