Conquest - Just got back - not too thrilled

[Ronath]

As far as a "noro viris" on the Conquest 7/17 sailing, most all cruise lines we have sailed treat it as a viris usually brought on by a passenger and passed on in the close quarters of the ship (door knobs of bathrooms, elevator buttons, etc.). That is one of the main reasons it is stressed that people wash their hands as frequent as possible. As far as the hot tubs, they were not in operation during our May Conquest cruise nor were they working on our shortened 6-day cruise on 7/11/05. I have heard that there were viris issues with the hot tubs prior to this and they have been closed for awhile and supposedly will be taken care of during the drydock coming up.

[nybumpkin]

I will never understand why people cruise during hurricane season!???!

:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

DH teaches college and we have 3 kids in school. Their breaks don't coincide, and I won't take kids out of school for an extended vacation. I can't take a week off around Christmas. Not much choice other than hurricane season. We were on the 7/3 Conquest sailing that missed Grand Cayman, had extra time in Cozumel and an extra day at sea. Not a problem for us, aside from letting folks know we'd be delayed in returning. You just have to roll (sometimes literally:eek: ) with the punches!

[eelyak]

After reading this thread, I'm adding Hand Sanitizer to list of things to pack!

[lukegr]

Then, we go to Cozumel, and should not have. Only 30% of island had electricity - cab driver told us. Spent $60.00 roundtrip to go to Nachi Cocom b/c we couldn't reach them. When we get there, they said they were closed because of all of the damage from hurricane. You wouldn't believe the electric lines down, the trees, debris, etc. To me, it was unsafe. Now, on the main strip in Cozumel, they did have electricity. Also heard from someone on Conquest that they went on their excursion in Cozumel and they shouldn't have b/c it was very unsafe - didn't hear details of why.

 

We're sailing the Conquest on August 22nd, and have read lots of great reviews, sorry you didn't like it. Different stokes for different folks I guess. However I don't think it's Conquest's fault for the hurricane in Cozumel, if you were on the Disney line and in the same situation, I wouldn't see a difference.

[bcc99]

I will never understand why people cruise during hurricane season!???!

:confused: :confused: :confused:

 

If you don't have your heart set on a specific itinerary or port of call, the savings can be considerable. Besides, the number of cruises NOT affected by a hurricane probably exceeds the number that are. But I've been lucky so far! :D

[lukegr]

Plus, students and full-time workers can more likely go cruising during summer vacation rather than a regular work/school time :rolleyes:

[GoinCruisin]

I ,too, was on the Conquest for this sailing and this is my first post on this board.

For those of you who were on the cruise, I was the guy who sang and hammed it up with the Motown performer and sang "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" in the talent show.

Let me first say that Todd and the rest of the cruise director staff were the ULTIMATE and were the only real highlights of this cruise. The entertainment and Todd's personality were both PHENOMENAL. This was only my 2nd cruise; my first was last year on the Carnival Fantasy.

Although it's true that Carnival does not control the weather, it is just as true that they DO control the pricing and compensatory measures. I missed 1/3 of my ports-of-call. I bought 2 tickets for app. $2500 and their "compensation" for missing one of three ports was an abysmal $25 per person credit....which amounts to about 2% off of my entire bill!! I talked to SEVERAL people on the ship and we were ALL in agreement that this was almost a slap in the face. I would have been happy with a percentage off of my NEXT cruise or something. The fact that it rained in the other 2 ports was not their fault at all, but it certainly did not add positively to the cruise experience. Almost 1/3 of all the shore excursions were cancelled, so there wasn't much left to do but shop and drink.

We tried making lemonade with the lemons that nature had given us, but I still feel that Carnival's "compensation" was more of an insult than an honest effort to keep their guests happy. JMHO.

