Conquest 1/17: a Cautionary Tale

[I Luv Crusin]

Cautionary Tales: Conquest 6 Day Cruise 1/17/16

We cruised this January after a two year break. (Caution 1, January cruises can be chilly, so can November cruises.) This was my 13th Carnival cruise and I cruised with my husband and sister. We had a balcony cabin on the 6th deck. Even with the downgrades in food, shows and service we had a good time. My husband and I have 4 more cruises booked through April of 2018. I did have some issues which I’ll explain but we don’t plan on leaving Carnival at least until after our last booked cruise, so please don’t suggest I decamp to Princess, or Holland America or Royal Caribbean, or Oceania, etc.

 

We booked the Conquest months ago for the 6 day out of Ft. Lauderdale on January 17, 2016. We flew down the day before. We arrived about an hour or more before my sister. Once you leave the gate area you can't return to the eating area without going through TSA. We walked over to Terminal 4 from 3 to Cross Grain Brewhouse. It was crowded but the staff was friendly. We met up with my sister got her luggage and took a cab to our hotel for $14. My sister booked us into the Embassy Suites on 17th Street. We did request a high port side room and they were able to accommodate our request. The hotel is a little worn and as noted elsewhere the elevators are pretty slow. They do have a cocktail hour with munchies and free drinks that was very busy! The next morning there is a free full buffet breakfast. There are several stores nearby: Publix, Total Wine and others. Embassy Suites does charge to take you to the port so we decided to take a taxi. However, a shuttle driver offered us a shuttle for $20 for the 3 of us and we took it. He was an Embassy Suite driver but it was cheaper than going through the concierge, at $11 per person. (Caution 2: check transportation prices)

[I Luv Crusin]

We got to the port around 10:30 and were quickly processed through and escorted to the Priority Boarding area. The picture for the Sail and Sign card is taken at check-in, which was nice. There were restrooms available and lemonade to drink. Around 11am the staff asked us to not leave any open seats so newly arriving Priority passengers could sit. They started boarding around 1130am and I was a bit annoyed that they boarded the new arrivals first. My husband said that they called Diamonds first but I didn’t hear that. I think they should have passengers sit in an orderly fashion from front to back and board that way. (Caution 3: if boarding first is important to you, ask which row boards first.)

 

Usually there is a bar waiter with DOD’s upon boarding but I didn’t see any so my first drink had to wait. My husband took our stuff to our cabin while my sister and I scoped out a place to sit on Lido. After lunch we walked around a bit and at 2:30pm I went to the aft bar to meet the roll call but only met Jack. Afterwards we wondered around until the muster drill.

 

This muster drill seemed to be very long and I was by an air intake and couldn’t hear a thing anyway. On some ships they make it easier, and sometimes harder. At least we don’t have to take our life jackets anymore!

 

We went back to the cabin and I met our head steward, Jose. I asked him for a few skirt hangers and he said that they were down in the laundry and it would be the next day before we got them. Not a problem but this sort of set the tone for the cruise. Jose did a pretty good job of keeping our cabin neat. When did they stop supplying an ice bucket? I never really needed it so didn’t pursue getting one but I was told they came from Room Service. They did service our cabin twice a day. I asked for another bag for my complementary laundry, “they were out of them.” He did find a bag but for some reason the bag was charged to my sister’s account even after writing my different folio number on the ticket! Overall he was helpful but I felt like I was begging.

[I Luv Crusin]

I did order water, a bon voyage cake and cabin decorations. This was MY mistake but I wish your pre-cruise purchases showed on documents like shore excursion do! We ended up with 3 cases of water! (Caution 4: Keep track of your pre-cruise purchases!) We never touched one of them but it was not returnable, so we left it for Jose! I was puzzled why we had two plates and silverware since there 3 in the cabin. It was a very good cake. On our last day we got a call from the front desk that I had ordered two sets of cabin decorations and that they would be refunding the extra set.

 

For dinner we were seated at a table for eight. It was a great group of people and we hope to see them in the future. The others were on a B2B cruise, lucky ducks! I guess we had a headwaiter and two assistants. Service ranged from good to bad. I asked for tea with lemon as my standard drink and the tea, after the first night, was on the table but not always the lemon. If wine wasn’t served it would have been nice to have the spare glasses removed from the table. In fact, on the first cruise elegant night we asked and were told that they would be removed but they weren’t. Too much work or inattention, I don’t know.

