RCI (who own the Independence) are a family based cruise line and have a very professionally run set of schemes to look after kids of all ages. I have cruised many times with RCI (including on the Independence) and for the most part, you will not be aware of the kids. Even on Christmas cruises it hasn't been marred by children. Some people say kids are rude, push in, push all the buttons on the lifts etc, but to be honest in my experience for each child that is a 'pain', there are half a dozen or more that are polite. It is quite usual that if you spot a 'rude' child, its parents are worse(!), but thats life!