Carnival Conquest Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do

As the lead ship for Carnival’s Conquest class, Carnival Conquest launched a series of five, fan-favorite cruise ships, all of which are still active today. The ship made its debut in 2002, however, so you may think that this vessel is too old to offer you a truly fun cruising experience — but that’s where you’d be wrong.

Carnival Conquest has been updated over the years, in order to outfit this spacious ship with all of Carnival’s Fun 2.0 amenities and venues that many Carnival fans have come to love. If you’re one of those stalwart fans, rest assured that you’ll find all your favorites on this ship.

If you’re new to Carnival altogether, well, then expect a great time and a great idea of what you can expect on every single other ship in this fleet. Here’s what you need to know for an upcoming Carnival Conquest cruise. 

Carnival Conquest Stats

While the ships in the Conquest class aren’t huge, they’re not really super-small either. You’ll find that you get a nice mix of plenty to do, but not so many options that you’re overwhelmed. Carnival Conquest measures in at:

• Gross Tonnage: 110,000 GT
• Length: 952 feet
• Passenger decks: 13
• Passenger capacity: 2,980 people
• Maximum passenger capacity: 3,966
• Staterooms: 1,490 rooms
• Crew: 1,150 members

Construction and Refurbishments 

Carnival Conquest was built by Fincantieri in Italy. After a christening by Corrine Lindy Claiborne Boggs, a former U.S. Representative from Louisiana, the ship embarked on its inaugural cruise on Nov. 15, 2002. The ship cost about $500 million to build. 

As has been the case with Carnival Conquest’s sister ships within this class, Carnival Conquest has undergone a fair number of renovations over its lifetime, with dry docks occurring about every five years or so (in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2022).

The initial dry docks just brought minor changes to the ship. For example, in 2009, Carnival Conquest received cosmetic enhancements, the addition of some balcony staterooms, changes to the spa, addition of a poolside theater screen and extra WiFi capabilities.

The most expansive changes came in 2012, in Freeport in The Bahamas, when Carnival updated this ship to Fun 2.0 standards. If you’ve been a long-time Carnival fan, you’ll know that the Fun 2.0 initiative included the cruise line making fleet-wide updates and adding a range of new venues, restaurants, bars, etc., to its ships.

Carnival Conquest’s Fun 2.0 additions included:

• RedFrog Rum Bar
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar
• Alchemy Bar
• Guy’s Burger Joint
• Blue Iguana Cantina
• Cherry on Top
• Punchliner Comedy Club

Additionally, the 2012 dry dock also included cosmetic enhancements and the addition of new suites. At this time, Carnival also swapped out all of its outdated stateroom televisions for flat-screen TVs.

Minor cosmetic changes and routine maintenance took place in 2017 and then, most recently, in 2022, in Cadiz, Carnival updated the ship’s hull design and outfitted the ship with new carpeting, wall coverings, lighting, tile, etc. — which gives the ship a much better feel and an upgraded appearance that you won’t normally find on ships of this age. 

The 2022 dry dock also expanded the ship’s casino, updated ADA cabins and added some retail options. 

Staterooms

As mentioned, there are 1,490 staterooms on Carnival Conquest, inclusive of suites. If you specifically want to book a stateroom, you’ll have a few options, including 523 balcony staterooms, six scenic ocean view staterooms, 334 standard ocean view staterooms, and 575 interior staterooms.

All staterooms, regardless of type, offer the following amenities:

• In-room telephone
• 110 AC power outlet
• Individual climate control
• Carnival Home Signature Bedding Collection
• Hair dryer
• In-room safe
• Non-stocked mini bar
• Flat-screen TV

So which stateroom is right for you? Let’s break your options down further. In the interior staterooms, expect smaller spaces suitable for one or two travelers. While, yes, a lot of interior staterooms are described as being capable of fitting more than this, you might find yourself cramped.

