Having done the same cruise on NCL, I found HAL quieter, friendlier and more upscale. Their Half Moon Cay was a pleasant surprise - much nicer than NCL's private island. My signature suite was large; you could throw a small party on the balcony. While the Pinnacle Grill was not worth the extra charge, overall the food, especially in the main Vista dining room, was very good.

The entertainment was so so, but that's not why I took the cruise. I enjoyed the classical music performed each evening. The Explorer's Lounge was a nice place to spend some time, as was the adult pool in the aft end of the Lido deck. The children on board were well-behaved, as were the adults - a nice change from NCL.