Conquest May 23rd review with pictures

[jenniferop]

Carnival conquest 8day southern

Flew in Friday may 22nd stayed at residence inn, in ft lauderdale Nice hotel, shuttle service could be better organized, but it was free pick up from the airport and $8pp to the port each way Embarkation Saturday may23rd we left the hotel at about 11:05am and we were on the ship and in the lobby drinking a beverage by 11:55am, so very quick process.

Porters were very easy to navigate; hand one of them your bags and a tip and you're good to go, walk inside get in line for port customs passport check, metal detectors and then carnival check in...it was "all" boarding time when we got there so we walked right on after we got our sail and sign cards. We had received one of the mailings and phone calls about stagnated embarkation for 2pm but we didn't stick to it and still had no problems.

Once on board we decided to not get the cheers program since for 8days and 2 people it would have been about $900, and I could not justify that cost. I had ordered a bottle of vodka from Bon voyage to be in our cabin with a 4pack of beer for DH. I filled my carnival tervis tumbler with lemonade and my vodka daily...with an occasional mixed drink and hubby had buckets of beer and we ordered 1bottle of wine, we ended up with a bar tap on our folio of only $521 by then end of the week and I never felt like I needed to drink more or didn't drink enough. Im Glad I didn't get cheers after all. Muster drill was a little later than usual so we had time to eat in the Fish and chips restaurant above the cezzanne buffet, drop our carry on in our room (interior 9236) we got all our baggage pretty quickly, unpacked and sailed away (that was also slightly delayed due to a medical emergency). We even worked in a game of air hockey in the arcade. I won😀. After a trip back to the cabin to freshen up for dinner, it was time for dinner in the steakhouse The Point. During the first night you get a complimentary bottle of red or white wine. We decided on white since we were doing escargot and lobster bisque appetizers and salad. I've also heard that the house white was better than the red. I had the surf and turf, DH had the 9oz filet. Everything was wonderful and we had a great view of the sunset from the restaurant. After dinner we wandered the shops, bought a purse, stayed for the raffle and then called it an early night around 10:30pm. No welcome aboard or comedy show for us tonight...

[rtap23]

Looking forward for the rest of your review. We are also doing this itinerary in July

[SMSACE6]

Thanks for posting your review. Looking forward to reading more, and more photos too:) I may sail Conquest yet, since I like cruising out of Port Everglades.

[jenniferop]

more tomorrow - I have it all written, just got busy at the end of the day today. If you have any questions I'm happy to answer them.

[jenniferop]

DH is a runner so he got up and did a run, I kept on sleeping...I'm on vacation no alarm clock for me, DH got back around 8:30am so I got up and took a shower, the night sleep was restless as it was a little warmer than we would have preferred, after mentioning this to our cabin steward ADI, he called maintenance they came and checked it out but told us it was within standards. We called guest services for a fan but we were told they were for medical reasons only. Needless to say we stayed warmer than we would have liked for the week. Not enough to ruin our cruise but enough to make us think about a balcony for next cruise. We spoke to several people during the week and everyone we talked to had the same experience...warm rooms, no matter the floor or cabin type. For 5 cruises we have always booked interior and have never had a problem like we did with temp this time.

We did the dining room sea day brunch, we tend to avoid the buffet and love going to the dining room for as many meals as we can. After brunch, we did some ship wandering, we attempted the art auction but left, not for us...

We did a round of trivia in the lobby, lunch at Guys burgers, Tea time is always a must do, then I took a nap, DH did another run...he's crazy. We had Late dinner in Monet dining room table 320, Reynaldo, in the back next to a window. We were at a table for 8 but there are actually only 3 couples...most nights it was just us and another couple. Tonight was cruise elegant night, we have done the Tux and gown dress up in the past but have recently opted to just do cocktail dress and suit.

We went to the late show of Epic Rock, which in our opinion is actually a really good show. We know that some people are disappointed that the live band is gone but we really enjoy the new show with the LED screens and synced performance. Epic rock is one of our favorites. Then we saw comedians; Manny Oliveratta (sp?) and Kim Harrison in the Degas lounge, finally calling it a night around 1am.

I need to figure out how to do bigger pics...I've never attached them before - any tips?

[RaMar]

Looking forward to the rest!

[jenniferop]

Hubby and I had just been here in August of 2014 on the Sunshine and knew we needed something to do since we aren't beach people. The Helicopter tour really caught my eye.

No run for hubby this morning since we both slept in...up at about 8am. Up to Blue Iguana we go for breakfast burritos, which were really good. Then To the lobby; a Bellini for me and a Bloody Mary for DH. At this point just about everyone is off the ship but we don't have to meet our tour until 11:30 so we take our time and enjoy the quite ship.

