We usually travel on HAL in either their S, SA, SB or SC category. This time, we did not want to spend over $4,000 so we booked an inside cabin. This was done simply due to the fact that we do not spend much time in the cabin, and figured we could spend the majority of the savings on board the ship.

RESERVATIONS AGENTS: Two weeks after we booked our cruise, we saw that the price of our cabin had gone down by $100 per person. So I called the 800 number to ask if there were a different cabin I might have. Once I stated that the cost of an ocean view cabin was the same price as my inside cabin, the reservation agent said: "if you called about a refund, you can forget it". i stated that I wasn't looking for a refund, but I would like to speak with her supervisor. The supervisor came on the line and offered me a cabin with a fully obstructed view, which I accepted. The week of our departure, we received an email asking if we would like a veranda cabin for an up charge of $49.00 per person. I looked on line and saw that the price we had paid ($699 per person) was the price of the veranda cabin. So once again I called HAL and told them that the veranda was now the same price that I had paid for an inside cabin. The agent very calmly stated: "This will be a short conversation...we have one veranda cabin left, do you want it or not?" We accepted the cabin, paying more than we should have, but I wasn't going t have two rude people ruin my vacation. FOR THESE REASONS, I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL CRUISE HAL AGAIN..EMBARKATION: check-in and embarkation took less than 30 minutes. It was well organized, and the lines flowed smoothly. You are left on your own to find your cabin, but that is an easy thing to do.

CABIN: When we opened the door to cabin 5021, our luggage was on the bed ready to be unpacked. The cabin was approximately 350sf and was more than adequate for two adults. Within two minutes, our cabin steward Ray knocked on the door to introduce himself and ask if we needed anything. we asked for an ashtray and additional hangers. Within minutes, they appeared! The closet space and additional storage held all of our clothes with room to spare. Read more