Conquest 1/9/05-1/16/05 Review (PART 3)

[SxyEbnyFem]

First Sea Day

 

It was too windy & chilly for me to be sporting a bikini. We hung out on deck with our pals, though. Didn’t matter much we didn’t have loungers near the pool. I liked where we were – a few levels up. We could easily see all the activities & hear the music. During the Hairy Chest Contest, I tipped two older gentlemen. One was 75; the other was in his 80s. They were pals. The crowd loved it & I think it made those old men feel young again. It was just too funny. After the contest, the 75 yr old came up to us & introduced his wife. They both said that was the best laugh they had in a long time.

 

 

 

Second Sea Day

 

It was a bit warmer, so I sported the bikini. Yes, I wore a thong bikini, but did have see thru shorts to cover the bottoms (for all you conservative people!). I entered the Survivor game. Everyone around and near the stage kept urging me to take off the shorts. Pervs! There were water challenges & I can’t swim! It was a good laugh, though. HA! Anyhow, out of 8 people, I was 3rd to the last to be voted off. I got a little ship trophy, not the one on a stick, either.

 

 

 

Montego Bay

 

Around 11am, we took a taxi with some pals we met on the ship to Sunset Beach Resort. I was feeling generous & paid for the whole taxi there for everyone. Just gave the cabbie $20. He seemed really pleased. At the resort, they collected our S&S cards and $20. Wasn’t a bad time spent having drinks & food included. We strolled along the beach. The water was a good temp, not too cold at all. We lounged on the beach for a while, and then went near the pool for some games. I won a t-shirt playing music trivia. We all met at the designated time & headed back to the pier around 4ish for some shopping, then got back on the ship. Everyone headed to our cabin, we poured some champagne, toasted Jamaica, watched as people got back onboard & saw the band full of kids play. We had tipped them before we got back on the ship, but we also threw more cash wrapped with a rubber band down to them. (Side note: We weren’t haggled at all. I have always liked Jamaica as I have been there several times, but Negril is my favorite spot.)

 

 

 

Grand Cayman

 

We opted to stay onboard at this port, so we slept in late. I am really glad we did. We watched people tender off & those boats were a-rockin’! I would have freaked out or gotten sick, or both! We had brought along some games, so we went down to the Artists’ Lobby & played them for a while. It was a nice lazy day. It was good to catch up on some rest. We napped until it was time to get ready for dinner. (That night, we had heard how many people had gotten sick from the tenders & how some thought it was not only a hassle, but dangerous to get on & off.)

 

 

 

Cozmuel

 

Definitely our favorite port by far! DBF signed up to do the beginner’s scuba diving. He didn’t have the time to get certified before we left, but still wanted to see the ocean. I encouraged him to do so, even though I wasn’t going to dare go. He booked through the ship & said there were just 4 other ppl on the excursion. He enjoyed his guide & the experience very much. He purchased two photos from his experience. He also took along a water camera he purchased right before we got off the ship. I am looking forward to seeing those pics as well.

 

 

 

DBF didn’t like the fact I was going to be walking alone to the place where you meet the cabs, much less taking a cab alone, but I assured him I’d be alright. Besides, there wasn’t much time for him to walk me there & be back in time for his excursion. I am a tough cookie! Reluctantly, we parted ways. I walked to the cab meeting place & no one bothered me at all. Lots of people. Once there, I waited for a bit to see if I could overhear anyone going to Paradise Beach. Luckily, I ran into Kelli & Jeremey (Kelli is a CC member I chat with) and we shared a cab. They went to Chaba something or other & were dropped off first. My ride to Paradise Beach was about 10 min & all went well. Cab ride there was $12.

 

 

 

Once there, I tell ya, the friendliest staff you could ever meet. The weather was hot & the drinks were ice cold! (Whoever told me to try the Tidal Wave – icky! The worst drink I have ever tasted in my life!!!)

 

 

 

DBF met me there around 1:30pm. He was a sight for sore eyes. He had this glow about him. I listened to his scuba experience. Such a shame I missed out on it. He had a really good time.

