I wanted to do an Alaskan cruise and the dates I was available suited this cruise. Overall it would have been an enjoyable experience but their inability to cater to my diet, spoiled the cruise.

I am celiac and need a gluten free diet. I had a terrible time trying to access GF food and would strongly recommend no-one uses this cruise line if they have dietary issues. Apart from the main dining room, where I had to order 24 hours in advance (difficult if out late on a trip), I was constantly told at the buffet that nothing was GF except the salad and fruit, in spite of a sign on the buffet saying GF food available on request, that appeared to only apply to packet bread and muffins. The pool bar offered a GF burgher or hot dog with GF bun, but couldn't eat the chips as they were coated with flour. They also offered a mexican type buffet, but that wasn't particularly appetising and didn't want the same thing everyday. A friend has just been on a P & O cruise where the head waiter sought him out on the first day and sat down with him every evening to go through the menu. I had none of this, in spite of constantly approaching staff to ask what I could eat. HAL were told about me and sent through a list of GF food I could order but when, on the last day I went to the front desk in tears as I couldn't find anything to eat for lunch, they said they didn't know about me. Not true.

Loved the coffee in the coffee place. However none of the complimentary pastries were gluten free. If I got there in the morning could get some fresh blueberries and strawberries. Read more