Just back CONQUEST review 10-26/11-2

[dprg644]

Here is our review of our second Conquest cruise, October 26th to November 2nd. We drove down to La Porte on Saturday the day before our cruise and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. The motel was only a few miles from the cruise terminal so it was very convenient. After one last trip to Wal-Mart for some last minute items we were set. The next morning we went down for coffee and as I figured AlCouple (Ed and Rita) who by the way are very early risers were already there. We spent the morning breakfast talking to them and went to get ready to go to the terminal.

We arrived at the terminal at 11:00 am and it was very busy but we moved along nicely. Check in was easy and quick and since we were not the first cruise to sail from the terminal it appeared that they had fixed what problems they had. After check in and a short wait we were on board and eating at Sur Mers by 12:30. So from arrival, parking the car, check in and on the ship eating it was only 1 ½ hours. Having sailed from both Galveston and now Houston I think it went smoother this time. We met other cruise critic members at our sail away meet and greet from our roll call which was nice to put faces and names together. Thanks Scuba Mark for getting the locations and maps done for the meet and greets and big thanks to HOST MACH! Sail away was nice since muster was over and we were able to see us sail away from home port unlike our first cruise. We went to the see the Maitre D' right after sail away as we were suppose to have early seating and now had late seating and DW wanted a table for 2. We kept the late seating and got a table for two which was fantastic. After having both the early and late seating we will in the future always try for the late seating as it just seemed to work out better for us.

Monday was a good day at sea with the exception of some “rougher” seas but nothing a little Meclzine and ginger did not cure. We did our “big” meet and greet that Host Mach had worked out for us through Ralph the cruise director which again was nice to meet everyone. That evening we met the Captain and Ralph at the captains party and I told Ralph (cruise director) HI from Mach and in turn he gave DW and I a VIP seating for the night time show since we mentioned Mach’s name…..so thanks Mach just for mentioning your name we got reserved VIP seating.

Tuesday we woke up after a good night sleep as the ship was rockin-n-rollin which put me to sleep. Our room was 2230, OV and was a little noisy with the waves hitting the ship and splashing on the window. By the way I don’t think we would do an OV room again. For the money we will do either a balcony or interior room as after the first night there was so much salt crusted on the window you could not see anything anyway. We don’t spend a lot of time in the room any way so for us this time it was a little of a waist. We had an unknown medical emergency around 6:15 pm and we were told the ship was going to divert closer to land and drop the passenger off which we did. Not for sure what happened but hope that this person is doing well. After hearing about the “point” supper club we went ahead and made reservations since we never have done that before. I can honestly say that it was well worth every penny as the service and food was exceptional.

Wednesday we went horseback riding in Jamaica which was fun. The weather was great and riding horses waist deep in the ocean was an experience at the least! After some shopping we made our way back to the ship to watch everyone who had too much to drink stagger back to the ship. One female who had waaaay tooooo much to drink seemed to think she was still on the ship as she wondered from side to side after falling down a time or two making her way back to the ship. She would sway severally back and forth and did those big giant steps like your stepping over something except there was nothing there. She made it back to deck 10 somehow and shortly security came and got her.

Thursday we did the Atlantis submarine in the GC and it was truly beautiful as we dove to 100 feet and seeing the marine life was an experience. We did a lot of shopping as we love the Cayman’s. It did rain a little in the morning but we were on a cruise and away from work so everything was sunny in our world.

Friday in Cozumel we did the Dolphin swim which I believe was the highlight of the cruise excursions we did. The weather was perfect and after sending the morning at Chankanaab Park and swimming with the Dolphin’s we did some shopping. We docked at the newly built pier which I did not think the shopping in the area was as good as compared to where we docked last time. They are building up shops all around the pier so in a short time there will be much more shopping within walking distance. We docked right next to the Valor which was kind of cool. We did get an unexpected surprise when the Valor was going to set sail and they were waiting for a large group of passengers to get back from an excursion and were late when they blew the “big ship horn” which was something we always wanted to hear and never did until then. Yep loud and it did get everyone’s attention. This was our 1st Halloween cruise and let me tell you we had the time of our life that evening. The costume party and activities were a hoot! My side was sore from laughing so much. I can honestly say that was the most fun we had at any activity on either of our cruises. We are still laughing as we look through our photos.

Saturday our last day at sea so we just relaxed and enjoyed the remaining day of our cruise.

Sunday we docked early and did the self debarking which I have to say went very well. From the time we docked until we were driving on our way home was only a little over an hour. Customs was fast and easy, well it was for most of us as there was one guy that was being escorted off to some dark back room by 7, yes 7 customs agents.

