We chose this cruise (a) to break up the winter for 2 weeks; (b) because we know what we're getting, with HAL; (c) we had sailed Eurodam twice previously, and had been extremely pleased.

The Eurodam positively gleamed. I read on another review that there had been a spruce-up in December. it sure showed. Just immaculate.

Our one beef with HAL had been that smoking used to be allowed on balconies - big deficiency, considering how rival cruise lines (e.g. Celebrity) had long since banned this practice. Lo and behold, HAL announced - I think it was in the summer of '16 - that they had finally caught up to the rest of the world - no more smoking on balconies. And bonus: the casino is now also smoke free. Though we're not gamblers, it's nevertheless a pleasure to be forward on deck 2 without having to gag on cigarette/cigar smoke. Well done, HAL! Read more