4/11 Conquest review the good the bad and the ugly

Just back off the conquest this review will only cover what I did and saw plus a few opinions so let's get going

First

LAX, A very busy airport, But it seems to be very safety conscious. also very easy in directions and where to go. It seems they opne alot of bags but it is pretty quick my wife and I had our bags opened right in front of us and checked for explosives it seemed they were doing about every 3rd group, We flew United and I have to say it was the most terbulant flight I have ever had.

landed in New Orleans and I swear our bags were the very last off the plane. We then went to the airport shuttle kiosk it cost from our the airport to our hotel and back was 45 round trip I would suggest you get one of these easiest way in my opinion to get back and forth the ship does offer post cruise city tours that drop at the airport which I would have done had I known also I ahve to say the people in New Orleans are the nicest people I have ever met always answered my stupid questions with a genuine smile and with a tone of info while driving to our Hotel "hilton riverside our driver gave a a quick city tour told us about new Orleans history and was an all around nice guy. The Hilton Riverside Is a nice hotel and the people there are eager to please went to our room (the rest of our group was already there) we called them and met at a bar called the howling wolf or something like thatfrom there I do not remember much except we got back to our hotel about 3 am and the party on Bourbon street was just as wild as when we got there around 10:30. Also don't wonder to far down bourbon street we met some fellas in leather thongs and that was it took some pictures with them and they advised us that we had made it to the gay section of the block nice guys but they were in leather thongs (not that ther's anything wrong with that) also you cannott use the bathroom in any bar unless you buy something they literaly have guards so there were a few 3 dollars beers bought just to use the facilities.

woke up about 8:00 am looked out the window and sadly from our room you could not see the ship grabbed some coffee and asprin and waited for the women to get ready (they did'nt wake up until 10:00) got to the ship around 12:00 7.00 per person from the hotel we could have walked it was maybe a mile but it was easier on all our our heads to get a ride our first view of the conquest I can only say WOW huge and gorgeous we got into the fastpass line the other members in our group did not have fastpass the fastpass line was much longer

as it turns out we ended up at the counterright next to them at the same time so the fast pass does work that line took about 2 minutes. Then over to get our sail and sign cards. Then over to another lineand to some chairs then into anther room and into same chairs then we took our picture and got on board. I really do not think there is easier way to embark the whole process at peak time was less than an hour. Now the only improvement I think carnival could make is fix up the pier not a very pretty room I know that other cruise lines use it so they can't Carnivalise it to much But I do beleive they could do something Luckily we were not there very long.

When you first enter this ship I wouls suggest you hold your breath bacause it is truly breath taking the only word I could think of again is WOW I really cannot describe it.

it was about 1:30 and were could not go to our cabin until 2 so we decided to have lunch. As usual the food in my opinion was great and there were many choices. We went to our Cabin 8422 verandah aft and belive it or not all of our luggage was already there a definite suprise also were heard someone calling our name it was our room steward Staney great guy who did a great job he even new our names. We went in and I have to say I am pretty upset with everyone on this board because I will never be able to cruise again without a Balcony and you all recommended it. So I will be setting up the Rob And Nicole crise Charity account so dig deep HA. No our cabin we never really felt any vibration the bad I would suggest that you get a cabin 1 deck lower or more towards the front of the ship we did here alot of noise above of from the restaurant moving chairs and people running not really enough to keep us awake but it was definetly there. We then walked around the ship and went to the spa tour my wife signed up for her massages, facials, etc. and just looked around. at 5:15 we had the life boat drill it only took about 15 minutes. This however is part of the ugly people complained relentlessly about where to stand and why they were there and pretty much anything they could think of it really got on my nerves. We left port right on time and began our cruise.

