We are regular HAL cruisers and were very pleased with this cruise. Almost all the ports were very interesting, and we learned a lot about the Western side of South America. Embarkation and disembarkation went very smoothly. The Maasdam is an old ship that is showing its wear. The temperature is quite uneven. Our room was never really cool, despite keeping our thermostat on max cool. The engineer couldn't do anything about it. The crew is always the best part of HAL cruises. The food was very good as usual. I have very specific dietary issues, and the staff did everything they could to accommodate me. There was little onboard entertainment except the evening shows. The ship singers and dancers were OK, but the other acts were, for the most part, outstanding. HAL has eliminated so many of the things we used to count on and enjoy; that's disappointing. They weren't even things that cost much if any money. Many are hard to understand. All the crew in every department went out of their way to be extra pleasant and helpful. It was so sweet to see them helping passengers with various disabilities.

We liked most of the ports with the exception of Manta, Ecuador. We were there on Sunday, and the port is so far from anything that it felt like a wasted day.

I do need to note that many passengers began coughing within a few days of the start, and this continued throughout the cruise. I myself came home with bronchitis which has dampened some of my enthusiasm for my experience. Read more