Carnival Conquest is a 110,000gt ocean cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. The 2,980-guest vessel is based year-round in Miami and primarily operates short cruises to The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Delivered by Fincantieri in 2002, Carnival Conquest introduced the class that carries its name. Its design expanded the earlier Destiny-class platform while retaining Carnival's emphasis on large entertainment spaces, family facilities and a wide range of casual dining.
Construction and entry into service
Fincantieri built Carnival Conquest at its Monfalcone shipyard in Italy. The builder records delivery in 2002, a gross tonnage of 110,200, a length of 290.2 metres, a moulded beam of 35.5 metres and a design draught of 8.2 metres.
The ship began its maiden voyage on 12 November 2002 and was formally named in New Orleans on 19 November. Former United States representative and ambassador Lindy Boggs served as godmother.
Carnival Conquest was the first of five Conquest-class ships. It was followed by Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom, with detail differences between individual vessels.
Size, decks and accommodation
Carnival's current consumer material publishes an operating gross tonnage of 110,000, a length of 952 feet—approximately 290.2 metres—and a beam of 116 feet, or about 35.5 metres. The ship carries 2,980 guests at double occupancy and approximately 1,150 officers and crew.
There are 13 physical passenger decks, numbered 1 to 12 and 14 because Deck 13 is omitted. The accommodation inventory contains approximately 1,492 staterooms following changes made during the ship's career. Fincantieri's construction record lists 1,487 passenger cabins as delivered.
Accommodation includes interior, ocean-view and balcony staterooms, together with Ocean Suites, Grand Suites and Captain's Suites. Carnival's current deck plan identifies accessible cabins and routes for passengers with mobility requirements.
Independent current deck-plan references place full-berth capacity at approximately 3,581 when upper berths and sofa beds are occupied. Deck7 uses Carnival's 2,980 double-occupancy figure in the main profile and reserves 3,581 for the technical Ship Index.
Dining and bars
The ship's dining programme includes the Monet and Renoir main dining rooms and the casual buffet restaurant on the Lido deck. Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina provide popular poolside food, while the onboard steakhouse offers a more traditional speciality-dining experience.
Other options include a seafood venue, pizza, deli service and room service, with menus, opening hours and charges varying by sailing. The Alchemy Bar specialises in made-to-order cocktails, while RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar serve the main outdoor pool area.
The ship's decorative theme draws heavily on French Impressionism. Artwork, colour schemes and venue names reference artists and galleries, giving the public rooms a distinct identity within Carnival's older fleet.
Entertainment and family facilities
The main theatre hosts Carnival's Playlist Productions and other live shows. The ship also offers Punchliner Comedy Club performances, live music, a nightclub, casino, retail spaces and Dive-In Movies on the outdoor screen.
Outdoor facilities include pools, whirlpools, a waterslide, sports areas and mini golf. Camp Ocean provides supervised activities for younger children, while Circle C and Club O2 serve older age groups.
Adults can use the Serenity retreat and spa facilities, while the general pool decks and organised activities give the ship the energetic, informal atmosphere associated with Carnival's short-cruise programme.
2026 refurbishment
Carnival Conquest completed its latest confirmed refurbishment at Grand Bahama Shipyard in February 2026. The 12-day dry dock added Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge and created a new Club O2 space with updated décor and gaming areas.
The WAREHOUSE video arcade was renovated, while the casino received a redesigned and expanded layout, additional gaming options and a dedicated non-smoking area. Carnival also refreshed retail venues including Effy, Pandora and Swarovski.
The February 2026 work supersedes older refurbishment dates sometimes shown in ship databases and is recorded by Deck7 as the vessel's latest completed dry dock.
Miami deployment
Following the 2026 dry dock, Carnival Conquest resumed year-round service from Miami. Its regular programme focuses on short cruises to The Bahamas and the Caribbean, including voyages calling at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama.
Exact itineraries vary by departure date and can include other Bahamian and Caribbean ports. The ship has also operated longer Carnival Journeys sailings, including the 14-night Caribbean voyage during which it rescued a lone mariner from a disabled sailing vessel on 26 August 2026.
Read Deck7's report: Carnival Conquest rescues lone sailor from disabled vessel.
Machinery and environmental systems
Carnival Conquest uses conventional diesel-electric machinery rather than liquefied natural gas. Fincantieri lists four 11,520kW GMT-Sulzer 16 ZAV generator engines and two 8,640kW GMT-Sulzer 12 ZAV units, giving total installed generating power of 63,360kW. Electric propulsion motors drive two conventional shafts.
Carnival's official deck plan records a cruising speed of 21 knots, while established technical references place maximum speed at approximately 22.5 knots.
The ship is shore-power capable. In June 2024, Carnival Conquest became the first cruise ship to connect to PortMiami's new landside electricity system, allowing onboard engines to be shut down for electrical generation while berthed.
Historical compliance material confirms that exhaust-gas cleaning equipment was installed on three generator engines. However, the reviewed public sources do not establish the current operational condition or system configuration following subsequent maintenance periods. Deck7 therefore records EGCS capability as Yes but leaves the type and installation year unspecified.
Identification
The vessel's permanent IMO number is 9198355. Its current radio identity is MMSI 357657000 with call sign 3FPQ9, and both Carnival and current AIS databases identify the ship as registered in Panama.