Not impressed with Conquest

[NHNEV2003]

So ignore a hot and muggy dining room ?

 

No---you shouldn't "ignore a hot and muggy dining room."

 

The first thing to do would be to have a discussion with the Maitre'D in the Dining Room involved.

 

If no resolution there, then go to Guest Services and see if they can get the situation improved.

 

Hopefully by discussing with the ship's staff, the situation is resolved.

 

Posting on a message board post-cruise doesn't solve any problems that the cruiser encounters.

[JaneAustenite]

I am going on the Conquest in June,so, I am really looking forward to your review. We booked the Conquest mainly because of ports and convenience and I am starting to worry that we'll be disappointed.

[Moonarino]

I have not cruised on Conquest (going in Feb) but I have cruised out of Ft Lauderdale at least 8 times. This port suks! for embark and debark, period. Staff need re-training and attitude adjustments.

 

You think so? I've cruised out of FL three times, not as often as you, but haven't really noticed that it's any worse than any other port. But I've also sailed from Miami multiple times and can't say that the experiences were the same each time.

 

ldlewis45 should know as they work for CBP. When going through metal detectors and cruise lines scanning or checking bags they are security officers looking for prohibited items as mentioned...weapons, alcohol, drugs...

 

Yep, that was basically my point. Port authorities do the same job that every other "border" security agency does, especially since 9/11.

 

The original comment that started this compared possible cruise embarkation delays to TSA. No we don't go through "customs" in a strict usage of the word, but we do go through security.

 

I once had to toss a bottle of water in my backpack because it was opened, the seal was broken.

 

TSA works for DHS, and DHS is responsible for internal (e.g. domestic air) as well as border transportation services in the USA. If Port authorities weren't there to do the job at cruise terminals (a relatively low risk affair as opposed to planes and trains), then I'm sure some arm of DHS would be all over it. As it is, they are indeed all around it. I do use the term "they" loosely, but it goes back to my use of the word "concerted" before. As long as somebody's got the gap...

 

I remember the old (for-the-sake-of) argument during the early days of my military career. There was "them" (I was Air Force) and there was "us". "Them" also included the Coast Guard and National Guard, members of two other agencies. But ultimately the differences in our uniforms didn't matter one bit (and it matters even less than nothing now), because we were all serving exactly the same purpose, for exactly the same reason.

[Moonarino]

I am going on the Conquest in June,so, I am really looking forward to your review. We booked the Conquest mainly because of ports and convenience and I am starting to worry that we'll be disappointed.

 

I was originally booked on Glory (a newer and seemingly more popular ship) and I've also had a moment or two of concern that it was a mistake to switch. But I just read somewhere (in this thread or another one?) that a recent Conquest cruiser thought Conquest was better maintained than Glory. And some folks here are saying the Conquest crew and dining are good to great. So...

Edited September 26, 2015 by Moonarino

[Cruiser 4 Life 66]

Just got home from an 8 da Conquest cruise. It had been a while since we were on a Carnival cruise and boy were we disappointed with the Conquest. Embarkation at F Lauderdale was a mess. They asked us to check in between 12:30 and 1:30 which we did and we had to stand in those crazy lines for an hr and a half. Very tiring since we are 85 and 75. We had 6 pm dining only because the anytime was booked up but the Carnival travel agent said it would be easy to change to Anytime. Well, that wasn't! It took them close to an hr to change the time and had us going to both dining room and in circles trying to talk to the maître di at both dining rooms.

 

My real complaint is the A/C issue. Our aft balcony was fine but the dining room was often so hot as was the casino. I am not kidding when I say that one night the waiter asked for my order and he was sweating so much that he dripped sweat on my charger plate! I wiped the sweat off with my napkin! People in the casino were so warm and I am not talking menopausal warm. Men were commenting about it too. Seriously they should do something to correct the A/C problem. On our other 2 Carnival cruises years ago the food was very good. Not so on this cruise. Guys hamburgers was great !! but the dining room steak and chateau b and prime rib looked gray and tasted totally blah. Have to say the desserts were fabulous as were the buffets.