The tour was only us and 2 other couples, we were crossing our fingers to be the lone twosome for our turn, (since the helicopter will only take up 4 passengers at a time) and were hoping to see some humpback whales, but we busted on both. Still the helicopter was awesome but WAY to short a ride, even though we thoroughly enjoyed it...we bought the video of the ride and headed back to the ship. We had the option to go to the beach before going back but again we aren't beach people. We did walk to the right of the dock and tried to find some conch shells before we got back on board but they had been pretty well picked over by that time of day. Back on the ship we played sound clip trivia, I won a ship on a stick, YAY. We played trivia pretty much everyday...we find more and more on each cruise unless you lay out at the pool or go to the casino there seems to be less planned activities as the years go by... Sad that the industry in general is moving away from the experience and fun of cruising and more towards the casino cash cow. Oh well, we still have a good time, just can't stand the smokiness of the casinos. After all of the trivia, I really wanted a cold shower to wash Grand Turk off of me...I live in Florida but I HATE to sweat...try and figure that one out. After that I went To "Friends" trivia and DH went for a run...we meet up at blue Iguana for a late lunch (the deli and pizza is also open at this time of the day) maybe on days were you have to be back on the ship at 2pm they should leave guys or the buffet open a little later? With only 5 hours on the island most people milked the whole 5 hours and came back ready to eat,so guys and the buffet we're swamped with people trying to eat before they closed at 2:30. Uneventful evening, we went to dinner and the 4th couple at our table showed up but that was the 1 and only night they came to the dining room. We did the Brits show in the theater and then a Comedy show. We never went to any deck parties or the night clubs any night.

[jenniferop]

This is the only port I didn't plan anything. Non of the tours looked like something we would enjoy, so it was our do nothing day. I slept in, DH ran. Late breakfast at the buffet, just ok not great, bacon police were in full effect but they gave more if you asked for it. We did a load of laundry, DH came straight to FLL from working out of town, so he some things to be washed. Trivia, drinks, lunch, nap...all good things in my opinion.

We did get off the ship for about 20 minutes just to look around but like others have said in their reviews, there is NOTHING at this port. A little shop for liquor and cigarettes but NOTHING else. Some pics of the deli corned beef and pastrami and DH LOVED the smoked Salmon, he ate it everyday.

 

Oh and we did get our Bottles of Water and Drink coupons - the water came in handing in Aruba but like others, we forgot to use the drink coupons on the last day.

[jenniferop]

Late port time...1pm-11pm DH travels every week for work and is platinum with Marriott with tons of points so I actually booked us a "room" at the Renaissance right next to the port. It was nice to have a room to call home for the day, easier than getting on and off the boat. We used it to leave our stuff, they had a beautiful infinity pool. So, we shopped, had a great snack at the "Cheesery" swam at the hotel in the salt water and fresh water pools and then went back to our room and showered. I made reservations at the Boase Culinary beach resort restaurant for dinner. We had a private gazebo on the ocean and it was a great experience, with excellent food. We got back to the hotel to find beer and a cheese platter had been delivered to our room, awesome Platinum rewards. We sat on the balcony and people watched until it was time to get back on board. Curacao is beautiful and we will be booking again just to come back to this port - or even fly in and just stay at the Renaissance for the week.

[jenniferop]

I had been waiting for this port...I found the Gold Mine Ranch online and booked a horseback riding excursion. Carnival didn't offer it in this port but I couldn't pass up the chance to go riding on the beach with a group that didn't do the whole wear a helmet and follow the horse in front of you thing, this company got excellent reviews online. And they were all correct, it was great. I had never been on a horse before plus I had back surgery in September. I got signed off from my surgeon but when I mentioned my back issues to the tour operator he took extra care to line me up with a very gentle horse, Elligancia. That was one of the best things I've ever done, we rode for almost 2 hours, and covered a huge area. I felt pretty good about myself when one of the guides asked how long I had been riding and I said "never" it was my first time, he said I was a natural and sat like I had been doing it awhile. My horse wasn't bouncy or anything. She listened great and did exactly what I asked of her. I'm going to look for places to go riding when we get back home, it was so much fun.

DH's horse threw his shoe, so the guide gave DH his horse and walked Picasso back in the sandy trail. DH loved the new horse, he has been riding before and got the new horse up to a good gallop, run. We went in the water (surf), visited the natural bridge and an old mining fort. With only 7 of us it was a very small group and we loved it completely. I Would highly recommend it to others. We got back around 11:30am and wandered the shopping are for awhile. I found Harley Davidson store and got a poker chip for a cousin that collects them and I also finally found an Alex and Ani shop so i could get an Aruba bracelet - non in the other ports.

