I took a cruise on the Koningsdam to the Baltic in September as part of a NYTimes Journey tour group. I did not attend any of the on-board entertainment as our tour group had special meetings while at sea. The conference room HAL provided was very comfortable.

I thought the food in the dining room and lido were excellent. We also ate in the specialty restaurant Tammarind and it too was excellent. The only meal that was lacking was a beef stroganoff where spaghetti noodles were used. I joked around and said the laundry room had shrunk all my clothes. I had to clarify to another person that was a self-deprecating remark as I ate too much. Never went to the exercise room.

Another guest in our group pointed out there should have been at least one dinner choice that reflected the port we were in. I'm not sure how much herring or borscht I'd wanted to have. I was totally happy with the choices. Read more