The ship is rather tired looking from the outside although the inside doesn't disappoint. Cabins pretty much the usual standard for any cruise ship but not having any tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin was not good. You don't always want to summon room service just for a cup of tea or trail up to the buffet.. Food in the restaurant a little too Heston Blumenthal for us - Pineapple and cucumber or banana soup?? and very small portions for a man. The buffet was rather boring and always the same. We would have liked the staff to smile on occasion! Entertainment was VERY American. Our cruise was a Dancing with the Stars special. Their compere for the dancing was simply dreadful but the ships entertainment manager very good as were the singing and dancing troupe. Generally we were not impressed with the standard of entertainment on board. Everything seemed to be geared to getting more money off us and the 15% service charge added to absolutely everything was infuriating. The optional excursions were very over priced and the whale watching trip very disappointing. We were all led to believe we would actually see lots of whales but two tiny lumps in the distance wasn't quite what we had in mind. If anyone is considering the cultural tour in Ketchikan - don't. It's the most boring trip you can possible take unless you have a fetish for totem poles! Skagway was quite fun to wander about in and a trip to the Red Onion Saloon is well worth the time. Be prepared for jewellery shops absolutely everywhere though and don't get caught out with silver coated in a thin gold covering.We don't think we would choose a HAL cruise again and think we will stick to good old P & 0.