The height of luxury cruising sailed into Poole Harbour and tied up at the dockside to pick up its passengers.

Top of the market Hebridean Princess is the type of small cruise ship Poole Harbour Commissioners are keen to attract to the port.

Akin in furnishing and atmosphere to a country house at sea, the intimate ship carries a maximum of 50 guests in its 30 lavish cabins, on seven-day coastal cruises.

The 40-year-old former Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry which once plied between the Scottish islands, now offers pampering in opulent surroundings at around £1,000 a day.

"When you step on board there are no extras to pay. That's the whole package," said Chief Purser Anthony Stevens.

"It seems to work very well. Sixty to 70 per cent of our passengers sail with us again and again. One widow has been on 27 cruises with us."

The majority are British, with one or two Americans each cruise, aged 50-60, although Mr Stevens said they had the occasional honeymoon couple.

Not many cruise ships can boast a brick and beam fireplace in the lounge and teak and brass among all the modern equipment on the bridge.

"I like the brass and teak," said Captain Mike Hepburn, who has a crew of around 36. "She's a traditional ship and she's in amazing condition for her age."

The ship operates out of Oban and used Poole in the past - before going to Portland - and sister-ship Hebridean Spirit, which does Mediterranean cruises - calls in around twice a year.

The UK cruise ship market is growing by 15 per cent a year and the port is working hard to attract small and medium sized ships into Poole.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said they were very pleased to welcome the Hebridean Princess, which had twice won the world's best small cruise ship award, to Poole again.

"We hope that the channel deepening programme next year will enable us to attract a lot more cruise ships into the port, with the knock-on benefit for the Poole economy as a whole."

Graham Richardson, Tourism manager, Borough of Poole, said: "Poole Tourism Panel are very keen to work with the harbour commissioners on the cruise ship market. As well as bringing additional visitors to the town it will help take the Poole quality brand forward."

As the Hebridean Princess headed off on her private charter to the Channel Islands, many in Poole are hoping she will become a regular sight in the harbour.