Nov. 19-26 HAL Veendam Mexican Riviera (San Diego Departure) by the twin of Oscar the Grouch
Let me start by stating the we have cruised 14 times since 2006, and seven have been on HAL; the others scattered on RCCL, Celebrity, and Princess. All have been from East/West coast ports. I have always recommended HAL and we had guests join us on two prior HAL cruises; this cruise was with two other couples from our community in Casa Grande, AZ. We like the adult atmosphere on HAL (but that is ever changing...witness the incessant music in any and all locations that you might go to in search of some quiet, relaxing, time on board. And why does the sound engineer think that LOUD is the only setting for music in the theater?
Check in was efficient, in the older terminal building. Naturally the pre-boarding security check involved walking the longest route possible and then standing 20 minutes for the boarding process to begin. Why couldn't we have been allowed to remain seated until all was ready? Once started, it went smoothly.
Surprisingly large feeling. Loads of hanging and drawer storage. Well tended by room steward. Overall fine interior room that suffered from several nights of scratching (not squeaks, but the sounds a squirrel would make trying to escape from an attic!) Off to the front desk at 2 a.m. for some ear plugs. Next day, two tries by maintenance seemed to resolve the problem, but it did return later in the cruise. HAL did do right and tried to compensate us for the sleep deprivation.
Been there dozens of times, so it was just for embarkation.
Walked from the ship to the older part of town, visited the church there. We are really no longer "excursionists."