 

We had lunch and Dinner when we got back on board - I think this was the night we saw the hypnotist...he was fine - I had never seen one perform before. Some people stayed under the whole time - those that didn't got up and left the stage. Only thing I didn't enjoy was the hypnotists voice - I know that sounds like a weird complaint but the tone he uses to put people under was VERY annoying. (to me)

[jenniferop]

Same old same old, I slept in and DH went for a run. We had brunch in the dining room, the steak and eggs and blueberry pancakes were actually really good. We realized on day 2 that with the revamped room service menu that the bagel with salmon and capers and even the croissants are no longer available in the morning, those were the only reasons we ever ordered room service so we never did on this cruise.

DH got his salmon fix at brunch or in the deli for lunch. EVERYDAY. I got my croissants at breakfast or brunch, but they tasted a little different than before, probably a new supplier. A lazy day of trivia, napping and drinking. Second elegant night was tonight and I wanted some pictures so we got ready early and posed for some pics...

Chateaubriand and bread pudding is my favorite night...

We did the taste bar every night it was available, for the most part it was good. But it was under utilized. I think they're better used as a sushi bar like the Freedom used to have... Also, we noticed the alchemy bar wasn't used as much as it was on the Sunshine. On Sunshine it is right in the middle of the promenade and across for the area where they did trivia, much better traffic flow. Latin nights show in the theater we tried to get to the comedy show but it was full by the time we got there so we went to bed around 11pm.

[jenniferop]

Believe it or not, I slept in and DH went for a run. I never sleep in at home so cruising is my only kick back relax time.

We had the Seuss at Sea day brunch today. We were the only adults with no kids but we didn't care. It was fun when we went last time so we did it again. It's $5pp just to let you know.

Nothing special about the day, lazy day, lunch at the deli, Divas show after dinner. The Divas show in my opinion is better that The Brits but not as good as Epic Rock. There were new comics on board but we never got to them.

[jenniferop]

We had zone 29... Since we were just staying at the same hotel we did before the cruise, no real hurry to get off the ship. We got up had breakfast and hung out in Lido until our zone was called...about 10:30. The port was a ZOO with VERY long winding line it took almost an hour to get through the line and customs. We had to wait for the hotel shuttle, again very unorganized. The hotel contracts out the shuttle service so I'm not sure the actual hotel can be blamed.

 

And that's it for the Carnival Conquest. Any questions?

 

Our lasting impressions of the ship are; deco was not horrible we liked the paintings and artist feel. The layout was chopped up but we were prepared for that after the Sunshine, although we think the sunshine flows better. Rooms need better air flow. Our cabin Stewart was attentive and cleaned our room twice a day Like every other cruise. We never asked for ice. The fridge was room temp at best but we lived with it and didn't have him remove anything, we only used it to store the Vodka bottle from Bon voyage and our bottles of water for being gold. Our Waiter was attentive but wasn't open to conversation, we never built the relationship we had in the past with the wait staff.

We would sail Conquest again for the ITN- but next up is my High School 25th reunion cruise on the RC EOS. then we are looking at Norwegian Escape for Jan 2016 for DS 21st bday. Can't wait for Vista in early 2017 (we can only cruise before Sept. since DH can't get time off around the Holiday's.)

 

Not many followers but I'll check back for any questions you might have about the ship or ports...

[SMSACE6]

I am following and enjoying. Your photos are fine. Smaller yes, but still fine. I am not good at posting photos so cannot offer any help on making them bigger.

I appreciate the effort though you took to do the review. Thank you:)

 

Norwegian Escape is also on my list of possibilities.

Edited June 5, 2015 by SMSACE6

[levon10]

My DH and I are doing the same cruise in Jan. 2016 minus the Romana .stop. Enjoyed your pictures and review.

[rooster1961]

hey there! I was on the same cruise, were you a Conquest-ador?

[jenniferop]

hey there! I was on the same cruise, were you a Conquest-ador?

 

No, but we saw all of the shirts.

[Pythian]

Thanks for the review jenniferrop! We're on-board the Conquest this August and it was nice to know your thoughts. We normally cruise with Princess, but our boys really like Carnival (27 years old) so we're going with them this time. Probably 7 or 8 years since we last cruised with the line. Also, appreicate the info on horse riding in Aruba.... that sounds like a great plan. I never know what to do there, so normally just stay on the ship. Again, thanks for taking time to let everyone know how your cruise went.

[cruiseclues]

Interesting review jenniferop...thank you. :):):):)

[siestakeys04]

Nice review thanks for the insight. Looking forward to november:D

 

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