MITSUGIRLY decides to CONQUEST new ports-complete pictorial review

[Thrilled2012]

La Romana was a disappointment as we didn't book an excursion for that day. We often pick up tours or excursions once we get to a port and there was absolutely nothing there. (Admittedly, the rain didn't help so we didn't try super hard.) We loved our day in Aruba and have this on our list for a future land vacation as well!

.....

 

We missed our excursion in La Romana due to the nutty taxi company. I refused to just get back on the ship and I worked hard to find something for my kids and I to do in La Romana as a back up. I agree, there is not much there! We wound up just hiring a taxi for a "private tour" that took us to the sugar cane fields and stopped to see how the workers harvested it and gave us samples....and then we went to some villages and the city and toured it (which was educational but quite depressing due to the poverty). The poverty was not unexpected and was good to remind my kids how fortunate they are, but I didn't need 2 hours of driving around seeing it, with no "highlights" to stop and see. There was nothing there for the taxi driver to show us....no points of interest. Its one of those ports that I will not get off of the ship for if I ever return.

 

And I agree about the service on the ship.

[jenseib]

Great wrap up! I hate that it is over but I really loved the Curacao day and to see the pictures of the port area. it looks pretty and cleaner than some other ports.

 

 

Sorry to hijack the thread, but jenseib can you share how you got this amazing deal? I have been eyeing the 10 and 11 day cruises this summer and next summer, but the price just isn't worth it to me. I have been on 2 Disney cruises, both in off season, and the price was still astronomical. Thanks.

 

Those 2 cruises went Cast Member, Travel Agent, and Florida Resident rate. They also went OGT and VGT I believe and I think they may have went military. They were not selling well at all....because of the price. I qualified for one of those discounts. They actually released a certain amount of rooms in Feb and then added more for release in March I believe.

I was going to go with an inside at first but the cost of an ocean view was just like $200 more so I said what the heck. Normally I cruise a verandah, but I have been in OV before on Disney. This will be my daughters first time not in an verandah room but she is still excited and curious too.

I think the majority of the people on these cruises will be travel agents, cast members and FL residents....I am in a facebook group and the majority in there seem to be in those categories.

PS...I have some trip reports linked in my signature if you are interested

[Tank's Mom]

Loved reading this every day since you started it. Leaving 5/29 in the conquest and it's been 6 years since I have cruised.

 

Thanks!

 

 

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[watermelonqueen99]

Loved your review, thanks for sharing! I was able to "sneak" some shells back on the Magic in Nassau. :)

[E@syPe@zy]

At this point, my husband gave me this worried look. Oh no, what did we forget? Then he showed me this...

 

 

And then this...

 

 

Boy my son doesn't waste any time!!

 

 

At that point, I felt my body get hot, my face overcame with a worried look, and I started to fret! I was not going to be there to over-see this project and what could potentially go wrong...but I think that was the point in doing it while we were gone...that way I wouldn't have to be there to experience it.

Forgive me if I missed the part about how the renovations looked when you got home, but I don't remember if you mentioned that or not....I could just be getting CRS in my old age!?!:confused:

[mickev99]

FINAL THOUGHTS:

 

 

 

 

I have gained a lot of weight over the last few years of cruising. When I say a lot, I'm talking 60 pounds. I call this my "cruise weight" and rightfully so because...I usually gain 8-10 pounds on a cruise. It's the ONLY time I ever gain weight. Otherwise, I remain consistent. HOWEVER...this will be the very first time that I actually LOST weight on a cruise. I came back 8 pounds lighter. I was shocked. I knew that we were having trouble finding food and when we did, it wasn't really something I went back for seconds. Maybe I need a few more cruises like this and I can get back to my normal weight.

 

 

 

I always say that I'm just one good stomach flu from my goal weight. Although since I turned 48, I might need two stomach flus....or a cruise like this, lol. Thanks for the review!!

 

 

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[AmeliaAtSea]

I encouraged her to use her new birthday gift art set from Thrilled and I got a reply of "But I can't draw with a pencil. I don't know how". I convinced her that it's just like drawing with a pen, only better because you can erase if you make a mistake." Of course she reminded me that she doesn't make mistakes, but I was still able to convince her to give it a try.

You've mentioned this before (if you use a pencil you can erase)...I thought I'd mention that there are some drawing instructors & instruction books that encourage you *not* to erase. I would look into that. And if she *does* want to erase, I highly recommend using kneadable erasers.

[krisbtr]

I, too, was on the same cruise, we loved it! Grand Turk...Jacks shack. La Romana, stayed on the ship to relax. Aruba..eagle beach. Curaçao.island tour and beach stop. Our mdr experience was the best of our 6 cruises. Our waiters had our sparkling water and wine waiting for us each night, and we were extremely happy with them.

