This cruise started badly with embarkation delays exceeding five hours for some passengers. HAL did not provide any satisfactory explanation for the delay, the did not provide any food and they did not apologize.

Signs of cost-cutting are everywhere. What used to be included is now charged for or unavailable altogether.

Food service is perfectly adequate but not special. Dining room waiters use "friendliness" (e.g. calling passengers by their first names without permission) in place of precision. Training is not what it once was. Read more