 

We like smaller ships so thought this would be right for us. Back to NCL. Believe me I felt so sorry for the waiters/ waitresses in the dining room as they were all hot and sweaty. Some nights the temp was ok and other nights really bad.

 

Sorry for your bad experiences, especially at your ages, having to stand for an hour and half, then getting on the ship and it being a sauna. Carnival needs to get its act together.

[riffatsea]

Wow! You people are a tough audience!

When I said that "they don't care what you take onto the ship" I was talking about "customs enforcement" and not security or the ship rules about liquor etc.

USA customs declarations are only made when entering the USA.

There is really no way to argue that. There is a difference between security and customs. I have no idea why we are discussing this for such a long time.

[pehfhc]

My second cruise on Conquest. First was 2 years ago, a very nice cruise. I looked forward to another great cruise, instead found my first, bad cruise. Started off with delay til after midnite before leaving port, to repair water leak. I love the sail aways, but not too big of a deal. Met my room steward, really nice and did great job that week. A few days into the trip, pipe burst again, wet hallways again. Fans were placed in hallway and elevator areas, i was still okay.

I have read the posts about the hot dining room....well, i was on the cold side. I wore jackets everynight except first elegant evening and thought I would freeze. I actually got nauseous from the cold one night and had to leave the table. For same reason, i skipped second elegant night. Obviously, there is a problem with air distribution on this ship, as I do not doubt the original poster.

I always enjoy reviewing the fun times at breakfast and planning my onboard days. Nothing til lunch except events to sell/buy from Carnival then after lunch, trivia, trivia, trivia and once trivia disguised as scattergories. Nights....poolside movies a couple of nights and poor floor shows. No more elaborate costumes, few dancers....not much! Comedy shows...one was great, one ok, one bad. Casino good except for one female dealer who I observed being so rude to a guest, I left. I felt so bad for this unnamed guest. Then the pipe burst again for third time....need I say more! By the end if the cruise, the carpet smelled AWFUL! A rotten odor. The lido dining area was not kept well. First cruise I had ever been on where someone was not standing by to grab plates as guests left and clean tables. Used plates would sit way too long on the tables. Cutbacks....everywhere. Fruits RARELY included strawberries....not even sure I remember seeing any on lido. Walked by ice cream machine, meltind ice cream slopped down the front with collection of mushy cones in the drain tray. Yep the ship was nasty and boring. Never saw Freddy funship, only saw Jace and Kelley with activities. Carnival Is better than this. Hope they read this and fix it. The Conquest needs attention!

Edited September 26, 2015 by pehfhc
Spelling

[cruziJenn]

I realize that I'm a newbie to cruising, but the title of your thread states that you weren't impressed with Conquest, yet you complained about embarkation. Wouldn't that be a complaint about customs, not Conquest (i.e. Carnival)? Isn't that like trying to blame Southwest for the long TSA lines?

 

My experience (iow my opinion) is that yes it is the ship (check-in counter) not customs or security at all. Security always seems to me to be a mad rush rather than a slowdown....just a perception I know but that's how I always remember that experience.

 

But the main thing is that personally we NEVER get there when they tell everyone to because of course that's going to be the busiest time isn't it? :p

 

Conquest 10/17, < 20 days!

Edited September 28, 2015 by cruziJenn

[cruziJenn]

@ pehfhc, tthat's the second comnent that I've read about flooding! What deck were you on if I may ask?

 

Also the A/C was a problem for us on one cruise but then a later cruise on that same ship (Dream) was ok...

[JimAOk1945]

We cruised on the Conquest twice when she used to sail from Galveston and we enjoyed it both times.

 

One of the good things about cruising is the opportunity to try different itineraries and different cruise lines.

 

Cruising is a great way to travel. Smooth sailing everyone!

[cruziJenn]

why would you ask for a wheel chair? Because of age? Really? Is that what you do? :eek:

 

YES of course they can.

[rtap23]

My second cruise on Conquest. First was 2 years ago, a very nice cruise. I looked forward to another great cruise, instead found my first, bad cruise. Started off with delay til after midnite before leaving port, to repair water leak. I love the sail aways, but not too big of a deal. Met my room steward, really nice and did great job that week. A few days into the trip, pipe burst again, wet hallways again. Fans were placed in hallway and elevator areas, i was still okay.

