Conquest Showing Her Age?

We are debating going on the Conquest as it is an older ship. Is she showing her age or is she in pretty good shape? I cant decide between the new Horizon or Conquest due to the Conquest has the better itinerary. We haven't sailed Carnival yet. DH wants to go on a new ship. I want the better itinerary. what would you do?

Personally, I would go on the Horizon, but we have sailed the Conquest and her some of her sisters and she is just not our favorite ship. "Age" is somewhat subjective - because a fresh coat of paint is often all that is needed to brighten up a balcony for example and there is no way to know for example how long a drawer might have been sticky, or knicked. These types of things happen from time to time and I don't just assume that the ship is "old" as a result - because even 20 years is pretty young in the life of a ship.

Carnival is very good about sending its ships into dry dock so she has been constantly updated throughout the years and has the newer free food options like Blue Iguana and Guys, and a serenity deck. But the Horizon carries almost 1000 more passengers than the Conquest and has features that the Carnival doesn't.

It boils down to bells and whistles - if you want to sail for the ship, it is Horizon. If you want itinerary, then chose Conquest if you refer that. You and your hubby are just going to have to reach consensus.

Aside from doing both, my preference would be the Conquest. Since you are new to Carnival, the Conquest is certainly a serviceable ship, the smaller size will give you a taste of the Carnival culture, and it's the itinerary you like.

After the Conquest, book the Vista or Horizon to appreciate the newer ships. My thinking is that if you start with the newest and best, the older ships might seem like downgrades later on. I haven't sailed the oldest Fantasy class in a dozen years since they seem so rusty, kitschy and old fashioned after being on Conquest or Dream class ships. JMO, YMMV.

Happy sailing!

Depends what you want. Horizon is newer ship with lots of bells and whistles but showrooms for production shows and comedy clubs much smaller than what is on Conquest despite having 1000 more passengers.

We just returned from our second cruise on the Conquest. This ship was in dry dock the end of 2017, new carpeting, Serenity deck, new chairs in the buffet area, re-design of the casino, etc. The Conquest is in great shape, it's clean and beautiful. The one thing that stands out about the Conquest was the friendliness of all staff members. I can honestly say that every employee that we came into contact with was smiling, said hello and offered assistance.

Even in the Lido buffet area, we were warmly welcomed by the people cleaning off tables with an offer to get anything we wanted to drink or eat.

Newer and bigger isn't always the best. I stay away from the floating cities on any cruise line. The Conquest Class ships on Carnival are perfect.

We just returned from our second cruise on the Conquest. This ship was in dry dock the end of 2017, new carpeting, Serenity deck, new chairs in the buffet area, re-design of the casino, etc. The Conquest is in great shape, it's clean and beautiful. The one thing that stands out about the Conquest was the friendliness of all staff members. I can honestly say that every employee that we came into contact with was smiling, said hello and offered assistance.

 

Even in the Lido buffet area, we were warmly welcomed by the people cleaning off tables with an offer to get anything we wanted to drink or eat.

 

Newer and bigger isn't always the best. I stay away from the floating cities on any cruise line. The Conquest Class ships on Carnival are perfect.

I totally agree with all you said! We liked our Conquest cruise so much that I am looking into booking her again for February. And I liked boarding in Port Everglades more than boarding in Miami!

She (Conquest) is moving to Miami, although I do not know when. We are sailing on her in May, 2019 and leaving out of Miami. I hope for you that she moves after February. :)

As first in her class and being sixteen years old she isn't going to compete with the newer ships. I remember standing on the deck of the Celebration in Cozumel when the Conquest made her first port sailing from NOLA. Hurricane Katrina meant relocation to Galveston and that started the boom for cruising from here.

What does make this class special is it's the last ones that allow you to stand on your balcony and see the waves along side the ship. Since the Magic you get a view of the racetrack around on Deck 5 and water further away from the ship.

What does this mean? Book a balcony on deck 6 or 7 and those enjoying a stroll around the outside of 5 can see right in your cabin. Dress nice...

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She (Conquest) is moving to Miami, although I do not know when. We are sailing on her in May, 2019 and leaving out of Miami. I hope for you that she moves after February. :)

We are booked on the Conquest out of Fort Lauderdale in mid April 2019 so she must be switching shortly after that cruise.

We are booked on the Conquest out of Fort Lauderdale in mid April 2019 so she must be switching shortly after that cruise.

I'm booked on the 4/27/19 sailing from FLL, not Mia.