 

 

 

Went to the bar to eat lunch. We order chicken nachos supreme. I tell ya, the best chicken nachos I have ever eaten in my life! Yummmmmmy!! He agreed, too.

 

 

 

We met Paradise Tom & chit chatted for a while with him, Kristen & Mike. He’s a hoot. Easy on the eyes, too, if ya know what I mean! He & his staff are just the friendliest people I have ever met while traveling, period. (If I were to do a land vacation in Cozumel, I would definitely plan to go to Paradise Beach at least twice!)

 

 

 

We left shortly after having lunch go do some shopping together & found some really great deals, too. It was nice to spend time alone with DBF.

 

 

 

The Last Sea Day

 

The last sea day was a bit chilly, so we stayed inside most of the time. It was sad to walk around & look at everyone’s face. Hardly any smiles anywhere. LOL. No one wanted to go home! We also backed this day, too. We managed to get it all done before dinner. Be sure to keep some clothes out to wear the next day, since you do put your luggage out the night before to be picked up.

 

 

 

Formal Nights

 

Everyone on the boards was right about the second night being more formal than the first. We dressed to the nines for both nights. I am glad we did. DBF sure looked good in his tuxes! We had some fabulous pictures taken, too. Captain’s party was fun and the drinks were flowing. It was good to know that we could walk up to the bar to order whatever drink we wanted.

 

 

 

Entertainment

 

We didn’t see any of the Vegas style shows. We did catch two comedy shows. Whoever said that Phat Cat was from ‘Last Comic Standing’ is mistaken. It isn’t the same Phat Cat. Anyhow, we didn’t find his humor to be all that amusing nor entertaining. (Could it have been the race jokes? I am sure it was! His show sucked!)

 

 

 

We also saw the R&B singer who was pretty good.

 

 

 

Vincent’s Lounge is where we spent a lot of the nights for karaoke. Sarah, the hostess, was a great choice for this job. She is simply delightful. I miss her!! Karaoke was great fun; however, I do have two complaints about it. First, why don’t they have it in a bigger lounge? It was packed almost every night, standing room. Second, why do they only have it for a couple of hours? Seems as if since it is a popular thing for the cruisers, they would have longer hours at least until midnight.

 

 

 

Listened to a band at Degas Lounge, next to Vincent’s. They were alright. Practically no one was in that big lounge. They should switch karaoke into that room instead!

 

 

 

First couple of nights, Henri’s Disco was packed & played some great tunes. We definitely warmed up the dance floor a few times during the week!

 

 

 

The talent show was fun to watch.

 

 

 

Casino

 

Gambled a bit. Won $80 playing Craps. Spent some time playing the slots & blackjack, but wasn’t as lucky. Neither was my DBF. A few of our friends in our travel group won some cold cash, though. The most was $1600 from a slot machine! Sheesh!

PART 4 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=124925

[Denim]

Oh boy, your guy is already hooked on the SCUBA, Tinka. My DH came back to the ship on a high. The diving there was no comparison to Cayman, and it stood up to all the Cozumel diving that he'd done in the past. I know that this guarantees me a trip back to Coz, someday. ;)

[ConquestMike]

I was on Conquest the week before you guys and your crowd seems so much more fun than ours was...still had a great time though but I think our Cruise Critic crowd couldnt match yours especially since only 2 of us showed up LOL anyways, I tried the beginners scuba in Cayman and really enjoyed it but had the jitters for a little while, I kind of think my Instructor, I was alone, rushed through things too fast and had me doing things before I was prepared, especially when she wandered a good 30 tards from me in 20 to 30 foot water and a hundred yards from shore,,,I had not seen another review where others tried scuba for the first time so was glad to see others did it as well and was wondering if their Instructors were a little more Professional thjan mine, It was Great, will do it again when I can and have lots of neat photos from underwater but know I didnt get my moneys worth after losing faith in my Instructor,,Is it me or is a guy from Chicago supposed to feel completely comfortable in 30 feet of water scuba diving for the first time. Should take her in my element to the south side of Chicago and walk 50 yards from her and see how she feels LOL She scared the bleep out of me, if something happened there is no way she could get there quickly to help,,,did your partners have any of this happen to them?? anyways on to part 4 LOL

