Conquest May 31 - June 7 Cruise Review With Pictures

[starstruck05]

We had a fantastic cruise, of course no vacation for us would be complete without a few hiccups. No biggie, we are used to them by now. I'm having Picture issues at the moment, so as soon as I can get them uploaded, I'll post them, but I wanted to get started on my review. Here we go.

 

Pre Cruise Day

 

Conquest MAY 31- June 7 Review With Pictures

　

Background

Me and my Mom

3rd Cruise

1st On Conquest Class Ship

　

We left Baton Rouge around 7:30 am to drive the about 5 hours to Galveston. We booked the Super 8 Motel in La Marque, which is just on the other side of the bridge from the island. However…..NEVER and I repeat NEVER stay there. We pre-paid our reservation months in advance, because at the time all the hotels on the island were pretty much booked up (this was pre swine flu as well, and since before the trip a lot of people canceled their cruises, as you all well know.) So we booked this hotel. We have stayed in some pretty bad hotels before, as we have taken road trips many places on a budget. Its not that the hotel was that bad looking, in fact it had just been upgraded. It was the following facts:

 

1. My mom went to check in and comes back a says they person wants her to pay again for the room that was pre paid (had to be pre paid in order to secure rate as per their website). The check in girl proceeded to tell my mom to let her see her bank statement saying that she had been charged. Now under so circumstances should anyone ask to see your bank statement for anything, and further more, we are on vacation, miles away from home, who carries a copy of their bank statement with them?

 

2. We finally get into the room, she tells us room lets say 324, however we get to 324 and the card doesn’t work, I look at the card slip and it said 327 instead so we went down to that room, door opens, no problem. So my mom gets on the phone and online with Super 8 trying to find out the problem and so forth and I unload all the bags and such. So the lady on the phone says that it IS paid and she says something about they hit you card for a charge sometimes but never really charge you sometimes. Its all a big huge mess, honestly.

 

So after a nap we head across the street to this Mexican restaurant to have dinner. Food was good, mom had a Margarita since it was happy hour so they were $2. I can’t remember the name but it was a nice enough place. So we go back to the hotel and then comes fact 3.

 

3. To remind you, we had been at the hotel for at least 3 or 4 hours by now. We get up to the room and the card doesn’t work. Hum, strange. I taught it got demagnetized or something so I went down to the front desk. Long story short, two things happened. For some reason the card kicked out, Never explained at all. The second, We WERE in the wrong room. The front desk girl gave us the wrong room key. We were supposed to be in “324” but she gave us “327” and the person who was supposed to be in the room we are in name was on the room and so forth. (New Guy at the desk now) Says he will switch it around, no problem. Got the key reset and back to the room.

 

4. No more than 15 minutes later they’re was a knock at the door. it’s the front desk guy and some other man and for some reason asked are we sure were supposed to be in that room. :eek:Um…Yes! Did he expect us to move? We were half unpacked and getting ready to shower and go to bed so we can get up early for the cruise! Is he kidding us? For the record the rooms were exactly the same, two double beds.

　

Anyway, Woo Sha, don’t let it ruin our vacation mode. We let it go, went to bed all was well.

[I'm Ready 2 Go!]

Wow!! That sucks about the Super 8. We went on this same cruise and we also stayed at a Super 8 in League City....we also had some major issues and will NOT ever stay there again or recommend it to anyone either!! We had some of the exact same issues with our card not working and having to get it redone and they did not give us the room we had reserved online well in advance....it was just a mess!

All that aside....I am looking forward to reading your review and need to get going on writing one myself :rolleyes:

[starstruck05]

I;m working on day 1 right now, pictures still MIA at the moment:o. It goes to show we didn't pay attention to any reviews before we stayed there. I have since read this is an on going probelm because the Super 8 company does not charge the rooms, even fi booked online, its up to the hotels to do it themselves, so there lies the probelm. There were a few people who crusied with us who stayed at the same hotel, but I only saw them when they were packing to leave so I'm not sure if they had the same probelm. I think most people payed cash for the room instead of pre booking. Lesson learned! I want to read your review too! Hopefully you don't have the same camera issues I have right now!:(

[starstruck05]

Day 1

 

All was well until about oh 7 am-ish when the power went out! Needless to say we got dressed, packed, and out of there and on our way to the ship!