 

I'm not going to flame you, and I am sorry you were disappointed... but you sound as if the ports are actually included in the cruise price. The ONLY thing you pay as far as ports go is port charges, in with the taxes, and these are minimal. Carnival doesn't guarantee ports and they were not included in your $2500... the $2500 paid for your cabin, your meals, entertainment, etc... NOT ports... They would not reimburse 1/3 of your cruise fare due to missing ports... the charges for port fees probably amounted to about $25... you still had what was to be included in your cruise fare... The cruise contract states that they don't have to give you anything, so even a small compensation is better than what they had to do... I know, that is not what you want to hear, but cruising during hurricane season could lead to missed ports, shortened, lengthened cruises, bad weather, etc... Now, if the price included visiting ports, that would be different... Again, I am sorry you were disappointed :(

[ronrythm]

Carnival's in a can't win situation with Cozumel. If they don't go there, people complain, if they do people complain about the damage and things not available. What are they supposed to do:confused:

[chefdeedee]

Question for DisneyGang - Since you received such poor service from your waitstaff, and you waiter treated your daughter with such dis-respect - did you consider, or did you adjust the amount of tips that went to that person? Thanks for answering - WE are going on Conquest August 14th with two kids, ages 10 and 8. . .

 

Dee Dee

Grand Princess - February 2005

Royal Carribean - 1986

[Disneycruiser#1]

eelyak----pack the antibacterial hand clensers and buy a antibacterial pump hand soap to keep by the sink in your cabin. When possible use the restroom in your cabin. I take the a antibacterial pump soap and hand clensers each time. If flying double wrap the pump soap in ziplock bags....I lost my spleen a few years back and have learned a few tricks that may not help but hey it can't hurt :)

[Disney Gang]

Shannonwood - nice knowing you were on the same cruise and backed me up on a lot of things I said. Glad I wasn't the only one that seen they had problems in more than one area last week. Maybe it was just a bad week for everybody considering the weather.

 

Just found out from a friend that she knows someone that went on aCarnival ship (not sure which one) last week that skipped all ports b/c of the damage/ weather and they were compensated a percentage towards their next Carnival cruise. Don't know why they didn't do that to us, guess Conquest didn't want to give us money towards another cruise.

 

I agree with Timmywad that $25.00 per person is not much at all.

 

Chefdeedee - We gave the waiter the amount we were supposed to and then husband gave him a little extra, because the girl that helped him we felt sorry for and we tipped her more, and husband thought she may say something to him. It's not like we would ever see him again, but I guess the guilt got to my husband.

[dan40]

A tip for the OP.

 

Your error was making comparisons. Your Disney cruises were OVER.

 

We haven't been on Disney, they have no casino and we have no small children. So no interest in Disney. But if we did sail Disney, we'd have a great cruise.

 

Our best cruise was our last one[ had many hurricane related problems, so what] and our next one will be our best one. Cause the last one is OVER.

 

Even after 40+ cruises, we approach each new one as tho it is our first. Our failing memories help. :rolleyes:

 

May your next cruise on whatever line be as great as any one of ours.

Dan

[bevo]

Again, I APPRECIATE the comparisons. Comparisons provide knowledge, sometimes, and in this case it did for me. She did not dis CARNIVAL ! She just told us some differences! I probably won't ever even sail on Disney b/c it IS so much more expensive, but it is INTERESTING hearing how they do things! I'll still have a great time on my Carnival cruise, though, unless illness overtakes me or...horror of all horrors...the kitchen staff goes on strike!!!!!!!!! :)

[cbabe]

I'm sorry that you did not enjoy your cruise on the conquest.

However, making comparisons between Disney Ships and Carnival Ships is like comparing apples to oranges. I've been on Disney and Carnival. I enjoyed them both, but I would not compare the two as they are different in many respects.

 

Why do people wait until after their cruise to discover this site only whine, b****, and complain?

[L2J]

Our best cruise was our last one[ had many hurricane related problems, so what] and our next one will be our best one. Cause the last one is OVER.

 

 

BRAVO!

[Ronath]

Agree with dan40. Went on the Conquest twice within 6 weeks (May & July). The July cruise was just as good as the May one even though it was cut short a day and missed a port.

[Daycare Provider]

Hello Lukegr

 

Go to roll call/ carnival/conquest..there you will find a message board for the 8/21/05 sailing. There are two families from Canada that will be joining us. We are all meeting at margaritaville in New Orleans on Saturday night. On sunday after we board; we the (group) are meeting at the pizza place at 4:00 p.m. Hope to see you there.

