Click here for a look back at the web postings and pictures from our last cruise on the Inspiration.

WE'RE BACK!

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(more to come later)

|New Orleans|  |Jamaica|  |Grand Cayman|  |Cozumel|  |Carnival Pics|

7/25/2003>>  Looks like there has been a change in parking prices at the Julia St Cruise Terminal.  Parking is now $12/day ($84/week.)  It should also be noted that cash payment is required for parking (no credit cards or checks) and that there are several off-site parking areas to accommodate the increased number of passengers sailing from New Orleans.  See more at the Port of New Orleans website.

7/25/2003>>  A new storm watcher site...  stormcarib.com.  So far, so good.  Looks like no tropical storm formation expected for the next few days.  Maybe our voyage will be storm-free.

7/16/2003>>  Carnival Capers is the name of the newsletter that you will find under your door each evening.  The Capers contain all the information you need to plan your day on board.  Click here to view copies of the Carnival Capers from Conquest's maiden voyage in December.  This also includes listing of available shore excursions and pricing, but please note that this could all be changed since December.

7/8/2003>>  Free 8x10 group photos for Willard Cruise Group...  We're scheduled to meet on the staircase beside the Renoir Restaurant on Aug 7th at 5:00pm for a group photo.  Each cabin in our group will receive a complimentary 8x10 group photo.

7/8/2003>>  Conquest on final voyage from Gulfport, MS...

6/23/2003>>  New Orleans map (cruise terminal and hotel map.)  (requires Acrobat Reader.)

6/23/2003>>  Cruise cookout will be held Saturday, June 28 at Lake Greeson - Kirby Landing.  We'll have hamburgers and hot dogs--bring your own drinks and ice.  Other deserts or snacks are optional.

5/29/2003>>  Conquest expected back in New Orleans July 13...

5/28/2003>>  Notice from Carnival regarding SARS...

5/27/2003>>  Our cruise cookout is set for Saturday, June 28 at Lake Greeson (Kirby Landing.)  We will have campers set up on 2 sites, boats, jet skis and FOOD!  Hope everyone can attend.  We should have lots of cruise info including cabin assignments, pictures and brochures.  More info to come later.

5/27/2003>>  (from CruiseNewsDaily) The Atlantic hurricane season opens June 1 and runs thru November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an especially active hurricane season, forecasting 11 to 15 tropical storms, with 6 to 9 hurricanes and 2 to 4 achieving major status.

While this may scatter cruise ships and take them off their regular itineraries, it will also demonstrate one of their greatest strengths over land-based resorts. If you buy a package at resort on a Caribbean island, and a hurricane is headed right for it, you either don't go, or if you are already there, you head home early (if you can) - or you spend a few days of your vacation riding out the storm in a shelter hoping it doesn't blow away.

Hurricanes are easily tracked so if you've booked a cruise, the line and the ship are watching the storm's progress and give it a wide berth. Sure, your ship may visit some different islands than you planned to, but at least you've had your full vacation and your ship has avoided the bad weather.
 

5/14/2003>>  New Orleans planning more cruise terminals...

5/14/2003>>  Man who fell from Carnival Conquest is found...

5/14/2003>>  Man overboard reportedly climbed over the railing...

5/5/2003>>  Entergy announces plans to raise power lines over the river...

4/3/2003>>  Conquest could be back in Louisiana soon...

4/3/2003>>  High winds delay Conquest docking in Gulfport...

4/3/2003>>  Carnival Conquest facts...

4/3/2003>>  Don't forget--final payments are due by April 20, 2003.

3/19/2003>>  Here's an update on Carnival's position regarding the threat of war...

3/19/2003>>  For those who haven't heard, the Conquest is currently ported in Gulf Port, MS due to the problem with the power line and current water level of the Mississippi River.  Hopefully, this will not be the case in August, but we will need to keep close tabs on it.  Carnival is providing transportation from New Orleans to Gulf Port.  Click here for details.

1/21/2003>>  Check out the New Orleans festivals and events calendar

     (also located in side menu on the left)

1/15/2003>>  Here are some pictures of the New Orleans Sheraton.  This is the hotel we stayed at on our last group cruise and one of the ones we're considering for this trip.

