Conquest review 2-7-15---2-15-15...St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan and Grand Turk

[tbutton]

Cbuzzy could you possibly post the fun times on here or email them to me. I have looked for it online and cannot find it. Thanks!!

[kireelady]

This is an awesome review. Love the pics.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[momonthego17]

Have you folks ever written a photo-filled review? It takes FOREVER! And sometimes life gets in the way when you return home.

 

I make notes during the cruise (or else by Day 3 I've forgotten details of Day 1). When I get home, it takes a long time to upload photos. Then, I usually sit down and write up everything in Word, just because it's easier to edit. Then, I start the review and copy and paste here, then have to find and add the photos one by one. All this with having to unpack, do laundry, grocery shop, and work every day.

 

ANYWAY, I'm leaving Sunday on this itinerary and I'll write a review. I've been to all the ports before and don't have much planned. I've been on the ship before so probably won't take many ship photos. I'm solo and part of the Premier Casino group so won't be doing ship activities other than living in the casino, eating and sleeping. Since it's my 22nd Carnival cruise, I won't be taking lots of food photos, either.

 

But I will write a review. And I appreciate the time that anyone takes to write up their thoughts at all.

 

Conquest doesn't have American Table. FunTimes can be found online. Lots of this info can be found in other threads and elsewhere on the internet, folks. I know we all like to be spoonfed info rather than searching and doing our own homework, though, don't we? ;)

 

I personally really like the "All Things Shipname" threads where that sort of info can be accumulated.

 

Looking forward to your review!!

[Elaine5715]

On our last flight we flew different airlines each way. On the first, we both got pre check tickets. On the second, only I had pre check on my ticket. We asked and they said he could not get in the pre-check line with me, but I could get in line with him and not take my shoes off, ect.

 

This is correct. Each individual boarding pass must say TSA precheck to enter the line. It might be if the tickets are booked together and checked in together that both will get the random TSA precheck.

[Twintowngirl]

Looks like this review has been abandoned......

So frustrating.....

I don't understand why people start reviews, but cannot finish them.:mad:

 

 

Yes,KP...sorry to disappoint you. Life gets busy for me and I am new at this so be gentle with me. I have had to learn a new photo sharing technique so that I am able to post photos here but I am new at scanning etc. I think that when people started asking for the Fun Times and I wasn't able to deliver, I was tipped over the edge! I couldn't get them to scan and be large enough to read so I gave up on all that. Parts of me wonder what is the big deal with wanting them anyways. Most of the shows and I know that the cruise director is someone other then Mike Pack now. But if that is someone's thing, I do have them scanned and can send them via email.

 

So onward to the end...let's get this done! My last photos were of Grand Turk. We had a great day on the beach there but were eager to get back to the ship and get ready for Elegant Night. Our Minnesota group has started a tradition of having a wine/cheese party on the second formal night so that is what we did before dinner. Everyone brings there bottle of wine and we all taste and sample everyone's favorite wine. The night before we boarded the ship we had stopped at Total Wine in Ft Lauderdale and stocked up. SOmeone just has to remember the corkscrew. The Lido buffet opens up at 6:00pm so we headed there first and made up a plate with cheese and fruit. We also pack crackers to bring. My sister brought along the "canned cheeze" one time and that was a hit for those who had never seen it before. It is better entertainment than tasty!

 

After wine, cheese, fruit and then dinner we headed to the Lobby area to watch the band SixAppeal perform again. Then it was time for me to get back to our stateroom and head to bed!

Our Wait Staff:

Cheese/Fruit plate for wine tasting!

[Twintowngirl]

Saturday Feb 14,a sea day, our final full day plus Valentine's Day

 

We woke up fairly early on Saturday to head to Lido for deck chairs. We never had a problem getting a few chairs together but our group is up early and makes a habit of staying in the chairs except for short breaks. It was a nice sunny day but we could feel that the air was noticeably cooler and less humid then the previous day. I just wanted to be outside as much as possible because I knew it would be many weeks before I was able to lounge around outside. Our Minnesota winters are so brutal that sometimes we still have snow in April-May. I did do a minor amount of shopping but nothing really wowed me as being something I really wanted or needed. Some of the liquor on board seemed like a good deal but my suitcase is usually maxed out weigh wise so I never can risk that. I think all I bought this trip were t shirts and a little bit of Clinique products. On a previous trip I got caught up in the hype of those darn beaded bracelets that seem to be so popular. Never again! I would rather pay more $$$ and get the real deal rather then face the pack of women that get so out of hand when they put them out for sale!

