This was an outstanding cruise...leisurely across the Atlantic with only 3 ports during the 1st 14 days & 10 ports during the 2nd 14 days. Charming walled old towns in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Budva and Kotor, Montenegro. Ancient ruins in Greek ports. My favorite was the 4th Cent. BC amphitheater at Epidaurus, a shore excursion from Nafplion. Rome was my favorite city...so much to see.
The ship had excellent singers and dancers and a marvelous classical piano quintet. Waiters and stewards were very friendly and accommodating. Food was creatively presented but not always hot when it arrived at the table. The interior cabins were shockingly smaller than on HAL's older ships, but had a very large shower.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Variety of choices
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Ship's entertainers were excellent. One of the English entertainers brought in was so funny we watched his show a second time.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Medical Center staff was excellent.
Cabin / Stateroom
1 out of 5
Shockingly smaller than on Maasdam; it was about the size of our walk-in closet. Had to walk sideways to get to the phone, take turns using floor space and person in bathroom was a prisoner until closet door was closed. The only seat was stool under desk. Asked for a chair in order to eat in room. Food tray had to be placed on bed. Mattresses were worn out from passengers sitting on edge.
Ship tip
Be sure to get a delicious giant cream puff at the Grand Dutch Cafe..they're complimentary. Food at Explorations Cafe is also complimentary.
Old town is very interesting. If you don't take a tour, know that yrs ago residents learned from disasters in other cities: walls are limestone (don't burn), there are no balconies on main street where residents take refuge during earthquakes and all streets slope to the sea for drainage.
From tender pier take the local tour boat to Oia for blue domes as seen on travel posters, then bus to Thira (included). Walk down with the donkeys to tenders, ride a donkey, or wait in a long line for cable car.
Pompeii was a pleasant surprise to me...not as much left for imagination as I expected. Large rounded cobblestone streets were not easy to walk on but most places there were narrow smooth sidewalks.
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