Ok, with so many topics, not sure where to post this...

My husband and I just got back from our first ever cruise.  We did the 7 day Western Carribean cruise on the Conquest, departing from Galveston on 7/27/08. 

 Short story - BEST VACATION EVER!!

 Details:  Food:  incredible!  We did the buffet for breakfast and lunch.  Had the made-to-order omelets for breakfast daily.  Lunch was something different daily. ALL WAS AWESOME!  We had the late seating in the Monet dining room.  All I can say was we were SPOILED!  Had great table companions.  Had an incredible server. "Tac".  Noted all of our special requests on day 1, and remembered throughout cruise.  We were quite the eating bunch too!  We all had multiple appetizers, dinners, desserts.  We were always the last table to leave!  Great experience.

Room:  we had a balcony on the Lido deck.  PERFECT!  close to the restaurants, the pools, everything! No rooms above us.  QUITE!  even when the parties were going on the Lido deck (we tried to make them all, couldn't stay awake!)  Our steward was incredible.  towel animals every night.  ice bucket (wine) and cooler filled with ice 2x a day! 

Excursions:  we had to get off the boat (i am very A.D.D.!!)....did the catarmeran, snorkel, and beach in Jamaica.  Awesome!  never felt unsafe for a minute.  security at private beach.  yes, we were asked every 5 minutes if we wanted a drink, but, they WERE serving us, and we were happy ...we ordered several drinks!!  great time.  picked up and dropped off at the pier.  Caymans:  walked to the beach.  AWESOME beach!!  so blue!  rented a chair for $5.  free entry to beach.  shopped.  awesome!  Cozumel:  did the catameran, snorkel, beach thing here too.  Awesome time here, PLUS free beer and margaritas!!  then shopping. 

Pools:  we hung out at the Sky pool in the back the entire time.  the "adult only" pool.  it really was!  the security there would NICELY inform anyone who brought children back there that is was adult only.  Pretty much the same crowd hung out there all week!  Bonus:  bar, pizzeria, and grill all right by the pool!!!

Overall - great time!  glad we had a balcony, SO nice to have a place to hang out.  some mornings we grabbed a tray of food at breakfast, and brought back to the room to eat on the balcony.  Can't wait for the next one!!!

So glad to hear that CCL enforces the adult only pool. The Conquest is our first choice for cruising and nice to know that we can enjoy the pool without kids.

Hello JackieB,

Thanks for the excellent post regarding your cruise. I am glad you had an awesome time. Just three questions. How far is the beach from the pier in the caymans and in which direction is the beach from the cruise ship pier. And what is the name of the beach. Thanks

very upbeat and enjoyable quick review, Jackie...glad you had such a wonderful vacation...I am going on my first cruise in November on the Glory (same class ship as Conquest)...I hope my experience is as positive as yours

THANKS JackieB  my husband and i booked a balcony cabin for the first time with our 3rd cruise coming up.  some say we should not have. but is see you enjoyed it. cant wait to enjoy my balcony.       you got lots of pictures?

I totally agree with you.  The first four cruises we took on the Conquest, the "adult only hot tub" on the Lido aft was overrun with small children.  The past two cruises on her, there were no children in the hottubs.  Thanks Carnival.  I have no problem with children, but there are enough other pools for them to play in.  When we cruise, adults should not have to be bothered with children splashing around.  We raised six children and have paid our dues, we should be awarded the luxury of a quiet adult only hottub.

Marge:

 

Hello JackieB,

Thanks for the excellent post regarding your cruise. I am glad you had an awesome time. Just three questions. How far is the beach from the pier in the caymans and in which direction is the beach from the cruise ship pier. And what is the name of the beach. Thanks

The beach isn't far but personally I would just pay a taxi to take me down.  If you want to walk you will head off to the left when you get off the tender.  Just follow the shoreline.  The public beach is called 7 mile and offers items to rent (like chairs).  When we were there last they had free picnic tables and they have a very nice bathhouse (restrooms) with a snack bar.  You can grab the bus back or grab a taxi.

Glad that you had such a great trip. We think that cruising is the best vacation as well!!!

Glad to hear you had such a nice vacation.  You made me more anxious than I already am for my Valor sailing next month.  Are you addicted???

SeaUonboard:

It doesn't look like anyone answered your questions so I'll "try" to give my best guess.

SeaUonboard,

Thank you for your response to my question, I really appreciate it and the additional information.

So did you enjoy the cruise? 

Hahahaha....just kidding.  GREAT report, I enjoyed reading it.  Now it's time to start making plans for your next one.

You just answered so many of my questions with your post, thanks!