This was our first ever cruise and we stayed in Southampton Premier Inn the night before the cruise.

We found the CPS parking service and from there it was all very smooth. They took the car and gave us a ticket and someone else got all of the luggage out and whisked it away. We went into the embarkation hall and there was a very short queue to show our passports have photos taken and fill in a brief health questionnaire. After that we went through security (a longer line) and got a quick snap before getting on and a little ticket to tell us when to board. We both used the facilities and waited. It was quite cool as it looked like there was a free magazine and newspaper rack where people were getting handfuls before boarding but this was whisked away before we boarded maybe it was only for VIP's. We were on the ship and in the buffet by 11.57am.

Our room was nice it was a comfortable size (we were in A144) it is an inside cabin at the back of the ship. We had a little nose about and our room steward Savio came and introduced himself and told us how to get in touch if we needed him. I asked how long for our cases and he said it could take some time but if we wanted to check the lobby we could get them ourselves so we went off and found them and unpacked. Read more