Anyone going on the Carnival Conquest - May 3, 2009 out of Galveston???

Question

Initially I was going with my boyfriend, however, he thought it would be fun to go with a group of people - well, only one of them has a girlfriend and the other two don't. I am so excited about this trip and I still have a year to wait, but I don't care - I am already putting my lists together for packing and such.

Answer 1

To connect with other people going on your same cruise, go to cruisecritic.com and click on boards, joining is free, then click on Roll Calls, find your cruise line, then your ship, then your sailing date. In Feb, we had about 40 people lined up for a sail away party!!! The Conquest is a kick butt ship.

Bon voyage!!!

Answer 2

I just got back from a cruise on the Conquest in January!  It is such a nice ship, but if you are not into drinking, you might find it hard to do something after the shows on board.  You will love your trip, my only suggestions are these....Take a sweater!  Of course we went in Jan so it was cooler on the decks, but still with the gulf breezes at night on deck I can imagine it gets kinda chilly...also the dining room and theatre tend to get kinda cool.  Avoid as much of exploring on your own in Jamaica.  Spend the money and take an excursion sponsored by Carnival.  (I am assuming you are hitting the same ports of MoBay, Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Caymans).  In Jamaica, stick to where the crowds are and DO NOT explore on your own..its gets pretty scary.  They haggle and follow you.  Its a poor country and that is very evident.  Also, stay away from the horseback riding exursion.  You ride down the side of a mountain, with NO saddle on untrained horses....you only ride through the water for about two minutes when a guide takes you in a circle then you are done.  Jamaica will be your worst port, though I heard the Rum factory tour and the Zip Line Tour was great.  Margaritaville was the best in Jamaica though..its about a $7 cab ride to there.  The rest of your ports will be BEAUTIFUL!  Grand Cayman is amazing and I would highly recommend the snorkel tour that we did there...one was above a reef and the other around and above an old ship wreck...so much fun, great guides....all around fun!  The shopping in Grand Cayman  is by far the cleanest, yet most americanized....but plenty of jewlery deals and safe places to eat!  Cozumel is the same, we spent our day shopping there...it gets kinda repetitive as the stores tend to be the same up and down, perfect place however, for buying pearls or just spending a day on the beach...plenty of safe restraunts to eat at too...but as the old adage goes, Stay away from the water...drink bottled everything!  Your ship is great, your cruise director, mark, will be awesome, so funny...so so funny...enjoy your trip...a cruise is really what you are willing to make out of it...

One other thing...dont overpack!!!  We were very guilty of this..lol...really take what you would on any other casual vacation, but be sure to include your formal wear, a sweater, and good walking shoes!  You can dress as low key or as elegantly as you like...but dont over think it...and dont overpack, you will be standing in line for a while for embarking and debarking so too much luggage will be a hassle!  Get a porter too on your way through customs, when unfortuently, your trip ends..it speeds up your line, but beware there arent alot of them.  Also, take ONE bag a person....preferabbly a rolling suitcase...these people are given priority debarkation and believe me...in my experince it was worth it.  Some friends did that and were on there way to their car in about an hour...we didnt and we sat in customs until 6pm....

Have fun!

Answer 3

I concur with MFDCW's comments...we took the Conquest in March, 07 and will be taking her again in June, 08.

Get to the port during the early phases of boarding.  Lines at the terminal can get quite long.  If you are parking at the port, plan to pay $70 for the week per car.  However, the the cost of everything going up, be sure to check the Port of Galveston webpage just prior to your trip to confirm the cost.

If you don't have your passports, go ahead and get the application process started.

Take along a power strip..the cabins only have 1 outlet.

Don't miss the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake in the dining room. It is great.

Carnival is a cashless system on board except for the casino.  You can open your account with a credit card or cash deposit.  If you use a cash deposit, be aware that Carnival charges your account for the tips ($10 per day per guest) the moment you step on-board.  So if your using cash, be sure to deposit enough money to cover tips and your spending money.

Take along a good supply of $1, 5 and 10's in US dollars for shopping in the ports and paying for local taxis.  

As MFDWC says...be careful in Montego Bay.  We did the horseback riding and it was really awful.  This year, we are taking the bus to Dunns Falls in Ochoa Rios.  If you want to shop in MB, there are shops in the port building.  

Don't buy any "questionable" items in MB.  A 14-year old boy got to stay behind with his Mom because the authorities caught him with a stash of stuff.

Skip the trip to h**l on Grand Caymans.  It sounds neat but it is really just a convenience store that sells $40 t-shirts that say I have been to h**l...any of the stingray advertures are fun.

You have to tender (ride the ferry) in Grand Caymans.  Plan to be back at the port in plenty of time to catch the ferry back to the ship.

Mark the handles of your luggage with bright yarn, ribbon or plastic marking flag tape (from the hardware store).  There will be a sea of luggage upon de-barkation and it can take forever to find your luggage if it is not clearly marked.