This was our first cruise and we choose it because we wanted to see Alaska. After researching the different cruise lines we choose HAL because of traveller reviews and because it went to Glacier Bay. We also wanted a real looking ship and not a floating hotel.

We didn't know what to expect as it was our first cruise and we weren't sure that we would be 'cruise people'. However we were won over the minute we stepped aboard. The cruise company went out of its way to make people feel welcome and everybody was so friendly and helpful. Every little detail seemed to have been thought of from the supply of bottle water and fruit to the cabin to the strict hygiene procedures onboard. The service staff are mostly Indonesian and were always smiling and helpful and very efficient. The staff work extremely long hours and I would imagine that their pay is quite low but my impression is that HAL do treat them better than many cruise lines. I certainly didn't begrudge the $11.50 daily automatic gratuity that the cruise line charged each passenger.

We had a outside stateroom on the Dolphin deck. We choose this particular cabin as it was midships which we were told was less likely to be affected by the ships motion or by engine noise. We certainly had no problems although we never encountered rough seas so it wasn't a big test of our choice. The cabin was fine with comfortable beds and decent size bathroom. There was plenty of storage space and the air conditioning worked well (although not sure what it would be like if the weather was really hot). The only thing missing was a kettle so we could make a cup of tea first thing in the morning. But that is because we are English! Read more