Conquest Review 8-27 to 9-3

[excitedcruiser]

Here is my review from sailing last week on the Conquest. Hope you enjoy.

 

This was my third cruise with Carnival, so I tend to compare the cruises together and that's what I get my review from. This cruise consisted of me(42)Hubby(43)Mom(62) and Dad(69).

 

Day 1(Friday/Saturday). Being excited about going on the cruise we had planned on leaving very early Saturday morning but decided to go ahead and drive down to Galveston from Oklahoma on Friday night. We left about 8:45 pm and arrived in Galveston at 4:30 am. We had reserved a hotel for Saturday night at the Quality Inn and Suites on Seawall Blvd. We immediatly went to the hotel to see if we could check in early. Check-in was not till 3:00 that afternoon but they let us have the room early(real early). It probably helped that when we got to the hotel the front desk person was asleep at the desk and we had to wake him up. Didn't want us to notify anyone I guess.

 

Day 2(Saturday)Spent the day down at the Strand and watching the Ecstacy leave port. Enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the "Original Mexican Restuarant". I highly recommend it. Spent the evening in the pool/hottub and watching the weather to see what Hurricane Ernesto was going to do.

 

Day 3(Sunday)Got up way to early(about 7:00 am) and walked over to the beach for a while after breakfast. Decided to go ahead and head down to the terminal to see the Conquest and hit Starbucks before boarding. Hubby dropped off myself, parents and luggage and went to park our vehicle at EZ Cruise Parking. We got inside the terminal about 10:30 am and there was already a long ling of people. As soon as we got in line a carnival rep was handing out a piece of paper to let everyone know that our Itenerary was changing. Instead of Jamiaca, we were going to Progreso and had two days at sea coming back instead of two days of sea going. We had been to Progreso before and really wanted to see Jamaica. Bummed a lot of people out. The line started moving about 11:30(after letting on all the wedding parties, VIP's, and multiple travel agents). We were on board by 12:00 and eating lunch. Immediatly after lunch we went to the purser's desk to have dining room tips taken off. We don't eat in the dining rooms. Also,we turned in our fun bucks we had purchased before the cruise. Then off to our room. We had booked inside 4A guarantee and was upgraded to the veranda deck inside. Our room was right behind the bridge(Room 8205). We have been in the back, middle and now front of the ship and feel no difference in the motion. Muster drill started about about 4:45pm and we left Galveston before it was over. Didn't like that. We like to see Sail-a-way. Spent the evening walking around the ship and eating way too much.

 

Day 4(Monday) Our Day at Sea. Spent the day eating again, losing some money in the casino's and just watching the water. We like to sit back by the Sky pool in the back of the ship as the Lido Main Pool area was way to noisy and too many people. Went to see our first show in the Lounge and for some "techinical" reason they changed it after everyone has been seated. Instead they introduced all the big chiefs on the boat and then some guy came out and sang for a while. Ug.

 

Day 5(Tuesday) First port of Progreso. Hasn't changed since we were there last year. Still the long pier and many buses to take you back and forth. Since my parents have not been to this port, we took them on the $2.00 each bus tour they have at the market we the buses drop you off and pick you up. It's a real neat tour if you have never taking it before. Then we walked down the street and around the corner to a nice little spot on the beach (for free).Beware, vendors are everywhere and bother you constantly. Just give them a firm no and they will leave. After the beach we walked across the street to a real nice open air restuarant. It has a small pool in the center of it and it felt wondeful to cool off again and wash off the saltly ocean water. The food was the best I have ever ate in Mexico. We went back to the market and shopped a little while then back on the bus to the ship. We watched many people run to the boat before leaving. Even watched one security guard go get a couple from the bar at the pier. Spend the eveing relaxing and preparing for Cozumel.

 

Day 6(Wednesday)Port of Cozumel. This was our 3rd time to Cozumel. We tendered in with no waiting and set off for Paradise Beach. We had wanted to go back to Chankanaab Beach but decided to wait till next year till it was up and running better. Spent a few hours at Paradise and had lunch there. Did not buy the braclets to use the water toys. Saw no need for that. Took taxi back to downtown peir and did a little shopping. Place still shows some damage from the hurricane but they have built up pretty quickly. Back to the tender and rest on the ship.

 

Day 7(Thursday)Port of Cayman Islands. This by far was our favorite port. We had reserved a car with Avis and went to the Blue Iguana as planned for pick up. Got to our car quickly. We had reserved a mid-size Honda Civic. The steering wheel was on the right side and I was the chosen driver. That was an experience. Everyone should try driving on the right side of the car on the left side of the road. We did get a few honks. We set out to go to Rum Point and go lost. Luckily a nice local at a Texaco station sent us on the right path and off we went. Loved Rum Point. Just beautiful. The snorkling was good, the sand was good, the water was warm. Very Shallow. Spent a lot on food. Prices are shown in Cayman money. We bought 4 hambugers, fries, 3 teas and a coke and it costs $64.00 US Dollars. That was a little shocking. Went back to the pier that afternoon and did some power shopping in 30 minutes. The line back to the tender was very long but moved quickly. The ship started to leave port right on time and started to turn when it went back into position and stopped. Saw a tender boat racing to the ship. Somebody almost got left behind.

