Carnival Conquest ports of call: Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove

February 2019, ports from 6-day cruise on Carnival Conquest

Docked in Nassau; view from front of ship overlooking serenity deck.

This is a brief post about our ports of call from Carnival Conquest. We have previously visited most of these ports, and we did not book any shore excursions this trip. Click on the labels at the bottom of this post for more information about places of interest. You can also find additional photos with information in the Carnival Conquest Facebook album, and information about the cruise in the cruise blog post.

View from our balcony, cabin 7405, while docked in Nassau.

Nassau, Bahamas: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Nassau was our first port of call after one day at sea. Since this was a busy cruise with a port of call almost every day, and we will be returning to Nassau before the end of the year, we decided to enjoy the view and silence from serenity deck for most of the day. Later in the day, we got off the ship for a short time to look around. There were three ships docked during our visit, and it was easy to disembark and return to the ship. We observed an outdoor market with items for sale inside the port area, and the area outside the port was similar to other ports we have visited: shopping, dining, and vendors trying to sell excursions, and such. Returning to the ship, we noticed a sign for guests boarding Disney about bringing wine and alcohol on board. It said guests are allowed to bring one bottle of alcohol and wine on. Carnival guests are not allowed to do that at any of the ports of call. Carnival guests can bring one bottle of wine on only from the home port at the start of the cruise.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Half Moon Cay is a private island and this was our first visit. This is a tender port, and VIP guests (diamond, platinum, and FTT) met in the showroom at 8:15 AM. The process went quick, and we were on shore by 8:25 AM. The longest part of the process was waiting to disembark after we arrived at the island. We did not receive correct priority tender instructions, and I covered that experience in my cruise post. Just be aware of this, if you are a VIP guest and want to avoid the crowds.

View of Conquest from top of pirate bar in Half Moon Cay.

The island is beautiful, and there were plenty of chairs on the beach. We were lucky, and our ship was the only boat visiting the day we were here. We settled in a shady spot in front of a couple of cabanas past the pirate ship, where it was less busy. After we walked on the beach, we observed hammocks and chairs even farther down the beach in the shade. Next time we visit, we plan to find seats in that area instead.

Map of Half Moon Cay;
another one can be found in the Facebook album.

You can use your Sail & Sign card for beverages on the island; however, the choices are a bit limited, as items had to be taken off and back on the ship. Also, the Cheers package is not included on the island. Buffet lunch is provided on the island. I had read good things about this; however, I did not think the food was good. The burgers were dry and they lacked flavor. We walked the trails on the island, and along the beach. Lookout Bar listed on the map above is apparently no longer there. The only thing we observed in that area was the stingray tour and restrooms.

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

This was our second time visiting this port. We did not have a good experience the first time, and things started out similar this time. There was already one cruise ship at the port when we arrived, so the area was very busy. ALL of the lounge chairs in the Cruise Center area on the beach and in Margaritaville are complimentary (seats with a charge will have a reserved sign on them), and locals will try to rip you off. When someone first met us to "sell" us a chair, I replied that the chairs are no charge. He agreed, and continued offering to get us set up, so we initially thought he meant he was going to help us get settled for a tip. He then said he would get us chairs by the water for $25! No thank you ~ for $25, we will move our own chairs, as needed. Even with the many guests already on the beach, we easily found seats in the shade. We sat on the beach for a while, and then in the shade at Margaritaville.

View of Carnival Conquest from Margaritavlle.

You can buy beverages at Margaritaville, and you can buy alcohol in the duty free shop, and then take it to your lounge chair to make your own beverages.

Smoke when arriving in Amber Cove.

Amber Cove, Dominican Republic: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

We had a slight delay disembarking in Amber Cove. There was a fire on the island from trash being burned, and the smoke was funneling into the cruise port. After a bit, it was decided that the smoke was diminishing, and that it was not dangerous, so we docked at this port as usual.

Amber Cove port; cabanas and pool on right.

There are several shops at this port, and there is complimentary WiFi outside many of the stores. You can also purchase an Internet day pass to use in the pool area at the port. There is no charge to use the pool, loungers, children's play area, or water slides. The water slides are very fast! You can rent or purchase additional items and activities, such as: zip line, umbrellas, food & beverages, cabanas, pool floats, and more. I posted a couple of price list photos from this port in the Facebook album.

If you are looking for a quiet area, it is quieter by the children's play area. Music started very loudly after we had settled in seats around the pool (look for the green plastic boxes amoung the trees, which are the speakers).

At one of the beaches from our tour in 2004.

If you have never visited this area, I suggest taking one of the safari tours that stops at a beach and waterfalls. We did a tour like that from a resort in 2004, and it was fabulous.

Another stop on our safari tour in 2004.

Let me know if you have any questions!