Conquest or Elation? Help!

[Cindyrella]

I am planning our first family cruise with our 17 yr. old and her friend,my husband and myself (we're late 40's--gosh did I just admit that?) I originally had decided on the Conquest since it's bigger, newer and has a teen center. But the Elation is cheaper and the airfare for us would be cheaper too. The reviews I've read on the Elation are mostly so-so. Either intineray is fine, we will have to pick up the cost of the air and excursions for our family and the friend so cost is a consideration. Has anybody sailed on both to give me a comparison? I figure the Conquest would be approx. $200-300 more pp is it worth it?

P.S. We'll be going spring break 3/27-4/3/05.

 

Thanks in advance!!!

[Longin2cruise]

Watch for my post after I return from the Elation on Sept. 27th. (please give me a few days to recover from the "vacation mode") I cruised the Conquest on her 2nd sailing & absolutely loved it!! It's the most beautiful ship I've ever seen. It is my favorite Carnival ship & I've cruised the Spirit twice. The rooms, shows, & food couldn't have been any better. The only negatives I can think of is that it's a little hard to find your way around & embarkation in New Orleans was a ZOO. The problem was with New Orleans port authoritie security, not Carnival. Part of the problem may have been that the ship had just experienced an outbreak of Norwalk virus on the prior cruise & the first security guy we encountered had a tremendous Napoleon complex. I have cruised out of Galveston a couple of times & embarkation was no problem.

 

You didn't say if you would be flying in a day early & that could factor into the cost. New Orleans hotels can be expensive & it can be a problem in finding one at the price you want. A lot depends on what else is going on in New Orleans at that particular time. If you do opt for the Conquest, I suggest that you reserve a hotel room ASAP. Now for another consideration. It is a much shorter trip from the New Orleans airport to the pier than from the Houston airport to the pier in Galveston. I don't know what type of ground transportation you're planning on, but a taxi from New Orleans airport is quite reasonable. However, if you fly into Houston I'd think that Carnival transfers would be the only way to go. We always drive to Galveston so I've never had the opportunity to find out what it's like to fly in. Some others on this board should be able to give you good tips on this.

 

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful cruise!!

[BIG DADDY ONE]

Cindyrella. I have cruised on both of these fine ships. i was on the Conquest in March of 2003 and the Elation in Jan-Feb of 2004. Since i live in north Texas, the Elation is just a 5 hour drive. This is too convenient. I have nothing but glowing reports on each of these ships. One other considration might be the itenarary. The Elation goes to Progesso, Cozumel, and Belize, while the Conquest goes to Cozumel, Cayman, and Jamaica. The ship layout is completely different and the experiences are different because of this. I feel you would be happy on either. You may want to look at the differences in the shore excursions and also use that as a determining factor. You did not say where you were coming from. If you want more information, feel free to email me.

[hilltopfamily]

Was on the Elation last month w/our family (included a 14 yr old girl and a soon to be 14 yr old girl). Haven't done the Conquest, so I probably shouldn't even post here but I wanted to say we didn't find the ports on the Elation to be too great. Loved Cozumel, had an ok time but don't care to go back to Progresso & Belize again. I think maybe Cayman and Jamaica would have been better ports for us, so maybe some pretty serious consideration should be given to this, as Big Daddy One pointed out.

 

BTW: hdawson has posted numerous good things about going to Merida from Progresso, we just weren't able to make of "go" of getting the 6 of us there--a little too difficult & pricey for us.

[Randy & Carmen]

I've done both and I agree with what Big Daddy said and I'd also like to add: since this is your first family cruise.....save the bucks and go on Elation...I loved Conquest but also really loved the Elation....Two total different experiences and I may try to do Elation again next May.;)

[nholt]

For those of you that are planning to travel on Carnival Cruiselines--leave all your valuables at home. My family and I traveled last summer on the Conquest out of New Orleans. When we entered the port on Sunday morning, room service had been ordered so that we could eat before leaving the ship. The room service girl distracted me by asking me to help her with the tray--all the while she left our suite with my wedding ring, cocktail ring, diamond earrings, 2 watches and the large amount of cash that my husband had won in the casino the night before. Ironically--the casino staff had commented a number of times to my husband as they patted him on the shoulder after he would win a jackpot--"You will never make it off this boat with that money" Must have just been a coincidence or could they be working together??