[SxyEbnyFem]

Oh boy, your guy is already hooked on the SCUBA, Tinka. My DH came back to the ship on a high. The diving there was no comparison to Cayman, and it stood up to all the Cozumel diving that he'd done in the past. I know that this guarantees me a trip back to Coz, someday. ;)

 

Merrilee - Yes, girl, he is hooked! He is already talking about taking off in the summer to go scuba diving in FL. Hey, I am game! I really need to learn how to swim first, though. :rolleyes: Sheesh! Yeah, I think him liking scuba diving in Cozumel guarantees me a trip back to Cozumel as well - perhaps a week long trip! Oh, yeah!! LMAO!

 

 

I was on Conquest the week before you guys and your crowd seems so much more fun than ours was...still had a great time though but I think our Cruise Critic crowd couldnt match yours especially since only 2 of us showed up LOL anyways, I tried the beginners scuba in Cayman and really enjoyed it but had the jitters for a little while, I kind of think my Instructor, I was alone, rushed through things too fast and had me doing things before I was prepared, especially when she wandered a good 30 tards from me in 20 to 30 foot water and a hundred yards from shore,,,I had not seen another review where others tried scuba for the first time so was glad to see others did it as well and was wondering if their Instructors were a little more Professional thjan mine, It was Great, will do it again when I can and have lots of neat photos from underwater but know I didnt get my moneys worth after losing faith in my Instructor,,Is it me or is a guy from Chicago supposed to feel completely comfortable in 30 feet of water scuba diving for the first time. Should take her in my element to the south side of Chicago and walk 50 yards from her and see how she feels LOL She scared the bleep out of me, if something happened there is no way she could get there quickly to help,,,did your partners have any of this happen to them?? anyways on to part 4 LOL

 

Awwww, Mike - Sorry to hear only 2 of the CCers showed up at your meet & greet. I thought your roll call board seemed lively. Guess not afterall, eh? :cool: I am glad I got the chance to meet those I chatted the cruise up with. It was great to put faces to the typing, ya know? Met some really truly nice people, some whom I will remain in contact with for a while, I am sure. As far as the beginner scuba, my DBF said it was an awesome positive experience, one he will never forget. He didn't feel uncomfortable at all, but then again, he's been a lifeguard for several years during the summer. I hope your next scuba experience goes a lot better for you. And you should definitely try it again! :)

Happy sailing,

T.

[Denim]

Tinka, I have no desire to scuba dive, myself. I live vicariously through DH on that. I'm such a chicken. You should've seen me at the Dolphin Encounter. I'm a weirdo with water. :rolleyes:

 

Mike, have you considered taking scuba lessons right there in Chicago? DH did his training in an indoor pool, then went on the open water dives in the river. He was here at home in North Dakota before he ever got to experience the crystal clear waters of the sea.

 

Sorry that your experience was too rushed. Since you were the only one, you'd have thought that the teacher would have been more patient. :cool:

[ConquestMike]

Oh Yeah, I will do it again in a heartbeat, I know there are good instructors and bad ones, its just when they say Beginners I really thought that is what they meant,,,what hapeened was we were in 30 feet of water, my mask filled with water which got in my nose, so now Im there with a runny nose due to the water so I couldnt clear my mask but being I only had 15 minutes experience at this time I would inadvertently try to breath through my nose which caused panic to set in since i was just starting to get used to using the mouthpiece only, I dont think they should take people out far until breathing using the mouthpiece is second nature, Im sure your SO's will know what I mean...we have a scuba school 10 minutes from me so next time I will take classes before going to get used to all there is to do when Scuba Diving, wont let one bad experience turn me off and loved what I did get to do, just once the panic set in I only wanted to get back to shore and actually had to insist to the instructor that we go back