After much deliberation we once again decided to try Carnival and we booked online thru Carnival for a "7 day" western Caribbean cruise. I drove to Galveston and had my car parking taken care of by EZ Cruise Parking. They have shuttle service to and from the cruise terminal. If you use them you will definitely require porter service upon arrival as their shuttle is the last in line at the terminal.
No cruise is without faults and this one was no different. Our entry to the ship was accomplished professionally and without too much problem. Regardless of your arrival time you will wait in line for at least two hours. We arrived early and because the cabins were not yet ready for occupancy we were served our first meal aboard in the Lido Dining Room. We were allowed to go to our room two hours after our on ship entry. Our luggage was waiting at the door. We had a balcony (856 balconies on Conquest) and I wouldn't travel without one as the interior rooms are dark, clammy and bad smelling. The room itself was wonderful. The bathroom was more than adequate and met my expectations. My only room complaint was that on the little room table there was some dried (but sticky) coca cola on it. Everything else worked properly and the room stewards did an outstanding job.
We chose early dinner seating and were assigned to the Monet dining area. Our waiter, Peter, was fast and efficient. The food was nothing less than excellent! You have a choice of sit down and be served dining, a buffet dining area (the Lido) or 24 hour pizza and hamburger stalls. There is also a sandwich area which stays open till 11 at night. Ice cream machines also abound round the clock. I DO NOT RECOMMEND PURCHASE OF DRINK CARDS. They cost $49 and you have to drink five a day to stay even. Only one coke allowed at a time.