When she returned to our suite after the discovery, she was not wearing the apron she had on originally.When I confronted her--her first response was that she had not stolen our money--to which I replied that I didn't say anything about money. At that point she got very emotional and nervous--she is probably still serving some of you!! I pleaded with her to just return my wedding ring. It was long gone as well as our valuables, according to local law enforcement officials that said it was a common occurence--no circumstancial evidence. Supposedly, the employees mail the stolen goods to their home coutries to supplement their income since most only receive tips as well as room and board. The cruiseline staff detained us in the drug holding area--a little intimidation--as well as forbid us to contact the New Orleans Police or the Harbor Police until we were off the ship.

We are currently involved in a lawsuit, but nothing can replace my wedding ring, trust in a company and the countless hours of thinking how many other people this has happened to. Many turn their head and say you shouldn't been traveling with your valuables. Why can't we wear our wedding rings and other nice jewelry and trust that we will be treated respectfully.

If there is anyone out there that has had a similiar incident please contact me at nholt@mntechnolgy.com. Happy traveling and stay away from Carnival Cruiselines.

[kristikae]

I'm really sorry that this happened to you. A wedding ring is definately something that is unreplaceable. I don't think this is typical of Carnival however. If it were, they wouldn't have so many repeat customers.

[Longin2cruise]

I've cruised 5 times on Carnival & always have expensive jewelry with me. Never have had anything stolen. There is a safe in the room. Unfortunately, having jewelry stolen could happen anywhere, not just on a cruise ship.

[hdawson]

In 14 cruises I've never had anything disappear. Not all on Carnival. I have rarely used the safe since I've found that hotel and cruiseline cabin staffs have a very high degree of respect and honor for the trust that they enjoy.

Call it pride. I leave laptop, digital camera and cam camcroder out and in plain view. Cash and traveler's checks in the drawer with wallet. I don't recommend my cavalier attitude but I do think that the staff is pretty trustworthy. Again, pride in their jobs. And of course if there are many cases where a steward is suspect, they sure won't get a contract renewal.

[Txcruisers04]

Well i have never been on the Conquest..but i have been on the Elation!!That is a very pretty ship and it was the best cruise that we have ever been on!!It was our 3rd cruise!!

 

Next cruise Ecstasy november 2004!!

[basketsiam]

I have cruised many times, all on Carnival. I have never had anything stolen. Yes, I do use the safe for some things, but others, such as my laptop and digital camera, are too large for the safe. I am careful, however, to either wear my jewlery at all times or to lock it up.

 

I guess I have to question why you weren't wearing your wedding ring and other jewelry since you were getting ready to debark the ship. It is never a good idea to leave things out in plain view, but these would have been the first things I would have put on and packed in my purse when getting ready to leave. I'm very sorry this happened to you. It will help to make all of us a bit more careful.

[Cindyrella]

Thanks for the replies, they really do help. We fly out of Spokane, WA which limits what carriers we can use. I've been waiting for the new

SW schedule, currently it goes through Jan. SW flies into Hobby so that may help with transportation issues. We are planing on flying in early no matter which cruise we choose. I don't know maybe the extra $$ for transportation from the Houston airport would make the extra $$ for the Conquest a wash? Either ship that much better for teens? As far as ports go, we like the Conquest better, but I'm beginning to wonder if there will be anything left of the Carribean after Ivan. Those poor people!

[BIG DADDY ONE]

As far as the teen issue. the Conquest has a "Night Club" for teens where they can go for their music and have some Coketails, Shirley Temples and the such. The section set aside on the Elation is much smaller and out of the way where as on the Conquest it is on the "Strip" with all the other clubs. there should not be much difference in the air to either site and the cost of transpotation is not that much different also. Go to the port sites of wach location and they tell you about airport transfers to the ports. Again I suggest you gather all of the information and try the one that fits more of all of your preferences. I enjoy both.

[jnnifer01]

My DH and I did the Conquest last year for our honeymoon (also our 1st cruise) and had a blast! I would recommend her to anyone. Maybe someday, we can sail in our old cabin again :)

[p2lockhart]

I have cruised on both ships once and am preparing for my second Elation cruise this year.

 

I cruised the Conquest in her first year with my son and 2 of his friends, who were then 19, 19 and 21. The Conquest is much bigger and newer and has all the bells and whistles, and I believe the food was better. It is the nicest ship I have been on. The down side was that we drove from central Texas to Gulfport, MS and back, which wore me out. If the Conquest docked in Galveston, I would be cruising her next instead of the Elation. The Conquest has more activities for the younger folks and I prefer the itinerary. However, I love my days at sea best.