 

Angela/daycare provider

[shannonwood]

I don't think anyone in this thread has whined or complained about their trip, they have simply expressed their opinion. It's been stated more than once that it's not fair to do comparisons, but beyond that point...this particular trip was terrible. We all realize that Carnival can not control the weather, but I believe Disney Gang (and myself) pointed out that there were issues on board that had nothing to do with the weather. I have also read reviews of this particular sailing on the "Review" section, and Disney Gang and I were not the only ones that felt it was a disappointing cruise. The point of these boards is to pass on information and opinions to hopefully educate those that are researching the various cruise lines.

[PinandGiz]

My husband and I were also on the 7/17 sailing of the Conquest. I will try to do a more complete trip report after the laundry is finished, but I feel that I have to say something now in response to the previous posts about the cruise of 7/17 to 7/24.

 

This was out first cruise, so this is not a comparison by any means ~ simply a few of my observations.

 

I too, saw the dirty diaper :eek: on the floor in the buffet area that "shannonwood" mentioned in her posting. I have no idea what became of it, as I was standing at the iced tea machine for only a minute or two, but there were numerous people bussing tables and none of them seemed to notice it.

 

While sitting at the main pool area, we observed 3 different drink waiters kick and step over two corona bottles ~ spilling out beer all over the deck ~ and continuing on without bothering to pick them up.

 

While using the jogging track, I observed two ice cream cones that had been dropped ~ they were still there the next day!

 

While using the elevator, we noticed that there was lettuce and tomatoes laying on the floor ~ rather wilted looking, so obviously they had been there for some time.

 

The staff in the Lido buffet area were not friendly at all, never smiling ~ the girl who worked one day at the dessert counter was downright rude to anyone who asked her a question about a particular item.

 

We never saw our room steward ~ not once during the entire cruise! The last three days of the cruise, he never brought ice to our room. We used a can of tonic and a coke out of our mini fridge and the items were not restocked. My husband had to call for another can of tonic and it took an hour for it to be brought to our room.

 

Our shower curtain smelled of mildew. The glass shelves in the bathroom had not been cleaned from the previous guests ~ there was hair on them and smears of lotions and toothpaste. There were water spots and toothpaste running down the mirror. :eek: Thankfully I had brought my Clorox wipes along!!!

 

The Carnival Capers stated that the jacuzzis were closed for "today" ~ little did we know that they had been closed for months!

 

The food at the breakfast buffet was the same with no variation for all 7 days. The omelletes were very greasy and after I requested very little oil ~ as someone had recommended on this message board ~ I was told no!

 

The hallway carpets were horribly stained. There were food stains even on the carpet on the walls of the stairways!

 

There were plates of food left outside cabin doors that sat there for hours ~ we noticed this every day! We would leave our room on the 6th floor in the morning around 8:00, return around noon, and the same plates would still be there.

 

There were cigarette butts stuck in the window ledge all along the windows at the back of the ship near the back pool and jacuzzi ~ they were there for the entire 7 days of the cruise.

 

Again, I have nothing to compare the Conquest to since this is our first cruise. I am simply mentioning things that I noticed that I thought could be improved upon. I certainly hope that I am not attacked for doing so. I cannot understand why people become so defensive and take it so personally when someone simply states their opinion. You'd think they owned the ship themselves!!!:rolleyes:

 

I realize that Carnival cannot control the weather. Nor can they control the people that CONSTANTLY slammed their balcony doors, threw lit cigarettes off their balconies or allowed their children to run down the hallways at all hours of the night and day ~ but they can certainly do something about the cleanliness of this ship and the attitude of some of the staff!!!

 

I enjoyed the cruise ~ it was very relaxing. Yes, the weather was disappointing, but you have to expect that at this time of year. It was a wonderful experience to sail down the Mississippi ~ one that I will never forget! The fellow passengers that we met were extremely friendly ~ especially the people from the southern states.

 

So, thank you shannonwood and Disney Gang for your honest opinions ~ I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one that was a little disappointed.

 

And Timmywad ~ you were a hoot!!!:p

[Daycare Provider]

Did anybody complain? If so, did the service improve? Whom did you speak to? This way I will know whom to speak with when I sail. Did anybody andjust thier tipping to reflect the poor services that were given. I am sailing on the Conquest 8/21/05, right before drydock. I am getting a little nervous about this trip.

