Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	426
Accommodation	200	165
Food	400	221
Service	400	269
Entertainment	100	83
Cruise	400	286

How this score is created

Carnival Conquest is the 19th new-build for this very successful cruise line. It is presently the largest ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet, and has the same well-balanced profile as its sisters: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Victory. The ship, whose bows are extremely short, has the distinctive, large, swept-back wing-tipped funnel that is the trademark of Carnival Cruise Lines, in the company colors of red, white and blue. However, due to its size, the ship is unable to transit the Panama Canal, and is thus dedicated to itineraries in the Caribbean.

This is quite a stunning ship, built to impress at every turn. Amidships on the open deck is a long water slide (200 ft/60 meters in length), as well as tiered sunbathing decks positioned between two swimming pools and several hot tubs. The layout of the ship is quite logical, so finding your way around is not difficult. The decor is all about the world’s great Impressionist painters, such as Degas, Monet and Van Gogh. You’ll also find large Murano glass flowers on antiqued brass stems in several public areas. It is very imaginative, and a fantasy land for the senses (though it isn’t as glitzy as the Fantasy-class ships).

As for public areas, there are three decks full of lounges, 10 bars and lots of rooms to play in. There are two atriums: the largest, the Atelier Atrium (in the forward third of the ship) goes through nine decks, while the aft atrium goes through three decks. The ship has a doublewide indoor promenade, nine-deck-high, and a glass-domed rotunda atrium lobby.

For those who like to gamble, the Tahiti casino is certainly large and action-packed; there are also more than 320 slot machines. There are several other nightspots for just about every musical taste (except for opera, ballet and classical music lovers).

Children are provided with good facilities, including their own two-level Children’s Club (with an outdoor pool), and are well cared for with “Camp Carnival”, the line’s extensive children’s program.

It is difficult to escape from noise and loud music (it’s even played in cabin hallways and lifts), not to mention smokers, and masses of people walking around in unsuitable clothing, clutching plastic sport drinks bottles, at any time of the day or night. You have to carry a credit card to operate the personal safes, which is inconvenient.

The many pillars in the dining room make it difficult for proper food service by the waiters. The public toilets are spartan and could do with some cheering up.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008