I have read the posts about the hot dining room....well, i was on the cold side. I wore jackets everynight except first elegant evening and thought I would freeze. I actually got nauseous from the cold one night and had to leave the table. For same reason, i skipped second elegant night. Obviously, there is a problem with air distribution on this ship, as I do not doubt the original poster.

I always enjoy reviewing the fun times at breakfast and planning my onboard days. Nothing til lunch except events to sell/buy from Carnival then after lunch, trivia, trivia, trivia and once trivia disguised as scattergories. Nights....poolside movies a couple of nights and poor floor shows. No more elaborate costumes, few dancers....not much! Comedy shows...one was great, one ok, one bad. Casino good except for one female dealer who I observed being so rude to a guest, I left. I felt so bad for this unnamed guest. Then the pipe burst again for third time....need I say more! By the end if the cruise, the carpet smelled AWFUL! A rotten odor. The lido dining area was not kept well. First cruise I had ever been on where someone was not standing by to grab plates as guests left and clean tables. Used plates would sit way too long on the tables. Cutbacks....everywhere. Fruits RARELY included strawberries....not even sure I remember seeing any on lido. Walked by ice cream machine, meltind ice cream slopped down the front with collection of mushy cones in the drain tray. Yep the ship was nasty and boring. Never saw Freddy funship, only saw Jace and Kelley with activities. Carnival Is better than this. Hope they read this and fix it. The Conquest needs attention!

 

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. We sailed on the Conquest this July and had the complete opposite experience than yours. This was by far the best all around experience we have had on Carnival.

[Elaine515]

While I have not yet been on the Conquest, my parents (81 & 86 years young) celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on her this past February and loved the ship so much that we're all going on her in January.

 

And I have to tell you, at their age, and especially my Dad (and they are both Diamond passengers so have been on most of the fleet) if there was something/anything wrong with the Conquest I would know...

[Brighton Line]

I was on this same cruise and I thought the dining room was just fine with the a/c ( and the food ) .

 

Same here on the exact same cruise as OP and G-Boy.

 

OP should have come to late sitting in Monet, DW and I seated at an 8 top and never had anyone else. Three other large tables in our section empty the entire cruise as well as other sections.

 

Talking to Staff this was a lot older crowd on this cruise, not Holland America but not College age. Early seating and anytime was full.

CD even said they youth consolures all ages out numbered the total under 18 on board.

 

The main show lounge and the comedy club was down right freezing. Casino was warm but I bet the heat from all that burning leaf played a part ;)

 

Our stateroom was fine, but normally need top sheet but hardly used this cruise so I guess it was a little warm.

 

Had no issue boarding coming at 11a and ignoring the email from Carnival like I always do.

[Sixtytwo]

We just got off Conquest on Saturday, Sept 26th, and did not have any complaints! This was our third cruise on her and we have enjoyed all of them. Yes, at 13 years old, Conquest is starting to show her age in spots, but the crew is great, the food is good, and the show lounge is chilly! I also have to say the staff in Ft Lauderdale got us on board with the least hassle we have had in several cruises and we were off the ship and loading luggage in the car before 8:00! Great experience all the way around! Sorry the OP had a different impression! [emoji2]

[soccersharon]

Just booked the Conquest today. Thanks for all the points of view :).

[Ryno9065]

Good to hear some positives about the Conquest. My last cruise was the Breeze in Sept of 2014. My Son picked the Conquest for May 2016. This will be his graduation gift from me...a Father/Son cruise.

[Ready 2 Go]

You do not go through customs during embarkation only debarkation.

But customs has to clear the ship before embarkation can begin.

 

Just got home from an 8 da Conquest cruise. It had been a while since we were on a Carnival cruise and boy were we disappointed with the Conquest. Embarkation at F Lauderdale was a mess. They asked us to check in between 12:30 and 1:30 which we did and we had to stand in those crazy lines for an hr and a half. Very tiring since we are 85 and 75. We had 6 pm dining only because the anytime was booked up but the Carnival travel agent said it would be easy to change to Anytime. Well, that wasn't! It took them close to an hr to change the time and had us going to both dining room and in circles trying to talk to the maître di at both dining rooms.

