Just off Conquest, Ask me anything!

[sweetsixteencruisers]

Elegant nights were first sea day and Grand Turk day.

 

Thank you!!!

[junglecat]

TerReuv, YES, Karib gave us a map, but we still got lost getting to the light house! LOL. Besides golf carts, they also have new ATV's to rent as well. I would highly recommend to call and get a reservation if you plan on going again and using them. "Max" was the young man who worked there and was very nice & polite.

 

Can someone please explain the new menu's? I've heard over and over again about them, but unsure exactly what they are all about.

[connieh1968]

I'm trying to post the Funtimes, but keep getting errors.

[TerReuv]

TerReuv, YES, Karib gave us a map, but we still got lost getting to the light house! LOL. Besides golf carts, they also have new ATV's to rent as well. I would highly recommend to call and get a reservation if you plan on going again and using them. "Max" was the young man who worked there and was very nice & polite.

 

Can someone please explain the new menu's? I've heard over and over again about them, but unsure exactly what they are all about.

 

I will remember that about the lighthouse as we definately want to see that. I heard they had ATV's and I know my DH would love to drive one of those, however I am pretty sure my parents (74 & 80) won't want to do that! LOL

 

Thanks for the recommendation about making the reservations ahead of time. I will definately do that. What did you do in St. Kitts & San Juan? We were thinking of doing the hop on hop off bus in San Juan to get to the sites. We are only there from 7-2.

[HLR]

I'm off to find those broken tiles.

 

Yes, some things are showing wear, but the crew has everything spotless as usual.

 

Kudos to them, they work soooo hard.

 

With the amount of customized detail that every "Joe Farcus" designed ship has...when "decorative" things break they can't possibly have replacement parts for everything... And I can't remember a cruise where at some time or other I didn't see a swath of carpet being replaced...

 

I work in an office building in NYC and it is a daily struggle to keep 5 floors of offices at comfortable temperatures. Every day a different office is either freezing or too hot...and we're not moving!

 

HLR

[capcutie2002]

I was on the 2/7/15 cruise as well. I was also on it back in October and I didn't care for the cruise director, Mike, at all (also had him as entertainment person on the Legend the year before). However, he was much more enjoyable this time and has seemed to find his groove. The evening trivia has been moved from the casino (which was just a cluster...blocking the hallway and no room) to the atrium where more people can participate, dancing in the elevators, and it was a lot more fun! The egg drop was really cool, glad we happened to be in the lobby when that was going on.

 

On the Serenity issue - the only thing I really missed was the more comfortable lounge chairs. Otherwise, no real difference. Barely any kids on our cruise though. I believe the reason they can't/won't make it a serenity is because the pizza is located back there.

 

I never did see any of the shows. I went to comedy a few nights and enjoyed that. Also went to the Alchemy Bar a few nights and really enjoyed that! Drinks were only about a dollar more and so much better since they used real fruit and top quality ingredients. So delicious!

 

Elegant nights were the first day at sea and Grand Turk night.

 

St Maarten - started at Maho Beach, cool to see but way to crowded and no chairs or umbrellas really. Hopped in a taxi to nearby Mullet Bay and it was perfect! Beautiful water that was clearer than most pools and you could still see the planes coming in, just not directly overhead. Only issue was the little food place there is definitely on island time. Spend your time enjoying the water and not waiting on food.

 

St Kitts - took the Grey's Grand Tour of St. Kitts which was very enjoyable and we went to the black sand beach. It is a very small beach, but there were chairs to rent, bathrooms, good food, and nice massages where they used real aloe.

 

San Juan - visited the 2 forts and took a 1 hour bus tour around the new area that dropped us off at one of the forts at the end. The hop on hop off tram thing is a joke! People get on it and ride it all day long!! We had to end up getting a taxi from one fort to the other ($4 person I think it was). We went over with another couple that had waited for a couple trams and almost a hour. No way was I doing that so we walked down to the little square and got a taxi. Then leaving the second fort there was one seat...I ended up walking back to the ship from there. The taxis wanted $14 from that fort to the port. It was an enjoyable trip back, but a costly one since I happened upon the Coach Outlet store ;)

 

Grand Turk - Margaritaville was very enjoyable! Great big pool and get a chair near the Flowrider and you will be entertained all day. The beach is right there as well. I spent a couple hours at each place and thoroughly enjoyed my day. Go to the beach in front of Margaritaville if you want to swim, it is less rocky.

[capcutie2002]

Oh and on the tile issue, yes I have seen broken tiles only because I am usually up until the early a.m. to go find pizza after comedy or the night club and I see them fixing them. If you see a broken tile one day, I bet you don't see it the next day.

Edited February 24, 2015 by capcutie2002

[campdaan]

With the amount of customized detail that every "Joe Farcus" designed ship has...when "decorative" things break they can't possibly have replacement parts for everything... And I can't remember a cruise where at some time or other I didn't see a swath of carpet being replaced...