Had a balcony on lido.loved the location! On the deck in a few steps. Loved guys burgers, and blue iguana burritos.

I would sail on the Conquest in a heartbeat. Loved everything about the ship and the itenerary!

[Cafedumonde]

Thanks for the review! You all are so much fun. I am looking at your tour for our upcoming stop in la Romana and am a bit turned off by the taxi situation and by the food/activity schedule. Not sure if we should just go for it or not. It doesn't seem like there is anything else to do there. Really we would just like a snorkeling excursion that lasts a couple of hours. Frustrating. Also, sorry to be nosy, but how did your house end up? I bet that ceiling looks great opened up. Thanks again.

[lindsay_claire]

Love your reviews--I've read them all! I found them before my parents and sister and I did a short NCL cruise a couple of years ago. My husband and I prefer other cruise lines, but I still love reading your reviews for your beautiful pics and your amazing writing voice. I feel like I'm there with your family and want to keep following the adventures! I agree with others that there should be a way for you to monetize your talent with free cruises, onboard credits, or something. You definitely bring people to NCL and Carnival.

 

By the way, I think you should name your little scuba figure "MITSCUBAGIRLY" !!! (-:

 

Thanks again for all of your hard work.

[Boozebabe]

For being a return Carnival cruiser, you are given a free "drink coupon"...the catch is, they must be used on the LAST night and AFTER 5pm. I attempted to get my free drink, but the pool bar would not accept them. We were told to go to the casino...so we were off.

 

We managed to get our free drinks and all was good while we hung out and people watched for awhile.

 

 

 

 

I ran into Thrilled in the casino and told her I needed to go back to the room to finish packing. She told me that the luggage needed to be out by 10:45 she thought. Oops, I'm a little late. Well hopefully they would still take them.

 

I had an entire glass to drink and I guzzled it down and stumbled back to the room.

 

 

WE MISSED IT! There wasn't a single luggage sitting outside for miles. Darnit. We are going to be forced to lug our luggage around all morning with us...and with a 9 year old. I can't believe this. I know with NCL, I think they want luggage out between 11-12 midnight. But you can always find a hall full of luggage still sitting out there after that and plenty of employees still gathering them. This time, the halls were empty and not a sole in sight. The entire staff went into hiding I tell ya.

 

I actually tried calling housekeeping and even the customer service desk. No answer from either...the multiple times I called. Ok, I was just going to suck it up. No Aruba picture, only pizza to eat, and I'll be lugging my luggage around all day tomorrow.

 

I finished my packing with my bottom lip stuck out and we headed to bed between 12:30-1am. NOT excited for tomorrow to come.

 

 

 

I'm ALWAYS late putting our luggage out but they always get it. Mine goes out by midnight. Next time don't worry. BTW until our last 3 or 4 cruises the time was always announced to be out by midnight.

[panamatiger]

Fabulous Review and now whetting the Appetite for my Conquest cruise this October 2017

Thank You !!!

panama

[JinxyB]

Thanks again for an awesome review Kim!

 

Those 2 cruises went Cast Member, Travel Agent, and Florida Resident rate. They also went OGT and VGT I believe and I think they may have went military. They were not selling well at all....because of the price. I qualified for one of those discounts. They actually released a certain amount of rooms in Feb and then added more for release in March I believe.

I was going to go with an inside at first but the cost of an ocean view was just like $200 more so I said what the heck. Normally I cruise a verandah, but I have been in OV before on Disney. This will be my daughters first time not in an verandah room but she is still excited and curious too.

I think the majority of the people on these cruises will be travel agents, cast members and FL residents....I am in a facebook group and the majority in there seem to be in those categories.

PS...I have some trip reports linked in my signature if you are interested

 

Thanks for responding, jenseib! Well, since I don't qualify for any of those discounts, I guess I can keep dreaming! I hope you do a trip review of that cruise-I would be interested in reading it. I will have to check out your other reviews, too. We aren't die-hard Disney-fanatics, but enjoy the product and those 10 and 11 day itineraries are to die for! I do wish Disney would give a military veteran discount (currently have to be fully retired/many other restrictions and not just honorable discharged).

[mitsugirly]

It just goes to show that ship is such a personal choice. I would take the conquest over a fantasy class ship any day of the week! I've read many of your reviews and love to hear your thoughts. Thanks again for the time spent putting it together. I'm on conquest in 12 days and your pictures are helping to get me through! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for your comments and glad you enjoyed the review. I do plan on getting on another Conquest class ship in the future. Have a wonderful cruise on the Conquest in a few days.

