My wife and I were booked on the Venice to Barcelona cruise August 24 to September 5. This was our first HAL cruise but our sixth overall. We booked it online through a well know Internet travel agent. They did a good job, communicated with us often and arranged for a change of cabins for us when prices went down. We requested either a refund or an upgrade to a higher level cabin that had come down in price to what we paid originally. They spoke to HAL and took care of that for us, getting us the upgrade from an outside cabin to a verandah cabin. Then we got upgraded again when cabins were assigned, from the cheapest verandah to one midship and higher up. We were very pleased with the cruise and would not hesitate to cruise on HAL again. Here is my review of the ship, the amenities and the cruise experience, followed by a review of the various ports and excursions.

Embarkation/debarkation: Went very smoothly. We spent several days in London prior to arrival in Venice on Sunday morning via a direct BA flight. We made arrangements to meet friends who had arrived the day before and were staying at a Marriott Courtyard near the airport. We arranged for a car to pick us up and then we stopped by the hotel to pick them up and then were taken to the docks. Of all of the ways to get to the ship I think this is the best but it is a fixed rate so if you can share it with someone it will help. About 40 Euros for four people plus luggage. When we departed in Barcelona we planned to stay over two extra nights. We decided to take the half day Barcelona tour with airport transfers so our luggage was on the tour bus with us. Once we were dropped off at the airport we simply took the hotel airport shuttle to our hotel nearby, a Marriott Renaissance. We could have taken a taxi if there had not been a free shuttle.

Ship/Cabin: Colors are not my style, sort of Mardi Gras garish. I prefer old world wood and marble. But it was well maintained and we never encountered anything that was broken or shabby. We had a standard verandah cabin. Friends had a suite, they were former HAL cruisers. Suites are very roomy and nice, but of course cost more. Our cabin was very comfortable and had great storage. Our cabin steward was excellent and he was the only person I gave an additional tip. I gave him $100 in an envelope at the end of the cruise. We had gifts delivered from time to time and also had a Renewal of Vows package and he was always there with ice, glasses, or whatever I needed. I do think it helps to keep the cabin neat and things off the floor. We completely unpacked and lived out of the drawers and closets. Read more