Will keep this short as it has been almost a year since I was on this cruise. I chose HAL like because I had heard from so many friends that there were fewer children, there were cooking classes and most important; they pre sell wine and cocktail cards. By pre buying wine and cocktails, that actually left me more money onboard for the casinos and spa. What amazed me was the elegance and quiet sophistication of the ship herself. From the chimes to dinner and the actual teak decks and lounge chairs, it was what I pictured a cruise ship to be. The molded plastic and rubber decks just aren't quite up to my standards. Great for the little roadrunners who run down the wet decks, but just not me. HAL is just a lovely line.

I enjoyed open seating. I booked at the last minute so had no choice, but am on a cruise again with HAL in April 2010 and would request it. I could dine whenever I chose and didn't feel obligated to go every night and get dressed up if I just wanted to hit the slots and get a hamburger.

Traveling solo, would someone please figure out a way to reduce cost of the room. I mean, heck, I am not going to eat double the food or be any more work. I bet my room was scant work compared to the family down the hall with 3 kids and chocolate in one cabin. I usually made up the bed out of habit.