Massive, mighty and mine! - Well actually, our home for eleven nights in the Canary Islands.

First impressions count and when my elderly friend and I drove up to the Southampton port and saw the brand new Independence of the Seas before us, we were gobsmacked.

Memories are no trouble as I go back to May 6 2008.

A short time after we arrived at the port we were inside the most sumptuous, grand and elegant hotel we could have booked - for any holiday. We’d thought such a gigantic ship would mean long queues and cumbersome boarding, but not so.

Now this was its inaugural cruise to the Canary Islands and it had only done a 4 day cruise to Ireland and back, so we were in at the beginning of what was, at the time, the biggest cruise ship in the world. And, we were on it! Wow, it was a treat.

My ‘in her 80’s’ lady-friend had always wanted to do a cruise but no-one would go with her. I’d agreed and I have to say it ended up being one of the best travel decisions I have ever made for holiday breaks.

Grand, is an understatement. This ship is opulent, offers a huge variety of daily programme interests to do or you can just relax on the deck, around the many swimming pools, spas and even in quiet corners or if you are energetic you can climb up a wall, play golf, tennis or lose yourself in antics on the wave pool.

Dining is a biggie for any cruise and Independence of the Seas is special. Dine formally or casually, day or night. We used the Windjammer most often but did look forward to our evening meal as we had a window seat and it was just so superb, sitting there with new friends and partaking of delicious, tasty and ever so well presented meals. I thought they were on a small side but the waiter was a honey and offered me seconds sometimes.

Just loved the towel sculptures left on our bed each night. Went to the art auction and wondered at the quality of the hundreds of paintings on offer. Didn’t buy any and have since learned there have been some ‘’fake’’ allegations on cruise ships so just as well I didn’t start an art collection while onboard.

Our itinerary was enhanced due to the fact that the ship was visiting the ports for the first time so we had extra special welcomes at all ports - how memorable it is to know you were part of a cruise line’s history and so enthusiastically welcomed by locals all over the Canary Islands.

Our daytime excursions were truly interesting and we did get a good idea of how life in the Canary Islands goes by each day. Extra special was Teidi National Park in Tenerife. For all or our cruise we experienced super scenery and lots and lots of photos.

Independence of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean line cruise ship, it is Americanised but you know that when you book. Gratuities and tipping edicts annoy me but there are ways around it. We put a cash donation of GB pounds into an envelope (as did the two other couples at our table) and we put the head waiters name on it… added a note to advise we wanted him to distribute it around his staff.

Best memory? My elderly friends face when I pushed her wheelchair into the first foyer - MAGIC.

Best time? Me soaking in the spa which juts out over the water, as we arrived in Funchal, below us tug-boats spurting massive plumes of water, horns blowing and thousands upon thousands of people lined up along the shore - welcoming a superb, huge and impressive Independence of the Seas to their world.

Best intention? I must return to cruise with Independence of the Seas - anywhere will do!