 

The Conquest has the American Table and it was fine. I don’t know if I overlooked escargot but never saw them on the menu. The bare wood tables aren’t bad but the condensation from the glasses can make it soggy. The waiters always seemed rushed but not so rushed that they couldn’t participate in the dancing. We missed the rapport between the waiters and cruisers.

[I Luv Crusin]

I know this is a very unpopular topic but I wish something could be done with the smoking in the casino. I walked by the first day to see where the non-smoking slots were and was told just to look for the non-smoking symbol. The non-smoking slots were not separated at all. I played for a bit but I had to leave because of my asthma. Why can’t they vent the casino better? We even smelled smoke up on our deck #6 near the stairwell.

 

I was excited to see a banner on the Shops for Crazy Shirts but they didn’t have any. The Shops were really empty and I heard they were switching to a new vendor. If anyone has cruised on the Conquest since Jan. 23, 2016 I’d be curious what is happening with the shops. Someone who had been on the cruise the week before, said that they will be selling cheaper items now. I guess Tag Hauer watches don’t sell well enough. I didn’t see any Pashminas and could have used one it was so chilly!

 

Our first port was Key West which was chilly and breezy. My sister and I took the City View Trolley Tour and then went back to the ship for lunch. Afterward we walked to the Hemingway House and then walked back to the ship. We were kind of rushed and if you are a Hemingway fan plan on visiting for hours. The 6 toe kitties are friendly. A neat fact my sister ferreted out is that my Uncle knew Hemingway and was a drinking buddy until he quit. My husband visited Mel Fisher Maritime museum and really enjoyed the artifacts and displays.. It turned out to be a pretty day.

[I Luv Crusin]

We mostly relaxed on the sea day after going to the SeaDay brunch. We did attend the shopping talk. Since we had 3 more cruises booked we bought the Shopping book she was offering for $25. We understood, and others too, that this book was good forever. However when my husband started to flip through it he noticed that all the coupons expired November of 2016!!!(Caution 5: before buying anything look at it first.) I understand that Carnival may have an agreement that the coupons don’t expire but what guarantee do we have? Legally, the stores don’t have to accept expired coupons, do they? I spoke to her assistant Istock (Easy) and he said that there was no refund since by buying the book I had been entered into a drawing. It probably seemed to him that since I didn’t win I wanted my money back but I wasn’t even thinking that. He passed me off to Vanja who after intially asking me “Don’t you trust Carnival?”, finally took the book back and promised to refund it. She asked for my cabin number and name which I gave her after offering to write it down. She left the ship the next day without refunding it. I didn’t notice until the last day when I got my statement.(Caution # 6 Check your onboard statement regularly if not daily.) I went to the Customer Service Desk and at first they refused to refund it and the new sales guy knew nothing about it. Finally they did refund it but this seems to be Carnival’s MO. If you have a problem with one of their “contract” suppliers it’s not Carnival’s problem!

 

My husband and I went to the Point Steakhouse. This was definitely not our best experience. 1st the manager looked like she had just rolled out of bed. Her blouse was wrinkled. We had a nice table for 4 but set for two which was roomy. The chairs are getting worn and the front of the chair seat felt like it had no padding at all. I changed my seat and it was a little better. Our waiter Tamas was nice but had a really thick accent and he spoke too quickly. We should have asked him to slow down. He confused our orders which I found confusing, since there were only two of us. Tamas did encourage us to try several appetizers, which was a first. I ordered the spinach salad and asked for it to be made with a light amount of dressing but they insisted bringing it to me on the side. The dressing was supposed to be blue cheese vinaigrette but seemed to be something else. He never did ask me what sauce I’d like for my filet but I used my husband’s. When dessert came we ordered coffee and dessert. The coffee came and we finished the first cup. We asked for a 2nd cup that never showed. I had the apple tart and was told it was baked especially for me. Why was it barely warm??? Overall we were disappointed with the service, not expecting to have to ask for a good experience.

 

The next day was Cayman Island. We did a Carnival tour to the Turtle Farm with Lunch. What a waste of time! We met at 7:30 am on the ship, tendered off, waiting again for over an hour for everyone to arrive. Was placed on big busses and then had a short tour of the turtles and were left on our own to visit the aviary, snorkel or swim. Since the weather was iffy we unfortunately did not bring suits. Lunch was a buffet with rice, plantains, bbq chicken and pasta salad, with water or fruit punch to drink but no ice was available. After lunch we walked to the Rum Cake Factory and back in time to catch the bus at noon back to the pier. We were NOT given the option to be dropped off at 7 mile beach. I’m not sure what a cab would cost to go there but a bus would have been just a good and not so rushed. (Caution 7: Book with reputable private tour operators whenever possible for better size of groups and use of time.)