 

My real complaint is the A/C issue. Our aft balcony was fine but the dining room was often so hot as was the casino. I am not kidding when I say that one night the waiter asked for my order and he was sweating so much that he dripped sweat on my charger plate! I wiped the sweat off with my napkin! People in the casino were so warm and I am not talking menopausal warm. Men were commenting about it too. Seriously they should do something to correct the A/C problem. On our other 2 Carnival cruises years ago the food was very good. Not so on this cruise. Guys hamburgers was great !! but the dining room steak and chateau b and prime rib looked gray and tasted totally blah. Have to say the desserts were fabulous as were the buffets.

 

We like smaller ships so thought this would be right for us. Back to NCL. Believe me I felt so sorry for the waiters/ waitresses in the dining room as they were all hot and sweaty. Some nights the temp was ok and other nights really bad.

 

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[smarks]

Hi everybody, I am back from my Conquest cruise. We cruised 5 days from Ft. Lauderdale on Oct. 10/12-17 2015. We drove to Ft. Lauderdale from N. Ga. and my daughter and son flew in the day of the cruise. We got to the port around 10:30 and the kids were already there in the terminal. Their flight left Atlanta at 8:20 AM, so they got there in plenty of time. They said the taxi took maybe 10 min's. to the port. We parked at the port and it was very easy. We cleared the screening and they did check our 12 pack of ginger ale. But they only turned it over a couple of times and said ok. Off we went. When we got to our waiting area, it was a small room but not full. My kids had FTTF and they were in a different lounge. An announcement was made for the order to be followed at boarding. They said Weddings first, which I never saw, then Diamond, Platinum and FTTF. Seems like it worked well. After reading several negative post, I was really worried. We were on the ship shortly after 11:30. Someone said the ship was late getting in. Boarding was very easy and fast. We had cabin 1065 which was a cabin for 4 on deck 10. The cabin was quiet and easy access to the Lido. The weather was forecast to be rough but the water was flat and smooth for the whole cruise. For some reason we missed Half Moon Caye. We were told it was because of the weather but it was nice where we were. I had 2 little ones with me and had many questions and I will answer them now. It was recommended that I get the great grand kids a picture ID and get a document signed to allow me to take them out of the country and for any medical if there were an emergency. This was recommended by a lady on our roll call board. These documents were checked going through customs on debarkation and the photo id to board the ships in port. I got the photo ID at the DMV and in Ga. it cost $20 per child and is good for 5 years. The ship was in ok shape with some painting needed but that didn't hurt my cruise one bit. Our cabin steward was good and the waiters for early seating were excellent. The food on the Lido was actually good this time. This was a 5 day cruise with 3 ports so I had questions about the schedule before sailing, so here is the answers. Formal night was on the 2nd day which was Nassau. Dr. Seusse breakfast was on the last sea day. The platinum/diamond party was on the last sea day. Sorry this is not well composed but I just wanted to get some answers on here about the Conquest. So to sum it up here is my opinion of the Conquest and Port Everglades. The port is very easy to get to and out of. We found no more confusion in this port than any other port we have been to. We arrived early so lots of people and buses but still ok. Security was a breeze. We had everything in hand and only a 12 pack of ginger ale. There is a separate room for Platinum & Diamond from the FTTF folks. They did call everybody in the proper order. Our room was ready when we boarded. The ship was clean. The staff was very friendly. We had 3 ports in 5 days. There was a Dr. Suesse breakfast, a very nice platinum/diamond party. Lido food and dining room food was good. Platinum and Diamond and I think FTTF all met in the same dining room for debarkation but they had Diamond marked off as for Diamond and the rest just sat wherever they wanted. Debarkation was fast and easy. We were in our car by 7:20 AM. I have no complaints about the Conquest or the port and yes, I would cruise this ship again. I hope this helps some of you.

Edited October 24, 2015 by smarks

[factotumdeb]

thank you smarks! I am going to be on the conquest soon and had read some negative things about it and was concerned. my belief is your cruise (or most anything in life) is what you make it, so I was sure if the ship was in bad shape, a cruise on her would be better than any day at work, BUT I appreciate your positive and candid report.