 

We drove across the island , and made it to E-Z Cruise parking were we had pre paid to park. No problems here. She took our reservation paper, brought a tag out to put in the window, gave us the other half and we were free to park. There is a tent that says “Carnival Conquest” which the shuttle lets you off and picks you up front. W park about three spaces from there and the guy came over to help us unload the car. It had to only be about 8:30 or 9:00 am by this time and we got a shuttle all to ourselves. I must say I loved being early. We said we would do the same from now on and avoid the lines and rush of people.

 

The shuttle dropped us off at the far end of the terminal and we had to walk our luggage over to the baggage check. We couldn’t find a porter to help. It was a pain but it wasn’t too far. We had 5 bags checked I believe we carried on I think 4 if you count purses. We had one rolling duffle with wine and two cases of cold drinks. Went through the scanner fine. Mom had a rum runner in her check luggage, it made it fine as well.

 

So we stand in line for a few minutes, honestly we were probably in the first 50-75 people on board not counting the wedding party or the travel agents who were touring the ship. Went through the scanners and got our medical forms to fill out. Here’s were I got fussed at! We get to the guy who give you the card with your zone number on it and I’m like okay you gave us the card, there’s a lady waiting for someone to check in behind him so I’m trying to tell him and he tell me “I don’t get paid if I don’t finish my speech.” very rudely. I was kind of taken back because I didn’t even know he was doing a speech, and nothing of what he said was of any importance. I may be wrong but all he said was, “take this card, wait for your zone to be called and then you can board.” and all that was said BEFORE I “cut him off”. Hum! All he said was go to 3 which was behind us so poor lady was still left holding the paddle cause he never looked at her.

So we check in, all good except the card reader wasn’t working to well. In my mind I’m like is this a repeat of our LAST cruise!?!? But he changed readers, went through (or so we taught.) gave him the forms and went to sit down. Not 10 minutes later he comes to get me says The computer ha me as Miss (minor as per carnival) instead of Ms. (any female 21 and over not married as per carnival) and there for I wouldn’t let me have charging privileges. I of course was still thinking back to last cruises and it was the SAME thing! Anyway, he changed me in the system , re did my card, good to go (for now).

 

Back to my seat, the crowd pumper-ups got people to dance and they soon let us board. After our horrible photo full of carry-ons we were through the gangway and I could here the Dings of the s&s cards. I love that sound only when getting on a ship or off and on at a port, leaving after the cruise, not so much!

 

We went up to the Lido for burgers and sat around people watching until at 1 and we ended up in the hallway near the atrium elevators, taking pictures and waiting for 1:30. Pretty soon there was a crowd and one guy just came up opened the doors and everyone followed. We found our room , 8241 Verandah deck. Our first balcony. We LOVED it! Great views. I can’t say we will never cruise without a balcony again, it all depends on price and such, but the balcony is my favorite.

 

We pre ordered A Bon Voyage cake as well as the Champagne gift package with flutes, a towel, two shirts, two visors, photo coupon and drink coupons. We weighted the prices out before hand and it came out to be a very good deal for everything you get. Note that the towel is not the normal blue carnival one but rather a lighter blue one that says “ let the fun begin”.

 

Anyway, we stayed in the room unpacking until Muster Drill, if I remember right all our bags were there before the drill. Not bad at all! Our room steward was Putu and he was fantastic the whole cruise.

 

Muster was very quick, but would have been quicker had it not been for the 5 minute, personal hygiene aka H1N1 safety lesson tacked on in there.

Back to the room, got ready for dinner. We had early seating Monet dining room, bottom level table 354. And thanks to John Heald, we had a table for 2. Not that we don’t like people, we just prefer to eat at our own pace and we had bad luck with our table mates our first cruise. Our table was to the back near the windows. Our servers we good most of the time but a little slow the first night. I think I had ribs this night. Not sure what mom had but I tried melting cake for the first time in 3 cruises. Before you banish me, please not I am not a chocolate person, very rarely do I ever have chocolate, that being said, this just wasn’t for me. You have to be a die hard chocolate fan to love this. It was way to rich for me. To each his own of course.