[I Luv Crusin]

Our last port was Cozumel. We parked away from the city center but that worked out fine. We took a $17 taxi to Mr. Sancho’s. It was an icky, cool, and rainy day. All you could eat and drink. Drinks came pretty fast. There was a self-serve buffet but you could order off the menu too, but it was slow. I wonder if it was faster if you tipped as you went along. Everything we had was good though! My sister went horseback riding and enjoyed it. My husband went to a tequila testing. He was going to buy some but they only took cash. I don’t know if the other vendors were cash only. We took a taxi back to the pier and shopped a bit before heading back to the ship. Next time we may go back or try a similar place. (Caution 8: If you go to Mr. Sancho take cash for tips and purchases. Be ready to say a lot of no thank you’s.)

 

Last day at sea we went to the SeaDay Brunch. We also went the first sea day, too. I love salmon and cream cheese which is offered but I like the wet capers that they serve with regular breakfast not the dry ones they serve at brunch. I asked but was told that they only have one kind. Not true. (btw, salmon is now not offered on the room service menu) We also attended the future cruiser presentation. It was mostly about the Vista. My husband and I did decide to book the Pride out of Baltimore in April of 2018. It was unfortunate that he didn’t have some sort of assistant or a way for people to take numbers to talk to him. I stood in line for over an hour; his excuse was that he is quiet early in the cruise. They should schedule this talk earlier in the cruise. Others stood in line to just to turn in their SeaMiles Card application. I will get my $100 on board credit but the Friends and Family certificates are only good for 6o days. That’s not long enough and my mistake for not saying something. (Caution 9: be prepared to stand in line if you want to book a future cruise.

 

I did get my invitation to the Platinum Party. It would be better if this was the first sea day. It’s just before 1st dinner seating and by the time you have drinks and appetizers you are full. The dinner menu was good the last night too. Many people received two invitations and brought other people with them but there was plenty to eat and drink! They had 3 guessing contests; Ship, ranks of officers, and number of candies. There is a new movie and it was a fun time sitting with people I had met on the cruise. Dinner was good this last night and we went back to the cabin to pack and missed the Playlist Latin show. I liked the Playlist Shows but after the second one I got bored, they are so canned and the dancers look like they are doing aerobics not dancing.

 

Getting off the ship is always hard. We had purchased liquor both on land and on the ship. I didn’t realize that you had to pick it up in two different places. This is really annoying but I’m sure between passengers getting drunk the last night and theft of boxes of liquor this was needed. We were up and had breakfast in the dining room, taking our carry-offs with us. We then went to the Toulouse Latrec lounge to wait, and wait and wait. It would be more pleasant if they played music or something on the screen. Finally they called for the next group of people; they had stopped people from leaving because of the backlog at customs. It wasn’t too long before we were looking for a cab. We got a van to the Airport. My sister negotiated with a driver to take 5 of us to the airport. A couple of ladies joined us. It was only $20 for the van. What a deal! He dropped us and the ladies off the Budget rental car garage and dropped my sister at her departure gate. This is the 2nd time we have used Budget here and I really recommend their FastBreak program. Easy!

 

I’ll mention we are from Northern Virginia and on Friday-Sunday AM they were hit with the Blizzard of 2016. It’s Thursday, January 28, 2016 and my office is still not open! I work at a college but most people are back to work since Tuesday or Wednesday. I was fretting because we flew out of Richmond, VA and so Thursday early I went down to the Customer Service Desk and let me use their phone to call JetBlue. I was able to change our flight from Saturday to Sunday for free which was a relief. Then I started looking for hotels. We ended up booking the Sheraton Planation through Hotels.com for $192.00.(Caution 10: check rates with the hotel! I saw a rate for $142 and another rate that included breakfast after we checked in but that was for Sunday night but still I should have checked.) When I found out the cost to the hotel from the port, $40 for the hotel van, I was not pleased but as I said we took the van to the airport and rented a car from Budget. We have used Budget at Ft. Lauderdale airport and if you do I would highly recommend you sign up for their FASTBREAK program. Even though I didn’t have our member number I walked up to the counter, gave her our information, she found it, printed our docs and we were on our way to the hotel! For $29.00!!! And we were fortunate that by the time we got to the hotel at noon they had a room available and allowed us to check-in. It was a low room at the end of the hall with no view but the room was very nice! I would stay there again! (Caution 11: buy trip insurance. I usually do but for some reason I forgot this trip. It worked out OK but could have been far worse!)