 

Day 8 & 9(Friday & Saturday) Spent the next two sea days resting from the ports, watching shows and eating too much.

 

 

Fine summary:

 

Ship: Too large and too many people. If I had a choice to go on any ship again that I have been on, I would choose the Elation. It's the perfect size.

 

Dining: Can't say about the dining rooms since we did not eat in them but we liked the buffets and really liked the pizza bar and sandwich bar. The tea tasted better than previous cruises and we had no shortage of milk this time.

 

Entertainment: We saw a couple shows and they were ok. The dancers either are new or just learned a routine. They did not stay together very well. Music over system was ok. I heard way too many Backstreet Boys, N'Sync and Britney Spears songs. Same ones over and over.

 

Crew: They seemed to work ok. Our room stewart was great and we tipped her everyday. One day we actually saw the Captian of the ship running down our hall(remember we were by the bridge). He was chasing a little boy. Asked the stewart about that and she said it was his son. They were playing.

 

Ports: Cayman Island was the best. Very clean and no vendors bothering you at all. Prices are high and no bartering cost.

 

Embarkation: Get in line early and check out the ship before it get's crowded.

 

Debarkation: We chose to leave our luggage out and disembark with our bag color. Went pretty quickly. Get a porter and they take you through a shorter line.

 

Misc.: Buy fun bucks before cruise and apply them to your sail-n-sign card. Our final bill was only about 200.00. Do your own excursions or use a company on the island. Pack your own soda and beer. Cost of drinks are about 5.00 for a small drink. Cigs are 2 cartons for 36.95. Bring a surge protecter. Only one plug in cabin. Night light helps alot. Frigs are not very cold in the rooms.

 

If you have any questions, I will try to answer them.

[Stircrzy]

Thanks so much for your review.

 

I've only sailed on smaller, older ships...mostly Fantasy Class on Carnival (love Elation and Ecstasy!), and smaller ships of other lines.

 

I've wanted to cruise on the Conquest since it's a newer ship in a close-to-home port...but have hesitated because of it's size.

 

Reading all of the reviews will help me to make up my mind!!

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for the review, excitedcruiser.

[tkportersat]

Enjoyed reading your review.

I agree, I like the smaller ships better as well. Guess it is just a preference thing. I think for me it was that the Conquest had all the same offerings as smaller ships, but was just larger. That basically just meant more people, harder to get around, crowded at shows! I would be interested on going RC one day out of Galveston when they bring the Voyager with all the extra amenties on board, but other than that I will stick to the smaller ships!

[zeke11]

oh heck! I just booked the Conquest! I hope we won't be disappointed. this will be our first Carnival cruise. Have cruised with Disney twice and Norwegian.

 

Kris

[excitedcruiser]

Don't let me discourage anybody on qoing on the Conquest. If it's your first cruise then you will love it. I just compared it to my other cruises. It doesn't discourage me. I will cruise on any ship. We are booking the Conquest again for next August. We like Carnival and we like going out of Galveston, so we take what ever ship is available. I'm just saying I prefer the smaller ships.

[DOING GR8]

Going at the end of OCT. What is the cost of the FUN buck? What can you use them on? Where to buy?

 

Do you know if the port changes are going to change back?

 

We booked and inside cabin also So was it conformtable to sleep on the drop down beds?

[excitedcruiser]

Regarding the Fun Bucks. You buy them online through Carnival.com. Each month we would buy 100.00. Took 500.00 in Fun Bucks on the boat with us. Take them to the Pursur's desk and they will apply the amount to your Sail and Sign Account. The Fun Bucks were mailed to us. I have also heard that you can call Carnival and have money put on your account. The ports only changed due to Hurricane Ernesto. They are back to normal now. I did sleep on the top bunk and it was very comfortable. Just getting up and down from them was no fun. But to be on a cruise, it works for me.

[DOING GR8]

Fun Bucks???? How much do they charge you for the $100?

[DreDay]

Fun Bucks???? How much do they charge you for the $100?

 

I believe they are just dollar for dollar, like a gift certificate. It sounds like excitedcruiser simply bought funbucks in increments before the cruise. Great way to budget!!

[tkportersat]

oh heck! I just booked the Conquest! I hope we won't be disappointed. this will be our first Carnival cruise. Have cruised with Disney twice and Norwegian.

 

Kris

I didn't hate the ship, you will have a great time. Unfortunately once you start cruising you compare every trip to your past ones. There are always going to be things you like better and things you like less. It truly is a beautiful ship, I hope you have a wonderful trip!