Conquest 12/11-12/18..... First timer

[CincyLucy]

This won't be a fancy review with pictures, just an overall experience review.

 

We booked with a group so we could get the open bar card. That was the best part of the cruise. We totaled up our receipts on Friday night and we were at $1300 for the two of us with a full day of drinking ahead..... That didn't include the 15% that others have added on when they're paying for drinks. At only $400, we got our money's worth!!

 

Anyway, we drove down from Cincinnati. In our oportion of the group, there were six from this area so we all drove down in one van. The drive to Nola wasn't bad. We spent Saturday in the quarter (jw Marriott) but turned in a little early. We go up Sunday, had breakfast, checked out, and walked to the port via river walk. It was an easy walk, even with luggage. We got there at eleven.

 

Getting into the terminal was a nightmare. There was one guy checking passports and birth certificates, no VIP line yet. After about twenty minutes, they said VIPs and people with passports could go to the left. It wasn't really a line, just a herd of people. Finally got to the top of the escalator and went through security. It took all of thirty seconds. I had one twenty ounce bottle of soda and a bottle of water, they didn't check it out or ask if our refillable bottles of water were empty. Then we were directed where to go to check in and waited in that line. That took about ten minutes till we had our cards in hand. We were in zone twelve and waited another ten twenty minutes to get called and then another twenty or so minutes on the gangway. All in all, it took less time then I thought it would. We then walked to the lobby bar, got our first of many free drinks, and then went up for lunch. Fish and chips was dead so we got a table there and sat till 1:30 and the rooms were ready. Our luggage was there at that times too. We had a balcony on deck 6 (6412). It was the perfect location by the stairs (made it through the whole cruise without using an elevator!!) and the balcony was fabulous.

 

Then we walked around a, meeting up with the rest of our group within a group. we scoped out what would become our designated bars. Some stayed with the casino bar to smoke but then would always meet up with the rest of us in the sports bar. We were the only people there the entire week aside from the saints game Sunday. It was fabulous and my new friend, Miljan the bartender there, was great. I love that guy!! We then went to dinner int he dining room. My husband and only ate there three times because our waitstaff was horrible. We were at a different table then some of our friends. They lucked out with the best waitstaff and bar waiter in the ship. We had to flag down a bar waiter and then they never came back with our drinks, that happens the first two nights. That's one of my only complaints.... I actually liked the lido area for dinner better anyway. The only other night he and I went to the dining room was the last day of the cruise for the eggplant....

 

Day two was spent on the sun deck by the aft/adult pool. It was quiet, fairly empty, and well staffed by by waiters. We had room service for breakfast everyday but one so I can't comment about the breakfast Buffet. We did lunch in the dining room this day and it was just as bad as for dinner. Live and learn! We hung out in the sports bar till dinner and then came back afterwards. Did I mention the sports bar was great??

 

I'll do day three later!

[gelo7]

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

[CincyLucy]

Day three was more sunning and eating. We did lunch and dinner in the buffet/pizza/deli area. We walked the ship more and, of course, drank more. My husband and another in our group actually challenged each other to drink the entire menu. Sadly, mine finished... We were talking to some of the crew about how rough it was the night before. They broke out the barf bags and my sea bands came in handy. Even some of the crew got sick apparently. I think I slept 2 hours total. I made up for it with a nap on deck the next day though...

 

We did the comedy club that night (we might have the night before too... I forget!). It was great and we actually stayed for three of the adult shows. They were all different even though there were only two comics. Then it was back to the sports bar. When that closed, we closed down the piano bar. It was great because our room was then just up the steps. Not too far to stagger :-)

 

Day four was Montego Bay. Along with several thousand other people, I wish I hadn't gotten off the boat. It was horrible. We went to "City Center' to do some shopping and it was a total waste. We were there an hour and went back to the boat. That experience made me not want to get off the boat the next day in Grand Cayman. Luckily, I changed my mind. Dinner was buffet again...