Haha.....suggestions? If you want to get certified on vacation, I would suggest a land vacation to AnthonysKey dot com. More than meets all your needs, and it is lovely. Fly direct into Roatan, spend the week. Sakari will love the dolphins, too. Cruises.....for diving, of course that is all I will talk about... Bonaire, Roatan...easy diving, zillions of fish in Bonaire, Roatan has the prettiest reefs we have ever seen in this hemisphere other than Cozumel. Both Bonaire and Roatan are easy diving. Very little current, which is good for divers who take photos. Cozumel is best diving on this side of planet, but it is drift diving, and reefs are deeper, so probably not what you want quite yet. Taking photos is challenging there, too.

I wouldn't be able to Anthony Keys in Roatan. Our plane vendor does not fly there. Gotta use those free flights. (Plus for personal reasons, I don't think that I would ever use Anthony Keys). I definitely want to find a place that goes to Bonaire! It's on my bucket list. Is diving in Roatan from West Bay? Or are there other easy entry/dive spots there? I would love to go back to Cozumel for sure. We love it there and even though we have been multiple times, I will always want to go back. Where's the best place to dive there for someone like us? Yea, I don't think drift diving is our experience level yet. But, we can get flights to Cancun, so if there's a place around there that's a good option for us, please let me know.

Ummm, if you see me on a cruise with a tumbler or water bottle that clearly does not contain a transparent liquid resembling water....then you can bank on the fact that it contains some sort of juice mixed with my Bon Voyage/FunShops vodka! . Ahhh...good times Couple of other things (no time to go back to try to quote the original posts): bread pudding: best thing about an 8 day cruise on Carnival is that you still can get bitter n blanc! lol What is this "Reef" book that you speak of? As a semi-new snorkeler, I need a good hard copy reference book to look up the sea life that I encounter. I am using the internet for now but would like a good reference book If we are able to work it out so that we can cruise together again, I am counting on my parents coming too....so they can watch the munchkins while in port... so that I can come with you to do DSD! BTW, at what age can you do DSD (I do understand that kids can only go 6' but I am guessing that's only if they have taken PADI classes)? Just wondering if Michaela can do it or if she has to take classes first in order to do it. Lastly, I'm sorry you never did find that Aruba sign. I know you were on a mission to find it that day. Good news is that it sounds like you will be back there for a land vacay so you will have another opportunity! You might want to try looking into renting a timeshare for a week or so. I don't know about Aruba, but on lots of Caribbean islands, people are unable to use their week that year so they put them up for rent for nothing more than their annual "maintanance fees". This makes for a very affordable vacation (less than a decent hotel) and you wind up with a condo that has a kitchen so you can save money by eating some meals in the condo/timeshare and still have the amenties of a resort. Thank you for this wonderful review and for allowing me to "relive" this trip through your eyes!!!!

Haha, yea that tumbler you were carrying...;p The reef book...(I have 3, identifying the fish, reef, and other animals) is what Robin speaks of. I got the hardback books that coming in a carrying case and love them! Oh gosh, that would be so much fun to do diving with you and little thrilled! Discover Scuba is for anyone 10 years old and up. So, she would be able to go with us on all of it (up to 40' deep...or should I say down to 40'). Samantha and I are trying to figure out a land vaca. I have a few options it looks like, but the problem is the plane ride. They are filling up fast and they are EXPENSIVE (even though I don't have to pay for it, I still have to use our points for 2 of us to book). Plus they are LONG...since there's a delay/plane change, it makes for a very long day 8+ hours to get there. One of the places I have found is actually a timeshare and pretty cheap. I managed to find 2 people renting theirs at the same place that Sam and I were checking out and it's only $700 for the week. Not bad at all. It has the kitchenette and all. My only thing is, we will definitely be out swimming, beaching-it, and hopefully diving, that there really won't be much time for "cooking". :D At least we did see plenty of places there to eat (when we were on the bus).

The FISH ID books.... I just posted down on the Scuba/Snorkeling forum: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=53023538#post53023538 I highly recommend these! ..

These are great and what I have too.

I'm still so sorry about that...I didn't know that Sakari would be stuck in the 9-11 group as a result until you told me! Michaela, being 11 (12 in July), is in that "tween stage" (she feels to old for camp and too young for Circle C). I thought she would have more fun in Circle C so I talked to them and they said that they would allow her to go there but she felt uneasy and not comfortable with the "bigger kids". She preferred to just "stalk" Sakari during the times that Sakari wasn't at camp, lol. The ONLY reason that she went to camp that ONE time was because of Sakari. And she said she had a blast! I really think that the reason she didn't go back is because she (and I) were happy to spend mommy/daughter time together since lil man lived in camp. At home, being a single mom, she doesn't get as much 1:1 attention because he usurps attention! Yes! My pics came out 100% photo bombed and I LOVE them! LOL. We truly had NO idea you guys were behind us until after the show. I am far less perceptive than you!

