Have been on many cruises with HAL, but this may have been my last with HAL. The new Koningsdam is an example of why you should investigate before booking. Many of the new features are wonderful although the negatives outweigh any new features. HAL continues to allow smoking on balconies and in the casino. My neighbor smoked his pipe non stop from 7am till well past 10 pm every day. The casino is bigger than ever (from port to starboard side) and there is no way to avoid the stench unless walk on a different deck level. Even then the smell is not contained to the casino area and travels to other areas of the ship.

The new World Stage facilities are outstanding, but with the exception of two nights, the entertainment events were third rate. Other entertainment venues did not live up to third rate status. Looking for a Library, although it is advertised in all their brochures, the library does not exist. Check your statements very closely, it took me three days, right to the morning of disembarkation, to have an error corrected. Staff seem overworked and no longer take the time to help.

We advised HAL of my wife's seafood allergies well before our cruise only to be told that she should have filled a form on board, while waiting for our meal in the main dining room. Announcements are kept to a bare minimum, fely like a mushroom in the dark. The cruise director was usually introduced as "Our wonderful cruise director", I for one wondered why he is part of the staff. The one thing HAL does really well is "Nickle & Dime" you with new and unending vigor.