Statendam Alaska review part 1

[deora24]

Southbound...Seward to Vancouver.

Our first time on HAL...have cruised twice on RCCL. Mature couple...50ish teacher & 60ish retiree.

There was a variety of age groups on this sailing.

The public areas were tastefully decorated and always clean...bathrooms were much cleaner than our experiences with RCCL. The staff was very attentive and friendly. The smaller number of passengers definitely made a difference with ship staff remembering us...even bits of our previous conversation...and always going out of their way to greet us in passing. Lester in the Crow's Nest was especially delightful.We had an outside view cabin on the main deck - 5 - just below the promenade "walk around". Walkers were sometimes heard above us during late afternoon naps. I loved the large window over the bed and was happy we were low enough to see the water & fabulous scenery. The cabin was fine, with plenty of closet space. Bedding was nice except for small, squishy pillows. Shower in a tub... with a very high profile...don't know how some older or infirm passengers manage that! Many nice ameneties...robes, spa products in bath, 2 hair dryers, fresh fruit basket, flat screen tv/dvd. No fridge. We never saw a breakfast room service card to hang outside our door. We never saw a bag to send out dry cleaning, but there was a basket to send out shoes for shining. A very user friendly laundry was on our deck...washer/dryer/ironing board & iron. All cruise lines should have this! We booked our own shore excursions and would do so again. Others we talked to enjoyed HAL booked excursions. We booked our own flights and pre/post hotel rooms for much less than HAL or travel agent offerings.

[dakrewser]

Sounds like you had a great time! Just for future reference, a "little word" to your cabin steward (or even just a note left for him) would turn up plenty of room service cards and laundry bags. He could also find you some better pillows, most likely.