Conquest Review - July 2, 2006

Wife and I just got home from our cruise on the Conquest (7/2). What a great ship! I thought that I would give a "brief" review of the ship and the week.

We drove down Saturday and spent the night in League City (cheap, close, and pretty good place to eat - Peppers). Sunday morning drove to the terminal and parked at the Dolphin lots. They have changed their policy from last year - you have to drop off luggage at the terminal first, and then park to ride the shuttle back.

Embarkation was as to be expected - a little slow, but not bad. We got on the ship around 12:30. The ship is BIG! We had sailed on the Elation last summer and fell in love with her. The Conquest is bigger, newer, and beautiful in her own right, but the Elation is more elegant.

We had a aft balcony on Empress deck (7363). This was our first cruise with a balcony, but not our last!!! The room was comfortable - the shower was small. If you have electrical items with you, definitely bring an outlet strip with you - only one outlet in the cabin. Empress deck is a great location - two levels above restaurants, casino, etc AND two levels below buffet and pools (close, but low noise).

CD Todd Wittmer was fun and did a great job. The room steward did a fine job. We had the late seating (8:30) in Renoir. I cannot say enough good things about the wait staff!!! Our table waiter, Juan, and his assistant were wonderful. The food varied from very good to exceptional!!

The deli sandwiches were very tasty. We did miss the fresh pineapple and watermelon that we had had on the Elation. The Conquest had a mixed fruit - mostly melon. We also very enjoyed the sushi. The fish and chips were pretty good, too.

I thought the shows were ok. They seemed similar to other Carnival ship shows. The Casino staff was excellent - almost made losing an enjoyable experience.

Ports of Call

Jamaica - we had never been to Jamaice before and had heard bad things. We booked a Carnival excursion to the beach at Negril. LONG bus ride (1:20+) through real poverty. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant and beach were nice. I would probably go the Sunset Beach on our own next trip.

Grand Cayman - Rainy weather played havoc with excursions. Our Carnival Stingray City-Turtle Farm-Hell excursion was deleyed by three hours. Still, the stingrays were very, very cool. Definitely worth doing! The delays did not leave any time for shopping. We would love to go back to Grand Cayman.

Cozumel - We had visited Cozumel several years ago. We just shopped and ate at Pancho's. The old Habana Club Bar is long gone, but they still have a small store at the end of the shopping strip. Bought a shirt and a cigar there to enjoy. Very fun day.

I have rambled on, but would tell you that we loved the cruise. I would be happy to respond to any questions that I could answer.

wcruiser

Holiday 7/11/2002

Elation 7/17/2005

Conquest 7/2/2006

Thank you for your review! Nicely done! Can't wait until our turn.

It sounds like you had a wonderful time!:D Our last trip was also on the Elation and we'll be on the Conquest in October. Can you tell me if breakfast and lunch is served in the Renoir or Monet dining room? Also, you said the show were "okay". Is there any that we should really see or do you think they would be no big deal to skip? I enjoyed most of the shows on the Elation, especially the comedians, but don't want to waste my time if they really aren't good. Too many other fun things to do!

I suppose the only downside to a cruise is that there is SO much to do that you can't do it all and have to make these choices!:p

Thanks for the review- We are going in Dec. I wasnt sure what to so in Jamaica but sounds like Sunset Beach is the thing to do,especially with kids. Thanks again!! Cant wait until its our turn to post the review!!P.S. Hi okiemom...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time!:D Our last trip was also on the Elation and we'll be on the Conquest in October. Can you tell me if breakfast and lunch is served in the Renoir or Monet dining room? Also, you said the show were "okay". Is there any that we should really see or do you think they would be no big deal to skip? I enjoyed most of the shows on the Elation, especially the comedians, but don't want to waste my time if they really aren't good. Too many other fun things to do!

 

I suppose the only downside to a cruise is that there is SO much to do that you can't do it all and have to make these choices!:p

Breakfast and lunch is in the Monet. As for the shows - the comedy shows were funny. The production shows had neat costumes and sets - the music was just ok. BTW, my wife thought more highly of the shows than I did.