 

I work in an office building in NYC and it is a daily struggle to keep 5 floors of offices at comfortable temperatures. Every day a different office is either freezing or too hot...and we're not moving!

 

HLR

 

The ship is in pretty good shape. I've stayed at 5-star hotels that pale in comparison.

[VacaGrl45]

If broken tiles ruin your vacation, then stay home!

[stargate fan]

Thanks....I'm sailing in May on the Conquest with a stop in LaRomana, Dominican Republic and curious about the port area there. I have read that there is nothing to do or see at the port area and a shore excursion is a must in LaRomana.

 

Thank you in advance if you are going to do a review of your cruise, I look forward to reading it.

 

How were the shows? Were there lots of lounge chairs available on the open decks? How was the food and service? Did you try the drinks at the Alchemy Bar?

 

We returned home from Conquest two days ago. Wish we were still on her.

 

We booked a private catamaran/snorkeling/beach tour with Pro Excursions. This was one of the best excursions we've ever taken. They have a special tour just for cruise ship passengers. Google "la romana sea excursions for cruise ships". It cost $99 per person and they had a 26 person maximum so it wasn't crowded at all. The guides were informative, funny, and knowledgeable.

 

There really wasn't anything to do at the port.

[CruisinWithFamily]

Was the Suess at Sea breakfast available? If not, any idea when it will be?

 

I asked JH this last week. It should be on the fleets Starting March 3 or 5th. Cant remember the exact..

[Insel]

Jungle Cat

We always go to Govenor's Beach.

I know it was closed for renovations beginning in December.

I take it it's now open for guests?

 

I was interested in a golf cart as well. Did you have any issue parking it while at the beach?

[VacaGrl45]

Jungle Cat

We always go to Govenor's Beach.

I know it was closed for renovations beginning in December.

I take it it's now open for guests?

 

I was interested in a golf cart as well. Did you have any issue parking it while at the beach?

We rented a car, parking at Governors Beach was safe. There was a golf cart there when we on the beach. Sad thing is the facilities are a mess, no one seems to take care of the place. There was a gentleman raking seaweed when we first got there. There were only 4 other couples on the beach besides us.

[timbom]

Just back from cruise and have these comments on things loved:

1) Guy's burgers

2) Staff (cruise director best ever)

3) Entertainment other than main show room

4) Bites before dinner

5) Stops loved in D.R. Went to Dreams best 55 dollars ever spent. Do not miss this!

 

Things hated:

1) Chair hogs - At six every morning people staked out chairs by putting towels on them. On third day saw people picking up towels and dumping them in the dirty bin. Saw several loud arguments over chairs. Can't understand their policy. There are plenty of chairs problem is people don't occupy them but believe they can reserve them all day for just them self's.

2) Lots of chairs in public area are threadbare and need to be replaced

3) Main showroom show - Few people show up for main show room. Show as it is now is really lame with only a total of eight singers and dancers on a huge stage with caned music which is mainly lip sink.

4) Size of comedy club - They need to have shows in main show room as this room is too small. Always people outside when doors are closed.

5) Fish and chip place. Used to be really good now instead of cod as fish they are using some really cheap fish which tastes terrible.

6) Deserts - This used to be a carnival strong point they have really gone down hill.

7) Hand driers in rest rooms - All other cruise lines have either hand towels or paper towels in rest room. As part of cost reduction they have put in hand driers which sound like jet engines.

8) Lack of things in bathrooms like hand lotion and conditioner for hair.

 

Still was presently surprised by cruise but you can really see cost cutting policies taken in the past couple of years on this cruise.

Edited March 5, 2015 by timbom

[erinmarie424]

Just back from cruise and have these comments on things loved:

1) Guy's burgers

2) Staff (cruise director best ever)

3) Entertainment other than main show room

4) Bites before dinner

5) Stops loved in D.R. Went to Dreams best 55 dollars ever spent. Do not miss this!

 

Things hated:

1) Chair hogs - At six every morning people staked out chairs by putting towels on them. On third day saw people picking up towels and dumping them in the dirty bin. Saw several loud arguments over chairs. Can't understand their policy. There are plenty of chairs problem is people don't occupy them but believe they can reserve them all day for just them self's.

2) Lots of chairs in public area are threadbare and need to be replaced

3) Main showroom show - Few people show up for main show room. Show as it is now is really lame with only a total of eight singers and dancers on a huge stage with caned music which is mainly lip sink.

4) Size of comedy club - They need to have shows in main show room as this room is too small. Always people outside when doors are closed.

5) Fish and chip place. Used to be really good now instead of cod as fish they are using some really cheap fish which tastes terrible.

6) Deserts - This used to be a carnival strong point they have really gone down hill.

7) Hand driers in rest rooms - All other cruise lines have either hand towels or paper towels in rest room. As part of cost reduction they have put in hand driers which sound like jet engines.