Overall this was a great cruise and we enjoyed every minute of it. The sea was a little rough a night or two and it did rain a little in the Cayman’s but like I said we were on vacation, away from work and everything was sunny in our world. It is true a cruise is what you make it and we had the best time of our life. I have absolutely no complaints and it was everything we expected and more. We made some new friends and met some very fun and friendly people. However anytime you get a couple of thousand people together there is always a jerk or two and this cruise was no exception. The food was as good as it ever was and the service was exceptional. Our room steward was magical as no sooner did we leave our room as it was either cleaned or turned down when we got back. He was friendly and had it down to a science. He learned when our dining time was, our habits and made sure it was cleaned and turned down before we returned. The only thing I can think of was he was hiding somewhere or had some secret alarm on our cabin door because he was like a ghost, in and out without a trace. Our waiters were super and there was absolutely nothing I could complain about as there were on top of their game every night. They were very friendly, spent time with us talking and knew exactly what we were drinking and what our eating habits were from the first night. Our cruise director, Ralph…..well what can I say about Ralph. He was simply the best. I don’t know when I laughed so much other than at the Halloween party. If you get a chance to cruise with him you will have a ball. While on the ship we went ahead and put our deposit down for a future cruise which we know will be taking. It works out good as we put $100 deposit and since we sail 7 day cruises we get an additional $100 OBC and have to book within 5 years. No it will not take us that long as we are already looking at ships and itineraries and having post cruise depression. Oh yea one last thing, my sail and sign bill fit under the door and I only gained 7 pounds!

I know this is not as detailed as some reviews so please ask anything that I may have left out.

[crazycruzer68]

thanks! were thinking about sailing on the conquest next fall so this was some help. could you upload some pictures for me?

[rebeljohn]

Enjoyed your review..........Thanks for posting it..............

[honestokiechic]

Thanks so much for the review!!! We are packing now, as we sail on the Conquest in 13 days:D:D:D

I made a note in my book to pickup wings for Ralph in GC and to say hello to him from Mach:)

Can you tell me what shows are worth seeing? My boyfriend wants to go to the piano bar, but we were wanting to know the "must see" shows.

[baseball921]

It may not have been as detailed as others, but the smileys made it way better! I laughed harder at your smileys than I did at the story they were illustrating, they are awesome. My parents, DH and I sail away on Jan 11, my parents second cruise, mine and DH's first, so everything I see about the Conquest I eat up. Thanks so much!!

 

~Kristie:D

[SCUBA Mark]

Can you tell me what shows are worth seeing? .

 

We just got back from this cruise also.

 

As far as shows, I highly recommend the Wed and Fri shows.

 

On Wednesday, Lady Hellevi was worth the price of the cruise. She has a Circe D Sole type acrobat act combined with a magic act. She was amazing.

 

Here is a link to a u-tube video of her

 

 

On Friday, the juggler and ventriloquist were fantastic. The other shows with the Carnival Conquest Dancers and singers were great!

 

Here is a link to the ventriloquist, Marc Rubben's, web site

 

http://dummytalk.com

 

Enjoy

 

Mark

[Helo]

I agree. This will be my first cruise and we'll be going over new years. Any tips as far as shows go, would be phenomenal. Thanks!

[dprg644]

Thanks so much for the review!!! We are packing now, as we sail on the Conquest in 13 days:D:D:D

I made a note in my book to pickup wings for Ralph in GC and to say hello to him from Mach:)

Can you tell me what shows are worth seeing? My boyfriend wants to go to the piano bar, but we were wanting to know the "must see" shows.

 

I would agree with Scuba Mark on these:

 

As far as shows, I highly recommend the Wed and Fri shows.

 

On Wednesday, Lady Hellevi was worth the price of the cruise. She has a Circe D Sole type acrobat act combined with a magic act. She was amazing.

 

Here is a link to a u-tube video of her

 

 

On Friday, the juggler and ventriloquist were fantastic. The other shows with the Carnival Conquest Dancers and singers were great!

 

Here is a link to the ventriloquist, Marc Rubben's, web site

 

I thought the "point and click" was odd and this was the second time we watched it. We liked the magic act the best.

[dprg644]

thanks! were thinking about sailing on the conquest next fall so this was some help. could you upload some pictures for me?

 

What pics do you want to see? the ship, islands???? Let me know and I'll put some up.

[tgray69]

thank you for the review. we will be on the Conquest again in Feb.

[sappygirl]

thank you for the review. we will be on the Conquest again in Feb.

We will be on Conquest at the same time. Have you joined Roll Call?

[waiting4acruise]

Great review. It was nice meeting you at the Meet & Greet.

