Read Authentic Ratings for the Carnival-Conquest

On November 20, passengers aboard the 'Carnival Conquest' were notified of a mechanical glitch that impacted the cruise ship's speed. This issue caused the vessel to arrive well behind schedule at Celebration Key during its 4-night Bahamas cruise, which commenced from Miami. In light of the delay, the port stay had to be abbreviated, and Carnival offered guests a $50 onboard credit for their inconvenience. After this incident, the 'Carnival Conquest' has resumed regular operations, but Carnival Cruises has yet to disclose the specific cause of the mechanical troubles. This recent disruption follows previous propulsion challenges faced by the ship earlier in January, which had also resulted in delays during its return to port. Issues with propulsion have been a recurring theme for Carnival's Vista-class ships, raising questions about future sailings.

The 'Carnival Conquest' experienced a delay upon its return to Port Miami on January 6, 2025, due to propulsion-related speed issues. The ship remained anchored in Miami until shortly after 8 p.m. that evening. Passengers onboard were informed on the night of January 6 that the vessel would be docking approximately three hours later than scheduled the following morning, which in turn affected the travel plans of some guests. Additionally, the cruise ship opted to forgo its scheduled stop at Princess Cay, heading directly to Freeport instead.

It has been two weeks since U.S. Army veteran Nathan McGrath, hailing from Port St. Lucie, mysteriously disappeared from the 'Carnival Conquest' during a three-day Caribbean cruise. McGrath was reported missing by his family on the morning of September 4, prompting an extensive search by ship staff and security personnel, but no trace of him was found. According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, there were no surveillance recordings that indicated he went overboard. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not encounter McGrath during the standard debarkation checks at PortMiami. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a thorough search over 3,300 square nautical miles using helicopters, yet they were unable to locate any evidence of McGrath before suspending their operations on September 7. Local authorities continue to investigate this puzzling case. Nathan McGrath is a decorated veteran who served six years in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria and is the proud father of two young children. He was aboard the cruise with numerous friends and family members to celebrate his father's 60th birthday. Family and friends have expressed disbelief, stating that it is completely out of character for McGrath to leave without explanation. Despite the ongoing investigation and concerns raised by the family, the cruise ship has resumed its operations, drawing criticism from McGrath's relatives and some passengers. Since the incident, the Carnival Conquest has made several voyages, including destinations such as Nassau, Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico.

On September 7, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the cessation of their search efforts for a passenger missing from the Carnival Conquest cruise ship near Miami. Over the course of more than 80 hours, the search teams covered an extensive area of approximately 3,300 square nautical miles. The search operation also received support from Miami-Dade police, Fire Rescue teams, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The alert regarding the missing individual, identified as 26-year-old Kevin McGrath, was raised on September 4 at around 11 a.m. McGrath was last seen in his cabin at approximately 2 a.m. that same day, but despite thorough efforts, he could not be located on board the vessel. The Coast Guard initiated a helicopter search over the adjacent waters, while Miami-Dade police conducted an investigation aboard the ship. Notably, McGrath did not appear on surveillance systems, including checks by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, during the ship's debarkation. Ongoing investigations by Carnival Cruise Lines are focusing on a detailed review of closed-circuit video footage to provide clarity on the incident.