 

We parked at Park n Go at the Richmond Airport. They are good people. They dug out our car for us and drove it up to the office instead of dropping us off at the car. It is reasonably priced and convenient to the airport. We were fortunate that I booked us out of Richmond since the Washington DC airports didn’t re-open until Monday. I-95N was clear most of the way home and the last 8 miles were difficult but passable.

Edited February 1, 2016 by I Luv Crusin

[I Luv Crusin]

This was the 2nd time we sailed the Conquest and overall we had a good time. I am disappointed in the “no can do” attitude that runs rampant. In summation: Need a DOD when you board-go to a bar or lido, want an ice bucket-call room service, need skirt hangers-I’ll get them to you tomorrow, want wet capers-we don’t have them, want to do your 2nd bag of Platinum laundry-we ran out of bags and then charge your sister’s account when you do get a bag, want your eggs cooked firmly for eggs benedict-this is how they come, promised a refund-no refund, toss your salad with a light amount of dressing-we’ll bring it on the side and you can do it, where are the non-smoking slots-they are mixed in you just have to look, we’ll remove extra glassware-forgotten and on it went. As I said from the beginning this will not stop me from cruising Carnival but is a disappointment.

 

We will be back on the Pride in September for our anniversary, see you then!

[LaCal]

Thx for your review and glad you had fun overall

 

The minor inconveniences or problems you had won't bother us in the least..... we do like a ice bucket n will request one from room service plus we always bring a large beer bucket up from the pool area and the stewards keep both filled with ice day and night

 

Can't wait to sail the Conquest in March

[momonthego17]

Great review! We were on Conquest over Thanksgiving (review link in my signature) and there were a couple hiccups but overall a fun cruise. Heck, DH and I are cruising this May on Conquest so there you go!

[PC Cruisin]

I was excited to see a banner on the Shops for Crazy Shirts but they didn’t have any. The Shops were really empty and I heard they were switching to a new vendor. If anyone has cruised on the Conquest since Jan. 23, 2016 I’d be curious what is happening with the shops. Someone who had been on the cruise the week before, said that they will be selling cheaper items now. I guess Tag Hauer watches don’t sell well enough. I didn’t see any Pashminas and could have used one it was so chilly!

 

I was on the Conquest 1/9/2016 and the fun shops had blow out sales ... Conquest coffee cups were $2.30 each, t-shirts $4.50 to $5 each, rum cakes $4 and Conquest Christmas ornaments for $1.

[nednrom]

I'm sorry that you had so many unfortunate incidents on the Conquest -- I guess it just proves that even on the same ship degree of service varies. On our NYE cruise on the Conquest, we didn't experience any of those things and found service to be impeccable - our cabin steward brought in ice twice a day every day after I asked him the first day. Our MDR server team was the best I've seen in a long time -- and those things do matter.

 

One thing they did with us in terms of boarding is that they boarded suite/diamond/FTTF passengers first and then it was by zone -- when we checked in we got a card with a zone number on it. They retreived it as we were boarding thereby checking that everyone was boarding as they checked in ... where you sat really didn't matter. That seemed to work well, I hope that they haven't changed that.

 

In terms of shopping they did have a lot of sales and I got some stuff that I would normally not buy. Maybe they're just waiting for new shipment??

 

We'll be on the Legend next -- have fun on the Pride!

Edited February 2, 2016 by nednrom

[BTromboneFrack]

We were also on the Conquest NYE cruise this year and had an amazing time with wonderful service. We bought a bottle of wine at the steakhouse on the first night and our room steward kept it on ice all week long, until we finally decided to toast our last sunset on the balcony. Never noticed the chairs in the steakhouse with any problems, but it might have been just where we were sitting. Even with the wonderful service we had, the best thing was how the staff said hello to us EVERYWHERE on the ship. Many started nice conversations while we were on our way to our room or restaurants. With 3000 passengers, I guess there will be a variety of experiences. We'll be back on the Conquest as soon as our budget allows.

[golfb4cruzing]

I read your entire review. 2 questions. 1) What part made you think the trip was good overall? 2) Why haven't you cancelled your other trips? Do you think they will improve? We are on the Conquest in April and I get more underwhelmed each day.

