A Disappointing Conquest
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A Disappointing Conquest
While the rest of the country is suffering through an extended winter it is another beautiful and sunny day in South Florida as I walk towards the Port Of Miami.
We are about to set sail on another “Spring Break Cruise” this time on Carnival Conquest with ports of call in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize and Mahogany Bay, Honduras.
A little after 5pm we begin our sail away from the Port Of Miami and the Lido deck is literally jumping as I watch the Carnival Breeze and the Miami skyline go by. It's about two days of sailing before we reach our first port of call and this gives us an opportunity to explore the Conquest.
From a “Whoop There It Is” Gender Competition to laughing at the Punchliner Comedy to listening to karaoke then dancing around an empty beer can on the disco floor, our first night on the Conquest is a bit of fun.
A “Fun Day At Sea” is where the disappointment begins. A weak list of entertaining activities in the Fun Times and having to watch employees that seem less than enthusiastic in doing their job we soon realize the Conquest may not be a “Fun Ship”.
However, after listening to a few “Tarzan” calls during the day and sailing under a full moon at night we know we are going to have an enjoyable time even with our disappointments so far.
Video:http://youtu.be/xTZV7oAn9rE
We are about to set sail on another “Spring Break Cruise” this time on Carnival Conquest with ports of call in Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize and Mahogany Bay, Honduras.
A little after 5pm we begin our sail away from the Port Of Miami and the Lido deck is literally jumping as I watch the Carnival Breeze and the Miami skyline go by. It's about two days of sailing before we reach our first port of call and this gives us an opportunity to explore the Conquest.
From a “Whoop There It Is” Gender Competition to laughing at the Punchliner Comedy to listening to karaoke then dancing around an empty beer can on the disco floor, our first night on the Conquest is a bit of fun.
A “Fun Day At Sea” is where the disappointment begins. A weak list of entertaining activities in the Fun Times and having to watch employees that seem less than enthusiastic in doing their job we soon realize the Conquest may not be a “Fun Ship”.
However, after listening to a few “Tarzan” calls during the day and sailing under a full moon at night we know we are going to have an enjoyable time even with our disappointments so far.
Video:http://youtu.be/xTZV7oAn9rE
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Grand Cayman
Since we had been previously visited Grand Cayman, we were in no really hurry to leave the Conquest which involved a tendering process.
Around 10am we head to the lower level of the ship and with no clear signs posted for disembarkation, we wander with a few other passengers looking for the cheese at the end of the maze. This certainly was not one of the better tendering experiences that we have had while cruising.
After waiting for about twenty five minutes for the tender to fill up we are soon enjoying the tropical breezes of Grand Cayman as we leave the Conquest behind for a few hours.
The planned highlight of our shore visit is to snorkel at Devil's Grotto and Eden Rock. A short walk from the tender port and we are at Paradise Restaurant, a bright green building. Here for $18 a person we get snorkel gear for the day, a small locker and free Wi-Fi along with some of the most awesome off shore snorkeling we have done. Devil's Grotto and Eden Rock is a must if you visit Grand Cayman.
A walk around town and a $3 souvenir hat purchase that saves me $2 and allows me to change my name to Deshon then it is time for lunch.
At Breezes we overlook the waterfront as we enjoy conch fritters, delicious wings and sliders all while surviving a “Category 5”. The 151 goes down smooth well hidden and blended with other flavors that make being in the Caribbean fun.
Video:http://youtu.be/uKMdDb_0HL8
Since we had been previously visited Grand Cayman, we were in no really hurry to leave the Conquest which involved a tendering process.
Around 10am we head to the lower level of the ship and with no clear signs posted for disembarkation, we wander with a few other passengers looking for the cheese at the end of the maze. This certainly was not one of the better tendering experiences that we have had while cruising.
After waiting for about twenty five minutes for the tender to fill up we are soon enjoying the tropical breezes of Grand Cayman as we leave the Conquest behind for a few hours.
The planned highlight of our shore visit is to snorkel at Devil's Grotto and Eden Rock. A short walk from the tender port and we are at Paradise Restaurant, a bright green building. Here for $18 a person we get snorkel gear for the day, a small locker and free Wi-Fi along with some of the most awesome off shore snorkeling we have done. Devil's Grotto and Eden Rock is a must if you visit Grand Cayman.
A walk around town and a $3 souvenir hat purchase that saves me $2 and allows me to change my name to Deshon then it is time for lunch.
At Breezes we overlook the waterfront as we enjoy conch fritters, delicious wings and sliders all while surviving a “Category 5”. The 151 goes down smooth well hidden and blended with other flavors that make being in the Caribbean fun.