The Mississippi River is quite ugly but I have to say I enjoyed the different buidings and factories going by us I don't know why just weird I guess I sat out there for a couple of hours. We went to the casino and went to bed about 10:00 ( Sorry all I did not make the meet and greet with the other CC'ers But we were on only a coouple hours of sleep and just could not go anymore)

Day 1

Started out great I got up around 7"00 and went jogging then to the gym and steam room got some coffee and went to wake up wife and found a note that she to wet to gym (i know we were on a cruise we are both just creatures of habit and her excuse was the 3 new bikinis and the fact that she wasd going to eat what ever she wanted my excuse, well as i said I am a creature of habit and jog everyday. Went and got breakfast and my wife met me about 20 minutes alter and informed me that I needed to be at the salon at 10:30 for a couples massage she had gotten us I did enjoy it. On my way up ther things got bad we hit a heavy storm swells up to 20 feet and heavy rain I saw alot of people with patches on and the firat formal night the Monet restrauent was pretty empty.

Folks I am sorry I have to run real quick and pick up the cruise pictures

so the rest will be later

wcr

Until we Conquest

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Waycoolrob:

Also don't wonder to far down bourbon street we met some fellas in leather thongs and that was it took some pictures with them and they advised us that we had made it to the gay section of the block

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Heh, I see you wandered to the "other" side of the flags

looking forward to reading the rest!

Tonya

I conquered the Conquest! 12/14/2003

Pictures

Ok sorry about the break I will now continue

As I was saying very rough seas on the first day along with rain, so this aso caused the cancelation of shows and deck contest so not much else to say

day 2

beautiful day went out on deck about 10:00am and it was very full no chairs around the pool but we found some nice ones available at the rear of the ship, Now let me speak of chairs yes there was chair saving going on one shoe a towel a plate whatever but if you looked and did not mind not sitting by the pool there were several chairs available. We laid out a while and I used a ton of bullfrog spf 50 sunblock and still got a terrible sunburn so bullfrog will also be gettng a hatefull letter. So that night I did not do much to much pain. I did watch the tour discussions on the tv . Cruise Director Stuart Little do an ok job he discussed Jamaica and was very blunt his exact words were "if you are only going to take one tour do it in Jamaica or you will be back on the ship by 12:00". he also did not recommended to many for instance there was a beach tour but he advised to wait that there were much nicer beaches in the other ports so we went to Dunns River falls" it was a 2 bus ride to ocho rios to the falls with a rest stop along the way there and a rest stop on the way back and a stop at a shopping area. I have to say the people in Jamaica were very friendly the water falls were quite an experience. I little advice th rocks on a few places were a bit slippery I fell a couple of time. you can rent rubber water shoes there for 5 dollars if you want, I would suggest it if you do not have some sort of rubber souled shoes or your own water shoes. Now this was not made clear to us or anyone else who we asked so we rented shoes something my wife was really uncomfortable about but once you were in the water it really didn't matter.

The falls were alot fun you climbed up in a train with everyone holding hands I do not Now if I would bring youg kids though as I said it could get slippery in places it took about 45 minutes to get up with a carnival cameraman there to get pictures on the ship. once on top we did have to fight off taxi drivers trying to take you from your tour for there own adventures. Our tour guides were very adament about not shopping in the shopping area there. Almost made it sound like we were not allowed to they even had us leave through the entrance so we would not walk through, The reasons became obvisous later as we stopped at the "approved" shopping area which was listed as duty free. We looked around tasted some Appleton rum and soem other cream rums bought 2 bottles 2 bags of blue mountain coffee and 2 shot glasses for 50 dollars. When we got back to the pier we looked around the duty free area there and found everything there for less than half of what we paid so my advice buy it at the pier ot shop around there first if you have the time. I am now sure (I should have already known) that the little shop they took us to gave a lillte somethng to the tour guides. It was also at that place and only at that place where we were offered drugs, A polite no and they left us alone. When we got back on the ship there was what appeared to be a school band playing for tips we gave a couple of dollars. The ship left right on time.

