Having sailed RCI Previously in Independence's inaugural season, and having sailed Celebrity to the Baltic last year we wanted to try a cruise to the Med from Southampton.This will be our last cruise during the summer holidays, and with the current RCI format, a new vessel is required or the current two majorly updated and more space given to adult only areas. And the ship needs the correct level of policing, my son at 13 is 6ft 3 tall and he was intimidated by the possies of children wondering around the ship.

We booked direct with the line, rather than through an agent. Taking our kids with us, Son 13 and Daughter 29 we were going to book two cabins but the Rep stated that we wouldn't need one. We had specific requirements for our cabin, including twin beds for them and a privacy curtain which we were assured would be provided.

Arriving on board at 11:30 smoothly, we found that we had to find somewhere to sit with our hand luggage until 15:00 when the cabins would be ready, all space quickly filled up and it was impossible to get into, let alone eat in the Windjammer. Read more