 

After dinner, we did the casino and the shops. Mom decided to have a spa treatment to help he relax, scheduled for 8:30. When she went I went to the shops to buy something and found my card saying to see the purser. My card need to be re activated for some reason. I had to wait for mom to come back since she had the key to the safe with my credit card in it and we got it fixed.

 

Later, we went to bed after enjoying our balcony.

Day 2 - First Sea day coming soon.

[Cruise_Q]

good review so far...can't wait to hear the rest...

which motel 8 did you stay at? was it galveston or La marc?

[starstruck05]

good review so far...can't wait to hear the rest...

which motel 8 did you stay at? was it galveston or La marc?

 

la marq. I now cringe everytime a Super 8 commercial comes on!:eek:

 

UPLOADING PICTURES AS WE SPEAK STAY TUNED!

[WAcruisers]

Boy you had quiet a few hiccups! I hope your cruise gets better!

[starstruck05]

Boy you had quiet a few hiccups! I hope your cruise gets better!

 

trust me there are waaaay more to come including flood waters! (maybe not waaaaay more but more.) If you read my last two reviews something ALWAYS happens to us! Always taken in stride I promise. We are not complainers. Well I am but not in that way:rolleyes:.

[starstruck05]

 

 

 

 

Hell-tell room

 

 

Getting Excited!

 

 

WHALE TAIL!!!!!!!

 

 

Burgers anyone?

 

 

You want me to wait how long?!?!?!?

 

[krisbtr]

Love the review! A group of us are going on the Conquest in Feb...can't wait!!! Is EZ parking the way to go, or should we park in the terminal? also, I read you left from BR...We live there too...was the drive over bad? Can't wait to hear more!!...

[starstruck05]

Love the review! A group of us are going on the Conquest in Feb...can't wait!!! Is EZ parking the way to go, or should we park in the terminal? also, I read you left from BR...We live there too...was the drive over bad? Can't wait to hear more!!...

 

 

We liked EZ cruise alot, no problem with the car at all. Light house is also another parking lot, which I found out they are owned by the same people. They shutle right next to each other at the terminal. It far cheaper than parking at the terminal but it really depends on you. I say if we cruised out of glaveston again we would us EZ cruise. The drive wasn't bad at all, we stopped to eat and at a rest stop and drove the rest of the way. Traffic wasn't bad at all either.

[starstruck05]

 

 

 

 

Our Door Sign

[kristyintx]

Great review! You have a wonderful attitude......

 

Love the door sign!

[okgirl]

We liked EZ cruise alot, no problem with the car at all. Light house is also another parking lot, which I found out they are owned by the same people. They shutle right next to each other at the terminal. It far cheaper than parking at the terminal but it really depends on you. I say if we cruised out of glaveston again we would us EZ cruise. The drive wasn't bad at all, we stopped to eat and at a rest stop and drove the rest of the way. Traffic wasn't bad at all either.

 

A better option would be to stay at the Howard Johnson's on Galveston Island. The rooms are only about $59 and you park for free. It's a $15 cab ride to and from the pier including tip.

 

Great review. The Conquest is my "home" port ship. I've been on her 3 times with #4 coming up in September. With cruising $$ being tight for 2010 I'll probably cruise the Conquest for the 1st 3 cruises of the year, then we have a CC group cruise on the Dream in November, but that will be my only fly-in cruise.

[MzOhioLady]

This is a good review so far. Keep it Coming!

[starstruck05]

Day Two -Fun Day at Sea and 1st Elegant Night

 

We, well I , the lae sleeper woke up at around 8:30, mom had gotten up to get her coffee via her coffee card earlier. Watched some of the "Good Morning Conquest" show on channel 17, which was funny everyday we got to see it.

 

Had breakfast on the Lido back buffet, which we ate at everyday. The omelet station is back there. I want to mention that hand santizers were at the end of all buffet lines and in front the dining rooms. No one can say they didn't see any. They even had one at the gang way as we embarked.

 

Breakfast was the usual, rotated Pancakes/ French toast, country hashbrowns/ hash brown patties (truly the only thing to say far far away from. They were way too hard every time.)

