This was the first HAL cruise since the start of the pandemic and everyone onboard was super excited to be there. As can be expected after a 16 month pause in operations, there were a few minor glitches but overall it was a fantastic cruise.

This was our first time on HAL and we chose a Neptune Suite. It was a beautiful and functional stateroom with plenty of room to relax and a big verandah to observe the beautiful Alaskan scenery pass by. Despite the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 including all staff wearing masks, the passenger experience was pretty much back to normal and it was great. The ship was in great condition after the pause and the crew constantly outdid themselves to make the guests feel welcome. The itinerary was a prime draw - you must see Glacier Bay and watch (and hear) the calving of the glaciers. In addition to Glacier Bay, we visited 4 ports in 7 days so there was always something to do. The sponsored excursions were plentiful and the ones we took, excellent.

We really enjoyed the look of the ship and the atmosphere of relaxed elegance; it made us feel very comfortable to be onboard. We particularly enjoyed the casino where we made friends with many other passengers and the staff made wagering fun. We look forward to sailing with HAL again and visiting Alaska.