We went to the point restraunt that night for dinner 25 dollars per person. I will say it was worth it. A very nice place with execellent service. Jackets are required on formal night all others men must were a tie women must dress accordingly. This was easily a 100 dollar dinner I would rate the food a 9 very very good and you will not leave hungary. My wife went out with some friends that night I went to our cabin my sunburn was killing me

Day 3

Grand Cayman

We could not tender at Georgetown due to rough seas I do not know exactly were we dock at but it was about a fifteen minute ride to town. I wanted to snorkel and feed the stingrays but was out voted for a shopping and seaturtle tour so what can you do I was not a happy camper but I was ther with 3 women who wanted to shop we went to a Tortuga Rum Factory and store they had rum tasting so we bought some rum there as well prices were comparible also went to hell really no big deal just a shop and some signs that say welcome to hell.

The sea turtles were neat we got to pick them up for pictures and of course there was a shop.

We got off the bus in Georgetown had lunch shopped and took pictures. Georgetown is nice and clean had an ok time then took a cab back to the ship for 6 dollars a person. Oh I fogot to mention the Valor was anchored next to us so I got some good pictures of both ships together. I should also mention Grand cayman is a bit expensive. We went back to the ship I played some Roulette and we went to the Karokee that was fun but we were a bit drunk ( I need to be to sing I thought I sounded pretty good though. to bed around midnight

Cozumel

My wife and I decided to do Cozumel on our own we docked neck to a princess ship I can't remember which one the were also 2 rccl ship there and another princess up the street. Our cab driver told us on Wed there are as many as 11 ships there. We wlaked throught the duty free shop at the pier and through tthe shops just outside and got a cab to take us to the Mayan Ruins show us around town and drop us playa azul beach for 60 dollars. The mayan ruins are very interesting I would highly reccomended it look out for the Iganus (spelling) they are verywhere but they will leave you alone our driver gave us 90 minutes there then showed us around town he even showed us his house very nice man he then took us to Playa azul beach. This was a smaller beach but not crowded. With a hotel there and little cabanas right off the water and a realy good restraunt there. we snorkeled parasailed and rode jest skis had a great time. then went shopping downtown (cab from beach 6 dollars)

bought a few things then went back to the ship another 6 dollars ship again left right on time. Didnt do much that night I did visit the lillte bakery on the ship and had the best carrott cake I cant remember its name. Went to bed around midnight

The next day was spent relaxng and dreading the end of our cruise. We went to the debarkation talk. Now I have to say this is really where the inexperience of our Cruise director was obvisous we learned nothing he had a habit of going off on tangits and not finishing we had no idea what to do. So packed and went to bed early. Woke up around 6:30 got everything together and waited about 8:15 our room steward knocked and asked when we would be leaving and he then explained to us what to do. We went at got coffee and waited ours was nearly the last color called our cruise was over

Customs

We had our card filled out walked off the ship through some hallways some 2 customs officers and that was it we were in the luggage area no one even took our declarations form pretty sad makes me wish I bought those Cigars

The ship

The Conquest I a beautiful ship I did have some problems

I did not like the Atrium it seems very closed in and to me there seemed to be wasted space.

Alot of things were hard to find the Internet lounge was hidden way in bak of the Alfreds bar and alfreds bar was a bit hidden as well we really did not know our way around until day 4 or five besides that I would sail her again in a second.

Cruise Director Stuart Little

He did his best but it was obvisous he was new we really did not know what was going on most of the time especially since so much was postponed due to our storms on day one

Overall We did have a great time heck I was cruising you really can't have a bad time

so hope to hear from you all and will gladly answer any questions. I would also ask that you forgive my spelling. I do try to type fast and it gets away from me at times

happy cruising

wcr

Until we Conquest

Nice review. Love reading about anyones cruise. Bummer about the sunburn and rough seas.

One question though. Are you sure it was the Valor next to you? She is not scheduled to be commissioned till the end of this year.