Video:http://youtu.be/uKMdDb_0HL8
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Sailing To Cozumel
After surviving a “Category 5” hurricane along with conch fritters, sliders, jerk wings and coconut shrimp, we are back onboard the Conquest in time for a round of golf.
The course is in pretty bad shape and we both have a tough time on I think the seventh eighth or ninth hole. We are told by our ten year old caddy that so far today no one has been able to get the ball into the Mayan God's mouth. That does make me feel better about my triple double bogey.
It is unfortunate that the outdoor sports area for basketball, volleyball and miniature golf closes at 5:30 in the afternoon. This area of the ship seems like an afterthought and it is not given much attention. I guess I will have to save my “Slam Dunking” for “Sea Day”.
So far we have managed to miss our formal dining opportunities and have been content to live on the more healthy “Guy Burgers” option. Caramelized onions, fresh chunks of bacon and banana peppers along with donkey sauce, who could ask for more? Me!
Before long it is time for some nighttime activities. A Broadway show that is energetic then a pass through the casino to see if I can still count to 21 and not go broke. After about an hour of play on an electronic machine I earn a free drink, an ice cold and refreshing Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Surprisingly, we walk away winners but I know it is only temporary because in the casino business eventually the house wins even on the high seas.
For the second night in a row we stop in at the “Piano Bar” and it is still less than energetic. There is no “play us song piano man”, it more like lets talk with the piano man than sing with him, boring. We miss Billy.
Remember the name, “Percy Crews 2” because if you do he will make you laugh your pants off which is what happens to us in the Punchliner Comedy Club. Fortunately, we were able to get them back on in time to make some moves on the disco dance floor before calling it a night as the Conquest sailed on to our next destination, Cozumel.
After surviving a “Category 5” hurricane along with conch fritters, sliders, jerk wings and coconut shrimp, we are back onboard the Conquest in time for a round of golf.
The course is in pretty bad shape and we both have a tough time on I think the seventh eighth or ninth hole. We are told by our ten year old caddy that so far today no one has been able to get the ball into the Mayan God's mouth. That does make me feel better about my triple double bogey.
It is unfortunate that the outdoor sports area for basketball, volleyball and miniature golf closes at 5:30 in the afternoon. This area of the ship seems like an afterthought and it is not given much attention. I guess I will have to save my “Slam Dunking” for “Sea Day”.
So far we have managed to miss our formal dining opportunities and have been content to live on the more healthy “Guy Burgers” option. Caramelized onions, fresh chunks of bacon and banana peppers along with donkey sauce, who could ask for more? Me!
Before long it is time for some nighttime activities. A Broadway show that is energetic then a pass through the casino to see if I can still count to 21 and not go broke. After about an hour of play on an electronic machine I earn a free drink, an ice cold and refreshing Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Surprisingly, we walk away winners but I know it is only temporary because in the casino business eventually the house wins even on the high seas.
For the second night in a row we stop in at the “Piano Bar” and it is still less than energetic. There is no “play us song piano man”, it more like lets talk with the piano man than sing with him, boring. We miss Billy.
Remember the name, “Percy Crews 2” because if you do he will make you laugh your pants off which is what happens to us in the Punchliner Comedy Club. Fortunately, we were able to get them back on in time to make some moves on the disco dance floor before calling it a night as the Conquest sailed on to our next destination, Cozumel.
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Zipping In Belize
Our stop in Cozumel is a non event since we have been there so many times. A day at the beach and we are soon back onboard the Conquest ready to sail to Belize.
With rough early morning seas our tendering is delayed about an hour. It is about a fifteen minute boat ride to Belize City were we join fellow cruisers for our off ship excursion with “ButtsUp.Com”.
An hour bus ride across this small but diverse Central American country and we are soon seeing a part of it from an exhilarating hundred feet or so up in the air and learn an interesting fact.
The green ink used to print the “American Greenback” is produced from a plant grown in Belize.
Video:http://youtu.be/K4rgnaydSdo
Our stop in Cozumel is a non event since we have been there so many times. A day at the beach and we are soon back onboard the Conquest ready to sail to Belize.
With rough early morning seas our tendering is delayed about an hour. It is about a fifteen minute boat ride to Belize City were we join fellow cruisers for our off ship excursion with “ButtsUp.Com”.
An hour bus ride across this small but diverse Central American country and we are soon seeing a part of it from an exhilarating hundred feet or so up in the air and learn an interesting fact.
The green ink used to print the “American Greenback” is produced from a plant grown in Belize.
Video:http://youtu.be/K4rgnaydSdo