Can someone compare/contrast Conquest v. Spirit class ships for me?

[MamaParrotHead]

We've previously sailed Valor and Triumph, and are looking at Miracle. Can someone compare/contrast the three classes of ships for me? It's hard for me to fathom Promenade on the 2nd deck and the only OVs onboard on the Riviera deck. I'm having some visualization issues, LOL.

[NCTribeFan]

I sailed Miracle in December 2007 and Glory in May 2008.

 

Miracle was my largest ship at that time. I'm a real fan of the Fantasy-class, simply because I know them well, and I really don't have any need for "bigger/newer/more bells & whistles."

 

What I have a need for is cheap cruising that gets me to lovely locations!

 

I enjoyed Miracle very much. I loved the layout. It was very easy to navigate, never felt very crowded, and didn't seem all that huge. I did get turned around in the buffet the first day, as everywhere you turn, there are just hundreds of the stupid little Horatio statues, and it's a bit difficult to tell which direction you're heading.

 

I thought the decor in the Bacchus was truly hideous.

 

I say these things noting that, in the past, I've never paid much attention to the decor. But as I've stated in other threads, it isn't the colors or the theme so much as it is Farcus' overuse of the items that he uses to get the theme across.

 

I'm sailing Miracle again in December (4 sea days with an aft (non-wrap) balcony).

 

I liked it so much, I was going to book Legend for my Western Caribbean, but I ended up booking Glory instead.

 

I was afraid Glory would be way too much ship with way too many people. While I did feel like I was spending forever walking the ship, it didn't seem as crowded as I expected.

 

Glory was much more subdued - color-wise - than Miracle.

 

I don't hang around the main pool areas, but didn't care for the stadium seating layout. I didn't go to a single show in Glory.

 

I think there's way too much made about the galley blocking Decks 3 & 4. The galley blocks a deck on Fantasy-class ships, too. You just know that and go toward the aft stairwell if you want to get to the aft areas. I just don't know why people make such a big deal about it. Oh well.

 

I loved the Fish and Chips.

 

I loved the aft adults-only Orpheus pool on Miracle. The kiddies were chased out of the pool. :)

 

The steaks on Miracle were nearly inedible. I think we just had a bad week.

 

I pay next to no attention to CDs, but, again, I don't "do" a lot of the activities. Sea days are for relaxation; port days are for exploring.

 

The casino on Miracle was much kinder to me than Glory.

 

We did use the spa pool on Glory, and loved the big window in the sauna.

 

Had my only balcony to date on Miracle (7192) and while it was great, I really didn't think I got that much for my money, as we only had 2 sea days. I had absolutely no problems going back to an inside on Glory (2342), but then, I love inside cabins. The prices are fantastic and I love it pitch black when I'm sleeping.

 

I'll be in Victory in 3 weeks, and will give a thorough review. I know there are differences between Triumph class and Conquest, but they appear to be minimal. I'll miss not having a Fish & Chips, but with a port every day, I really don't expect to be onboard at lunchtime, anyway. The big TV doesn't interest me, but it may DD (turns 23 in a couple of weeks).

 

Hope this helps!

[MamaParrotHead]

It does help, and thank you so much for taking the time to make such a long and detailed comparison. :) Sounds like we cruise similarly...CD's I don't pay attention to, and the Conquest layout isn't a big deal to me either.

 

As for the Bacchus dining room, I've seen pictures and it's comparable, to me, to the Valor dining room, which appears to have been hosed down with Pepto Bismol and have large spiders hanging from the ceiling where chandeliers should be, LOL. ;) Plus, I usually spend my time there eating and talking, decor there is no biggie for me.

 

Thanks for the input!

[NCTribeFan]

Not sure I could eat with spiders hanging over my head! ;)

 

I know a lot of people only want to sail the bigger, newest ships. My priorities are: itinerary, price, ship - in that order.

 

Still, being on a nice ship doesn't hurt! I just won't pay more to sail the latest.

 

I'm so excited about my upcoming Victory cruise, but that's because I love San Juan and the only port I've been to is St Thomas. Seeing all those Southern islands is going to be wonderful.

 

And while I did really like Miracle, I'm mostly going because I want to see Panama and Costa Rica (and Belize again). The fact that I'll be on a ship I really like is just an added bonus.

 

If the itineraries for Pride were more appealing, I'd love to sail her now that she's on the east coast. But paying the prices to "just" go to the Bahamas doesn't make sense to me. I can drive a couple of hours more and sail to the Bahamas from Jax for a fraction of the price (and get back to HMC!).

 

I really wish they'd put a Spirit-class ship in Charleston. They would have the speed to do an 8-day exotic Eastern itinerary, alternating with a 6-day Bermuda. Oh well. Maybe some day!