Yea, I have a feeling that Sakari is starting to enter that stage that she is feeling like the kids camp is just getting old. She did mention to me on this cruise..."I can't wait until I'm old enough to hang out with my friends, instead of going to the kids club, and have fun instead of sticking with you guys". LOL I said "Wait, I'm not fun???" Oh boy...it's coming. I know it is. MUST SEE PHOTO BOMB PICS!!!

Thanks for the great review! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will look forward to your future cruises and reviews!

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you for the review. My wife and I are doing the same cruise next April. My only suggestion would be for you to cruise more so I can read the review. My laughs at me because I refer to you as my favorite author!

You're welcome and I hope you have a great time next April. Your suggestion is definitely one I would like to make happen by my job and patient already think 3 or 4 times a year is a little much to begin with. "Favorite Author"...I like that. :cool:

Funny that you say that because, although I did not talk to Mitsugirly about this, I had a talk with her hubby about him directing her towards ways to make some money with her reviewing skills! So many people follow her and so many businesses make money based on her reviews (I don't think she has ever "recommended" things but we can tell from her reviews whether it is a place we wish to visit or not) that I believe that a financial reward is in order, especially with the amount of time and effort that goes into these reviews during and after the actual trip!! Heck...I even know of at least one venue that is even using her pictures on their own website (with her permission of course)! That speaks volumes to me, lol

He did not tell me about this talk. I would love to be able to make money doing this on the side. I just don't really know how you accomplish that. More money=more cruising and reviews for me. Do you make money off of blogs? Ah yes, one of my (and Sakari's) favorite venues. :hearteyes:

Thank you for an amazing review. Loved all your pictures too! We will be on the Conquest in October, but different ports (6 day).

Have a great cruise and thanks for the comments.

I always read your reviews and love them but never post. Sorry about that! This time, I do have a question!! Where did you get the super cute swimsuit cover up that Sakari is wearing on the last day? The green lacy looking one? My daughter would LOVE that!!

No problem. I'm glad you like the reviews. It's funny because someone else ask me about Sakari's cover up in a different review. I couldn't remember exactly where I got it (either Kohls, Target, Old Navy or Justice) and long after that, I remember shopping one day and seen it again. I thought "now I'll know where I got it at"...only now I don't remember. :eek:

Kim: Glad you finally got a Southern Caribbean cruise taken. Aruba and Curacao are great places to visit and so different from each other. Enjoyed your review and certainly will check back for your next family adventure! Thank you for taking the time in putting this together and taking/sharing so many pictures. bruce...

Yep, I'm 2 down now and wanting more! Thanks for the comments and glad you enjoyed it.

I always wondered why the buffet wasn't open later. I tend to favor the main dining room for any meals they serve. I like the deli area. Did you ever try room service? I know it's limited but at least you would have been able to get something other than pizza. At least their pizza seems to be good from what I have read. I love your reviews. Thanks for posting all the awesome pictures and detailed information. Candi

The deli is ok, but I wished they offered a little more. There's not much there that Sakari likes. We didn't try room service. We was always out and about at the time and the last time I tried room service it was disastrous every time that cruise. Yes, their pizza is very good...especially that quattro pizza! Yummy! Just not every single night good.

you actually finished before we left! The Conquest is actually one of our least favorites as well. We loved her sisters though, the Liberty and the Freedom. I'm actually not certain that we will make an effort to get back on them any time soon though - that aft pool and hot tubs used to be adults only on this class, and this is a recent change. I don't really care as much about the pools - but I will miss the adults only hot tubs as the one up on Serenity Deck are quite a bit smaller. We've been sticking with Dream class lately (we board the Magic later this week, and we are scheduled for the Dream in December), and I think that's a trend we will continue - we want to do the Breeze when she comes to Port Canaveral so we can "complete the class." I know Port Canaveral is not your favorite to get to, and I **think** you tend to sail in August? BUT there is a very cheap 8 day on August 26 (not sure if you can go that late with Sakari being in school) on the Magic that goes back to Aruba and Curacao. There's also another 8 day earlier in the month, which is the itinerary we are doing later this week (Grand Turk, San Juan, St Kitts, St Maarten). I can email you fun times when we get back if you are interested. Just let me know!

Yea, it was a race for the end. You only have a few more days before your cruise. Exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time. I absolutely loved the Dream class ships. I'm still needing to do the Magic though. Yea, Sakari goes back to school on August 23rd, so that week and on is out. I've been trying to see what other options we have for August before she goes back...and then there's always the fall/winter cruise around Oct/Nov as well.