8) Lack of things in bathrooms like hand lotion and conditioner for hair.

 

Still was presently surprised by cruise but you can really see cost cutting policies taken in the past couple of years on this cruise.

 

Good to know, thanks for taking the time to post. Carnival has never had personal care products in the bathrooms other than the tanks of shower gel and shampoo.... used to have little sample baskets but you could never guess what might be in them.

[catawbakru]

Thanks....I'm sailing in May on the Conquest with a stop in LaRomana, Dominican Republic and curious about the port area there. I have read that there is nothing to do or see at the port area and a shore excursion is a must in LaRomana.

 

 

 

Thank you in advance if you are going to do a review of your cruise, I look forward to reading it.

 

 

 

How were the shows? Were there lots of lounge chairs available on the open decks? How was the food and service? Did you try the drinks at the Alchemy Bar?

 

 

We did Saona Island through Pro Excursions... BEST excursion we have been on. I've never seen a more beautiful beach or had such a good time. My teenagers still rave about it.

[connieh1968]

Anyone sailing soon on the Aruba 8 day.....would you please grab me copies of the fun times for the kids Camp Carnival. Just the 9-11 year olds.

[MsSWhite]

We did Saona Island through Pro Excursions... BEST excursion we have been on. I've never seen a more beautiful beach or had such a good time. My teenagers still rave about it.

 

catawbakru--I am traveling with college-age kids. I am apprehensive about booking this excursion. Worried they will be too "bored" with the sightseeing part. How old are your "teenagers"??

[stargate fan]

catawbakru--I am traveling with college-age kids. I am apprehensive about booking this excursion. Worried they will be too "bored" with the sightseeing part. How old are your "teenagers"??

 

We were on this excursion on February 24, just 10 days ago. (Where, oh where, did the time go?) It was so much fun.

 

The boat ride was a hoot. Joy was our guide. She was funny and taught us a lot about the area while making us laugh.

 

After being on the catamaran for about 20 minutes, we went to an old pier that was destroyed by a storm. The pillars were still there and became a natural reef. We snorkeled around them. Joy pointed out different fish. At one point she picked up a sea spider so we could see it up close. This was underwater. Note-I am a very weak swimmer but love to snorkel. Joy had orange life preservers that some of us wore around our bodies, tucked under our arms.

 

As we motored to our next destination, one of the boat's crew members explained how part of the area is a natural park. He pointed to caves in the volcanic rock where hieroglyphs are still visible and how the area is protected so there are no resorts nor homes. We then went to a beach that had soft sand, nice deck chairs, beautiful water. We ate a delicious lunch of salad, fresh papaya and mango, rice and beans, grilled fish, grilled chicken, and pork, I think. We had water, wine, beer, and rum drinks free at our disposal.

 

After the beach we boarded the boat again and went to a sand bar where there were lots of the big, spiny, five-armed starfish. We were instructed on the proper way to hold them so they were not injured. The water was barely chest deep and warm. One of boat's crew walked into the water and served us home-made rum cake. We all laughed that we'd never eaten rum cake in the Caribbean ocean before. Then Joy served us rum and Coke, rum and Sprite, or rum and rum.

 

We were all so tired from our wonderful day as we headed back to the Pro Excursion office.

 

There were three kids, maybe between ages 10 and 15, on this excursion and they seemed to have a blast. Do you think your college-age kids will be bored?

 

I recommend this excursion to everyone because it was one of the best ones we have ever taken in all of our 19 cruises.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[catawbakru]

catawbakru--I am traveling with college-age kids. I am apprehensive about booking this excursion. Worried they will be too "bored" with the sightseeing part. How old are your "teenagers"??

 

Our kids are 13 and 14, but there were a few older kids (16 - 18) on the cruise and at least one that was 21. The boat ride is great, the beach is beautiful, the lunch is delicious, and the rum was flowing. On the way back, the boat ride was a party--everyone was up and dancing and having a great time. We could have stayed another four hours.

[Kayprincessa]

Push willow, did you get a reply about video poker on the Conquest? That is my burning question.

[Kayprincessa]

Auto correct, pussywillow.

[pusywillow]

Push willow, did you get a reply about video poker on the Conquest? That is my burning question.

 

No, I didn't. Guess there aren't a lot of gamblers writing reviews. I will just have to check it out myself.

 

Sue

[pusywillow]

Push willow, did you get a reply about video poker on the Conquest? That is my burning question.

 

The other unanswered question: Which pier was the Conquest at in Port Everglades? I need to get to pier 2 from there so wondering if it is close.

Anyone? Beuler?

[triplel30]

We are sailing the 8 day Southern itinerary to GT, La Romana, Curaco and Aruba. Can anyone tell me what nights during the cruise the two formal nights are? We are looking to book a dinner in the Steakhouse, but don't want to miss the formal nights. Many Thanks!!