Going on Conquest -6/11/06 - need advice!!

[belowradar]

We are first time cruisers - going on Conquest in 4 days!! (June 11)Thanks to all who posted above. Looks like we are on the right track with our plans after reading of the excursions, etc. posted. We are scheduled for stingrays only at Grand Cayman, and for the other 2 places, still weighing our options.

We are "late 40s" and our 2 teens are 13 (D) and 19 (S) y/o.

Please give any info about the following:

 

Sunset Beach vs. Dr's Cave/Margaritaville - has anyone done both? Which would our teens prefer? (husband and I are very flexible, just want the kids happy)

 

Chanakaab vs Paradise Beach - again, which would the 13 and 19 y/o prefer?

 

ONBOARD - looks like there will be plenty for the 13 y/o D to do, but the 19 y/o S falls through the cracks. Too old for Carnival Teens things (cut off is 17?) and too young for adult activities.

 

Thanks!!!

[cardinalfan]

Your 19 year old can gamble, go to the adult shows. My son was 19 when we were on the Conquest in March and he was busy and had fun.

[britishiles]

Paradise Beach is awesome and not very expensive to get there or get in. I think $14 taxi ride for 4 and then $10 each to use the private beach, which includes beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, float mats, snorkeling, and the water trampoline and floating iceberg. They also have food and beverage service menu.

 

We went there last year when we missed our excursion and had a blast. We will not plan an excusrsion in Cozumel this year and go back to Paradise Beach.

[GayleR]

Don't worry about your DS. He will find others his age. He will have fun.

 

We've only done Sunset beach, but we loved it.

[Princesskiki]

Margarittaville was great fun and they have swimming and a big slide there so the teens can do that while ya'll sit in the restaurant (it's open air with fans going) and watch. My hubby and I loved it there. Swim a little, eat a little, drink a little etc etc.

 

Just my little two-cents :D

[spartanbear]

We did the conquest in 04 and LOVED Channkanubah we swam with dolphins and hung out at the beach, ate lunch at the restaurant and snorkled. They had a little lagoon where the water was knee deep and my kids LOVED that ( they were 7 and 11) We also got our hair braided.

I personally loved it , but haven't been to the other one. :p

[Samdel]

Hi,

You either like cruising or you don't. Fortunately, most everyone does. It only took 1, albeit with much complaining, and my DH was hooked.

The 19yo will have a good time, because on board, there are lots of things to do, and they will hook up with others their age.

 

From your name, are you from Spartanburg? If so, we live nearby and we're going on the Valor 10 01.

 

Like I said, just have a blast and relax....kids will do great.

 

Kim

[travel girl23]

We have been to Chankanaab Nat'l. Park and would have gone again on our cruise on the Conquest last March but it was still closed for repairs from the hurricane last fall. :( I don't know if the park has reopened. You might check out the ports of call board for Cozumel and maybe the information is there. Have a great cruise - we loved the Conquest. :D

[sea_u_onboard]

Sunset Beach vs. Dr's Cave/Margaritaville - has anyone done both? Which would our teens prefer? (husband and I are very flexible, just want the kids happy)

We have done both -Docs/Margaritaville twice. Good time but VERY expensive when you add up taxi/bus, drinks, food, beach chairs, snorkle gear, etc... Did Sunset last time - Had a GREAT time. Sunset had everything. My kids LOVED it - 14 and 18 at the time. When we went they didn't have the waterpark done yet - but still had a great time.

 

My 18 year old had a GREAT time. He spent a lot of time in the casino. They didn't have Texas Holdem when we were on - so nect time I'm sure he will enjoy it even more.

 

Go to the Roll Call boards and see if there is a roll call for your sailing. You will be able to find others. My 18 yo hooked up with another 18 yo from our Meet N Greet onboard the first day.

[sea_u_onboard]

Forgot to mention my website on the Conquest - check it out for more info.

[jckvpa0]

We are first time cruisers - going on Conquest in 4 days!! (June 11)Thanks to all who posted above. Looks like we are on the right track with our plans after reading of the excursions, etc. posted. We are scheduled for stingrays only at Grand Cayman, and for the other 2 places, still weighing our options.

We are "late 40s" and our 2 teens are 13 (D) and 19 (S) y/o.

Please give any info about the following:

 

Sunset Beach vs. Dr's Cave/Margaritaville - has anyone done both? Which would our teens prefer? (husband and I are very flexible, just want the kids happy)

 

Chanakaab vs Paradise Beach - again, which would the 13 and 19 y/o prefer?