That Magic trip sounds great! I can tell you that she can't pull Sakari out of her first full week of school 8/26 (I tried to get her to come with us on our Fascination cruise that week). I'm hoping that she is not too interested in that cruise earlier in August so that she can save her money/points for a fall cruise, lol

Haha...there will always be points for a fall cruise. No worries. :D

Mitsugirly- I have to say I'm a serious fan of your writing style-thank you for taking the time to put it altogether and share it with us. I have read most (if not all) your reviews and this "forgetaboutit" got such a chuckle out of me because I just said that exact same thing to my DH. Our very first cruise was NCL and we let our boys stay up to go to the midnight chocolate extravaganza (very impressive). So when we started cruising Carnival, it was a little of a let down (that's putting it mildly), in not seeing all the sculptures and such.... but I can honestly state that neither actually taste very good-I'm a milk chocolate lover and the sweetness just isn't there (imo).

Aww, thanks so much for such nice comments. I'm so glad that you like the reviews. Oh yes, the chocolate extravaganza are two different worlds between NCL and Carnival. But there's one thing that NCL can NOT get right and that is sweets. Everyone complains about ALL of their sweets and bland taste. I'm not sure what the problem is honestly. Carnival does manage to have better options for sweets/tastes. But, I couldn't really compare the chocolate, since I don't like it.

Hi! I'm enjoying your review. I've read some of the others you have written!!! We're leaving on a cruise to Alaska this Sunday. Very excited! A couple of questions ..... Do you ever do any shore excursions besides Beach excursions???? As Sakari gets older, do you think she'll be interested in learning some of the history of the places you visit or interact with the people??? Or other outings that she can see animals besides on the beach??? Every so often we will do something other than a beach. But, it would have to be something a little adventurous...such as cave tubing, ziplining, boating (lol) and that jeep/4 wheel tour that thrilled was going to do sounds amazing. I have heard about the trike excursion in (was it??) Aruba??? That would have been what we probably would have done had Kendra and family came along with us. So we are up to different options every so often as long as it is exciting...and not boring...such as history or tours. LOL We usually always get to interact with the locals...even if it's on the beach. A lot of times we learn a lot about the culture and people just doing things like going on the local bus, even a taxi, islands and especially when we do things like tubing. Nope, I don't think she'll be interested about the history or anything. Definitely anything to do with animals she would do. Just probably not a "zoo". Our kids and grandkids are all grown. We used to stick with the beaches and that sort of thing or the kids would have been bored. When we went to museums or learning center type things, they always wanted to zip on through. Now we can do some of that at our leisure. But I DO still love, love beach outings!!! That's pretty much us. If we had to endure a museums or learning center type of things...WE would also zip on through (not just Sakari). We're just not interested in those type of things. Second question ...... You take a TON of pictures. Very good ones, YES!!!! You have mentioned at times that you save this or that for your scrapbook. Do you actually do 'scrapbooking' with your pictures and things you save from your trips??? Yes, I save everything from the cruise. I do an actual scrapbook that contains many of my pictures I took from each day (both in port and on the ship) along with items that you would get from doing something...maybe a map, a wrist band, a sample of the sand, shells, you name it...just like a regular scrap book. I do one for each cruise...and trust me...THEY ARE HUGE! I'll have to take a pic later and show you. I ALSO do an online scrapbook, using shutterfly when they offer the free 8x8 books, of each cruise as well. I do as much scrapbooking as I can. It does take time. I do quite a bit of writing along with it as well, so the kids will hopefully enjoy reading about and remembering our fun family times. They do take forever to do. I think every time I go to the store I'm looking for more paper and cute little stickers to put in them. Currently I'm only 2-3 scrapbooks behind now. At one point (during schooling) I was 6 cruises behind and it took me forever to get caught up! Do you save your reviews here to disc (or however you save this sort of thing)??? What wonderful pictures and narrations for your kids and grandkids to have. I have not really found a way to save it. Someone on here suggested that I copy it all, but they only way I found for it to work and come out right is the old "copy and paste" and as everyone knows...as the years go on...the longer the review get. I would probably use a lot of ink trying to print them off and put in each scrapbook. I'm open to any suggestions on how to go about doing this if anyone has one. And you really do need to cruise to Alaska. There are some super sales going on when it gets close to sailing. We don't have to get airfare since we live near Seattle, so we can watch for big price drops. We just got a balcony for 7 night cruise for $649, That is a very, very good price for Alaska cruise. It's on the NCL Pearl. Insides are $399. Yea, I would love to try it out because I know it would be a new experience with new animals for Sakari. But, we can't really wait until last minute price drops since the longer you wait to book airfare, the higher it goes. Plus giving my work and patients ahead notice doesn't seem to go over too well if it's a short notice (like last years February cruise). Shores excursions in Alaska are really very pricey. But I'll bet Sakari would love getting out to see Bear or whale watching. And they do have scuba diving and snorkeling. She would LOVE the whale watching for sure!! I'm a cold nature person. I don't think there would be any scuba diving or snorkeling in Alaska for me...even with wet suits on. On with reading more of your review while I enjoy our lunch!!!!!