[levon10]

Just got off the Conquest Sunday. All the shops closed for renovations on the 27th and stayed closed for the remainder of the cruise. No one seemed to know when they would be completed.

[Keith1010]

Enjoyed your review/report.

Keith

[drvmywifecrzy]

I read your entire review. 2 questions. 1) What part made you think the trip was good overall? 2) Why haven't you cancelled your other trips? Do you think they will improve? We are on the Conquest in April and I get more underwhelmed each day.

 

Dont let other potentially ruin your good time. You spent hard earned money for your vacation so enjoy it.

[JAGR]

I did order water, a bon voyage cake and cabin decorations. This was MY mistake but I wish your pre-cruise purchases showed on documents like shore excursion do! We ended up with 3 cases of water! (Caution 4: Keep track of your pre-cruise purchases!) We never touched one of them but it was not returnable, so we left it for Jose! I was puzzled why we had two plates and silverware since there 3 in the cabin. It was a very good cake. On our last day we got a call from the front desk that I had ordered two sets of cabin decorations and that they would be refunding the extra set.

 

For dinner we were seated at a table for eight. It was a great group of people and we hope to see them in the future. The others were on a B2B cruise, lucky ducks! I guess we had a headwaiter and two assistants. Service ranged from good to bad. I asked for tea with lemon as my standard drink and the tea, after the first night, was on the table but not always the lemon. If wine wasn’t served it would have been nice to have the spare glasses removed from the table. In fact, on the first cruise elegant night we asked and were told that they would be removed but they weren’t. Too much work or inattention, I don’t know.

 

The Conquest has the American Table and it was fine. I don’t know if I overlooked escargot but never saw them on the menu. The bare wood tables aren’t bad but the condensation from the glasses can make it soggy. The waiters always seemed rushed but not so rushed that they couldn’t participate in the dancing. We missed the rapport between the waiters and cruisers.

 

Thanks for voicing your cautions. I was curious about the first Cruise Elegant night. It looks like it's the second night (sailing out of Key West) rather than the more traditional first sea day. Is that the case? I know they wouldn't have the second Cruise Elegant night on Thursday rather than the last sea day, since that's a night to pack.

[rtap23]

I read your entire review. 2 questions. 1) What part made you think the trip was good overall? 2) Why haven't you cancelled your other trips? Do you think they will improve? We are on the Conquest in April and I get more underwhelmed each day.

 

Why.....on our last cruise on the Conquest we had are best cruise of all. That includes many on Carnival plus 4 other lines. You will have a great time.

[Yellowbird75]

Why.....on our last cruise on the Conquest we had are best cruise of all. That includes many on Carnival plus 4 other lines. You will have a great time.

 

Dont let other potentially ruin your good time. You spent hard earned money for your vacation so enjoy it.

 

Agreed. These forums are wonderful and filled with information but at the end of the day, they can ruin a little of the fun sometimes. It's a vacation! Be excited regardless of what you read and just use the information to be more prepared. Most of these are preventable things or small, specific things for the OP.

 

We are on the Conquest in April and we're stoked! :D It's all what you make it.

 

If you are looking for a hotel option, we are staying at the Hampton Inn that's 2.6 miles away, a bit further than the others but I called and their port shuttle the morning of is only $6/person. Wahoo!

[golfb4cruzing]

Yellowbird75 you are getting on as we are getting off. Our last Carnival was 4 years ago and a flooded suite on Day 2. Wet carpet for the week and air machines running. So we have that bad taste still and have gotten used to Princess. We are going with a group, and half have either never sailed or been on Carnival, so pressure is on. I'd say it still be a day at work but I'm retired. Looking forward to the Comedy Club though.

[WindsorFred]

We were on both the 1/9 & the 1/17/2016 sailings, B2B. Had the same room for both. First time on the Conguest but have sailed the Freedom, a sister ship, several times. We had great stewards, different one on the 2nd leg as the first one's contract was up. Had ice twice daily, both ice bucket and a beer bucket for our wine. We ate more in the MDR this time than on any other cruise, ATD. Had great service and food was always good. 1/9 sailing was warmer than the 1/17 leg. As there was a cold front in Florida during the 1/17 leg we expected colder temps and wore sweat suits in Key West, still had a great time. Cayman was also a great time, both Key West and Grand Cayman were new ports to us as was San Juan on the first leg. Did 3 bags of laundry the end of the first leg and also had to request bags which were delivered shortly after we requested them. We were on Verandah deck midship and could not have been happier with this trip and are looking forward to sailing Conguest again.Sorry to hear that your cruise was not as enjoyable.Edit:They did call Diamonds before us Platinums.