Hope that this helps.

wc

Hi Meanestmom!

Want to join us on Friday and Saturday??? We are going to have 100 degree + weather!:eek:

Talk to you soon!

Cheryl

Hi Meanestmom!

 

Want to join us on Friday and Saturday??? We are going to have 100 degree + weather!:eek:

 

Talk to you soon!

Cheryl

I will be enjoying 112 and 113 degree weather this weekend. Can I join you?

Robb

Robb...Today was 101 degrees and 111 heat index in the shade!:eek: The humidity was around 70%. I think I'm melting! Can't wait to see our electric bill!:eek: :eek:

Robb...Today was 101 degrees and 111 heat index in the shade!:eek: The humidity was around 70%. I think I'm melting! Can't wait to see our electric bill!:eek: :eek:

I think it was at least 111 degrees here in Phoenix today. going to be hotter for the weekend. I will be going through Oklahoma city and Tulsa in October on my way to Milwaukee.

Robb

I think it was at least 111 degrees here in Phoenix today. going to be hotter for the weekend. I will be going through Oklahoma city and Tulsa in October on my way to Milwaukee.

 

Robb

October will be nice! It will be a nice break from this terrible heat! Sure am glad I will be going to Heaven:) because I know I couldn't handle the heat in Hell!:eek: lol

wccruiser, sounds like you had a great cruise. We are cruising on the Conquest 8/27 and my sister and brother-in-law are in room 7363 and we are down the hall. Can you tell us when alittle more about the room and balcony? Being on that side of the ship were the ports in veiw off the balcony? we are looking forward to getting away...Thanks, Rlyans

The room (7363) was really fine. The bed was very comfortable. I would suggest taking an outlet strip - only 1 outlet in the room (at the desk). I would only take extra clothes hangers for the closets. The room had three floor to ceiling closets on the left as you enter the room. The bathroom/shower is immediately to the right. At the end of the closets is the desk/dresser. On the opposite side of the room is the sofa and adjustable height table. The sofa had drawers under it. The head of the bed is on the same wall as the sofa. There are small night stands with lamps on each side of the bed.

The door to the balcony is at the foot of the bed. The door opens out into the balcony. The balcony has two adjustable plastic chairs and a small table on it. Breakfasts were great out there.

The location of the room was great because you could see the pilot boats come up and pick up the harbour pilots coming into and leaving ports. Also, that is the side of the ship that they tender from and debark from.

I have attached some pics

wccruiser

Holiday 2002

Elation 2005

Conquest 2006

Thanks wccruiser, we are getting excited and are ready to cruise. That's really funny that you had the same room my sister has. That's good to know that that's the side of the ship where all the action is. I think we all need to bring binoculars. Did you use your balcony alot? glad you had a good time. Thanks for your reply, Rlyans

Thanks wccruiser, we are getting excited and are ready to cruise... I think we all need to bring binoculars. Did you use your balcony alot? glad you had a good time. Thanks for your reply, Rlyans

We had three cabins right next to each other, and the cabin steward opened up all three of the dividers between balconies, so we had one giant balcony! It was really great. Attached is a pic of them all opened up (this past Saturday 7/15). We had cabins 6415/17/19. This pic was taken looking fore from 6419.

:D

Thanks wccruiser, we are getting excited and are ready to cruise. That's really funny that you had the same room my sister has. That's good to know that that's the side of the ship where all the action is. I think we all need to bring binoculars. Did you use your balcony alot? glad you had a good time. Thanks for your reply, Rlyans

Yep! We used it every day. We had room service bring us coffee and a lite breakfast and sat on the balcony each morning. We also spent some time in the afternoon reading out there. We loved the balcony!

wccruiser

Holiday 2002

Elation 2005

Conquest 2006

????? 2007

 

I have attached some pics

 

wccruiser