Hi and thanks for commenting. Have a wonderful Alaskan cruise!

[mitsugirly]

BRAVO Kim!! Another GREAT review in the books. Really loved all of your scuba pictures. Looking forward to your next adventure! (y) (y) (y)

 

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm trying to get a few more things accomplished this week and then I'll have to find your recent review.

 

 

This was another amazing review from you. I'm with you, I cruise for the destinations and not the ship, the ship won't make or break my vacation either. You create your memories at the destinations.

 

Where are you guys sailing next, back to NCL or another Carnival? What I love about NCL (besides the amazing crews) is that you will ALWAYS find something to eat no matter how late.

 

Thanks for sharing your vacation experience [emoji16]

 

I'm not sure what we are doing next. I wanted to get this review done so that I could concentrate on that a little more. Last night I was looking up land vacations to Aruba. :p I will also check out some summer cruises...just in case.

 

 

I'm not sure if we'll do NCL or Carnival yet. I did take a moment to check out NCL for the summer, but I'm not really finding anything that is jumping out at me for a good price and destination. I have a feeling it will be Carnival. NCL's options for food is never ending. I love that about them! Oh, and the free beverage package. You can't beat that!

 

 

Thanks for another amazing review. I have been looking for a cruise that goes to some of the ports you visited as they would be all new ports for us. Love the scuba pictures but I think I will be sticking to snorkeling. I look forward to your next adventure.

 

Thanks and it's definitely a great itinerary that you must experience. I really want to go back!

 

Hi there,

I was on the same cruise as you - I believe we saw your mermaid in the pool one day.... Thanks for the full review - I was interested to read about your experience compared to ours. This was our 2nd time on Conquest and we were quite disappointed this time compared to our cruise in 2015. It seems that the service, food and standards have gone down quite a bit in the 2 years since we cruised. I am not sure if it's Carnival overall or just the Conquest. We also left the cruise 'hungry" and after 6 cruises, this was a BIG surprise. I actually didn't even like the pizza. :-) Guys's Burgers is great but only open at limited times. After 4 cruises on Carnival, we have decided to try other cruise lines in the future. Like you, we loved the itinerary with some exceptions. La Romana was a disappointment as we didn't book an excursion for that day. We often pick up tours or excursions once we get to a port and there was absolutely nothing there. (Admittedly, the rain didn't help so we didn't try super hard.) We loved our day in Aruba and have this on our list for a future land vacation as well!

 

Thanks for your review - I enjoyed following along as I remembered our family's experience as well. I even picked out my husband in the distance in one of your photos at the pool area. So, we must have crossed paths at some point.....

 

Oh how cool. I wish I would have met you on the cruise. Maybe it was just this cruise that went downhill. I'm not sure. But it was still a great cruise. We have loved all of the other Carnival cruises we went on...just struggle with the food situation. I'm shocked I didn't eat more Guys than the first day. It just wasn't in the cards for us I guess and I love Guys.

 

 

I can't live on the edge and not have anything picked out for a port before I get there. I would probably have an anxiety attack if I did that. LOL More power to ya.

 

 

Thanks for your comments and glad you enjoyed it.

 

 

 

We missed our excursion in La Romana due to the nutty taxi company. I refused to just get back on the ship and I worked hard to find something for my kids and I to do in La Romana as a back up. I agree, there is not much there! We wound up just hiring a taxi for a "private tour" that took us to the sugar cane fields and stopped to see how the workers harvested it and gave us samples....and then we went to some villages and the city and toured it (which was educational but quite depressing due to the poverty). The poverty was not unexpected and was good to remind my kids how fortunate they are, but I didn't need 2 hours of driving around seeing it, with no "highlights" to stop and see. There was nothing there for the taxi driver to show us....no points of interest. Its one of those ports that I will not get off of the ship for if I ever return.

 

And I agree about the service on the ship.

 

Hey, at least you were able to find something for your kids to do, even if it was boring. But you got a taste of the island and now know what NOT to do. LOL

 

And yes you will get back off that ship missy and do your original tour! If we go back, that's what I want to do. I'll drag you if I'm with you! :D

 

 

 

Great wrap up! I hate that it is over but I really loved the Curacao day and to see the pictures of the port area. it looks pretty and cleaner than some other ports.

 

 

 

Thanks so much and glad you liked the pictures. I know they are building another mega cruise ship pier there and there was a mishap the week after. They destroyed a bunch of the coral and my dive shop was one of the groups that helped go out and assess the damage and try to help relocate some of the coral. So sad.

 

 

 

Loved reading this every day since you started it. Leaving 5/29 in the conquest and it's been 6 years since I have cruised.

