First time Cruiser getting ready

[Hagood]

Hello all. This is my first post, but I have been reading the forum for several months, I guess I am the kind of guy that likes to read all the posts and get good info, but not really post much - I do the same on other forums. But I just wanted to let everyone know how much help this forum has been in planning our cruise and how great Carnival has been to work with even before the cruise.
Me and the wife are getting ready for our first cruise, sailing on the Conquest out of Galveston on 10/18 on the 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise. I have been so impressed with the booking and planning tools with Carnival, and they have really made it easy for us. We booked our cruise almost a year ago and booked a guaranteed balcony. Just this week I noticed on their site that they had assigned us a room, and it is on the Panorama Deck - #1038. From what I have read on the forum, it sounds like a great deck to be on - now we are even more excited.
We also booked our shore excursions through the Carnival site, and after I booked the Dolphin Swim at the Atlantis I started reading a lot of bad reviews on it. It was very easy for me to cancel it online, and I got a credit back on my card in a few days. I then booked the swim at UNEXSO on Freeport, which got much better reviews. I wanted the Blue Lagoon, but for some reason they were closed that day.
Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to check in before the cruise and say thanks for all of the great info, and I hope to see some of you there.

[Dirkgun]

Have a great cruise you will enjoy it immensely you will see why we are all so crazy about cruisin'

[yogimax]

Welcome!!!

[Host Mach]

Welcome to Cruise Critic and welcome to the addiction!!

I love the Conquest! She's my favorite ship in the fleet! Fantastic crew and staff! You're cruise director, Chris Jefferson, is a great guy. You'll enjoy him immensely!!! Please tell him I said hi!!!

We just got off the eastern about ten days ago and we had a great time. Don't let the time change throw you off!!!

Have a wonderful voyage!!!



Mach

[nbsjcruiser]

You poor bugger. Along about day 2 you'll say to your DW, "we really ought to do this again." Thus will begin the addiction. So far there is no known cure for this addiction so until they find one you'll just have to cruise again. This forum only makes it worse of course.

Anyway, have fun and enjoy. Make sure you report back and tell us about it. When you do get back you'll be an "experienced" cruiser so make sure you help out other newbies.

[mudpievelour]

Please come over to the roll call board and join the roll call. You will be able to meet CCers going on this very cruise and you will find people to hang out with there. Welcome aboard! We'll see you there.

[Crabberwoman]

Originally Posted by Hagood

I then booked the swim at UNEXSO on Freeport, which got much better reviews. I wanted the Blue Lagoon, but for some reason they were closed that day.

Have a great cruise, Hagood. And let us know about the dolphin experience. I'm on a first cruise in April on the Pride, and Blue Lagoon beach is closed the day we are in Nassau, so I've been looking into other options.

Have fun and be blessed!

[kady912]

i've been on deck 10 twice. once in a balcony and once inside. i loved the balcony and the inside is fine too if you need to go on the cheap.

[Hagood]

Thanks everyone, and thanks MUDPIEVELOUR for telling me about the roll call board. I never even noticed that, but I am heading there now.

[unicorngoddess]

I'll be boarding right after you leave

Hubby and I are on the Oct 25 sailing of the Conquest for our 10 Year Anniversary.

I booked through an online TA and I am definately pleased with the experience so far. I'm a first timer too. I had to do a name change and then I upgraded and both times everything has gone smoothly.

Here's to hoping the cruise itself goes just as smoothly

[chachi]

Have a great trip!