 

I also loved the Elation or I would not be cruising her again. Since I love sea days best, the intinerary is not that big a deal to me. And my son is not cruising with me this time (although he did the Elation with us on New Years and had a good time). The Elation is a nice looking ship, but the furnishings are not as new as the Conquest's.

 

Since it is your first cruise, I would suggest the Elation, because you have nothing to compare it to and will not be disappointed because it is not as great as the Conquest. Then I would recommend cruising the Conquest on the next cruise.

 

Here are some links regarding Galveston that you might find useful:

 

http://www.ezcruiseparking.com/ Galveston discount parking

 

http://www.galveston.com/transportation/ Galveston Transportation Services

 

http://www.galvestonlimousineservice.com/ Galveston Limo

 

http://www.galveston.com/webcams/harborhouse/ Galveston Harborhouse webcam

 

http://www.galveston.com/bedandbreakfastinns/ Galveston B&B's

 

Either way, you will have a great cruise.

 

Bon voyage!

[kristikae]

I guess I have to question why you weren't wearing your wedding ring and other jewelry since you were getting ready to debark the ship. It is never a good idea to leave things out in plain view, but these would have been the first things I would have put on and packed in my purse when getting ready to leave. I'm very sorry this happened to you. It will help to make all of us a bit more careful.

Also I'm wondering how the heck she managed to get 2 rings, diamond earrings, cash and 2 watches in just the time it took for you to help her with the tray?

[mrsneurotic]

Since I've only sailed the Elation I probably shouldn't post here either, but I thought I could maybe add a few tips. We found Galveston so much easier to get around than New Orleans that I would consider that a big factor. Although, I LOVE New Orleans. The hotel prices are much better and you are right by the ship in Galveston, no traffic problems. The Conquest would have approx. $300 more pp. And, this just shows that it all depends on personal preference...we absolutely loved Belize and Progresso and were really disappointed in Cozumel. The ports were our main reason for choosing the Elation over the Conquest, we live near both Galveston and New Orleans. It depends on what you and your family want to see. We are interested in Mayan history and snorkeling...Belize and Progresso were perfect. If shopping, etc are more your interest then Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Coz would be better for you. But, as far as the ship...for $300 less, the Elation really delivered for us. Friendly staff, CLEAN, plenty to do, good food. Hope this helps.

[akeka]

Our first cruise was on the Elation and we took our two sons (17 and 12 at the time). Everyone loved it and needless to say, we were addicted to cruising.

 

We're now triple-booked and have taken six cruises since that one!

 

I'm sure the Conquest is a wonderful ship, but you can't go wrong with the Elation.

[justcruzinbye]

Also I'm wondering how the heck she managed to get 2 rings, diamond earrings, cash and 2 watches in just the time it took for you to help her with the tray?

and I am wondering why only ONE post on this board...and then no more.

 

The Texans sure could use that fast handed person...

 

As for "helping her with the tray"...On our recent cruise (and all of the others before) the delivery person knocked on the door, we opened it and stepped out of the way. They took it to the table, set it down, and handed us the receipt to sign, and went on their way. In this "story", the delivery person allegedly asks for "help" with the tray and while the occupant's back is turned has time to scope out the room, grab the goodies, and be standing there with a smile on her face and hands in her apron before the occupant turns back around.

 

Fast hands....or tall tale?

[SevenVII]

I am sure the person was just so bored that she came and posted about having her items stolen just so you "detectives" could bust her!

[tngirl1979]

I am going on the Elation 9/19 and I really am not worried. We have cruised before on RCCL and we never had a problem. There was one couple that knew they had a broken safe but never reported it and when things came up stolen after they called for maintence on something else they whined. I personally would have taken my valueables to the purser and put in a deposit box if my safe was broke. We are alway careful never to leave items sitting out in the open.

[basketsiam]

Also I'm wondering how the heck she managed to get 2 rings, diamond earrings, cash and 2 watches in just the time it took for you to help her with the tray?

 

Thanks, Kristi, for saying what I was really thinking.....Since this was this person's first and only post, it certainly makes one wonder..... :confused:

[kristikae]

I wasn't insinuating anything...I seriously am curious how it happened.