Conquest - tips and insider information

Am cruising on Conquest next weekend. Haven't cruised in a few years. Any tips or insider information?:)

I would go to the port forums for good info on what to do there. As far as the ship goes, there are more choices for food(some cost extra)and the Carnival App is new.

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You have an appointment time for checking in. Show up at or after that time, not before.

I'll be getting off next weekend if you just want to meet me at the pier and give me your tickets. Then you won't have to worry about the cruise :D

Have a great time and don't worry about the small stuff. I don't cruise often so I try to enjoy when I do.

Clearing customs at Port Everglades can be a real pain, which I had heard, and can now confirm. I usually try to be one of the first ones off, but thought I'd go with the flow this time around (Nov. 5th). That was a mistake. Debarking started at the normal time, but my zone wasn't called untill after 11, and I didn't clear customs until 12:20, and there were no taxis, and a long line of people trying to get a taxi. It took my Lyft driver forever to find my terminal, with a lot of calling back and forth. My flight was at 1:40, and I didn't have any time to spare, walking right onto the plane. Luckily the airport is close and it's relatively small. Next time it's back to self-assist.

Clearing customs at Port Everglades can be a real pain, which I had heard, and can now confirm. I usually try to be one of the first ones off, but thought I'd go with the flow this time around (Nov. 5th). That was a mistake. Debarking started at the normal time, but my zone wasn't called untill after 11, and I didn't clear customs until 12:20, and there were no taxis, and a long line of people trying to get a taxi. It took my Lyft driver forever to find my terminal, with a lot of calling back and forth. My flight was at 1:40, and I didn't have any time to spare, walking right onto the plane. Luckily the airport is close and it's relatively small. Next time it's back to self-assist.

There are some new customs clearing apps for Port Everglades. Look them up. I've heard they speed the process.

Is there Wi-Fi at the port?

Hi all!

Departing on Oct 28 was pretty slow but there is NEXUS or whatever you call it in the States (Global Entry?). Just make sure the agent puts you in the right line! I got put into the ordinary stream instead of the along the wall line to the right! I was #27 which was called at 9:50 am, took the Carnival shuttle & was at the airport shortly after 11.

I really liked the Conquest cruise, the ship is lovely, I loved my dual porthole cabin, Chloe the CD & her crew were terrific & Guys was yummy as usual!

Do use the Carnival Hub app it's a great help. You can see your photos on it, show times etc.

Bon voyage!!

~ Jo ~ :)

There are some new customs clearing apps for Port Everglades. Look them up. I've heard they speed the process.

Yes, I did that. They were not using that process that Sunday morning--or at least that is what the customs agent told me. And if you do use it, I recommend finishing your end of the process right as you're leaving the ship as it's only valid for 4 hours. I did my part when they started the debarking process a little before 8, and it was expired by the time I was in the line at noon.

There are some new customs clearing apps for Port Everglades. Look them up. I've heard they speed the process.

Use Mobile Passport. It took me 10 minutes from stepping off ship to getting into a taxi. I’ve done this three times at Port Everglades now. Couldn’t be easier. I was able to walk past hundreds of people...straight to the front of the line. Love the App.

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Tip: the Ol' Fashioned Barbecue place above the Lido buffet (so, on Deck 10) is free and seldom crowded, and I liked it a lot. It's open for lunch. This area is also handy for "bonus" seating above Lido if the buffet is crowded.

Tip: if you want to watch sailaway or arrivals from the front of the ship, go to the "secret" decks in the front. Decks 6, 7 and 10, just go to the forward end of the corridors and look for the doors outside. Note, it can be quite windy up there and sometimes the doors will be closed, but these decks ARE accessible to the public.

Tip: if the new Serenity area is crowded (and it looks a bit small on the deck plans), they may still have comfy padded loungers on Deck 10, midships. Portside is non-smoking and starboard-side is smoking.

FLL had a Global Entry line at US Customs debarking.

The BBQ above the aft Lido is empty on embarkation day, but does get more crowded as the week goes by.

If you are in a hurry to go from aft dining to the theater or casino, or just wish to avoid the photo crowds on deck 5 promenade after eating, use the 4th deck walk through. Enter the old cigar bar (Winston's?), walk to the right and then down that hallway to the 2nd staircase and you emerge right at the elevators near the casino bar.

Enjoy your cruise!