 

Thanks!

 

 

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Thanks so much and have an absolutely amazing cruise after so long!!

 

Loved your review' date=' thanks for sharing! I was able to "sneak" some shells back on the Magic in Nassau. [img']http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/clear.png?emoji-smile-1742[/img]

 

Thanks and we always bring back shells and sand. Just for some reason people are saying no conch shells...and it just might be Grand Turk is the only place they are enforcing this. I'm not sure.

[eml30fan]

 

Do you know if you can book through the Cruise Line or do they have a website?

 

I don't know if the cruiselines offer it. We booked through the website.

[niccikatie]

Great review! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.

 

 

As far as saving the threads/printing them/etc - there is an option to at least get them to a .pdf. It strips the pictures to links, so I'm not sure it's exactly what you're looking for, but here it is. Go to "thread tools" right under the title of the thread. There's an option for "show printable version". This brings up the condensed version with pictures stripped (just links showing). Then, there is an option for "show 200 posts on one page" - click that. Then, you can print each page to .pdf - which ends up around an 80 page document each for each "page" (this thread has 4 pages, for example). Combine the page .pdfs and you have a thread archive in about 10-15 minutes. Much nicer formatting than copy/paste. I don't know that I'd print them into hard copy, that is A LOT of pages, but you would at least have them as an archive in .pdf for you/your family.

[oneboysmom]

Great review! We are sailing on the Conquest next year so was nice to have a first look at her. You take wonderful photo's and loved all your underwater ones. We did a snorkelling trip in Belize a couple of years ago and half way through, my underwater camera decided to die. I was devestated...saw the most beautiful sites ever and couldn't capture. But still have them all clear as day in my head at least!

Next adventure, come up to your neighbours north of the border, we'll welcome you anytime!!

[ABQrobin]

I know all about the airfare thing...we fly free on Southwest, too. Hubby travels for work so much we have more points than we can use up a year. Wish he got more vacation time.

 

Bonaire.... great great diving, but not much else to do there. You would for sure have to stay at a place with a pool for the kiddo. Food is very expensive to eat out, so most people get a condo with kitchen, go to grocery store, and buy food to cook themselves. That's what we do. We only eat out there once or twice a week, dinner service can take 2+ hours and we find the Dutch residents to be very off-putting. We have been there twice and seriously considering going back for a week trip. There is a new AI dive resort, Plaza, which would help us with the food thing. Think we might stay there instead of Buddy's, which we love except for the food thing. Anyhow, diving there is worth the hassle. Airfare there isn't cheap, but no more than Cozumel and Roatan for us.

 

Cozumel.... best diving in Caribbean, IMHO. Period, not even close elsewhere. But it is drift diving, and reefs are deeper, longer boat rides, etc. But it is a cheap destination for us, we stay at Scuba Club Cozumel, which is an all-inclusive. Very rustic little place, not fancy, no tv, small pool...perfect for us. Hubby is dying to go back there asap. I have to drag him out of the water to eat meals, then he is right back in the water.

 

Aruba....haven't been there, but SW does fly there.

Belize....ditto.

 

robin

[wenny101]

Another fantastic review! Your definitely one of the reviewers that I get excited to read. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences with us. I was all set to book the same tour at La Romana , but I'm rethinking if it's going to be worth it, ugh decisions,decisions... again Thank you for all the hard work that goes into these reviews.

[mitsugirly]

Forgive me if I missed the part about how the renovations looked when you got home, but I don't remember if you mentioned that or not....I could just be getting CRS in my old age!?!

 

Actually I don't think I did a follow-up on the progress of the room.

 

 

Within a few days he had the drywall up and was mudding.

 

 

After tearing out the ceiling, he extended it about 17-18' up and about 3-4' over top the doorway to make a "ledge" (more like a mini loft lol). When standing up on the ledge over the doors, it's about another few feet up over our heads. I'm doing a "ship" theme in the room. :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've been working hard to finish the painting and he's coming back over tonight to install all our white trim/baseboards etc. Then we can officially stop sleeping on the floor and move our things back in. Whew!

[mitsugirly]

I always say that I'm just one good stomach flu from my goal weight. Although since I turned 48, I might need two stomach flus....or a cruise like this, lol. Thanks for the review!!

 

 

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I'm pretty sure it would take me "many" flu's to reach mine. :D

 

 

You've mentioned this before (if you use a pencil you can erase)...I thought I'd mention that there are some drawing instructors & instruction books that encourage you *not* to erase. I would look into that. And if she *does* want to erase, I highly recommend using kneadable erasers.

 

 

Well I guess it's a good thing that she don't need the encouragement not to erase. She pretty much has that skill already. The kneadable erasers is what she has in this art set.