[tximprov]

Thanks for the review. I will be on her this sunday. After reading all the reviews, none of them get old. The sad part about posting a revies it means your cruise is over. :( But then you get to start a new countdown clock. :D

[divetrash]

Hi! Thanks for the review! I'm guessing that you didn't go into the piano bar at all. Could you check your capers and tell me who is listed for the piano bar? It would be listed as Sing along piano fun or Piano party probably, usually starting around 9 or 9:30.

 

Thanks!

 

Laura

[SCUBA Mark]

thanks! were thinking about sailing on the conquest next fall so this was some help. could you upload some pictures for me?

 

Here is a link to a bunch of pictures of the Conquest that I took early one morning last week. I walked all over the ship.

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=43pocn7.4t2bhnar&Uy=-lsikxo&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&localeid=en_US

 

Mark

[SCUBA Mark]

Could you check your capers and tell me who is listed for the piano bar? It would be listed as Sing along piano fun or Piano party probably, usually starting around 9 or 9:30.

 

Thanks!

 

Laura

 

On Wednesday from 8:30 PM - 1:30 AM, "Sing-A-Long Piano Bar with Paul"

[divetrash]

Thanks! You rock!

 

Happy Cruising,

 

Laura

[cruisin'4fun]

Thanks for posting the pics! I never get tired of seeing her! We are leaving in a few weeks for our third cruise on the Conquest. My DH Mark is also a diver and I was wondering if you had any recommendation for a dive operator in Cozumel. Or if you think the 2 tank dive trip through the ship would be an OK tour? I can no longer dive and he feels a little weird going without me, but I don't mind. He said he would like to find one that would let me go and snorkel while others dove. I could only find one like that - in Cayman - and we are already booked there with friends and family on a SC and snorkel catamaran excursion. So anyway, any input would be great! TIA!

P.S. Love the slide show in your sig line! :D

[liteyear]

Thanks for all the info. We were on the cruise and wish we would have met, because it was our first. BTW did you buy the DVD? We waited till the last minute and they were sold out. Can you believe. Love to get a hold of one. Looking forward to the next one.

[michelle2]

Thanks for the review! Did you guys have fruit punch on the lido???

[BlueC5Kitten]

We just got back from this cruise also.

Enjoy

 

Mark

 

Thanks for the tips on the shows! Since you scuba, which excursions did you do in the ports? Do you have a preference?

 

I'll be hitting the seas on the Conquest in a couple weeks and am interested in the available diving.

[BlueC5Kitten]

Here is a link to a bunch of pictures of the Conquest that I took early one morning last week. I walked all over the ship.

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=43pocn7.4t2bhnar&Uy=-lsikxo&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&localeid=en_US

 

Mark

 

BTW, Great shots! The side by side of the Valor and Conquest is great, since those are the next two ships I will be sailing!:cool:

[SCUBA Mark]

Thanks for posting the pics! I never get tired of seeing her! We are leaving in a few weeks for our third cruise on the Conquest. My DH Mark is also a diver and I was wondering if you had any recommendation for a dive operator in Cozumel. Or if you think the 2 tank dive trip through the ship would be an OK tour? I can no longer dive and he feels a little weird going without me' date=' but I don't mind. He said he would like to find one that would let me go and snorkel while others dove. I could only find one like that - in Cayman - and we are already booked there with friends and family on a SC and snorkel catamaran excursion. So anyway, any input would be great! TIA! [/color']

P.S. Love the slide show in your sig line! :D

 

I have been to Cozumel many times and it is hard to find a local dive operator with times that fit the cruise ship arrival and departure times. I have used local operators twice while on cruises and the people that went with the ship dive excursion had better dives than I did.

 

I go to Cozumel every summer for a week and use Dive Paradise but their departure and return times don't fit when the cruise ship is there.

 

Carnival uses Sand Dollar Sports and they do a good job on their dive trips. Last week, they went to Santa Rosa Wall and another site that I can't remember the name of.

 

Another option is to go to Chankanaab Park. It is right next to Chankanaab Reef. You can snorkel there and they also rent dive equipment and tanks so that your DH can do a shore dive. That is what we are going to do on our next cruise to Cozumel (next month).

 

Mark

[dprg644]

Thanks for all the info. We were on the cruise and wish we would have met, because it was our first. BTW did you buy the DVD? We waited till the last minute and they were sold out. Can you believe. Love to get a hold of one. Looking forward to the next one.

 

No we did not buy it as we purchased a lot of of our photos taken on the ship.

[dprg644]

Thanks for the review! Did you guys have fruit punch on the lido???

 

Nope they did away with it:mad: They did have different kinds of juices in the morning but after that it is tea or lemonade or of course a DOD.