Brief review of Carnival Conquest Seven Day Cruise 09/28/08  

 The new Houston Bayport Cruise Terminal was not prepared to host and process the amount of passengers.  Granted, the terminal is not fully completed and was slated to open later this year or first of 2009 but due to the destruction of and their terminal, Houston was open quickly to accommodate Carnival. 

 

 The drive to the terminal was quick and when arriving at the terminal at about 10am on the 28^th we were directed to the curb drop off point.  Porters were there to unload the bags and a parking place was found with not much problem.  The lot was over capacity with parking in the grass over flow area.  I found a returning passenger just loading and leaving, so was able to park.  Was able to use credit card for the $70 parking fee.

 

 Now inside the terminal, we found lines moving slowly due to check in terminal agent’s computer system was down. After check in we waited 2 hours before boarding was allowed.  Passengers were still disembarking at 2pm.  Patience was the key word for embanking. 

 

 Once on board we found our stateroom  #8267 and dropped off our carry on bags and to our delight most of our 7 check in bags were sitting at the door. Oh, should say there were 3 of us; yours truly, my wife and her sister –hence 7 bags with the most bags going to the two ladies who both over packed

 

Room steward greeted us with a smile and assisted in all matters of getting settled into the room.  Good service.

 

 Food at the buffets depending on your bites was good and not always hot, but more on the warm side- that’s a buffet. 

 

The luncheon fish bar (fried fish, fried oysters) is very tasty.  It is located on the walk up deck just above the back buffet.

 

 Dinner in the dining room should be attended each night unless you have plans otherwise. Service is quick and wait staff try hard to give you good service.

 

Lobster dinner (had two servings) was good.  Hot and good flavor. 

 

The prime rib (ah, prime chuck roast in my opinion ) was tuff and tasteless.  Also the comments of others.

 

New York steak a good choice if you should be the one getting a tender cut.  Cooked to your wishes, but depending on the cut cooked for you, could be tuff. Three at our table send it back for a replacement that was tender.  No problem, they just come back with another plate and ask you to check it out.

 

We are headed back to Fort Worth from Houston in a few minutes, so I’ll add more to the review this evening.

 

TEXASPEPPER, I'M SO GALD TO HEAR YOU GUYS HAD A GREAT TIME. WE LEAVE ON SUN 10/12.  I HAD BEEN READING YOUR POSTINGS AND FOLLOWING.  THOUGHT ABOUT YOU GUYS A COUPLE OF TIMES LAST WEEK HOPING YOU WERE ENJOYING.  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR POSTING.  WE WERE ALL WONDERING WHAT IT WAS LIKE DOWN THERE AT THE NEW TERMINAL.  I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER TO HAVE PATIENCE. AFTER ALL WE ARE GOING TO RELAX AND GO WITH THE FLOW.  LOOK FORWARD TO THE REST OF YOUR POSTING.

Thanks for the info texaspepper.  I have read several things about getting there early.  One posting said that if you get there too early, you have to wait outside in the heat.  Were you able to go in and sit down until your boarding?  Did you arrive around 10?  I don't want to get there too early, but certainly do  not want to be so late that we can't find a parking place.  When we went before the lines were very long to check in.  We probably waited an hour or more.  Did they not let you board until around 12:30?

Thanks,

 Debbie

We were on the cruise Sept28-Oct5.Had a great time.

A word of caution-I was breeched on my credit card account.The card was denied on the cruise and what a kicker for a non cash trip.I have a large limit and the unauthorized charges and rejected charges started on the 28th of Sept. the day we left port.I called Chase on Oct. 6th to explode for the denial of charges and was informed of the attempted and fraudulent charges that occured starting on the 28th of Sept.I am glad Chase had more insight than I did.

The parking  charge on my card at the pier was the last authorized charge prior to the trip. I hope my card holder can trace the ones that that used my number.A new card is on the way and this is the only problem since 1963.

Suggestions-Cash for parking and in all ports...

Carl Ed

 

 

What a bummer Carl!  Hope they catch the lowlife's quick!!!  Thanks for the heads up.  Something we've done the last few times we've traveled is call the credit card company (ironically Chase) and advise them when we are leaving and where we'll be.  So far, so good.  Funny story - a few years ago, I spent a long weekend in Missouri with friends, husband was in Florida deep-sea fishing and son was in New Mexico at a football camp.  All 3 of us had a credit card from the same acct.  Husband and I BOTH got cell phone calls from Chase Security/Fraud division since the acct was accessed from Missouri, Florida and New Mexico all in the same day.  Of course they were legit charges but I certainly can understand security/fraud thinking it was "fishy"  I think to be safe on the cruise, hubby and I will take different cards

I am glad I did not know of the abuse on my card until after the cruise.It was a special time with my son and his wife.I am glad  my wifes card was with a different company.It seems like women often save the day....

Carnival will have our bookings in the future.What a great trip.

Carl Ed

 Carl, I did notice that they were holding my credit card a bit longer than I would think needed.  The credit card machine was running slow, but as you stated in your case, the parking toll was the last time you used your card. Ummm.

 BTW. . . .I am working on the FULL REVIEW of CCL Conquest 09/28/08 with photos of the Houston Terminal, parking and lots of on ship activites photos -coming soon...This Friday, 10/10/08. 

 

Thanks for the review.  I sailing this Sunday and it has been very helpful. I'm looking forward to the full review.

 

You should have an less hectic time than we did and I suspect the Oct 5th crowd had a better time. Houston should have the bugs worked out.  Have a great time and don't forget to look up the fried fish place for lunch.  It's worth the time.    Take lots of photos and give us a link to view them.  We had a blast every day and night and don't miss Blackjack Band in the Casino Bar nightly. . .good dancing music -as you can tell from the photos I posted

TP  -photos can be viewed at www.texaspepper.net

 Deb,

We got to Houston Terminal about 10am  and went right in to security check then stood in line to check in to CCL which took about 25 min and there we seats to sit up until about 11:30am.   We got to board about 1: 30pm.  There was still a long line out in the security liine waiting to go though security and then to check in at CCL