Having booked this cruise way back in March 2010 on the launch day, having booked 2 balcony E2 cabins on the hump deck 8 and 1 Promenade room, the day finally arrived. I must admit I am a fan of RCI, having sailed on the Navigator of the Seas before and on P&O's Ventura our first ever cruise.
We took my Father & Mother-in-law 71& 69 who have never cruised and my Step Daughter 21, ourselves 55 & 47 so a varied age range, and wondered if the Independence would live up to the Navigator which we loved.
We drove down a day earlier and stayed at the Holiday Inn overlooking the Solent, We had booked a package family room and a normal room with dinner and breakfast. The hotel was clean, easy to get to, and the bedrooms bright and cheerful. We would stay there again without hesitation; all the staff was very friendly and helpful.