Triumph 7/8/00 (Eastern)

Triumph 7/28/01 (Western)

Glory 7/26/03 (Eastern)

Fantasy 7/4/04 (4 Night)

It was the Victory.. I have a picture that I took from our balcony..

It was our first Cruise and had a great time.. We are ready to book the next one..

Until our family reunion on the Conquest

I wanted to find out about the parasailing..which beach, how much, about how high etc. I found a web site where we could parasail for 59.00 dollars..that seems a little high. I paid 35.oo dollars in November to parasail in Cancun. Thanks!!!

Our 2004 Conquest!!!

Isabel (yaya name: Duchess Baby of the Family)

__ /7__/7__/7____

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Nov 7th 2004 Conquest

Nov 2nd 2003 NCL Dream

Nov 22nd 2002 Conquest

May 2001 Inspiraton

March 1999 Celebration

I am sorry is was the Victory, Heck they both start with V

I also asked for a "cup" of wine on our formal night forshame

parasailing we actually paid for a package Parasailing and Jetskis for 30 minuntes for 80 dollars both parasailing and 2 jetskis

Individually I do not know I did feel like we were pretty high but being up there is a bit different than looking up there

ha

wcr

Until we Conquest

I enjoyed your review! Thanks for taking the time to post it. On the negative side, though, I had a difficult time getting through it due to a complete lack of punctuation.

Thanks for your time!

Taters

Song of Norway, 1971

Imagination, 1/1996

Imagination, 1/1998

Song of America, 1/1999

Jubilee, 1/2000

Inspiration, 1/2001

Enchantment of the Seas, 11/2002 - Back to back!

Carnival Conquest, 9/2003

Island Princess, 12/2004

dhodgekiss - hello fellow Ohioians! I'm checking prices now for the Conquest, for NEXT spring break - frown.

Waycoolrob - Question about your taxi tour. This was not pre-arranged was it? $60 per person or for both you and your wife? And 3 stops, Mayan Ruins, tour of town, and beach all from same taxi? We're a family of 5 and booking the cruise tours is usually not possible. Thanks

Thanks for the parasail info..I think I understand that the beach was Playa azul beach. Is that near Paradise Beach???

Our 2004 Conquest!!!

Isabel (yaya name: Duchess Baby of the Family)

__ /7__/7__/7____

\::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nov 7th 2004 Conquest

Nov 2nd 2003 NCL Dream

Nov 22nd 2002 Conquest

May 2001 Inspiraton

March 1999 Celebration

Taters- I apologize I type to fast at times and don't even think about it.

drwestlake- No it was not prearranged after you leave the shopping area at the peir you will come to a taxi stand they have a price list to certain areas and all are per taxi not per person. Ours was 60 total for both of us. For 5 of you they do have vans I really don't think there would be a price increase for more.

Izzy bee- I don't know sorry Question for you are you a Nurse? Just curious my wife is

all questions welcome

wcr

Until we Conquest

Thanks waycoolrob..yep, I am a nurse I am an admission RN for a home health agency.

Our 2004 Conquest!!!

Isabel (yaya name: Duchess Baby of the Family)

__ /7__/7__/7____

\::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nov 7th 2004 Conquest

Nov 2nd 2003 NCL Dream

Nov 22nd 2002 Conquest

May 2001 Inspiraton

March 1999 Celebration

waycoolrob, Thanks for your review. We are leaving on the Conquest in June and we have a balcony towards the back of the ship, room 6442 with extra big balcony. We have never had a room towards the aft, just wondering if you had more motion and vibration back there?

Cunard

Norwegian Wind 3/01

Royal Caribbean Monarch Of The Seas 11/02

Star Princess 4/03

Sun Princess 2/04

Carnival Conquest 6/13/04

azrenne - Not to change the subject but noticed you were on the Sun Princess 2/04. We're booked for 11/04. Can you give us any info, etc. on the Sun? Thanks.

