We booked this cruise last last minute online. Our cabin was an outside w/obstructed view. We paid only $505 pp before tax. This was our first time (two previous cruises) without balcony.

Embarkation was swift (they loaded our checked bags at airport on truck)and we were in our room at 1:00 p.m. After a quick lunch we explored the ship. Our two other HAL cruises were on the Volendam. We found the layout to be fairly similar aside from the extra decks.

First night dining (8:30) was a bit hectic and the food disappointing but it got better after that. Our table for two was basically a table for six with the middle settings removed. No problem. We got use to the smaller cabin pretty quick, but I really missed the balcony (I smoke-but not in cabin) and wife sleeps in. Cabin steward was good, but room got attended to later (sometime early afternoon) than on Volendam (is that because of cheaper cabin). Read more