[CruzinScotty]

We parked at the port and it was very easy.

 

Debarkation was fast and easy. We were in our car by 7:20 AM. I have no complaints about the Conquest or the port and yes, I would cruise this ship again. I hope this helps some of you.

 

Thanks for all the great information.

 

I've not left from this port yet. I've had trouble figuring out if Carnival has a designated Terminal. Which Terminal did you leave from and since you said it was easy, I'm guessing it was near one of the parking garages?

 

 

 

To others that have parked in Ft. Lauderdale; any comments about the port terminals and parking?

[tkportersat]

I have been on 11 Carnival cruises and for some reason my two on the Conquest were Eh....I can't put my finger on it, they both just felt off compared to my other cruises. Some love it though, so who knows :) :confused:

 

 

I was in a balcony cabin mid aft on the 7th deck. I like it cold in my cabin and it was warm, but not unbearable. My cabin did flood one day and it took two days of running strong industrial fans to dry the carpeting. The casino, where I spent a lot of time, was never hot. No one won there my entire cruise and the host told me no one had won the week before. A word to the wise!

 

The MDR food was ok and we enjoyed the Steakhouse and Guy's Burgers. The MDR breakfast was much better than the Lido buffet.

 

The Conquest was my first Carnival Cruise and I was not impressed. I am giving them one more chance on the Breeze in March. All the employees suggested I try that.

 

Sue

Edited October 28, 2015 by tkportersat

[Darcy8]

When we were on the Conquest in February it was at Pier 19. There was a RC ship, and Holland America ship there also as I remember. Maybe a second Carnival ship as well.

[Pellaz]

Thanks for all the great information.

 

I've not left from this port yet. I've had trouble figuring out if Carnival has a designated Terminal. Which Terminal did you leave from and since you said it was easy, I'm guessing it was near one of the parking garages?

 

Carnival's terminal at Port Everglades is Pier 19, which is the "horizontal" (east-west oriented) berth in midport.

From the Port Everglades site:

Terminal 19

Description: Dual purpose facility handling both cargo and cruise operations.

Cruise terminal: 16,577 square feet / 1,540 square meters

Baggage handling: 30,970 square feet / 2,877 square meters

Transit cargo warehouse: 35,500 square feet / 3,298 square meters

Built: 1966

Renovations: '87- renovated passenger holding room, flooring, A/C, added passenger pick-up & drop-off canopy; '94- new roof; '96- overall upgrade, paint. '97- $2 million general upgrade with new firewall, flooring, new exterior entranceway canopy, new restrooms and stairway, new automatic entry/exit doors, check-in relocated to newly air-conditioned baggage claim area and old location tuned into enhanced passenger waiting area.

Primary user(s): Carnival Cruise Line

Facilities: Covered passenger drop-off, passenger seating, three sets of restrooms, mezzanine, one elevator, escalator, vending machines, baggage handling, one passenger loading bridge, fully air-conditioned, handicapped access.

Parking: Midport Parking Garage

Comments: Through Broward County's Art in Public Places program, artist Mimi Botcheller has created several large 4'x 6' Caribbean-themed murals for one of the walls, adding to the terminal's overall cruise ambiance.

 

There is a parking garage located just to the east of the pier...during sailaway, we noticed there were a lot of empty spaces in it.

 

To others that have parked in Ft. Lauderdale; any comments about the port terminals and parking?

 

Traffic getting to Pier 19 within the port itself was pretty backed up when we got there (by taxi) at around 11 am. There just isn't quite enough room for all the traffic and the pier faciltiies themselves are somewhat small as compared to PortMiami, or Pier 18 at P.E. (which handles Royal's big ships).

Note that there is a security checkpoint when driving into the port; you'll need to have some identification (and possibly your boarding pass) ready. It's like a small toll-plaza, without the toll. (Except in time. :) )

That differs from PortMiami, which has no vehicle checkpoint.

Departure, also by taxi, at around 9 am was a breeze, although there was a wait to get through Customs beforehand.

Edited October 29, 2015 by Pellaz

[CruzinScotty]

Pellaz - thanks so much. Your information is very helpful.