THERE is nothing quite like the smug feeling of going somewhere warm during a big freeze.

So I was rather pleased with myself as I embarked on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral for a Mediterranean cruise just as the Met Office was issuing a severe weather warning for Britain.

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One of the first things I noticed when I set foot on the 1,340-passenger ship was the relaxed ambience and how friendly everyone was. I soon found I was not alone in being a single traveller either. One lady in her late-70s told me she spends four months a year on cruises without her husband. She said: "He doesn't like water but why should I miss out?"

Fred. Olsen is one of the most popular cruise lines for singles and everything is expertly catered towards those travelling alone so they can meet like-minded people and socialise. Best of all were the dance hosts, four delightful men whose job it is to ask single ladies to dance with them in the ship's Lido Lounge.

Entertainment was first class. The nightly show included performances by violinist Michael Bacala, comedian Bob Webb and Colin Bryant & His Hot Rhythm Orchestra. On the top deck in the glass-fronted Observatory bar was a disco where you could dance the night away or, for more soothing accompaniment, pianist Lloyd Hulme tinkled the ivories in the ship's Morning Light Pub.

The daytime activities fared just as well, from quizzes to card making and carpet bowls to table tennis. The dance classes proved a hit. Having never previously attempted ballroom, I now consider myself a pro (though my dance teacher may disagree).

The Pilates classes were another favourite, despite me being utterly upstaged in the flexibility stakes by several women twice my age.

The food on the ship was also a winner. Breakfast and lunch were both feasts with a choice of buffet or menu option. Meanwhile, dinner took the more traditional cruise ship approach of designated seating.

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My group had the second sitting at 8.30pm each night, always at the same table. As a vegetarian I was pleased to find there were options for each course and some of the highlights included vegetable enchiladas and tempura.

My contemporary cabin was a comfortable size with a double bed and plenty of storage, particularly important for guests who embark on the ship's four-month round-the-world trip. The absolute highlight, however, was the shower which was the most powerful I've ever used.

During the week we docked at some fabulous destinations and I took in some great excursions. First stop was Porto in Portugal. Recently declared a World Heritage Site, this picturesque city at the mouth of the River Douro is awash with traditional fishing harbours and sandy beaches.

Aside from the river, which has six famous bridges including the magnificent Ponte Dom Luis I, the other focal point is the various port cellars here. On a tour of the Sandeman Cellars and Porto Wine Museum we learned of the centuries' old port-making process and got to sample both white and red varieties, a real wake-up call at 9am.

The cruise also took us to Casablanca. Here, I decided to brave the seven-hour round trip to visit Marrakech but it was well worth it.

On arrival, you are greeted with an immediate explosion of colour. From the street vendors to the colourful clothes hanging from balconies, it has an incredible vibrancy.

One of the highlights was the souk, the largest traditional market in Morocco and a place to buy absolutely anything from olives and spices to scarves and leather goods.

The last stop on our week-long cruise was sunny Gibraltar, where the Rock loomed above our heads. Here we visited a nature reserve and a Moorish castle while families of the famous Barbary apes were swinging from the trees. The Second World War tunnels situated at the top of the rock were a sightseeing gem.

Gibraltar is also a shopaholic's heaven. With everything VAT exempt, it is virtually impossible not to splurge and I did just that.

Unfortunately, shortly after, it was time to leave the balmy 20C temperatures and fly back to Heathrow only to have the pilot inform us that it was currently "two degrees in London and set to get even colder".

Luckily the smug feeling from my trip kept me warm for a little while longer.

THE KNOWLEDGE:
Reader Offers (0845 604 7479/www.readeroffers.travel) offers a 10-night Iberia and Morocco cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines on board Balmoral from £839pp (two sharing), full board. Departs Southampton April 23, 2011. Calling at La Coruna (Spain), Casablanca (Morocco), Gibraltar, Portimao (Portugal) and Lisbon (Portugal) then returning to Southampton.