Just returned from the 12/16 - 12/23 trip on CONQUEST. This was DW and my first cruise (excluding all those CG voyages). I wanted to post to comment about much of what I read here before sailing. BTW, thanks to all for many helpful hints I found here first.

EMBARKATION - Quick. Arrived around noon, parked at Lighthouse Parking and was aboard by 1:30. We were Skippers Club so it went a little quicker than normal.

CABIN - We booked a Cat 11 Suite for first trip (I want DW to want to go again :) Cabin could not have been better. Only complain was that the balcony door did not seal very well and with high winds there was a constant howling sound. I loved it. We were starboard side, winds were 20+ knots out of the east. I don't think balconies on the port side were used much the first two days; otherwise, balconies are the way to go. Read more