Check out our pictures: http://community.webshots.com/user/natron24

Premier Royale 7/87

Sovereign of the Seas 11/90

Enchanted Seas 4/91

Ecstasy 11/91

Celebration 6/92

Crown Princess 11/92

Enchanted Seas 12/92

Tropicale 6/93

Crown Princess 11/93

Enchanted Seas 12/93

Celebration 6/94

Regal Princess 10/94

Enchanted Seas 12/94

Tropicale 4/95

Regal Princess 10/95

Enchanted Isle 5/96

Enchanted Isle 8/96

Crown Princess 10/96

Nieuw Amsterdam 4/97

Enchanted Isle 9/97

Celebration 10/97

Enchanted Isle 4/98

Norwegian Star 7/98

Celebration 11/98

Enchanted Isle 12/98

Norwegian Sea 5/99

Enchanted Isle 11/99

Enchanted Isle 5/00

Destiny 11/00

Inspiration 5/01

Celebrity Century 11/01

Explorer of the Seas 11/02

Carnival Conquest 5/03

Rhapsody of the Seas 11/03

Carnival Conquest 5/04

Sun Princess 11/04

waycoolrob,

Nice review. Too bad you missed the stingrays. Now you have an excuse to book another cruise . I did the turtle farm and really got a kick out of watching the baby turtles swimming around and getting to hold one of the bigger turtles.

Mariner of The Seas 09/04(Royal Hounds)

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise

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azrenne- No hardly any at all but I do beleive that was becasue we were so high up on deck 8 we had some friends who were lower on deck and you could feel it down there.

On a different note what part of Az are you from, were in Yuma

thanks wcr

Until we Conquest

Thanks for sharing your review! I think DH and most of the guys who were on the Conquest w/ our group can relate to spending the cruise sunburned!

Kim

Carnival CONQUEST 2/04

Check us out online at http://www.elvisillusions.com

Ronath, My husband and I sailed on the Sun for 10 days and we enjoyed it so much. We are in our early 30s and most of the people that were on the ship were in their late 50s to 70s. We enjoyed the places we stopped the most. The ship is on the smaller end but very nice. Any other Qs??

Cunard

Norwegian Wind 3/01

Royal Caribbean Monarch Of The Seas 11/02

Star Princess 4/03

Sun Princess 2/04

Carnival Conquest 6/13/04

Waycoolrob, thanks for the info. We are in Gilbert AZ. You sure have done your share of sailing!! Thats great. Did you happen to eat at the sushi bar? If so was it good? My husband rents a tux and it is deliverd to our room on the ship. Would you recommend him to wear a tux or just a dark suit? The reason I ask is that it does not sound like eveyone follows the rules in the dinning room and I dont want him to feel out of place. This is the first time on Carnival.

Cunard

Norwegian Wind 3/01

Royal Caribbean Monarch Of The Seas 11/02

Star Princess 4/03

Sun Princess 2/04

Carnival Conquest 6/13/04

Ronath, I see that you are from New Orleans. We are staying two night prior to leaving at the Marriott in the French Qrter and the last night when we get off at the Renaissance Pere Marquette. What have you herd about these hotels? Could you recommend any resturants?

Cunard

Norwegian Wind 3/01

Royal Caribbean Monarch Of The Seas 11/02

Star Princess 4/03

Sun Princess 2/04

Carnival Conquest 6/13/04

azrenne- first Gilbert huh? My wife is originally from Gilbert I am from Mesa small world

I did try the sushi bar but I do not eat much sushi so I really cannott judge it's quality I did think it was good though, I also tried saki for the first time. That was an interesting drink. As for the tux I wore a dark suit, my observations were on formal nights most seemed to obey the rules on other nights some did but most did not I did see shorts and so on even a few on formal nights did not dress up. In my opinion it kind of takes the fun out of it..

oh well

wcr

Until we Conquest

Thanks for the info waycoolrob.

