My first cruise after serious illness began with an overnight stay at the Elizabeth Hotel in Southampton - recommended, and able to leave the car for a small charge, and only £7-50 away from the terminal.
Check-in took 1/2-hour and we were in our cabin, sorry State Room, within an hour of queuing.
Our cabin, B158, was spacious and spotless with twin beds and a small but adequate balcony. Toilet was of the aircraft type, noisy and effective. Our cabin steward, Geraldo, was hard working, attentive and pleasant as were all the staff I met. Don't worry about storing your suitcases - Geraldo will find somewhere out of the way and will bring them back in time for packing.