Conquest-September 26, 2010

[waiting4acruise]

Conquest Crazies Too-September 26, 2010

This is our second Crazies Cruise with Host Mach. He is a wonderful host. This is our 6th cruise on the Carnival Conquest and 10th overall (first Platinum cruise) on Carnival. I am 49 and my DW is 46. We were in balcony cabin 7376.

We arrived at the Galveston terminal via the hotel shuttle around 10:45am. This was our first VIP embarkation in Galveston. There were not many people at the terminal when we arrived. VIP embarkation was quick and easy. My only comment on this the split off VIP and regular line does not occur until you are upstairs and go through a maze. This was not a problem this year as the line was short. Last year this part of the line was very long and would defeat the purpose of VIP embarkation.

Our Room Steward was great. He kept our room spotless and when we saw him in the hall called us out by name and asked how our day was.

We did Anytime dining. I have few comments about this. The Anytime on the Conquest is in the Renoir dining room. You enter on the lower level in the lobby deck 3. This is by the forward elevators. This was a little convenient for us as our cabin was located between the middle and aft elevators. Dinner on Lido deck was located on the rear buffet lines by the rear elevators. As a result and a few times we did not feel getting dressed up for dinner we ate in the MDR only 3 times. When we ate in the MDR the food was great. My suggestion would be that you be allowed to enter the Renoir via the back door which leads to the middle elevators. On previous cruises when we had early dining we were able to do this.

We had bad weather Tuesday night and Wednesday. As a result we missed the port of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The weather was nasty Wednesday morning and we encountered 60MPH winds. The Captain made 3 attempts in trying to get to the terminal. This terminal holds only one cruise ship and the channel is very narrow. From our balcony we could see the wind blowing the ship off course as we tried to enter the channel. The Captain made the right decision.

The next day we were supposed to tender in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The weather was nice, but the seas were still high. The Port Authority closed the port. This was my 6th call to GC and the first time we missed it. I guess our luck ran out. Around 10:30am a letter was delivered to our stating that we would get our port taxes back. The letter also stated because we missed 2 ports there would be an open bar between 4:30-6:00pm. That was a nice gesture from Carnival even though they were not obligated to do so. To top it off the letter also stated that we would be getting 20% off a future cruise taken within the next 2 years.

Apparently this did please some passenger, who were mainly first time Carnival cruisers. I can understand them being upset for missing these 2 ports. I was on the Ecstasy last year that missed all Mexican ports because on the Swine Flu and this 5 day cruise turned into a cruise to nowhere. The actions that these people did were out of line. They attempted to pass a petition around falsely claiming that if they signatures of 55% passengers that they would get money off of this cruise. And to top it off some went to Guest Services to remove the auto tips from their Sign and Sail cards. I guess they felt the Room Stewarts and Waiters were responsible for the bad weather and missing ports.

The next day was Cozumel. It was a beautiful day. About 50 of us Crazies went to Nachi Cocom Beach. It was the first time there. It was great.

One thing new Carnival has added was the Punchline Comedy Club. This was the first time we had this on a cruise. The Conquest had 2 comedians Monday and Tuesday and another 2 comedians Friday and Saturday. Kim Harrison and Marc Reuben were great.

[LovesAllTravel]

I think last week was just a bad week to be in the Western Caribbean.

 

I was on the Triumph that sailed from NOLA the day before you sailed. We were scheduled to go to Belize, Honduras and Cozumel. We had two gorgeous days at sea, then arrived in Belize on Tuesday. It was overcast but dry. The previous rains from TS Matthew caused the caves to be closed so no cave tubing but all other excursions went on as scheduled. We skipped Honduras on Wednesday -- and, like your cruise, was a very rough and stormy day. We got an extra sea day that day as we made our way north to Cozumel. We were in Coz on Thursday--what a gorgeous day we had there.

 

So, yes, our Triumph cruise ended up being a 7-day cruise to Cozumel (with a brief stop in Belize). You're right -- its the luck of the draw. Complaints on our cruise were generally from first-timers. Veteran cruisers just go with the flow and hope the weather is better the next time around. You also take a risk choosing to cruise in the height of hurricane season. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. I didn't let it affect my vacation -- yes, I was disappointed -- but it wasn't the end of the world. There's always next time :rolleyes:

[kansas kruiser]

:cool: Good start to a good review G!!:)

[firefly333]

The announcement said 60 to 70 knots of wind, so Im not sure the winds were 60 mph. I think a bit less??

 

I always enjoy seeing you and Barb. Glad she had a run of luck for a while in the casino, but that one armed bandit got her in the end I think. A friend from bridge told me she went to Shataw (sp) OK while I was gone and won $4000!!! She is still so happy.

 

Im looking for my letter of the 20% for my PVP, I might need a copy of yours.

 

Im sure you minded those 7 drinks during the open bar. I love white russians.

[wrp96]

The announcement said 60 to 70 knots of wind, so Im not sure the winds were 60 mph. I think a bit less??

 

1 knots = 1.15077945 mph

 

so 60 to 70 knots of wind would be 70 to 80 mph.

[kansas kruiser]

I think last week was just a bad week to be in the Western Caribbean.

 

I was on the Triumph that sailed from NOLA the day before you sailed. We were scheduled to go to Belize, Honduras and Cozumel. We had two gorgeous days at sea, then arrived in Belize on Tuesday. It was overcast but dry. The previous rains from TS Matthew caused the caves to be closed so no cave tubing but all other excursions went on as scheduled. We skipped Honduras on Wednesday -- and, like your cruise, was a very rough and stormy day. We got an extra sea day that day as we made our way north to Cozumel. We were in Coz on Thursday--what a gorgeous day we had there.

 

So, yes, our Triumph cruise ended up being a 7-day cruise to Cozumel (with a brief stop in Belize). You're right -- its the luck of the draw. Complaints on our cruise were generally from first-timers. Veteran cruisers just go with the flow and hope the weather is better the next time around. You also take a risk choosing to cruise in the height of hurricane season. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. I didn't let it affect my vacation -- yes, I was disappointed -- but it wasn't the end of the world. There's always next time :rolleyes:

:cool: Yep there's always next time!!! After 10 cruises this was the 1st time I have ever missed a port!!:o Let alone two!!:( I guess it's just the chance you take when cruising this time of year!:)

[waiting4acruise]

The announcement said 60 to 70 knots of wind, so Im not sure the winds were 60 mph. I think a bit less??

 

I always enjoy seeing you and Barb. Glad she had a run of luck for a while in the casino, but that one armed bandit got her in the end I think. A friend from bridge told me she went to Shataw (sp) OK while I was gone and won $4000!!! She is still so happy.

 

Im looking for my letter of the 20% for my PVP, I might need a copy of yours.

 

Im sure you minded those 7 drinks during the open bar. I love white russians.

Actually No G won some Saturday noght to comeout ahead a little for the week.

I won Saturday to cover my losses for the week and pay off my Sign and sail card.

 

Those drinks at the open bar helped drow my sorrows for missing the ports.:D

[waiting4acruise]

1 knots = 1.15077945 mph

 

so 60 to 70 knots of wind would be 70 to 80 mph.

All I know it was windy enough to blow the Conquest sideways in the water.

[LambKnuckles]

THANKS G!!!

 

I love reading various reviews of a cruise! You and NoG have cruised with us before and you always have a great time!!! And a GREAT ATTITUDE!!!

 

:D:cool::)

[wrp96]

All I know it was windy enough to blow the Conquest sideways in the water.

 

Yep, definitely didn't sound like fun for you guys.

[silverfoxcruiser]

Yeah, but did you have fun?? :D:D:D Great start, G!! Silver

[Meyer2]

Great start so far, G. I look forward to more.

[LambKnuckles]

I LOVE Marc Ruben!!! Did he have a longer time to perform? Or still just a snippet in the WELCOME ABOARD show??? And a Late Night, Adults Only Show???

[Cindy]

Nice job, G!

[waiting4acruise]

I LOVE Marc Ruben!!! Did he have a longer time to perform? Or still just a snippet in the WELCOME ABOARD show??? And a Late Night, Adults Only Show???

The way the punchline comedy club works on the Conquest is that you have 2 comics perfoming Monday and Tuesday. One would do a family show at 7pm and the other would do a family show at 8pm. One comedian would do an adult show at 9:45pm and midnight. The other comedian would do his adult show at 11pm. The next night the comdians would swith times and do the same shows. This is done to accomedate passengers dining times.

 

Later in the week 2 more comdians would come on board and do the same thing. Due to the missed ports this was done on Friday and Saturday night for this cruise.

[firefly333]

I am really hoping the cruise we took wasnt how it will be. I saw one welcome show, and one singing and dancing show and the Legends show. ... plus the abbreaviated 2nd singing show (only singing standing in front of the curtain).

 

G, you said you saw a show I missed, but I saw nothing on the schedule for shows in the theaters all the other nights, just the comedy in Degas.

 

3 nights of just comedy, I thought oh no, I hope this is just on this cruise, not a switch and a cut back for Carnival. Carnival can do one guy in Degas, and skip a big production show. Same comedy as the partial comedy that they used to have in the theater as a partial show. Same jokes. Not even any new jokes.

[billsrobb]

Nice job G

[TravellinGranny]

I am really hoping the cruise we took wasnt how it will be. I saw one welcome show, and one singing and dancing show and the Legends show. ... plus the abbreaviated 2nd singing show (only singing standing in front of the curtain).

 

G, you said you saw a show I missed, but I saw nothing on the schedule for shows in the theaters all the other nights, just the comedy in Degas.

 

3 nights of just comedy, I thought oh no, I hope this is just on this cruise, not a switch and a cut back for Carnival. Carnival can do one guy in Degas, and skip a big production show. Same comedy as the partial comedy that they used to have in the theater as a partial show. Same jokes. Not even any new jokes.

 

First off.....G, sorry didn't get back to you about the ride back to Houston. I was really feeling pretty crappy, and didn't want to share it with you both.

It was my understanding that some of the production shows were cancelled due to the ship rocking and the fact it would be too dangerous for the dancers to continue. Also, I was told that one of the entertainers could not board the ship from either Jamaica or Grand Cayman.

All in all, I believe the Conquest crew did the VERY BEST that they had to work with.

Laura :cool:

[arthierry]

Conquest Crazies Too-September 26, 2010

This is our second Crazies Cruise with Host Mach. He is a wonderful host. This is our 6th cruise on the Carnival Conquest and 10th overall (first Platinum cruise) on Carnival. I am 49 and my DW is 46. We were in balcony cabin 7376.

We arrived at the Galveston terminal via the hotel shuttle around 10:45am. This was our first VIP embarkation in Galveston. There were not many people at the terminal when we arrived. VIP embarkation was quick and easy. My only comment on this the split off VIP and regular line does not occur until you are upstairs and go through a maze. This was not a problem this year as the line was short. Last year this part of the line was very long and would defeat the purpose of VIP embarkation.

Our Room Steward was great. He kept our room spotless and when we saw him in the hall called us out by name and asked how our day was.

We did Anytime dining. I have few comments about this. The Anytime on the Conquest is in the Renoir dining room. You enter on the lower level in the lobby deck 3. This is by the forward elevators. This was a little convenient for us as our cabin was located between the middle and aft elevators. Dinner on Lido deck was located on the rear buffet lines by the rear elevators. As a result and a few times we did not feel getting dressed up for dinner we ate in the MDR only 3 times. When we ate in the MDR the food was great. My suggestion would be that you be allowed to enter the Renoir via the back door which leads to the middle elevators. On previous cruises when we had early dining we were able to do this.

We had bad weather Tuesday night and Wednesday. As a result we missed the port of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The weather was nasty Wednesday morning and we encountered 60MPH winds. The Captain made 3 attempts in trying to get to the terminal. This terminal holds only one cruise ship and the channel is very narrow. From our balcony we could see the wind blowing the ship off course as we tried to enter the channel. The Captain made the right decision.

The next day we were supposed to tender in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The weather was nice, but the seas were still high. The Port Authority closed the port. This was my 6th call to GC and the first time we missed it. I guess our luck ran out. Around 10:30am a letter was delivered to our stating that we would get our port taxes back. The letter also stated because we missed 2 ports there would be an open bar between 4:30-6:00pm. That was a nice gesture from Carnival even though they were not obligated to do so. To top it off the letter also stated that we would be getting 20% off a future cruise taken within the next 2 years.

Apparently this did please some passenger, who were mainly first time Carnival cruisers. I can understand them being upset for missing these 2 ports. I was on the Ecstasy last year that missed all Mexican ports because on the Swine Flu and this 5 day cruise turned into a cruise to nowhere. The actions that these people did were out of line. They attempted to pass a petition around falsely claiming that if they signatures of 55% passengers that they would get money off of this cruise. And to top it off some went to Guest Services to remove the auto tips from their Sign and Sail cards. I guess they felt the Room Stewarts and Waiters were responsible for the bad weather and missing ports.

The next day was Cozumel. It was a beautiful day. About 50 of us Crazies went to Nachi Cocom Beach. It was the first time there. It was great.

One thing new Carnival has added was the Punchline Comedy Club. This was the first time we had this on a cruise. The Conquest had 2 comedians Monday and Tuesday and another 2 comedians Friday and Saturday. Kim Harrison and Marc Reuben were great.

 

 

My family & I, a group of 7, are going to Nachi Cocom in December. How was the service and the food, as well at the atmosphere?

[waiting4acruise]

I am really hoping the cruise we took wasnt how it will be. I saw one welcome show, and one singing and dancing show and the Legends show. ... plus the abbreaviated 2nd singing show (only singing standing in front of the curtain).

 

G, you said you saw a show I missed, but I saw nothing on the schedule for shows in the theaters all the other nights, just the comedy in Degas.

 

3 nights of just comedy, I thought oh no, I hope this is just on this cruise, not a switch and a cut back for Carnival. Carnival can do one guy in Degas, and skip a big production show. Same comedy as the partial comedy that they used to have in the theater as a partial show. Same jokes. Not even any new jokes.

Accoring to the oringinal Fun Times we recieved. This was a list of shows in the Loung:

Sunday Welcome aboard

Monday Production show

Tuesday None (deck party that night)

Wednesday Lady Magician

Thursday Production show

Frday Juggler

Saturday Legends show.

 

With the missed ports The acts could not get on the ship. The shows Wednesday-Saturday were moved around with only the Lady Magician show not taking place. Saturday night they showed a movie instead.

[waiting4acruise]

My family & I, a group of 7, are going to Nachi Cocom in December. How was the service and the food, as well at the atmosphere?

The service was great.

My wife and I stayed under the pavilion. There were plenty of table and chairs. A waiter came up and cave us a menu. We ordered a drink and appetizer. After we swam in the pool we went back to our table. Our waiter came to us and we ordered our main course and more drinks. While in the pool there is a swim up bar and we were able to get more drinks there pretty quick.

[okgirl]

My family & I, a group of 7, are going to Nachi Cocom in December. How was the service and the food, as well at the atmosphere?

 

I've been to Nachi probably 10 times, it's my favorite thing to do in Coz.....this was the most crowded I had ever seen it but with good cause since all my Crazies friends were with me..........The service was great, the food fabulous (watch out for the Pico de gallo HOTHOTHOT), well at least to me and NoG..Mach and Stitch just thought it was "flavorful" :p

 

We really had the best time.......cool breezes, warm sun.........tequila shots for a bunch..........

 

My sister ended up not going and I though I was going to have to go ahead and pay the balance but they only kept her deposit and I just paid for myself...........

 

Say hello to Carlos from the Crazies.............

[waiting4acruise]

I've been to Nachi probably 10 times, it's my favorite thing to do in Coz.....this was the most crowded I had ever seen it but with good cause since all my Crazies friends were with me..........The service was great, the food fabulous (watch out for the Pico de gallo HOTHOTHOT), well at least to me and NoG..Mach and Stitch just thought it was "flavorful" :p

 

We really had the best time.......cool breezes, warm sun.........tequila shots for a bunch..........

 

My sister ended up not going and I though I was going to have to go ahead and pay the balance but they only kept her deposit and I just paid for myself...........

 

Say hello to Carlos from the Crazies.............

It was great seing you there.

[LambKnuckles]

The way the punchline comedy club works on the Conquest is that you have 2 comics perfoming Monday and Tuesday. One would do a family show at 7pm and the other would do a family show at 8pm. One comedian would do an adult show at 9:45pm and midnight. The other comedian would do his adult show at 11pm. The next night the comdians would swith times and do the same shows. This is done to accomedate passengers dining times.

 

Later in the week 2 more comdians would come on board and do the same thing. Due to the missed ports this was done on Friday and Saturday night for this cruise.

 

THANKS G!!!

 

I didn't know how they'd switched things since my cruise in Feb. Does this mean they don't do the Adluts only show in the small lounge after karaoke??? Or is that where they still do the 11 PM show????

[LambKnuckles]

Accoring to the oringinal Fun Times we recieved. This was a list of shows in the Loung:

Sunday Welcome aboard

Monday Production show

Tuesday None (deck party that night)

Wednesday Lady Magician

Thursday Production show

Frday Juggler

Saturday Legends show.

 

With the missed ports The acts could not get on the ship. The shows Wednesday-Saturday were moved around with only the Lady Magician show not taking place. Saturday night they showed a movie instead.

 

They have made changes... But it looks like Lady Helavi is still there. I may be in the minority... but two times seeing her was PLENTY!!! ...and I've seen that show -- that SAME show four times!!! :eek: I can handle the juggler 4 times!!! and Marc Ruben three and MORE MORE MORE!!!