There are multiple options within the interior stateroom category. In addition to standard interior staterooms, there are also porthole interior staterooms that offer a window. However, portholes are on the smaller side and the views are limited, so don’t think of this as an ocean view.

Read Also: What Are the Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship?

For true ocean views, upgrade to an ocean view stateroom, which will be a bit larger and offer more space all around. However, as you book your ocean view stateroom, be sure to note whether or not it has an obstructed view. 

For the best ocean view experience possible, book a scenic ocean view stateroom. While there are a limited number of these staterooms on the ship, they offer truly gorgeous, panoramic views of the scenery, thanks to wall-to-wall windows.

Balcony staterooms are split into other categories as well, including premium vista, premium and aft-view, so your view and outdoor living space may differ according to the category.

However, all offer more interior and exterior space for sitting, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Across the above categories, there are also 26 accessible staterooms.

Suites

Suites on this ship fall into different categories, including 40 Ocean suites, 10 Grand suites, and two Captain’s suites. Suites offer extra amenities for a more luxurious experience than what you’ll get in a stateroom, including:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority dining 
• Priority debarkation
• In-room water bottles
• Better mattress
• In-room bathrobes

Ocean suites maximize your views, with lots of windows and ample space on your balcony. There’s also plenty of living space inside your suite, with extra seating, a walk-in closet and a whirlpool tub in the bathroom. The Grand suite is even larger, with extra dressing space and a vanity.

Worth Reading: Incredible Cruise Ships With Family Suites

Captain’s suites, though, are the crème de la crème, the best of the best that you’ll be able to book on Carnival Conquest. Think updated décor, two full bathrooms, a separate bedroom and more.

Free Dining

There are several free dining options available on Carnival Conquest, just enough to keep you fed during a shorter cruise without needing to dig into your pockets to splurge on one of the ship’s specialty dining options.

Complimentary dining options on Carnival Conquest include…

• Guy’s Burger Joint, for Guy Fieri-approved quick bites
• BlueIguana Cantina, for Mexican fare 
• Renoir Restaurant, one of two main dining rooms on the ship, open for dinner only
• Monet Restaurant, second of two main dining rooms on the ship, open for breakfast and dinner
• Lido Marketplace, the buffet
• Pizza Pirate, for pizza at any hour
• Swirls, for frozen sweet treats 
• Sweet Spot, for baked items 

Specialty Restaurants 

If you are willing to splurge a bit more on your dining experiences on this ship, you’ll have the following options: 

• The Point Steakhouse, for steakhouse classics and reservations recommended
• The Seafood Shack, for casual fried seafood 
• Café Fans, a coffee bar where you can also pick up milkshakes and baked items

You can also enjoy other specialty dining experiences beyond just dining at these three restaurants, including 24-hour room service and foodie-focused events like The Chef’s Table dinners led by the ship’s culinary team, and family-friendly Cat in the Hat-themed breakfasts. 

Bars and Lounges

There are plenty of places to wet your whistle aboard a Carnival Conquest cruise. You can find watering holes in easy reach, no matter where you are on the ship. Your options include…

• Alchemy Bar, for mixed drinks 
• RedFrog Rum Bar, for Caribbean-inspired libations  
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, for tequila-based beverages 
• The Piano Bar, for live music along with your drink 
• SkyBox Sports Bar, for casual beers as you watch your favorite sporting events
• The Casino Bar, for drinks while you explore the recently expanded casino

Carnival Conquest Itineraries

Ready to plan your Carnival Conquest getaway? Check out your options and book the perfect cruise itinerary for your family today!

Activities and Entertainment

Carnival Conquest is packed with things to do between your cruise itinerary’s island stops. You can spend your sea days and other extra time enjoying the following ways to play. 

Pickleball Court

Pickleball is a sport growing in popularity, so when Carnival brought Carnival Conquest in for a dry dock in 2022, the cruise line had to add this option to its outdoor fun lineup. The pickleball court on Carnival Conquest is the very first in the entire Carnival fleet.

