Having no experience on which to gauge anything cruise related...well, except the reviews on this web site, I had only my own set of expectations to act as guide.
Embarkations/Disembarkations. Very well managed and executed - obviously done all this millions of times, and learned how to do it well. Well done HAL and partners!
Safety procedures. I have to say I found this process somewhat chaotic! Thank goodness it was never needed in real life. Passengers were talking above the crew, who were trying to get some sense of organisation in place on decks, Those crew whose first language wasn't English, had difficulty being understood, and, of course some passengers were either in the wrong places, or not there at all. Not a good first impression to a first time cruiser...or any cruiser for that matter.
Mid ship location good - near, but not next to laundrette, atrium and lifts.