Review: Carnival Conquest Nov 2nd-9th 2014

[BenjiRodney]

This is will part written and pictorial review of our most recent cruise on the Carnival Conquest November 2nd-9th 2014. Ports of Call were Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman.

 

Belize and Honduras were new ports for us, having been to Cozumel twice last year and Grand Cayman once.

 

We flew from WV to MIA one day early and had a reservation at the Colony on Ocean drive in South Beach. (Check in time is 4 pm and they mean 4 pm) We were able to leave the bags in the room that was still being cleaned for us around 330 and set out to find a late lunch. We found lots of neat stores and places to eat around Lincoln Road Mall.

 

We ate made our way back to the beach for a walk back towards the room and to rest a little before going back out for a snack and to watch the nightlife. I love the South Beach area at night. We also picked up our 12 packs of soda to take with us the next day on the cruise. I believe we made it back to the room around 11 pm.

[BenjiRodney]

Sunday and time to get on the ship, I had been waiting for this for 51 weeks started planning this when we returned from the Southern Caribbean last year on the Valor.

 

We got a taxi van to haul us and our bags over to the Port of Miami. We arrived about 10:40 and from dropping bags to clearing security with Priority Boarding (Platinum) we had our Sign and Sail Cards in about 10 minutes. Although it would be close to noon before they would allow us to board the ship.

 

We also had upgraded to our first suite for this cruise, the extra space and the bathroom were worth the extra money, and the balcony was huge as well.

 

I am sorting through 1000+ photos and will get some posted ASAP. If you have any questions about things on or off the ship just ask and I will do my best to answer them.

[BenjiRodney]

The ship was in great shape and the crew was friendly and always smiling. This would be our first cruise on a ship that had the 2.0 upgrades.

 

I can say that we enjoyed Guys Burgers and ate there everyday.

 

We also ate at the steakhouse 2 nights and only ventured to the MDR twice.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

Muster Drill was painless. Here are a few shots as we waited to set sail. The Breeze was docked in front of us.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

I will finish sorting the pictures and post more tomorrow.

 

We did book all of our excursions through Carnival.

 

Cozumel: Top 10 and Shopping.

Belize: Belize City Tour and Altun Ha Mayan Ruins.

Honduras: Pirates Birds and Monkeys of the Caribbean.

Cayman: Cayman by Land and Sea.

Miami: Everglades with Airport transfer.

 

Enjoyed them all except the land portion of Grand Cayman. The tour guide simply read the names of the hotels to us as we passed by, no history or culture.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

First stop on the itinerary was Cozumel Mexico. There would be 4 ships in port, Conquest, Magic, Paradise and Vision of the Seas. It is nice that you can wait in the main lounge until it is time for your excursion to leave, no standing out in the heat waiting for others to show up.

[BenjiRodney]

We did a tour that would take us to Discover Mexico Park, The Eastern Side of the Island, ATequila Factory and downtown among the many stops. The samples were free and flowed at the Tequila Factory.

 

 

 

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

The park was nice, you were able see many replicas of ruins and churches around Mexico.

 

There was also a show as we were making our way to the gift shop area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

Next stop was the Eastern unspoiled side of the Island, simply stunning to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

 

 

After leaving here, we made our way around to Hacendia Antiqua, the Tequila Stop on the tou.

 

I like them all except for the cherry one, it tasted like medicine.

 

 

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

I did not take any pictures downtown this time, we were also in Cozumel last year in Jan 2013 on the Imagination, May on the Paradise and this trip on the Conquest.

 

We did eat at the downtown location of Poncho's Backyard, the food was great. The past two visits we ate at Three Amigos on the pier which is also excellent.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

Us and the Magic docked at the Puerta Maya pier.

 

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

Next stop would be a new one for us, Belize. I had heard mixed reviews on this port and was not sure what to expect, so we booked the Belize City Tour and Altun Ha ruins through Carnival. Tours again met in the main lounge and were escorted to the tender for the 20 minute ride to shore. The Norwegian Sun was anchored out there with us today.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

Here is a view of one of the tenders from our balcony.

 

 

Here is the small area with the shops that you are tendered into.

 

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

The port area and shops are behind locked and guarded gates and high fences, nobody that does not belong is getting in. We were put on a bus and set out on the city tour portion, and then towards the ruins, it would take over 1.25 hours to reach the ruins, but it was worth it. The countryside was dirty, litter everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[pghsteelerfan]

 

 

Wow...great shot!!! I'm really enjoying your review and love your pictures. We were on Liberty this past April, out of Miami and to the Western Caribbean (we missed Grand Cayman on our cruise) and I love reviews from itineraries and ships we've been on. I'm looking forward to the rest. Thank you for taking the time.

[BenjiRodney]

More of the ruins:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You were able to climb the ruins and the guides explained the area and what you were seeing thwy were very informative. Great tour if you are into culture and history.

 

 

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[BenjiRodney]

 

 

Here are the ships anchored out at sea.

 

 

 

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[pusywillow]

Nice pics. Thanks for sharing.