Carnival Conquest Review
Don't get me wrong, it was a good value.
Rating by category
Additional details
I was just on my 7th Carnival cruise (1 each Princess, NCL and RCL) having taken a few years off and I can see that Carnival has tried to make things a little more relaxed, ex. not a tie in sight, not on the Maître 'D, the Captain, no where. Another change is in the room steward, in the past at arrival the room steward would introduce himself and ask about your needs ("an ice bucket each day, please") and he'd tell you his schedule and give you his phone number, this trip i didn't even learn the woman's name, "no room service menu?" The whole thing felt like a Days Inn stay, I like Days Inn, they serve a purpose and this did too, it was an inexpensive vacation to a sunny place, it's just not what it was.
Our first day at sea let me know what I was in for, 8AM Key West, done it before, so i figured I'd get a cup of coffee and survey the town from the deck and relax. Not here Good Morning America (?) is blaring on the Jumbotron, you couldn't escape it anywhere on the deck, it used to be the Jumbotron was for movies at night, during the day you go up on deck and chill, you've got to work hard to chill here. Second example, everybody jokes about the midnight buffet and on the previous boats I've been on they have a Mexican buffet at least one night, not this time. If you left the casino at 11 to go up and get a piece of cake and a cup of coffee you wouldn't find much there, maybe 2 coffee machines working, pizza and a deli sandwich... Once again less than you used to get
Smoking, I know I could have gotten a no smoking boat but i didn't think of it. The casino and good portion of Deck 10 stinks...deal breaker? You decide.
Cabin Review
Ocean View
I basically sleep here, I'd rather spend my time on deck so I usually book the least expensive ocean view, so as long as the bed is comfortable,it was, and the bathroom's clean, it was, I'm good
Port Reviews
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
$5 pp cab ride to Calico Jacks, no cover, the Royal Palms has a pool ,$2 cover and the drinks are more expensive... Don't let the cabbie talk you outta Calico Jacks, been there twice, should have gone the this time.
Key West
Grab your towels and go to Zachery Taylor State Park before going to Duval street, it's not a long walk, 20-25 min? through the Little White House area. $2.50 pp entrance fee. There is a concession stand to get a beer, $10 for a chair or just put your towel out and stare at the waves while the kids pick up coral, then hit the tourist area.
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Closest cruise port I've found to an airport, $20 cab ride for 4 people, well organized.
Cozumel
They must have had a storm because Carlos and Charlies has a lot less sand than it did when I was there the last time, but still, go there, the cabbie tried to get us to go to the place next door, $15 cover, same beach and there's no cover at C&C's and be sure to let the cabbie know that it's $17 for 4 not per couple before you get in the cab.