Sports

While pickleball is the newest sporty offering aboard Carnival Conquest, you can find other ways to get competitive on this ship, too.

Head to SportSquare and challenge your spouse, significant other, or kids to a game of basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, foosball, pool, or miniature golf.

Or, you can try a team-building experience and take to the skies with the challenging ropes course. Want to get out of the sun? Head to the video arcade for some digital racing.

Take a Trip to the Spa

Head to the on-board spa for relaxing and rejuvenating treatments that include everything from massages to body wraps to facials to manicures. There are hair and nail treatments for a bit of beautification, and completely health-driven treatments that leave you feeling like a brand new person.

The spa can be an all-day activity all on its own, with its steam rooms and saunas and a relaxing environment that encourages you to escape into your own world of peace and tranquility.

Get in a Quick Workout

Just because you’re aboard a cruise ship having the time of your life on vacation, that definitely doesn’t mean that you have to let your beach body go to waste. Keep those abs in check and head to the Carnival Conquest on-board gym, which we promise is not your ordinary fitness center.

This cruise-worthy experience has all the state-of-the-art and modern equipment you need for your fitness regimen, but with all ocean views. The Carnival team has placed each piece of equipment just so, giving every single guest an unbeatable view while they work out a sweat.

Near-Endless Entertainment 

The entertainment is plentiful and interactive aboard Carnival Conquest, giving your family the chance to get hands on during all your favorite shows. At the Thrill Theater, you can enjoy a feature film in an immersive environment that brings all the special effects right to your very seat.

At Hasbro, The Game Show, enjoy all your favorite childhood games in a brand-new way, in a larger than life board game that pits cruisers against one another for fun prizes.

Of course, if you want to be entertained while you simply sit back and relax, there’s that option as well. Stage Shows are filled with dancing, music and singing, with not an ounce of audience participation on your part.

The Punchliner Comedy Club is a great place to catch some jokes and laughs, whether you prefer more lighthearted, family-friendly comedy, or something a bit raunchier after hours. Plus, Carnival’s Seaside Theater gives you the chance to enjoy flicks in the great outdoors, complete with drinks and snacks.

Hit the Pool

There are tons of options when it comes to donning your swimsuit and taking a dip. The favorite by far, however, is the Carnival Waterworks on-board waterpark.

With waterslides, pipes, buckets and more, you can have an adrenaline-pumping experience racing your friends in the water slide or just relax in the deep end with a drink in hand. It doesn’t matter how old you might be, Waterworks is a fun experience for everyone in the family.

Carnival Shops

Whether you just like to window shop or you’re on the hunt for a special gift for that special someone back home, you could spend hours browsing the shops aboard Carnival Conquest.

From souvenirs to electronics, liquors to designer clothing, the duty-free shops offer something for everyone. If it’s art that you’re into, the Art Gallery hosts art auctions as well, with complimentary Champagne and free gifts. Sports memorabilia is also auctioned off.

Expanded Casino

The on-board, newly expanded (as of 2022) casino is a great place to try your luck and maybe win a little bit of extra money to spend on your next shore excursion. There’s poker, both with electronic tables and live dealers, with bets starting at $5.

There’s roulette, for an easy game that’s both exciting and simple enough that even novice casino-goers can have a good time. There are even casino tournaments, if you really want to get competitive.

Kids Venues

Even with all of the above ways to play and have a great time with the family, sometimes, the kids just want a little bit of time away from Mom and Dad (and vice versa). That’s why Carnival offers its multitude of children-exclusive venues and programming for kids ages two up to 17.

Read Also: Carnival Valor Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do

Camp Ocean splits kiddos ages 2 to 11 into age-appropriate groups and then offers a bevy of educational fun. Circle C gives preteens a place to hang out with their peers, ages 12 to 14. Club 02 is a cool spot for older kids, ages 15 to 17.