A Live Solo "Conquest" of the Western Caribbean

[Chooch72]

Please keep the updates coming. :) I am truly interested in the power/engine issues you may be having as we board the Conquest in 33 days. Keep enjoying the scotch & those cigars!

[howielovescruisin]

My inlaws wet on the last Conquest sailing before yours. MIL thinks they skipped Nassau because the seas were too rough, I guess the Allure also missed it. However, she said her steward told her they were late leaving Miami due to "operational issues with the ship" whatever that means.

 

I'm really enjoying your review! Thanks for taking the time to post it daily. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[carolinaviking71208]

Days 5 & 6: December 3rd-4th

 

Good evening frome the fabulous Carnival Conquest, where we sail between Belize and our next port, Roatan. First, allow me to apoligize for not posting last night. It was a great but long day in Cozumel followed by the Chef's Table last night. By the time I got back to my cabin for the evening, I was lights out.

 

In Cozumel, I decided to take the ever famous Cozumel Bar Hop. I took this tour last year and had a great time. This year was no different, except the size of the group. We had 38 hoppers this year as opposed to 13 last year. For those who have nexer experienced the Bar Hop, it's a tour that travels to the scenic and uninhabited East side of the island, away from the tourist traps. You'll travel in airconditioned comfort to four beach front bars and receive a free signature shot at each bar. The shots are not particularly strong. They are essentially a shot of the bar's signature mixed drink. The East side of the island is all federal property and has no electricity. The owners of the bars purchase a concession from the government allowing them to use the land. All of them run on either wind, solar or generator power. The food is fresh and the ice and water is from filtered sources. The area is closed after dark and the roads to the east side are guarded by police. This is in part because the beaches are a very active nesting ground for sea turtles. The Bar Hop is great for even those who don't care to drink. The scenery is amazing.

 

So, once back to the ship, it was off to the cabin for a quick shower and out to the balcony to watch for pier runners. One of the reasons I love my cabin (1047 on Panorama deck starboard side) is because, both cruises to Cozumel, my balcony was directly above the gangway. With the ship pushing away from the dock and the sun setting, it was time to finish getting ready for the Chef's Table. The Chef's Table is truly a gastronomic treat. It starts at the lobby bar where you'll meet your table mates for a champagne reception and a greeting by the Chef de Cuisine. Next you'll enjoy a tour of the galley with a stop for more champagne and some appetizers, then off to the pastry station for a demonstration of how to make the world famous Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. After the tour, we head to a private dining room, where the meal really begins. It's a seven course meal with unlimited wine.

 

Now on to today. Be sailed into Belize, where I had booked the Sergents Cay Snorkel through Carnival. The trip to the reef was nice, and the crew were great. My biggest complaint, and the reason I would never do this excursion again was the currents. We snorkeled in groups with a guide. We set out with the current and went, I'm guessing, about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the boat. The swim back was pure hell. The current was so strong there was at least 5 passengers who had to be pulled back to the boat by the guides. As far as the reef...well, maybe it was just our location, but I saw more dead coral than live and really didn't see a lot of fish.

 

I was back on board by 12:15, grabbed a shower, and headed to the Blue Iguana for a burrito, then back to the cabin, where the "snoozin" sign went on the door and that's exactly what I did. I decided to take it easy tonight and eat at the lido, then head to Alchemy so Violeta (the best bartender ever) would mix me a couple of her custom made adult libations. From there it was off to Vincent's Bar where Gusti poured me a nice Glenlivett 12yr Scotch that I enjoyed with my Ramon Alones Specialy Selected (its a great Cuban smoke). After, I decided to head to the casino for a bit. I've done well so far. The first night I loaded $100 onto my account. Coming into tonight, my balance was $149. After tonight, my balance is $600.

 

Now I sit in my cabin, feeling the ship rock and the wind blow outside. I'm beat, so I'm just going to post this and go to bed. I plan a relaxing day in Roatan, and will do my best to answer any questions tomorrow.

[Willbcruisin]

Great meeting you on the Bar Hop in Cozumel!

 

Loving your review! Enjoy the rest of your sailing!

[varganator]

Was the Chef's table as much as it has been made out to be? My DW and I will be going on our anniversary and I would love to hear your take on it.

[carolinaviking71208]

Was the Chef's table as much as it has been made out to be? My DW and I will be going on our anniversary and I would love to hear your take on it.

 

The Chef's Table is simply amazing. First off, you have to realize that I'm a bit of a foodie. To me the chef's table is a great meal, but the overall experience is far beyond just a dinner. I hope you enjoy it. This was my second time with the current menu. The menu should be changing sometime in January from what I've been told.

[carolinaviking71208]

Great meeting you on the Bar Hop in Cozumel!

 

Loving your review! Enjoy the rest of your sailing!

 

Nice to meet you as well. We had a great group. It was a blast!!

[carolinaviking71208]

Day 7: December 5th

 

Good evening from the wonderful Carnival Conquest. For those who may have been wondering about the issues we had on our way to Cozumel, they appear to have been resolved. We are currently sailing at a speed of 18.8 knots heading for our 10 AM arrival in Grand Cayman.

 

After the issues I had on the snorkeling excursion in Belize yesterday, I found myself very sore this morning and elected to skip my scheduled Catamaran Snorkeling excursion in Roatan. So instead, I slept in and didn't go ashore until about 10 AM. Even then, I just browsed the shops at the port and settled in at Fat Tuesday for a couple Honduran beers followed by one of Fat Tuesday's famous Atti"Tube" Adjustments, 24oz of strawberry colada bliss that sent me merrily on my way to the Harley Davidson store to buy a couple shirts. By 1 PM I was back aboard and headed to the Red Frog for a mojito then to Blue Iguana for a shrimp burrito. We were set to sail at 3 PM and pushed away about 15 minutes late. Tonight was the second elegant night, and I just didn't feel like getting dressed up. So after a quick shower, it was off to the Red Frog for a couple drinks made by one of my favorite bartenders, Jose. Dinner was at the lido buffet, where I ran into Chef de Cuisine Santosh who stopped to talk for a bit. Having thoroughly gourged myself, it was time to go see my #1 bartender Violeta at the Alchemy Bar for my usual couple drinks. Starting off with a Citrus Manhattan, then letting Violeta run wild and mix me up whatever she thinks I'll like. She hasn't missed yet. Then finally off to Vincent's to listen to the sounds of guitar soloist Larry while enjoying a Cuban Partagas Series D No.4. Amazing smoke that complimented the 2 scotches another of my favorite bartenders, Gusti, served to me. After that, the casino got back $100 of my winnings from last night.

 

So here I sit in my cabin calling it a bit of an early night. Sorry this is a bit short. There's just not much to tell other than, I'm having a blast!!

 

Sorry y'all. I had tried to actually post this last night when I wrote it, but for some reason the internet didn't want to cooperate.

[crewsweeper]

CV...Great review. You're doing what I'd do if I were sailing alone (except the cigars, don't smoke; though I'd join you in the single malts)And if you see this you'll know the Famous Jameis will indeed be tossing the footballs on Saturday night and is still in the hunt for the Heisman but not the hoosegoose, so I hope you get to watch at the sports bar. Have a continued great cruise and a safe trip back home.

[JohnSpo]

Enjoying your review. It looks like you are having a great time overall.

 

I see you ate in the steakhouse, Lido and did he chef table. I guess you are not much of a fan of the MDR.

 

I enjoy the YTD at the MDR. I like the flexibility and being able to choose your wait staff.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.:cool: