How does it stack up...

[Ms. T]

My first cruise was on the Pride. We had a wonderful time. The ship was beautiful but could use some updating.

Can't imagine the Conquest being any different but definitely hope it will be

Can anyone do the comparison for me....tell me what I got to look forward to.

[Ykgorbie]

My first cruise was on the Pride. We had a wonderful time. The ship was beautiful but could use some updating.

Can't imagine the Conquest being any different but definitely hope it will be

Can anyone do the comparison for me....tell me what I got to look forward to.

 

Our first cruise was also on the Pride which is part of Carnival's "Spirit" class of ships. The Conquest is in an entirely different category and is a larger ship than the Pride. (110,000 tons vs 86,000 tons); the decor will be similar, yet different;); another big difference is that on the Pride, one can get from one end of the ship to the pther on any deck - not so on the Conquest. You may discover this when you're trying to find your dining room for dinner ! :cool:

I think you will love the larger ship - we did ! Have fun !!!

[falkcor]

My first cruise was on the Pride. We had a wonderful time. The ship was beautiful but could use some updating.

Can't imagine the Conquest being any different but definitely hope it will be

Can anyone do the comparison for me....tell me what I got to look forward to.

 

there are big differences between the spirit class (including pride) and the conquest class...

 

the easiest way i can think of to explain is to post a comparison (albeit dated) i wrote a while ago (which is not up to date, such as referring to 'future ships'). but regardless, here ya go:

 

ships of the same class are largely similar aside from decor. 'better' is a matter of personal taste, and you'll get opinions depending upon one's preferences...

 

here's my take on the primary differences between ship classes...

 

fantasy class ships are the oldest (to be introduced) and smallest currently serving in the fleet. they are being updated though, through the 'evolutions of fun', with upgrades being implemented, not in an entirely uniform manner as per drydock additions - but including new balcony cabins being added (ecstasy, fascination and sensation have them), the carnival water works, serenity deck areas, and a lot of other upgrades. this is to extend their life span. they're about 70K GRT. these ships don't have a steakhouse, and do not have seaside theatre bigscreen. water parks / water works being added (elation and paradise don't have it yet). at this time i don't believe paradise or elation are slotted for some of the more major upgrades, like balcony additions and waterworks.

 

destiny was the first 'mega ship', coming out while fantasy class ships were still being produced. this class of ship features a MUCH higher concentration of balcony cabins, and more 'unique' cabins like the aft wraps, etc. destiny carries more passengers, and has more venues, bars, lounges, etc. they're about 101K GRT, and served as the template for subsequent very similar ship 'platforms', in the 'triumph', conquest, splendor and dream classes. these ships don't have a steakhouse, but do have seaside theatre bigscreen and standard waterslide. 'word on the street' is that destiny is due for a large scale refurbishment in her next dry dock. improvements are not disclosed, but it's likely (from rumours) that among those being considered are addition of a for-fee steakhouse, and likely addition of the likes of red frog pub which debuted on carnival magic, along with likely refurbishment of common finishes like cabin decor, etc.

 

'triumph' class ships are the same general hull as destiny, and are often referred (except in marketing materials) as destiny class ships. they have approximately the same hull, and the only real difference is the extra small 1/3 size passenger deck up top. they're about 103K GRT, i believe, without referencing. this class includes triumph and victory.these ships don't have a steakhouse, but do have seaside theatre bigscreen and standard waterslide.

 

conquest class ships were the next iteration of that platform. they're stretched to be a bit longer than destiny / triumph class, and have a few additional venues, such as the fish and chips station, and the for-fee supper clubs. overall ship architecture is still very similar. this class includes conquest, valor, freedom, liberty, glory. they're about 110K GRT. these ships do have both steakhouse and seaside theatre. standard waterslide. serenity decks also being added in dry dock. liberty and valor have received new 'captain's suites', with valor having turned the 'secret deck' area above the bridge into floor-to-ceiling oceanview window cabins. liberty will probably receive this next. if well received, i'd assume the others will get it too. liberty also is expected to have a more-detailed-than-most drydock next time around.

 

splendor was the next class built on roughly the same platform. however, this modification was designed largely for the carnival corp subsidiary, costa cruises as the concordia class (though still roughly similar to conquest). it has a different lido deck area, a larger spa, introduced the 'spa cabins' and a few other quirks. still largely similar though, and some costa-specific features were altered as a carnival build. it's about 113K GRT. this ship has the steakhouse, and seaside theatre, but different lido with no theatre type seating. standard waterslide. considered the most anti-smoking ship by many (though now they're all pretty anti-smoking lol). serenity areas available.

 

dream class ships are the most tweaked of the same destiny platform, and have quite a few differences to others in the conquest lineage. again, stretched, and taller, than the earlier classes - the lido deck is more similar to that of the splendor class, and has unique venues such as the wrap around exterior promenade deck, ocean plaza, pasta bar, laser show. ship architecture similarly tweaked, with different promenade area (lower dream street), different type of piano bar (open) and more restrictive smoking in casino, and does also feature the spa balcony cabins. these ships are about 130K GRT. dream is in service, carnival magic coming in 2011, and carnival breeze in 2012. these ships have steakhouse, big screen, and water works. carnival is also showing more willingness to tweak these new ships, with magic featuring a for-fee italian place (for dinners), a caribbean type pub, a ropes course and altered sports area, different serenity deck layout, and more. ship decor also starting to trend less garish and more classy, IMO.

 

spirit class ships are, except the fantasy class aging fleet, the oddballs. there's only 4 - pride, miracle, legend and spirit, and these ships are about 88.5K GRT, but with a higher space : passenger capacity. these ships also feature a disproportionately high amount of balcony cabins. given the higher space : passenger ratio, many report that these ships feel far less crowded, more roomy, etc. the layout of these ships is also very different than the other classses, notably in comparison to the ultimately similar destiny, 'triumph', conquest, splendor, and dream platform. decor also is a bit more classy than the 'vegas' style of the fantasy class, or even similarly aged of the other classes. while they have fewer venues than the D/T/C/S/D ships, the passenger load is much lower, proportionally. aft wrap suites are particularly prime. these ships feature an open air lido aft deck, a different mid ship pool area, without the stadium type seating of D/T/C classes, they do NOT have a seaside theatre, but they do have a steakhouse. they have started added serenity deck areas to this class, with the recent pride and legend drydock. standard waterslide. these ships are a perennial favorite among seasoned cruisers and cruise critic members alike.

 

spirit class ships have more of a 'small ship' feel, which is nice because there seems to be more room per person, less lines and crowding etc, but it may not have as happening night life, etc. all in all though, i love the spirit class...

 

conquest, and similar destiny, 'triumph', splendor, and dream class ships have more of a 'big ship' feel, but you'll likely see more people out and about at all hours, and perhaps may feel more 'crowded', though i wouldn't really complain about it either, it's just different strokes for different folks.

 

hope that helps, and i assume you'll enjoy your cruise regardless :)

[Zolor23]

Been on the Legend once and Glory three times, and to be honest, the Legend did feel a little better, but it was not a difference that could make me not want to go on the Glory.

 

You'll be fine.

[Ms. T]

there are big differences between the spirit class (including pride) and the conquest class...

 

the easiest way i can think of to explain is to post a comparison (albeit dated) i wrote a while ago (which is not up to date, such as referring to 'future ships'). but regardless, here ya go:

 

ships of the same class are largely similar aside from decor. 'better' is a matter of personal taste, and you'll get opinions depending upon one's preferences...

 

here's my take on the primary differences between ship classes...

 

fantasy class ships are the oldest (to be introduced) and smallest currently serving in the fleet. they are being updated though, through the 'evolutions of fun', with upgrades being implemented, not in an entirely uniform manner as per drydock additions - but including new balcony cabins being added (ecstasy, fascination and sensation have them), the carnival water works, serenity deck areas, and a lot of other upgrades. this is to extend their life span. they're about 70K GRT. these ships don't have a steakhouse, and do not have seaside theatre bigscreen. water parks / water works being added (elation and paradise don't have it yet). at this time i don't believe paradise or elation are slotted for some of the more major upgrades, like balcony additions and waterworks.

 

destiny was the first 'mega ship', coming out while fantasy class ships were still being produced. this class of ship features a MUCH higher concentration of balcony cabins, and more 'unique' cabins like the aft wraps, etc. destiny carries more passengers, and has more venues, bars, lounges, etc. they're about 101K GRT, and served as the template for subsequent very similar ship 'platforms', in the 'triumph', conquest, splendor and dream classes. these ships don't have a steakhouse, but do have seaside theatre bigscreen and standard waterslide. 'word on the street' is that destiny is due for a large scale refurbishment in her next dry dock. improvements are not disclosed, but it's likely (from rumours) that among those being considered are addition of a for-fee steakhouse, and likely addition of the likes of red frog pub which debuted on carnival magic, along with likely refurbishment of common finishes like cabin decor, etc.

 

'triumph' class ships are the same general hull as destiny, and are often referred (except in marketing materials) as destiny class ships. they have approximately the same hull, and the only real difference is the extra small 1/3 size passenger deck up top. they're about 103K GRT, i believe, without referencing. this class includes triumph and victory.these ships don't have a steakhouse, but do have seaside theatre bigscreen and standard waterslide.

 

conquest class ships were the next iteration of that platform. they're stretched to be a bit longer than destiny / triumph class, and have a few additional venues, such as the fish and chips station, and the for-fee supper clubs. overall ship architecture is still very similar. this class includes conquest, valor, freedom, liberty, glory. they're about 110K GRT. these ships do have both steakhouse and seaside theatre. standard waterslide. serenity decks also being added in dry dock. liberty and valor have received new 'captain's suites', with valor having turned the 'secret deck' area above the bridge into floor-to-ceiling oceanview window cabins. liberty will probably receive this next. if well received, i'd assume the others will get it too. liberty also is expected to have a more-detailed-than-most drydock next time around.

 

splendor was the next class built on roughly the same platform. however, this modification was designed largely for the carnival corp subsidiary, costa cruises as the concordia class (though still roughly similar to conquest). it has a different lido deck area, a larger spa, introduced the 'spa cabins' and a few other quirks. still largely similar though, and some costa-specific features were altered as a carnival build. it's about 113K GRT. this ship has the steakhouse, and seaside theatre, but different lido with no theatre type seating. standard waterslide. considered the most anti-smoking ship by many (though now they're all pretty anti-smoking lol). serenity areas available.

 

dream class ships are the most tweaked of the same destiny platform, and have quite a few differences to others in the conquest lineage. again, stretched, and taller, than the earlier classes - the lido deck is more similar to that of the splendor class, and has unique venues such as the wrap around exterior promenade deck, ocean plaza, pasta bar, laser show. ship architecture similarly tweaked, with different promenade area (lower dream street), different type of piano bar (open) and more restrictive smoking in casino, and does also feature the spa balcony cabins. these ships are about 130K GRT. dream is in service, carnival magic coming in 2011, and carnival breeze in 2012. these ships have steakhouse, big screen, and water works. carnival is also showing more willingness to tweak these new ships, with magic featuring a for-fee italian place (for dinners), a caribbean type pub, a ropes course and altered sports area, different serenity deck layout, and more. ship decor also starting to trend less garish and more classy, IMO.

 

spirit class ships are, except the fantasy class aging fleet, the oddballs. there's only 4 - pride, miracle, legend and spirit, and these ships are about 88.5K GRT, but with a higher space : passenger capacity. these ships also feature a disproportionately high amount of balcony cabins. given the higher space : passenger ratio, many report that these ships feel far less crowded, more roomy, etc. the layout of these ships is also very different than the other classses, notably in comparison to the ultimately similar destiny, 'triumph', conquest, splendor, and dream platform. decor also is a bit more classy than the 'vegas' style of the fantasy class, or even similarly aged of the other classes. while they have fewer venues than the D/T/C/S/D ships, the passenger load is much lower, proportionally. aft wrap suites are particularly prime. these ships feature an open air lido aft deck, a different mid ship pool area, without the stadium type seating of D/T/C classes, they do NOT have a seaside theatre, but they do have a steakhouse. they have started added serenity deck areas to this class, with the recent pride and legend drydock. standard waterslide. these ships are a perennial favorite among seasoned cruisers and cruise critic members alike.

 

spirit class ships have more of a 'small ship' feel, which is nice because there seems to be more room per person, less lines and crowding etc, but it may not have as happening night life, etc. all in all though, i love the spirit class...

 

conquest, and similar destiny, 'triumph', splendor, and dream class ships have more of a 'big ship' feel, but you'll likely see more people out and about at all hours, and perhaps may feel more 'crowded', though i wouldn't really complain about it either, it's just different strokes for different folks.

 

hope that helps, and i assume you'll enjoy your cruise regardless :)

 

Thank you so much for the breakdown of the differnt class ships....very helpful information for selecting my next cruise.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded to my thread

[KPfromCT]

We too, sailed on the Pride in 2012, and wasn't overly impressed with the ship, but I think that was mainly because of the "darker" decor. At least the Conquest has the 2.0 upgrades, so you will be able to enjoy a Guys Burger, or a breakfast burrito at the Blue Iguana Cantina:D:D I have never been on a Conquest class ship, however, like mentioned above, the biggest complaint I hear, is not being able to get from one end to the other without having to go up or down. Enjoy!!!!