 

After being in the sun for nice long time, we decided to pack our suitcases before heading out to dinner. We had a flight leaving at 1100 the following day so we had decided to do "Self Assist" when it came to disembarking the ship. I think that we were both a little worried about lugging 2 pieces of luggage per person plus our purses. But that was our plan, so onward!

 

 

 

 

We had a nice dinner, Valentine's Day flowers for all the ladies, special songs by Constantine and the traditional "All Your Bags are Packed" song by the wait staff. I can't remember what I had for my entree but I remember the rich chocolate dessert like it was yesterday!

 

After dinner we made a point to give our wait staff and cabin steward a thank you note and some extra cash for all of their good service. We always are sad when it is time to say goodbye to these fine folks. I always wonder if I will see them again down the road...so far, I haven't bumped into anyone from previous cruises. We also had a chance to say goodbye to all of our friends who we wouldn't see the next morning before leaving for the airport. I think that we also spend a little time in the piano bar before calling it a night.

 

THe following morning we woke up early and found that we were pack in Ft Lauderdale. I am always amazed that I never notice any of the docking procedure...plus I think we even had left our balcony door open for our last blast of warm, fresh air before flying home. We tied up all of our loose ends and headed out as self assists. Everything went well because not many other people were in the hallways or elevators yet. We cleared customs very easily and headed to the cabs. Our ride was a little more the 15.00 to the airport....it is really a short drive! Our plane was on time and so we were back home. Once we were home and checked into Facebook we noticed that one of our friends had posted a photo of Steven Tyler...he was at the airport the same time we were...and I missed it! He looked a little raggy, even when flying...LOL.

 

THat ends my review...Once again, I am sorry that it took so long to wrap it up. All in all, I would love to sail on the Conquest again. I liked the layout of the ship. Also, Mike Pack is an excellent CD but I understand that he is on a different ship now. We found all of the staff friendly and helpful. Most of the food was good, there is always something that I make a note not to eat again. I have been disappointed in the chocolate extravaganza that is offered on every ship. I have yet to taste anything that I thought was really good, so I just stay away from that line. But I never seem to lose any weight while cruising so the food can't be all bad!

 

I hope that you all have happy cruises in the future!

 

Deb

[Twintowngirl]

Many thanks for your review and pictures. We are doing the same trip on Aug.23rd and was wondering when they do the VIFP repeaters party. We are Diamond members and enjoy getting up on the stage for our group picture. Just wanted to know what day it was so when can plan ahead. Many thanks!! John & Priscilla :)

 

I can't remember which day the Past Guest Party was. It wasn't mentioned in the Fun Times, a letter was sent to our room with the information on it. I don't think that it was either of the formal nights which were Sunday and Friday and it wasn't on Tuesday, the day we were in St Martin.

 

Sorry that I don't remember...I usually have my camera along but did not bring it to that party.

 

Deb

[kteachcruiser52]

Saturday Feb 7th...My sis and I both had a good night's sleep at the hotel and woke up about 7 or so. THe hotel has a free breakfast so we didn't have to venture out to eat. The food was ok, variety of fruits, breads and pastries, eggs, sausage and cereal. The hotel offered a shuttle service to the port for 8.00/PP with times of 10:30 or 11:30. We had arranged for the 10:30 shuttle when we checked in the previous day so we got our luggage together to get in line....everyone else was trying to beat the rush!

 

I was surprised how organized it all was. The shuttle driver began to call the passengers according to which ship we were on and we got in first. This also meant that we would be the last people off the shuttle. It is a quick drive from the hotel to the port and once everyone else was dropped off at their locations, we arrived at the Conquest docking area. The porters were right there to take luggage and that part went pretty quickly.

