Carnival Conquest

Carnival Conquest is a 110,239 gross tonne ship built by Fincantieri and delivered in 2002, and she is the first of the Conquest class. That class was not a clean sheet. It is a reworking of the Destiny hull, lengthened by roughly 59 feet to add cabins and a restaurant above the Lido deck. The one decision that still defines her is not structural but decorative. Joe Farcus themed her interiors on the great painters. You dine in the Monet and Renoir restaurants, drink in the Impressionist Bar and Alfred's, and take in comedy in the Degas Lounge. Farcus designed some fifty ships, and his maximalism set the Carnival look for two decades. She now runs short cruises. Her homeport is Miami, on three and four night Bahamas itineraries.
What she does well is volume and choice for the money. The Lido Restaurant, Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and the Seafood Shack cover casual eating without a surcharge, and The Point Steakhouse handles the paid end. Alchemy Bar, the RedFrog Rum Bar and the Blues Piano Bar give the evenings some range, and the Punchliner Comedy Club runs in the Degas Lounge. A twelve day drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard in February 2026 added the Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge, expanded the casino with a non smoking area, and refreshed the teen space and arcade. Reviewers are consistent about the crew, described as experienced and warm.
The criticism is straightforward. Cruise Critic's editors rate her 4.0 out of 5 and call her a fun ship for short cruises, but they flag a party hard atmosphere that can tire, and note that rooms such as the Painter's Library go underused. She is twenty four years old, and member reviews say so. Recurring complaints include worn cabin furnishings, small televisions, cleanliness lapses and long queues at the buffet. The Farcus decor is not to every taste, and reads as of its period.
She suits first time cruisers, groups after a cheap weekend, and anyone who wants a busy ship rather than a calm one. Families do better on the four night sailings than the three night ones, which draw the rowdier crowd. She does not suit travellers who want contemporary, restrained interiors, quiet public rooms, or long sea day voyages.
Cabin choice matters more here than usual. The Verandah cabins on deck 8 sit directly beneath the deck 9 pools, so expect early morning noise from deck chairs being dragged. Cabins on deck 6 sit above the deck 5 lounges and casino. Aft balcony cabins are the sweet spot on paper, at 185 square feet with a 60 square foot balcony and a wake view, though they mean long walks and occasional vibration. Obstructed ocean views here overlook the forward open decks, and picture window cabins on the promenade trade privacy for light.
Read the deck plan before you book. On this ship it is the whole game.