     Side Entrance   Lobby   River View   Restaurant

1/15/2003>>  A few new pictures of the Conquest taken by recent passengers...

     The Sky Pool   The Children's Pool   Balcony Cabin   Balcony Cabin   Casino   Lido Deck   Water Slide

1/15/2003>>  Just a reminder...

     Next cruise payments ($250 per person) are due by February 10.

11/12/2002>>  The Conquest has arrived at New Orleans.  See the pics of her coming in here!

11/06/2002>>  Carnival has announced a few new kid-friendly features on its most recent ship. Carnival Conquest will be the first ship in the fleet to have a new teen rec area, complete with game room, dance club-with-video-wall influenced by Paris' Montmartre (think "Moulin Rouge") and a mocktail lounge. Carnival has also expanded offerings for the younger set; it's Camp Carnival will feature the fleet's largest "Children's World" facility. Beyond the larger space, Carnival will introduce a new on-board science education program on Conquest.

11/05/2002>>  Here are new pics of the Conquest in Trieste, Italy.

10/31/2002>>  The Carnival Conquest is ready to sail!  Updated pictures of the ship are here.

10/31/2002>>  Check out the links to adult and children's activities on the Conquest: Jumbo-sized fun for kids on Carnival Conquest  -  Activities onboard for adults  -  Camp Carnival info

8/28/2002  We finally have REAL pictures of the new Carnival Conquest in final stages of construction.  Click here to see the pics.

7/29/2002  Sample of Camp Carnival activities on a seven day cruise.

7/26/2002  An important message from Carnival regarding travel documentation.

7/22/2002  Willard Cruise Group Message Board

7/22/2002  Our group currently consists of 32 individuals in 12 cabins.  Anyone who is interested in additional cabins should contact us immediately.  There are limited cabins still available.

7/22/2002  Facts about the Carnival Conquest

7/22/2002  Facts for the first time cruiser

5/20/2002   Click on the links to view Carnival Conquest deck plans.  Page 1  Page 2

2/27/2002   The prices are in!  Prices for sailing with our group on the August 3, 2003 Carnival Conquest are as follows...  (Please note that all port charges and taxes are included in these prices.)  We will likely receive free upgrades on these cabins also.

Payment schedule is as follows... 

$25/person by March 15, 2002

$250/person by February 10, 2003

Balance by April 20, 2003

1/21/2002  Click here to view different classes of staterooms offered by Carnival.

1/15/2002  Click here to view a flyer with information about our upcoming cruise. (requires Acrobat Reader.)

1/10/2002  We're now working on our next cruise.  Willard Cruise Group will be sailing on the new Carnival Conquest from New Orleans on August 3, 2003.  We expect to have complete pricing on this cruise by the end of February.  Down payment will need to be made around the first of March to reserve our cabins ($25.00 per person.)  If you're interested, please email willard@arkansas.net or call Mike or Cindy at (870) 845-3433.  Check back here for updates.  Happy cruising!

1/10/2002  Click here for a look back at the web postings for our last cruise on the Inspiration.

1/10/2002  Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that New Orleans will be the home port for the line's newest and biggest ship. The Carnival Conquest will begin sailing from New Orleans in November 2002.  The $500-million Carnival Conquest will replace Carnival's Inspiration in New Orleans.  The 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest will be the largest ship ever built for Carnival Cruise Lines.
     The new ship is currently being built in Monfalcone, Italy.  The Carnival Conquest will carry 2976 passengers a 45% increase in passenger capacity cover the Inspiration.  The 952 foot long Carnival Conquest will be the first ship in a new series of ships for Carnival.  

     Approximately 60% of the Carnival Conquest's 1,488 cabins will offer ocean views and 60% of these will feature private balconies.  Dining choices onboard the Carnival Conquest will include twin two-deck formal restaurants plus an expanded poolside restaurant, a 24-hour pizzeria, and a reservations-only supper club.
     The Carnival Conquest will make regular weekly sailings from New Orleans, departing Sunday afternoon, for the Western Caribbean.  Port calls during the cruise will include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel, Mexico.  In addition to the exciting tropical ports, the 7-night cruise will include 3 fabulous "Fun Days" at Sea.

Some images on this site have been copied from www.carnival.com.  Please see the Carnival copyright statement below.

Copyright© 2001