Strongly agree. My partner and I are around 30 years old, and recently returned from Alaska on HAL. While I continue to maintain HAL is the best for Alaska, and for some unique itineraries, we had a lot of feedback for our cruise surveys.
HAL continues to have the best MDR food of any mainstream cruise line, but the entertainment is insufficient. Compared to our recent experiences on Celebrity, it’s startling just how little there is to do. No live violinist or guitarist around, and the large music venues sit empty and silent until night time on HAL. In the evenings, the entertainment is so heavily focused on two small areas they become overcrowded. Coming off a recent sailing on Celebrity Reflection, it was striking just how cramped Koningsdam felt by comparison.
Returning to music, BB Kings Blues club had the best music, but it was so extremely loud at times our family group couldn’t speak to each other. I asked the store staff above how they concentrate, and they commented about going to bed with ears ringing many nights (not good sign for their hearing…).
As a random aside, I was frustrated one night working out when the lights in the gym were turned off on me and many others. We were all shocked the gym closed so early at 9pm when the other lines are 10pm, 11pm or even 24/7! (And don’t give me the excuse that it’s above the bridge and has to close - multiple other lines have their gyms above the bridge and do not have that problem).
The staff cuts have also been evident. Dining room service some nights was irritatingly slow, and the servers don’t even try like celebrity to connect with you. Our names were never asked, no recommendations of the menu, not even an ounce of small talk. Rushed to take order every night. Meanwhile our cabin was dirty day one, and while the crew quickly fixed, we had half finished towel animals, missing chocolate, cleaning towels left behind in the bathroom - all signs the staff are overworked and rushing.