 

Day five was Grand Cayman. IT was the most beautiful place I've ever been. Miljan told us it was an "easy" walk to Seven Mile beach from the tender pier (which we didn't have to wait for... we walked right on one around 9am). We had a hard time realizing where the beach really was. We ended up walking about 3.5 miles to Governor's Beach. The walk wasn't bad and it was refreshing to not be rocking while walking. We didn't realize we were on Governor's Beach (too the beach access path just before that off the main road) till we were ready to go. We were actually in front of the Ritz. The beach was unbeatable and there were maybe 20 other people around, if that. I wanted to just lay there for days... We made our way back to town around 12:30/1 (last tender was at 2:30). We walked around a little and had a bite in a cafe. We walked back to the pier, got right on a tender, and were back on board in 15 minutes. The tender was actually a beautiful ride. We laid around some more, did some sports baring, and then had dinner on the Lido again. We always ended up eating around the adult pool because there were NO kids there, an easily accessible bar, and close to the stairs to our room.

 

The next day was Cozumel. We played things by ear. We went into downtown for about 45 minutes and then caught a cab to Paradise Beach. For $2, you can't beat it. We stayed about 2 hours. The beach was nice but crowded. I wish we had found a more secluded place but this was perfectly fine with us. They had a nice pool, clean bathrooms, bar service, and an ocean. What more could you want?? We made our way back to the pier around 2, shopped, got a bite at Three Amigos (gross nachos but fun atmosphere), and then got on the boat at 3. Valor (along with some NCL, Princess, and RCL ships) was docked right next to us. They were schedulced to leave right before us... apparently 2 guys didn't get the memo and missed the boat. Conquest picked them up and took them to NOLA with us but man, those Jones Act fees must suck! We laid around a bit, did some sports baring and casino stuff, and then had dinner. On the buffet, I mostly had salad (I love making my own salad with tons of toppings), bread, and either a grilled cheese from the deli or a slice of pizza. In the dining room, I had the fruit cocktails, the linguini the first night, enchiladas the second night, and eggplant the third night. Nothing special but it all tasted just fine. For dessert, I had creme brulee, tirimisu, and chocolate melting cake. The cake was gross and I don't understand how people like that! The other two desserts were AMAZING. Someone snuck a piced of the apples on pastry one night to me. It was fabulous too.

 

We did the comedy show that night as well. Different comic but equally as funny. His best joke was about how if we wanted to stay on the boat longer, put a pair of shoes and a note at the edge of the rail and we'd have at least 2 more days on board.

 

The next day was a day at sea. It was beautiful till about 1 or 2. Then it turned gray about the temp dropped about 20 degrees instantly. We decided to grab lunch and head to the sports bar after that. We hung out there till about dinner time, changed clothes, and went to dinner for the last night. We ended up having to get our friends' bar waiter to take care of us because one never made it to our table. This waiter was Vladmir and he was great too. Vlad, Miljan, and Larry in the piano bar really made the cruise great. We spent our last night with Miljan and then Larry. Perfect end to my best vacation ever.

 

I realize Carnival is pretty bottom of the barrel and wasn't expecting much but most of the crew was great (aside from the dining room wait staff). Our room steward was great, the cleaning crew was great, etc... It was a very pleasant vacation. I'm glad we went!

 

I do have to say that I don't think I could ever do a cruise and not have an open bar card. People were all worried about how much they were spending, their account balances, etc... At the end of the cruise, we owed $60. $52 of that was cigarettes for my husband's boss and $8 was a t-shirt. I can't imagine the sticker shock people get! I'm also glad because we got bottled water and didn't have to worry about brining it on ourselves. The water on the ship was terrible and I really did get sick to my stomach after drinking it (but not enough to let it bother me).

 

In summary, it was a great vacation and can't wait to do the booze cruise next year!

[Normal 1]

Hey Cincylucy. Sounds like you had a good time. I had a bit different experience and thought all was great with a few minor exceptions...

 

We went to the meet after muster but only stayed a few minutes as we wanted to be in the spa drawing....sadly didn't get our names called.

 

I will gather my notes and put a short review together later this week. We ate in the dining room each night and had great servers as well as great tablemates (Donna and Jae from NOLA area!!). Food was great as well and as far as the WCMC goes.... You either love it or not. My daughter had it each night and I had it 3 nights. I had the creme brulee the first night and really liked it as well!!

 

We did not do much drinking but my daughter had her share at the past guest party and at the final farewell party, managed to put away 7 whiskey sours!

 

Being past carnival cruisers, the week went as I expected. I've also sailed RCI and IMHO, Carnival is a better value for me. Each line has their strengths.

 

For me, I prefer the FL ports over NOLA and now I have experience to draw on. It's all about finding what works for you. I'm glad you found some things you liked!

[luvmysox1]

Excited to cruise Conquest in a month. Thanks for posting a review