I don't usually write cruise reviews, but I am currently on my way home from Galveston, TX, where we left our dear Conquest this morning, and had to share our experience with others. There were 5 in our group, my husband and I along with our 12 year old son from Texas, and my parents from Oklahoma. We sailed 7 nights from Galveston on the Carnival Conquest that departed on August 31st. We began our trip two days early by driving to Houston, TX on Friday before departure and stayed 2 nights in LaPorte, TX at the LaQuinta. It was a clean and affordable hotel, close to dining and about 30 minutes from Galveston. We spent Saturday enjoying the beaches and shopping in Galveston and had a great dinner at Papadeux in Baytown where they also had a free admission fun park with rides, shops and restaurants right on the ocean. Sunday we arrived at the Carnival Cruise port at around 10:00 am, parked at Lot B and took the shuttle to the terminal. We were able to go right inside and proceeded through the check-in process quickly. While in the line to get our keys and sail-n-sign cards, the Carnival employees were handing out letters to all announcing that our original itinerary, Jamaica, Grand Cayman & Cozumel, was being changed to Progresso, Cozumel & Grand Cayman due to Hurricane Gustov traveling through the Gulf and having already caused great damage in Jamaica. After watching the weather for a few days before we left, we anticipated some sort of change and even worried a little that the cruise would be cancelled altogether. In no time at all it seemed, we were on the ship. Embarkation was a breeze and the Carnival staff on the Lido deck where we had lunch treated us as if they were as happy to serve us as we were to be there.

We were able to go to our rooms around 2:00 pm and some of our bags were already there (the rest arrived shortly after). My family of 3 had an adjoining ocean view room with my parents and really liked having what felt like one big space with two rooms. Our room steward, Tina, was fantastic. We never had to ask for anything and it seemed as though we would be gone for 15 minutes and come back to a perfectly cleaned room. She really took special care of us leaving very intricate towel animals and chocolates on our beds and tidying up our personal belongings.

For dining, we had asked for the main seating time. However, when we boarded we noticed they had us down for the late seating time. We went to see the Maitre D and he not only changed the time for us, but made sure we had the perfect table right by the window with the best view. Our waiter's name was Deddy and he was great! Even though we only dined in the main dining room, the Monet, twice all week, he let us know he missed us. We made reservations our first day for "The Point" supper club for two nights and must say that, though it's a nominal fee to dine there, it was definitely worth it. If you like to be treated like royalty on vacation and eat some of the best food in the world, you simply must treat yourself to this experience. Not even comparable to the dining in main seating ~ out of this world good. For breakfast and lunch we enjoyed the offerings on the Lido deck buffets, omelet station, pizzeria, grill and sandwiches. So much to choose from, so little time to try it all. Absolutely delicious. Read more