[MamaParrotHead]

My priorities are the same...I just can't jump on the bandwagon of some folks who's theory is that if you don't like the port, stay on the ship. I save for 2 years to take a cruise...and spend almost a whole day flying to and another flying FROM the port...I'm going to make the most of my cruise! :)

 

That's one of the reasons as much as I'd love to do a southern route (the one that the Destiny USED to do), I just can't make the jump to sign on for that many port days...I'd be cranky and exhausted halfway through the cruise! Our past two cruises have only had 3 port days, and we've been pleasantly ready to crash in bed about 11:00 every night...I'm trying not to be scared of what an additional port day (plus adding kids to the mix for the first time) will bring. :eek::o

 

My biggest hope for this cruise is that the kids enjoy the trip (and crossing my fingers they get into snorkeling ;), as DH and I LOOOOOOOOOOVE it). I cannot WAIT to see their faces when they see the ship. :D They're really good travellers and really "adaptive" kids, LOL...I know they'll be fine. And I honestly just enjoy spending time with my kids...I hope to show them many new and interesting things, and pass on my love for travel and experiencing new cultures and appreciating the places we go and people who live there.

[travelwitch23]

Here's my two cents worth.

 

I have sailed on the pride, legend (2x) and the valor, glory, freedom.

 

My fav ship in the fleet is the pride due to the renaissance "art" (and know I am using this term loosely:) and the feeling of intimacy on the ship from the furnishings/colors.

 

Compare: The promenade on the conquest class is great for doing scrapbooking on the couches and tables that line the promenade of casinos, shops and bars. Lots of people come by to chat and find out what you are doing and you make lots of friends there. It is my fav class for scrapping.

 

The promenade on the conquest does ok with the piano bar (great location right by the aft stairway) but my fav is the disco. It is just a fun place especially with the whole family. The disco on the spirit class is chopped up into two floors and just doesn't have the same fun feel. The piano bar on the spirit class is not well located and even worse on some ships it doubles as the cigar bar!!!:eek:

 

As far as shows go I haven't been on a carnival cruise that didn't have first rate entertainment. The show lounges aren't much different either. Love the lobby bars on both but my favorite place to hang out is the little bar with the wooden dance floor on the spirit class. THere is usually a great phillipino band playing until late and thats where I spend the big bucks after the late show.

 

I prefer the spirit class simply because it is easier to navigate, the back pool is quiet and has make your own sundaes a couple of days.

 

You will have a blast on either class. Hope you and your family enjoy yourself!!

 

kim:)

[NCTribeFan]

I would really love to see Carnival build more ships along the lines of the Spirit class, but it won't happen. Just about everyone seems to love them, but it's just big, bigger and biggest now (yes, I understand about economies of scale).

 

Another thing - DD & I are both asthmatic, and have had problems with the smoke on Fantasy-class ships (I would lose a lot more in the casino because I'd stay longer if I could breathe!).

 

Miracle had much, much better air quality. We spent a lot of time in the sports bar, even. We'd get our sushi as an "early" appetizer, take it in the sports bar, and sit and watch some futbol. I was never bothered by smoke unless someone was sitting directly next to me, and that is rare. I didn't even have a problem in the smoking section of the casino.

 

Then, on Glory, it was again horrendous. Don't know if it is because of the ship layouts (Fantasy isn't all that different from Triumph/Conquest other than the size), or if the Spirit class just uses a totally different air filtration system.

 

I'm mildly concerned about exhaustion on Victory. I've booked an island tour type of excursion every day. Some are 1/2 day; a couple are full day. I've avoided the activity types and some incorporate some beach time.

 

I plan on doing some walking around OSJ on Sunday before we board, but I used this as an excuse to book two post-cruise days at the Marriott Stellaris, so I can recuperate from my vacation. I'm sure I'll be so excursioned-out when we get back to OSJ that even I won't want to do any more sightseeing.

 

Another reason why the Miracle next December will so nice - aft balcony, 3 ports (2 new), and 4 sea days. I'll have plenty of rest time on that one (if my crazy Roll Call friends don't keep my out partying every night). :D

[momofzeke]

Some of this is duplicate information, but here goes:

 

Comparison of Conquest class and Spirit class ships:

 

I have been on 1 Conquest class ship, Valor, and 2 Spirit class ships, Pride and Miracle. Had an excellent cruise on all 3 ships, and loved each ship. Spirit class is my favorite, though.

 

Conquest class is larger, more passengers. It felt more crowded to me than Spirit class ships.

 

Spirit class has only 1 dining room. You can walk from front to back of the ship on any deck, all the way through. On Conquest class, there are 2 dining rooms. In order to get around one of the dining rooms, you have to go up and around on a higher deck......can't walk all the way through because the dining room blocks your way. Not a big deal, but just takes some getting used to.

 

I prefer the layout of the Lido pool areas on Spirit class. It is one flat deck, whereas Conquest class has a tiered deck. The Aft pool area on Spirit class is also just one flat deck, where you can walk right to the railing of the ship and look out at the water. On Conquest class, the pool area has an open roof but there are windows on the sides. To get to the open deck and railing, you have to go up one deck from the pool/bar. Not as much room up there either.

 

Conquest class has the big outdoor movie screen on Lido deck by the main pool. It also has a fish and chips station. Spirit class does not have either of those things. I didn't really like the movie screen that much, I thought it was loud and I'm not much of a movie buff. I don't like fish. But if either of those things are important to you, Spirit class does not have them.

 

Some people feel that the night life is better on a Conquest class ship because all the bars/clubs are on one level, where the Spirit class has them more spread out on 2 different levels. Personally, I didn't really notice any difference but we spend quite a bit of time in the casino and Piano Bar, and don't really do the dance club or karaoke.