 

ONBOARD - looks like there will be plenty for the 13 y/o D to do, but the 19 y/o S falls through the cracks. Too old for Carnival Teens things (cut off is 17?) and too young for adult activities.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Your going to love the Conquest !!!

 

We went to Sunset Beach to hang out for most of the day than went to Margaritaville on the way back to the ship. There will be taxis right there when you get off the ship. Our taxi driver actually drove us to Sunset Beach, came back for to take us to Margaritaville & waited for us to take us back to the ship & gave us one flat rate. We were actually glad we did this because coming out of Margaritaville you are bombarded with so many people trying to get your business.

 

We did do Chanakaab Park , (I don't think this is the correct spelling). & loved it! We went there to swim with the dolphins, to me this is a one time event. We did not go to Paridise Beach but after reading these board I wish I did, you can bet next time we will!

 

We went with our son who was 16 & our nephew who was 18 at the time. My son had no problem what so ever making friends & if my nephew wasn't so shy he would have had no problem what so ever. We found the teens on board to be very friendly & well behaved,(the ones that we delt with),!

 

I would suggest that for your dd that you & she go & check out the teen meet & greet the first night.

 

May I suggest that you & your wife have an evening alone at the Pointe Resturant. If you were to do this & your children are complaining about really getting to dressed up you could pick one of the formal nights to go with your wife.

 

One more suggestion, if your OK with smoke I would suggest going to the cigar bar for an after dinner drink. We did just about every night! The crew there is incredible, the Captain obviously liked it because he was there many times.

 

Wait one more thing, if your looking for a really quiet spot to lay in the sun go to the bow on either deck 12 or 13,( I could be wrong about this but it is on the same deck as the Camp carnival kiddie pool), on the starboard side. We sat out here & pretty much had this spot to ourselves. Be careful because of the breeze up there you do not feel the sun. Also there is a bar up there that you won't have to wait for a drink :D !!!

[Gram e]

We just went on the Conquest this past May. We really enjoyed it! We took the Carnival excursions (made arrangements online before leaving home). Great way to do it.

 

In Jamaica, we took the open canopy tour (zip line). It was a great experience. We then asked the tour driver to take us to Margaritaville and we went to Jimmy Buffet's. I saw teens jumping on water trampolines looking to be having lot's of fun while at Jimmy Buffet's. You've got to be VERY careful about walking around there. Avoiding to make conversation to those that approach you. We were also told not to go but to a few shops they recommended.

 

Grand Cayman's we went to the 7 mile beach ~ beautiful beaches ~ also went para-sailing (first time) enjoyed it very much. Then the afternoon went on the Stingray's excursion. We were cheated with a SHORT trip to the Stingray's b/c we went in the afternoon. The morning group had a lot more time at the sandbar. The boat was late getting to pick us up and we were early for the bus trip back to the boat. Very disappointed with that part.

 

In Cozumel, we went on mini Rhino 4 x4's with first going by jeeps to a spot on the beach for snorkeling. Then we went on the 4 x 4's to take trip along the beach. A bit pricey for the trip. The "off-road" part of the excursion was short also. The damage from the hurricane was quite evident.

 

I've learned from our first trip ~ look at your photos taken each day and buy it then ~ don't wait b/c you'll have problems finding them later. And we'll pack less so that upon returing home we can carry our luggage ourselves and save a few hours.

 

Hope you have as much fun as our group.:)

[belowradar]

Thanks, everyone! I have enjoyed reading all of your posts. They are sooo helpful. My husband and teens have largely left all of the planning to me, so I do appreciate the help on this board.

Can't wait till Sunday!!!

[straitfan]

We plan to go to Sunset Beach. Do we need to make an advance reservation or can we just have a taxi take us there?

[sea_u_onboard]

We plan to go to Sunset Beach. Do we need to make an advance reservation or can we just have a taxi take us there?

They don't take reservations for cruisers. Just grab a taxi/van right outside the terminal and tell them to take you there.

 

Note - for the taxi - Be sure you ask one of the tourist ladies with the clip board how much the fare is then ask the cabbie before getting in. Ours tried to over charge us. She would have gotten more - with the tip - but it made me mad so I gave her EXACTLY what the fare was.

[sea_u_onboard]

PS - Some of the cabbies will ask you to vall them when you are ready to return - or will ask to arrange a time to return you to the ship. It really isn't necessary - there were plenty of cabs ready to take us back.

[britishiles]

Paradise Beach in Cozumel has a taxi stand on site.

[Kittybork]

Sunset Beach was a letdown when we went. There was not enough water equipment for the people there. You were only allowed to keep the snorkel equipment for 30 minutes.

 

There is a nude beach off to the side; your 19 year old might enjoy that.