A BASINGSTOKE-based travel advisor pushed the boat out after taking the opportunity to peek behind the scenes of a new cruise ship.

Zoe Herbert, of Travel Counsellors went to see Explorer, a new ship from luxury cruising company Regent Seven Seas as she was one of a group of 60 fellow travel counsellors who took advantage of the exclusive invite to go on board.

Officially welcomed to the Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ fleet in 2016, and christened by Princess Charlene of Monaco, the Explorer has 375 all-suite balcony rooms and speciality restaurants, including Parisian themed fine-dining and Pan-Asian gastronomic experiences.

Zoe said: “The Explorer is an absolutely stunning ship and I feel very privileged to experience an all-inclusive Regent Seven Seas cruise for myself.

"I’ve already recommended it to some of my customers who I know will love everything this ship has to offer, and I can’t wait to hear how they enjoyed it as much as I did.”

Zoe runs her own corporate and leisure travel business from home, using Travel Counsellors’ technology to connect with customers and 24/7 global support teams.