Embarkation on MS Eurodam for the 12-night cruise Venice return on August 22 took a bit more than one hour for practically a full ship, which is not the best but not too bad due to complicated embarking procedure (hope HAL learn from NCL), but luggage already arrived as I entered the cabin. Security drill took long enough for name calling but there is nothing to learn from the exercise. HAL operates in some respect as a 5-star ship (which they are not as fare is not high enough), such as buffet items are served by staff over the counter, but many procedures need to be modernised. The sailing off at 4pm, earlier than schedule, is a bonus for the most spectacular sail-off on the Giudecca Canal.

Sea day next day, with a lot of activities and the cooking demos were very good, with recipe sheet distributed. Gala night but dinner menu only ordinary, and people were not dressy. Balcony cabin is comfortable, with good bedding and sheets and a bathtub, but curtain does not really black out. Cabin has much storage space but strangely practically no drawers...HAL is a very different ship from others, and Eurodam, while a new ship, looks classical. Guests include some younger people as well. Ship is full but not crowded and this is a real great advantage. Dining is well arranged, with upper deck of dining room for assigned seating while the lower deck for free seating. Late snack is ample but served between 10:30pm to 11:30, short of the 'midnight norm'.

First port of call was Sarande in Albania instead of Istanbul due to the Turkey turmoil. It is good to call on the less visited Albania and the port was interesting enough, but not so the second call on Katakolon, probably the worst of Mediterranean ports that offer nothing to see except good for cruise lines to sell an Olympia excursion, which costs USD149. But once on shore bus tickets to Olympia were sold for 10 Euros return. We also had to anchor while the later arrived Norwegian Jade and Vision of the Seas berthed. The weather was very hot so that I went ashore for a quick walk and returned within an hour (there being nothing to see and seaside coffee shops are none air-conditioned). Tender operation was smooth and fast however. Good that we stayed only the morning. Read more