Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises
Cruise Ship: Carnival Conquest
Cruise Destination: Western Caribbean on the Carnival Conquest
Dates of Cruise: November 21 - 27, 2002
Guest Contributor: Kevin
kb5sej@sbcglobal.net
Embarkation
Our family of 5 (mom, dad, twin boys age 10, and our little girl age 7) arrived around 1pm and the place was already packed. The port parking lot was already full and we had to park in a hotel parking lot at an expected rate of $20/day.


We waited about 30 minutes before we were signed and then passed to another desk down the hall where the keys/cards awaited us with virtually no waiting. The last step where you where corralled through four different areas (two waiting, one photo, and then security before we were able to board. Carnivals security system that takes your picture entering and leaving the ship (at ports) is pretty neat and quick.

Food Taste/Quality
We have sailed four times on RCCL and I guess we were spoiled. As I am writing this, we are at day 4 of our 7 day inaugural cruise and we have yet to have an "outstanding" meal from the dining room. (OK-the last night was a pretty decent meal.) The quality of food made us question whether we wanted to dress for dinner and go to the dining room or just go to the Lido deck for a good meal. The food in the outlying areas/lounges has been better than the offerings in the evening dining room. The Grill, Pizzeria and PC's Wok, and Lido deck buffets were all very good. I haven't personally tried Paul's Deli as of yet but I have heard good things onboard from others that it is well.

The Chocolate Extravaganza (2 complete buffet's of Chocolate on the last sea day, also on the Lido deck) was a big hit (and a long long line!) I didn't go to the Midnight Gala Buffet, and only heard one comment that it was "so-so" afterwards.

Dining room Service
Again here I assume that Carnival and RCCL are just in different classes when it comes to service. In the Renior dining room, we were NEVER offered anything other than water to drink. Although when I did ask for ice tea it was presented each evening. Our waiter complained that there was not enough work space for the staff and therefore they had a difficult time in serving us. I would say by day three they had worked out this problem and were serving in a timely manner. The Matre'd had a great voice? but we never saw him except standing at the desk when we entered the dining room. He never came around to the tables either while he was singing, or not. On RCCL, the Matre'D or Head Waiter usually shells anything that needs to be shelled (crab, shrimp, etc.) on the Conquest, I had trouble just getting my water refilled. Other areas service Like any other cruise we have been on the staff were polite, helpful and quick to clean up behind you. Drinks (water, tea, lemonade, orange and apple juice plus a hot chocolate machine that was a big hit) were self serve and spaced conveniently around the Lido deck (9). Room service was extremely quick the few times we utilized it. Although on RCCL the entire menu is available, the condensed room service menu suited our needs and the food was better than expected in any hotel I have been in.

Rooms
One word here. SPACE. Carnival did well on the rooms. We had two adjoining rooms on deck 2 (2319/2323). Adjoining rooms are only available on decks 1 and 2. No verandahs with adjoining rooms available on this ship. More storage space than we ever could use (three full size closets, cabinets, drawers everywhere). Nice size vanity areas and bathrooms (big shower). Multiple washer/dryers on each floor were very convenient ($2 wash/$1.50 30m Dry). Adjoining doors in a good spot to be out of the way when open. The few times we saw our cabin steward he was very friendly. Did a pretty good job everywhere. Probably left things alone that we wondered why the RCCL stewards were bothering our "stuff" by putting it away, rearranging it, etc. On Carnival, "Juicy" as I called him (couldn't pronounced his French name any other way) kept the cabin clean, everything stocked, and played with towels rather than my wife's nightgown which she cleverly hid.

Pools/Slide
Water slide was a big hit with the kids. There are four pools (that I saw) on board. And although they first appeared quite small, I never saw any of them really "full". On the last sea day for some reason they started trying to enforce height restrictions (46") on the slide which made my 45" 7 y/o swimmer very unhappy. The aft pool has a retractable roof and heaters so even on overcast cool days (and nights!) it is comfortable to sit on the deck or swim. The pool area is well designed and has a very nice amphitheater design stretching from the Lido deck (9) all the way up to deck 11.

Entertainment
One word: Fantastic!! Here we have not experienced much of the RCCL entertainment fare.

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