Just returned from a glorious week on the Carnival Conquest and couldnt wait to submit our review...wish we were still onboard. We are in our mid-50s and this was our 3rd Carnival Cruise in 20 months and the Conquest is, by far, the best cruise we have taken  SO FAR. Have taken Royal Caribbean and even the old Commodore. Talked to a lady that said she thought the Conquest had too much partying and fun going on all the time for her tastes -- LOL -- .but we like fun & she prefers the more subdued atmosphere of Princess  so immediately I decided to wait until we are VERY, VERY old to try Princess Lines. LOL

PARKING...We drove in from Louisiana to the Port Bolivar Free Ferry  shorter and with gas prices, why not? Use EZ Cruise Parking (ezcruiseparking.com) and reserve our space a month or so prior. They take you to the pier, luggage and all, in their vans  and you save $5 by reserving on the internet, $50 for the 7 day cruise. Right there when you get off to take you back to their lot. Talked to others who stayed in Galveston the night prior  hotel was approx. $149 per night  but included cruise parking and they shuttled them to and from pier  probably do that next time if we have the extra time to spend the night&but if not  will always use EZ Cruise Parking&.

BOARDING....We went through the cattle call getting on board  we werent on until 1:30PM, as the Conquest had elevator problems and the prior cruisers took longer to get off ship&no problem&excited, ready, and just being there was fine with us. It all went smoothly as soon as we started moving and never had to sit and wait. The normal pictures go fast and after the pictures you are moving onboard. They gave us a paper stating to wait 2 hours before going to our cabin due to the late arrival of the previous cruisers and cabins werent ready yet  we didnt listen  went straight to our cabin and it was ready and waiting for us Read more