 

We went to the Travel and adventure talk with CD Chris. Very informative. I like going to these, even tho we always already have excursions booked, just to hear what the CD and crew members experianced on the ones they have taken.

 

 

I can't remember too much of what we did that day since my "Today at a Glance seems to be missing from my Capers :rolleyes: however we did shopping, casino, and just relaxed. We really didn't spend that much time on the Lido since we had our balcony. I liked staying in the room alot for some reason on this trip.

 

 

 

We got ready for elegant night, but missed the Captions reception. We took a few pictures because our mission this trip, since we had the photo credit, was to get a nice picture. More on that later.

 

Dinner I believe I had duck and mom had prime rib, we were supposed to share a lobster but our Waiter didn't hear my mom say this and we never got it. He apoligized and later said he was friends with the chef and he would try and get us lobster from another night, more on that later as well.

 

We made it to our first show, Point and Click. Um...yeah. It was....Interesting. I'm sure the mouse person was supposed to represent computer mouse but really it was out of place and the different scences were just strange. I don't know. I think this show needs to be put to bed. Just wasn't great.

 

Tonight was also the first Break dancing show with Pedro and D. I grew to love them! They are really good, I do feel they held back a little bit, they could have done way more tricks had they had more time. They only had maybe an half hour everytime and it just wasn't enough time. Tonight, during the breakin we also got to meet Mr. P....a cute little Asian man who did a pelvis thrusting fist pump dance during the breakin when he did one of the dance challenges. This was the one going dance through out the cruise!

 

 

After that off to bed for sea day number 2!

[starstruck05]

Fun day at sea Number 2

 

Since we didn't do much different than the day before I'll keep this day short.

 

I did happen to be in the Atrium area for the golf Seminor as well as the beginning of the Digital Scanvenger hunt. I like golf so I watched them putt a bit and watched people run around for the hunt. We must have not done alot this day because I can't seem to find what we did. We did eat at Sur Mer for lunch....YUM! Not to be missed! If you require ketchup, like me, bring one from down stairs because they don't have them on the tables up there. I had the Fish and Chips and the Calamari which onions and zuccinni. Fab!

 

After dinner the Motown show was tonight and Ron Joseph is not to be missed! He was great! He from New Orleans, like me, and is a drummer as well. If you like his music he also sells his CD, not sure how much.

 

 

 

Tonight was also the deck party and Mexican buffet. The buffert says it starts at 11:30 pm but they start really around 11 or so. I only noticed because I was going to get pizza and saw they were serving so we decided to eat. Very tasty.

 

Off to bed for a VERY early start in Jamaica!

[starstruck05]

I;ll be back with Jamaica and alot more pictures later!

[PlanoDebbie]

I can't believe they STILL have Point and Click on the Conquest. Argh! We saw it back in October, 2006. Geesh. I was really hoping for a better show this time around. Looks like that will be a good night to relax in the hot tubs sipping on a cold glass of wine.

 

What's the Digital Scavenger hunt?

[starstruck05]

I can't believe they STILL have Point and Click on the Conquest. Argh! We saw it back in October, 2006. Geesh. I was really hoping for a better show this time around. Looks like that will be a good night to relax in the hot tubs sipping on a cold glass of wine.

 

What's the Digital Scavenger hunt?

 

 

2006?!?!:eek: Yes Its time for it to go!

 

The digital scavenger hunt is for groups of 4 I think and you get a paper telling you to take pics of things or people around the ship and you get 30 minutes to do it all. It seemed really fun for a group of people but since It was just me and mom I knew she wouldn't have wanted to go running round the ship. All you need is a digital camera.

[deeceedub]

Oooh, I love the pix! We're off on the Conquest in 10 days, and I am so excited.

 

We're on the same deck you were on, in cabins 8323 and 8325. Did you have problems with noise from the Lido deck interfering with your sleep?

 

Keep the pix and review coming! It's great! :)

[Cruise_Q]

Bump...what happened to the rest of the review :(

I want more...:p

[douglinc@msn.com]

The review was great.....while it lasted. Is there more to this story?

 

Doug