WHILE THIS IS NOT TRUE 100% OF THE TIME . . . Whether or not you have a good time on your cruise depends mostly on your attitude. If you tend to focus on the bad (how much you're getting "nickel-ed and dime-d" OR how long the lines are OR how risque the shows are), then you will find your experience increasingly unpleasant. However, if you come aboard with an air of pleasantness and actually smile at the other passengers, at your own cruise buddies, and especially at all the many MANY folks who are working hard to serve you, then you WILL have a great time. This was the choice we made before we embarked.
We're a couple age 41 on our first cruise and celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. My hubby's wonderful parents stayed with our four children so that we could cruise. THANKS, NANA & PAPA!!!! EMBARKATION: We saw this over & over again on CC website: get there early! We arrived @ 10:30 and were on the ship within the hour. We parked at EZ Cruise for $50 for the week (paid for online). BRING LOTS OF SMALL BILLS FOR CONTINUOUS TIPPING: porters, drivers on excursions, captains on excursions, steward, basically anyone who encounters you--this surprised us--says "tipping appreciated". Also, BRING A SHRINK-WRAPPED BOX OF BOTTLED WATER. Just tape a printed luggage tag on it. You'll need this water often.
Once on board, we headed directly for Sur Mer and upon tasting, knew we were going to enjoy to next 7 days. We had a good hour or so before our room was ready at 1-ish, so we explored the ship. We were often taken aback as to how beautiful the Conquest is. The attention to detail is amazing. Be sure to notice all the different light fixtures.