Cunard

Norwegian Wind 3/01

Royal Caribbean Monarch Of The Seas 11/02

Star Princess 4/03

Sun Princess 2/04

Carnival Conquest 6/13/04

azrenne, not sure about the Marriott; I know there's one on Canal Street - what's the street it's on? The Renaissance Pere Marquette was an office building converted into a hotel in the central business district. It's just a few blocks from the French Quarter and about 8 blocks or so to the river. There is so much to eat here it's hard to recommend anything in particular. You want seafood, po-boys, beignets?

Check out our pictures: http://community.webshots.com/user/natron24

Premier Royale 7/87

Sovereign of the Seas 11/90

Enchanted Seas 4/91

Ecstasy 11/91

Celebration 6/92

Crown Princess 11/92

Enchanted Seas 12/92

Tropicale 6/93

Crown Princess 11/93

Enchanted Seas 12/93

Celebration 6/94

Regal Princess 10/94

Enchanted Seas 12/94

Tropicale 4/95

Regal Princess 10/95

Enchanted Isle 5/96

Enchanted Isle 8/96

Crown Princess 10/96

Nieuw Amsterdam 4/97

Enchanted Isle 9/97

Celebration 10/97

Enchanted Isle 4/98

Norwegian Star 7/98

Celebration 11/98

Enchanted Isle 12/98

Norwegian Sea 5/99

Enchanted Isle 11/99

Enchanted Isle 5/00

Destiny 11/00

Inspiration 5/01

Celebrity Century 11/01

Explorer of the Seas 11/02

Carnival Conquest 5/03

Rhapsody of the Seas 11/03

Carnival Conquest 5/04

Sun Princess 11/04

Ronath, the address for the Marriott is 555 Canal St. We love seafood, would love to try good cajun food.. Is it Pat OBrians that is popular? If so is the food good? Thats weird making an office building into a hotel! Hope it is nice.

Cunard

Norwegian Wind 3/01

Royal Caribbean Monarch Of The Seas 11/02

Star Princess 4/03

Sun Princess 2/04

Carnival Conquest 6/13/04

azrenne, the Mariott on Canal Street is across the street from the beginning of the French Quarter; a few blocks from the Riverwalk, Harrah's Casino, etc. Pat O'Brien's is a "party" bar, but I'm sure they serve some kind of food there too. For cajun food you might try Mulate's on Julia Street, across from the Riverwalk and Convention Center, or Michaul's on St. Charles Avenue. Either one is within walking distance of the Mariott as long as you don't mind walking a few blocks. Try these sites:

www.michauls.com

www.mulates.com

Also, on Bourbon St. is Patout's Cajun Bistro. Of course, you can get good seafood just about anywhere in N. O.

Check out our pictures: http://community.webshots.com/user/natron24

Premier Royale 7/87

Sovereign of the Seas 11/90

Enchanted Seas 4/91

Ecstasy 11/91

Celebration 6/92

Crown Princess 11/92

Enchanted Seas 12/92

Tropicale 6/93

Crown Princess 11/93

Enchanted Seas 12/93

Celebration 6/94

Regal Princess 10/94

Enchanted Seas 12/94

Tropicale 4/95

Regal Princess 10/95

Enchanted Isle 5/96

Enchanted Isle 8/96

Crown Princess 10/96

Nieuw Amsterdam 4/97

Enchanted Isle 9/97

Celebration 10/97

Enchanted Isle 4/98

Norwegian Star 7/98

Celebration 11/98

Enchanted Isle 12/98

Norwegian Sea 5/99

Enchanted Isle 11/99

Enchanted Isle 5/00

Destiny 11/00

Inspiration 5/01

Celebrity Century 11/01

Explorer of the Seas 11/02

Carnival Conquest 5/03

Rhapsody of the Seas 11/03

Carnival Conquest 5/04

Sun Princess 11/04