Having cruised for 35 years on many ships and different cruise lines we at last tried HAL. Many of our friends had told us about the "service" on HAL and how much they enjoyed sailing there ships. We were not impressed with the ship and both its decor and lack of being clean and tidyness were a real surprise to us. We had a suite for 16 days and the steward never once cleaned our balcony or windows . Many times the cabin was not made up until after lunch. Our dining room waiter had been with HAL for over a dozen years but didn't have a clue as to how to serve nor how slow and confussed he seemed when delivering food to the table. Any communication with most staff other than a greeting seem to puzzle them. English language skills were seriously lacking. Most of the passengers were 75 plus years and we beings mid 50's made us feel like the "kids" on the ship. The Norwalk virus was rampant for most of the cruise and that didn't help with many service issues as well. In the end we found the Noordam(the ship satisfactory)but the staff ddin't work for us. Perhaps we need to try again in 20 years. Disembarcation was awfull and handycap passengers were abandon for over 2 hours before someone would take tehem off.