Edited February 2, 2016 by WindsorFred

[linga]

We were on both the 1/9 & the 1/17/2016 sailings, B2B. Had the same room for both. First time on the Conguest but have sailed the Freedom, a sister ship, several times. We had great stewards, different one on the 2nd leg as the first one's contract was up. Had ice twice daily, both ice bucket and a beer bucket for our wine. We ate more in the MDR this time than on any other cruise, ATD. Had great service and food was always good. 1/9 sailing was warmer than the 1/17 leg. As there was a cold front in Florida during the 1/17 leg we expected colder temps and wore sweat suits in Key West, still had a great time. Cayman was also a great time, both Key West and Grand Cayman were new ports to us as was San Juan on the first leg. Did 3 bags of laundry the end of the first leg and also had to request bags which were delivered shortly after we requested them. We were on Verandah deck midship and could not have been happier with this trip and are looking forward to sailing Conguest again.Sorry to hear that your cruise was not as enjoyable.Edit:They did call Diamonds before us Platinums.

 

Thanks for adding to the conversation! I'm really looking forward to being on the Conquest, as I've heard mostly wonderful things about it.

[WindsorFred]

Thanks for adding to the conversation! I'm really looking forward to being on the Conquest, as I've heard mostly wonderful things about it.

 

So had we. As many have stated before "your experience may vary". I always like to "add" information so others may be more informed. We truly enjoyed our past B2B although there were some things that did not go as expected such as the B2B debark/embark between both legs, seemed very disorganized but in no way did it spoil our day/cruise. The fact that we had 3 different stewards over the 14 days, first one had his contract end 6 days into the first leg so we had a replacement for the last day and had a new one for the entire 2nd leg. All were very good and always willing to meet/exceed our expectations and beyond anyone's control as contracts do end.

Enjoy your cruise.

Edited February 2, 2016 by WindsorFred

[tigercat]

We were on the Conquest for a B2B starting Jan. 3rd and then the 9th. We had really good meals at the Steakhouse which was good because the first week we celebrated 41 yrs of marriage and the 2nd week was my 60th birthday.

 

We had ice in our cabin twice a day after telling our room steward that we wanted it. It was always there.

 

As for weather you always take your chance on the weather. It just seems to not want to cooperate when you go on vacation. At least it didn't snow, at least that was what we told ourselves when we got off the ship and headed for Disney World.

 

As for excursions you do need to look at them to figure out exactly what they are and are not going to do. One excursion I took a few cruises ago made me really look at them after it happened. Nothing bad just not one that I was physically capable of doing at the time. Oh well I had to live and learn.

 

I know on our embarkation and disembarkation there was a long time lapse. It had nothing to do with Carnival but with immigration. They didn't have enough people to take care of the process. It took a long time to embark on the 3rd and a long time on the 9th for the people that were disembarking.

 

They call diamonds first then platinum's. After that FTTF and suite guests then usually wheelchair. They did this on the first cruise. However, because we were B2B we didn't embark really. They took us off the ship to the place where you got your picture for your sign and sail card and then took us back to the ship. I think it was because it had been such a long process.

 

I always bring with me any confirmations I have. I had ordered a couple of things and they were in our cabin. I did have the e-mail confirmations with me in case they weren't though.

 

I did get to meet a lot of very nice and hardworking crew members. I had a good time talking to them, and they were very helpful. I didn't really have any dealings with Guest Services though so can't comment on them.

 

I guess everyone's cruise is different, and everyone's experience is different as well.

 

We are booked on the Conquest again in Oct. It might be a really interesting cruise if hurricanes come through but we will have to see. I am looking forward to it.

 

tigercat

[jayscore]

Agreed. These forums are wonderful and filled with information but at the end of the day, they can ruin a little of the fun sometimes. It's a vacation! Be excited regardless of what you read and just use the information to be more prepared. Most of these are preventable things or small, specific things for the OP.

 

We are on the Conquest in April and we're stoked! :D It's all what you make it.

 

If you are looking for a hotel option, we are staying at the Hampton Inn that's 2.6 miles away, a bit further than the others but I called and their port shuttle the morning of is only $6/person. Wahoo!

 

Perhaps we'll see you there!;)