 

 

 

I, too, was on the same cruise, we loved it! Grand Turk...Jacks shack. La Romana, stayed on the ship to relax. Aruba..eagle beach. Curaçao.island tour and beach stop. Our mdr experience was the best of our 6 cruises. Our waiters had our sparkling water and wine waiting for us each night, and we were extremely happy with them.

Had a balcony on lido.loved the location! On the deck in a few steps. Loved guys burgers, and blue iguana burritos.

I would sail on the Conquest in a heartbeat. Loved everything about the ship and the itenerary!

 

Well hello there. Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

 

 

How did you like Eagle Beach? I would like to go there as well and will hopefully get to experience it on either a land vacation or another cruise.

 

 

Thanks for the review! You all are so much fun. I am looking at your tour for our upcoming stop in la Romana and am a bit turned off by the taxi situation and by the food/activity schedule. Not sure if we should just go for it or not. It doesn't seem like there is anything else to do there. Really we would just like a snorkeling excursion that lasts a couple of hours. Frustrating. Also, sorry to be nosy, but how did your house end up? I bet that ceiling looks great opened up. Thanks again.

 

Why thank you. I say just go for it if you are interested in Saona Island. It's very pretty there. Also take into consideration that it i possible that we didn't get to spend as much time there d/t us showing up so late. Remember, everyone else was "somehow" already there and ready to go (probably at the assigned time) and they were just sitting around waiting on us. So, it's possible that you just may normally get to stay longer. There is supposed to be excellent snorkeling there. It was just a nasty day and made the snorkeling non-existent. Do it, do it...then come back and let me know. :D

 

Thanks for asking about the room. I posted pics right above this.

 

 

Love your reviews--I've read them all! I found them before my parents and sister and I did a short NCL cruise a couple of years ago. My husband and I prefer other cruise lines, but I still love reading your reviews for your beautiful pics and your amazing writing voice. I feel like I'm there with your family and want to keep following the adventures! I agree with others that there should be a way for you to monetize your talent with free cruises, onboard credits, or something. You definitely bring people to NCL and Carnival.

 

By the way, I think you should name your little scuba figure "MITSCUBAGIRLY" !!! (-:

 

Thanks again for all of your hard work.

 

Thanks for being a follower and enjoying the reviews. I appreciate it. I open for suggestions on trying to "monetize my talent <---used that term very loosely since I'm not sure it's a talent and more like a struggle to be just a smudge "normal" so people don't think I'm off the deep end in my reviews. lol

 

Mitscubagirly is quite a mouthful. I really need to think of something though.

 

 

 

I'm ALWAYS late putting our luggage out but they always get it. Mine goes out by midnight. Next time don't worry. BTW until our last 3 or 4 cruises the time was always announced to be out by midnight.

 

 

Really? Maybe I should have did it, but there wasn't ANY out there and the halls were bare. I actually walked all the way down, about mid-ship to see if they had any of the doors open for the staff (where they usually pull the luggage in to the employee areas/elevators/steps and do everything behind the scenes) and there wasn't a sole. I was afraid of looking like an idiot that couldn't follow instructions. I do know that it wasn't midnight that they could be out there. I would have hit that deadline. It was either 10:30 -11pm.

 

 

Fabulous Review and now whetting the Appetite for my Conquest cruise this October 2017

Thank You !!!

panama

 

Thanks so much. Have a great cruise in October.

[Arzeena]

Excellent review as always Kim!

 

Managed to finish it in two sittings:D.......ignored everything else that came in my way!:D:D

The mermaid is lovely. She has grown up since your last review.

 

Where is your next cruise? What ship? Looking forward to going on the virtual journey, or who knows we may be on the same ship some day!

[Arzeena]

Fabulous Review and now whetting the Appetite for my Conquest cruise this October 2017

Thank You !!!

panama

 

Hi Gary and Pauline!

Remember you from the Dawn repo and looking forward to seeing you on another cruise. We booked a similar repo on the Gem from NY to NOLA for 2018.

[LuvCruiSun]

Thank you so much for this review and all the others! You're an amazing story teller and photographer. I love how you're giving Sakari the opportunity to experience such awesome adventures. She obviously has an exceptional gift for being adventurous as well as being a talented artist.

We were on the 6 day cruise right before yours and had an amazing time. We also went with Grand Turk Divers on the 2 snorkel stop. The guys name was KK, and I'm pretty sure that was the guy you went with looking at your pictures. He was was on time and waiting for us! We loved the first stop at the wall, but the other wasn't that great. After seeing your pictures, I wish we would of taken the excursion that included Gibb's Cay, that's ok though, next time. We had a great time, went back to the ship for a wonderful lunch at Blue Iguana and then spent the afternoon at the beach. Can't wait to hear about your next adventure!