 

Angela/Daycare Provider:(

[nybumpkin]

I too, saw the dirty diaper :eek: on the floor in the buffet area that "shannonwood" mentioned in her posting. I have no idea what became of it, as I was standing at the iced tea machine for only a minute or two, but there were numerous people bussing tables and none of them seemed to notice it.

 

While sitting at the main pool area, we observed 3 different drink waiters kick and step over two corona bottles ~ spilling out beer all over the deck ~ and continuing on without bothering to pick them up.

 

While using the jogging track, I observed two ice cream cones that had been dropped ~ they were still there the next day!

 

While using the elevator, we noticed that there was lettuce and tomatoes laying on the floor ~ rather wilted looking, so obviously they had been there for some time.

 

I can't argue that these things should not have been attended to - but what about the folks that caused the mess in the first place? I saw more dishes left right where the user finished them, rather than find a proper disposal place; in two cases, I moved drink glasses off the stair risers (right where someone could step on them) to the side. And these are adults! I give my kids a hard time when they leave things lying around!

[joepeka]

but what about the folks that caused the mess in the first place? I saw more dishes left right where the user finished them, rather than find a proper disposal place; in two cases, I moved drink glasses off the stair risers (right where someone could step on them) to the side. And these are adults! I give my kids a hard time when they leave things lying around!

This might be a good poll question - do you go out of your way to properly dispose of your dirty items (dishes, glasses, etc.) when in one of the casual areas or do you just wait for the ship staff to clean up after you even though they may be seriously overworked? Personally, if I'm in the Lido restaurant or by a pool etc. and my dirty utensils aren't removed by the time I'm ready to leave the table, I take them to wherever I see that the staff is depositing dirty dishes (a tray, a counter, a partition ledge, etc.) rather than leave a mess for the next passenger.

[Miliket]

I was also on that cruise on 7/17 and I noticed the same things around the ship like the other passengers. There was even another dirty diaper in the lounge area when we were disembarking - and, I too, watched several staff members walk right past it! This was my 4th cruise - 2nd with Carnival so I did know what to expect. However, I was very unhappy with many of the same things the other people have stated in their posts. My room steward had to be asked 3 times to unlock the cabinet that had the mini-bar and he never restocked it. He also never really cleaned the room - just made the bed and gave us new towels. We waited over an hour for room service and I had to call twice (I also complained and I still waited an hour for room service the second time). As far as the ports of call, I noticed that Royal changed their itinerary in light of the hurricane...so why couldn't Carnival do the same. Why would we go to Cozumel when almost all the shore excursions were cancelled and some parts didn't even have electricity? A big disappointment for us was that our luggage was lost and we didn't get it until Thursday, and in the mean time I had to purchase clothes in the gift shop - but unfortunately everything had Carnival's logo on it and they didn't carry women's bathing suits - bummer:( . It was our anniversary and the waiter asked us if he should do anything for us which I thought was kind of weird - instead of just doing it. All in all, the cruise was OK but not the best mostly because of our lost luggage and the weather. However, I will still cruise with Carnival again.

[PinandGiz]

I agree ~ regarding the people who made the mess in the first place.

 

It made me wonder if this is how these people live at home! We were always disposing of our dirty glasses and stacking our dishes for the staff. It just seemed as if there were a lot of inconsiderate people on the ship.

 

We also observed dirty glasses and plates of half eaten food on the stairway many, many times. Again, I do not know if this is a usual occurence since it was our first cruise ~ leaving empty glasses and cups or dirty dishes wherever you may be when you are done eating ~ even up on the very top deck! I can't imagine doing that or having the attitude that someone else will clean it up ~ that's their job!

[lukegr]

Hello Lukegr

 

Go to roll call/ carnival/conquest..there you will find a message board for the 8/21/05 sailing. There are two families from Canada that will be joining us. We are all meeting at margaritaville in New Orleans on Saturday night. On sunday after we board; we the (group) are meeting at the pizza place at 4:00 p.m. Hope to see you there.

 

Angela/daycare provider

 

Actually I'm Patinthehat's brother :)