How does it compare to large Princess and RCCL ships? Is basketball a half-court and is it open?

I enjoyed the Conquest. I would say that the food & service were fine, though not good as Princess. However the entertainment (especially live music) was much better.

Montego Bay was the best port, as we did an excursion with Carolyn Barrett of Barrett Adventures (http://www.barrettadventures.com/) hiking up Mayfield Fall (far less crowded than Dunns River Falls.)

I think the b-ball court was half-court and was somewhat open, but better double check on that one.

I was on Glory, Conquest class, a few month ago.

IMO it does not compare to RCI ships. There is no adult pool or adult area, the stadium seating at the pool makes it feel very crowded, there were long lines for the buffet, the dining room service and food was mediocre and the booths made it feel like Denny's.

It was smokey all the time (and they had just installed a new system to help with smoke problems) and I felt like a sardine for a week.

Sorry, I did not notice the basketball court.

The entertainment (live and disco) did not hold a candle to RCI.

Sorry kfusto but as you have noted before you are quite anti Carnival and it does show. You never have anything good to say about them and I do feel this opinion, which you are certainly entitled to is nonetheless misleading. IMHO you seem to have an axe to grind. That being said I do agree with triathelete about Carnival vs. Princess and do prefer Carnival over RCCL. Not trying to start a word war here to ruin spurs thread, just trying to balance it out a bit. JM2C. Larry

To objectify my stance let me put it like this. The overall rating on cruise critic for RCCL is 3.7. Though CCL is a bit lower overall the Conquest is rated 3.6, or 1/10 of a point. To compare it to Dennys and all the other inferences of inferiority is not at all in step with what most passengers think of this vessel. JM2C.

jacketwatch: I have no axe to grind with Carnival, I simply have not enjoyed any of my cruises with them.

You point out the ratings from Cruise Critic. While I am sure they are representative of a great many people, that does not mean I am not entitled to express my opinion of my cruises on Carnival. I am well aware of the popularity of the line but also think that the experience is not for everyone. I took 193 people on the Glory and the satisfaction rating was all over the board (much lower than on RCI last year especially for food and service). New cruisers were generally happy but experienced cruisers were not nearly as satisfied with the overall experience. As I own an incentive travel company, I recommend Carnival to those I believe that would enjoy it. But I would not recommend Carnival to many clients whose taste I know very well.

Everyone is different, Jacketwatch, and while you may have had a great experience on Carnival, not everyone would share your enthusiasm.

I do not care for conga lines, public announcements and dancing waiters during my dinner. I do not like to pour my own wine or have to ask repeatedly for coffee in the formal dining room. I could not get my food served without sauces because I was told it was already prepared.

I do not like ships that do not provide an adult only pool or any areas where I can get away from kids and have a bit of peace and quiet. I also do not like to feel packed in like a sardine, as I did on Glory this past May.

I did not like paying 9 dollars a glass for a glass of Pinot at the "wine" bar and getting a bad glass 2 nights of 7 because it was old and should have been tossed.

For these very specific reasons, Carnival does not suit me.

Kfusto: We certainly disagree. You have you're reasons and I accept that. I also stand by what I said. Cheers, Larry.

Thanks to everybody who provided valuable feedback. IMO, our first Carnival cruise lately was overall a notch below previous RCI and Princess cruises. Sure, this is only an opinion, but here are the facts. I talked to several staff people from waiters and dancing crew, and all told me Carnival takes it easier on them and does not drill and work them as hard as other major cruise lines. I didn't have to wait for confirmation too long: when entering a bar, I saw a barman taking a nap right on the counter while there were no customers. Never seen that before. Another one: our liquor we bought on board was delivered to a wrong cabin and we never found it. The room steward paid us back. That said, in no way we would call it a bad cruise, and some things, like the beds in our cabin, were the best. The service in restaurant was as great as on Princess cruise. BTW, I am not a big fan of Indian food (Larry, please don't tell it to your wife), but my brother-in-law is, and he said it was very good. As a matter of fact, we are looking at Carnival Conquest now as we canceled Radiance of The Seas cruise due to high air tickets cost (same as cruise cost, can you believe it?). Conquest is now within driving distance but lack of adult pool on a ship of this size is a major disadvantage. BTW, when I asked if bbal court is open I meant if it's not closed now like on Princess. Sorry I did not make it clear.

Spur: Thanks for the honest, fact based opinion. You provide put both good points and areas that could be better. The objectivity is noteworthy as opposed to consistent negativism. I think CCL has areas it can improve but its certainly not a fleet of freighters! I must admit Indian food is an acuired taste due its spiceness but once you get used to it then its got you. . Have a great trip wherever you decide to go and if you do take the Conquest how about a TR? I think you will be fine there as the rating is pretty good. Bon voyage! Larry.

O.K., big desicion has been made. Carnival Conquest it is. Now I am looking for shore trips info for Montego Bay, the only port I haven't been to. I heard of day passes to all-inclusive Sunset Beach resort. Does anybody know of this place and how to get the day pass? Any other suggestions for a family?

Spur: Check out the web site. There is a toll free # for info. Have a great trip. Yah mon. http://www.sunsetbeachresort.com/-