My first site of the Conquest:

Once we made it through security we were informed that there was a mechanical problem with the main gangway and we would have to enter the ship in the hull area. It seemed like the area was super crowded and took longer then it has ever taken to embark but I could understand why. Part of our group did Faster the the Fun and they were able to board about 30 minutes before my sister and I did but we found chairs and got to do some fab people watching.

This is the make shift "gangway"

 

We finally made our way on board the Conquest. Our group usually meets somewhere on the Lido deck. We had to soak up as many rays as we possibly can during this cruise. Once settled in to our chairs I ordered my favorite fruity beverage, A Kiss on the Lips.

Time for a little party in paradise!

 

We were on the first cruise on the Conquest out of Ft. Lauderdale/Port Everglades in January. It was a late departure because it stopped in Miami to let passengers off and sailed to Port Everglades to pick us up. Priority boarding started around 3:00 and went quickly and then they called several zones. The gangway broke and boarding stopped for about 2 hours while they fixed it. I was so glad we got on at 3:00. We left from terminal 19. It seems like they would have made sure it was fixed correctly so that did not happen again.

[dizkid]

Thanks for the great review. We will be on the Conquest in November. Our first time on her.

 

Any of your MN group from the Duluth/Superior area?

 

Paul

[Twintowngirl]

Thanks for the great review. We will be on the Conquest in November. Our first time on her.

 

Any of your MN group from the Duluth/Superior area?

 

Paul

 

 

No, the majority are from Minneapolis and suburbs plus one from Minneapolis moved to Indiana....he will be joining us in February.....Hope you have a great time!

 

Deb

[Twintowngirl]

We were on the first cruise on the Conquest out of Ft. Lauderdale/Port Everglades in January. It was a late departure because it stopped in Miami to let passengers off and sailed to Port Everglades to pick us up. Priority boarding started around 3:00 and went quickly and then they called several zones. The gangway broke and boarding stopped for about 2 hours while they fixed it. I was so glad we got on at 3:00. We left from terminal 19. It seems like they would have made sure it was fixed correctly so that did not happen again.

 

We had some friends who did a back to back on the Conquest, with our week being their second week. They didn't mention that they had trouble like this when they boarded the first time around. It must of been fixed somewhere along the way because when we disembarked we used the gangway.

 

Happy Cruising!

 

Deb

[kteachcruiser52]

For future reference - anyone traveling with you is eligible to get in the prescient line with you -:)

 

double post

Edited June 23, 2015 by kteachcruiser52

[hapytobehr]

Thanks for your review Deb. Enjoyed it.

 

We are leaving Saturday on the Conquest with the same iternerary. We were on the Breeze this past March and although it is a beautiful ship, I was not as impressed with it as I was the smaller Carnival ships we have been on.

 

The staff did not seem as pleasant, although it may have been because it was an "elite" cruise and was packed with the big gamblers.

 

I'm not one who usually writes reviews but will try when we return.

 

Hope y'all have a great 4th!!

[cruiseclues]

Nice photo review...did you go to the Fish N Chips up the stairs at the back of the buffet? Maybe you mentioned it and I just missed it.

 

My Carnival Conquest Page on my personal Cruiseclues site.:):):):)

Edited July 5, 2015 by cruiseclues

[Twintowngirl]

[QUOTE=cruiseclues;47028916]Nice photo review...did you go to the Fish N Chips up the stairs at the back of the buffet? Maybe you mentioned it and I just missed it.

 

Yes, we did go to the Fish N Chips place for lunch on one of the sea days. The food was OK...we had fish and chips and someone tried the ceviche too. I thought it was "OK" but I have to be honest, fried stuff isn't my favorite...it all tastes greasy to me. I think the consensus from the group was that it was alright and we didn't go back a second time.

 

Deb

[flyawayca]

Thanks for taking the time for the review! I'm happy you made it back to finish it up :D

 

Loved the pictures and appreciated the information on Grand Turk as I'll be there for my first time next year. :cool: