This is our 5 th cruise and by far most disappointing one! Food options that you don’t have to pay for are very limited and the almost the same every day. Salad bar is basically non existent. Breakfast doesn’t start until 7, so if you are a early morning person you have to wait forever to eat. The entertainment was no where near as good as any of our previous cruises. And it they scheduled everything around the same times. So you spend all day with nothing to do unless you want to pay $12.95 to watch a movie in the imax theatre. This is the only cruise we have been on that you don’t have to be early for the entertainment. You can show up 10 min late and still get a great seat. I could go on and on but don’t I don’t want to rant. We will never cruise with carnival again! Very disappointed! Read Less

This was our first time with carnival but our 15th cruise. We thought we would give them a try and liked the look of the Horizon. We were so glad we did. We absolutely loved it! We thought carnival were excellent and the ship was modern and so beautiful. EMBARKATION was so easy, we arrived at our allocated time and we were on the ship in 10 minutes. We choose an inside CABIN as so cheap and it was surprisingly large, very very clean and had everything we needed. The ship was beautiful, we loved the Atruim, the decor, the modern art, all of it really ! The FOOD was wonderful. Ate in the dining room, buffet, Ji Jis, Mongolian Wok, Pasta Bar, Guys burgers, the Burrito place, Pizza and the smokehouse. All of it was excellent. Jij Jis was our favourite and a must do. ENTERTAINMENT was very good and there was always something to do. Watched 4 shows and SoulBound and Celestrial Strings were very very good. The cruise director Mike was excellent too. Could never get in to see the comedian as the queue was always massive. Enjoyed watched the piano player Jeffery Munks and some of the others, they were all good. The sky ride was scary, the thrill theatre good (preferred level 2 than 3) and loved watching aqua man on the IMAX. As new to carnival, a few things carnival do very well over other cruise lines - Disembarkation - they keep it simple, express check out or early or late. Easy and effective. Loved that the entertainment schedule is published in advance so you can plan your week. The many different fab food options which meant areas like the buffet were mainly quiet. The app you use on board was very effective. We could be enjoying a drink then go on the app, request a dinner table and ten minutes later they would let us know through the app , that our table was ready, so easy. There was only one thing that i didn’t like about carnival and that was the lack of hand washing. No one ensured people washed their hands at the buffet and we watched most people not bother. Not good. But apart from that, we had a blast and loved carnival and the horizon Read Less

Everyone was wonderfully friendly. As a first-time cruiser I really didn't know what to expect and was open to anything. We were a party of 5, (mom, dad, 2 kids ages 7 and almost 3 and Nana in tow). All first-timers! The food was very good and plentiful with many choices. For breakfast Lido marketplace was the place to be; omelettes, Eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, bacon. Anything you could think of - cereals, fruit, danishes it was all there, and I sure do miss it!! Their midnight buffet had three selections, my favorite being the grilled ham and cheese sandwiches . They were awesome for late-night munching. If you're looking for BBQ the Pig and Anchor is YUMMY, go on "at sea" day for lunch at no cost. One thing, the beverage pack doesn't seem cost effective and if you're a Pepsi person you might do better bringing your own. So much entertainment and found many things of interest but always seemed to gravitate towards Lido deck aft to meet new friends, chat and laugh. Very kid friendly- waterworks, build a bear and Camp Ocean was great for them while we adults took a little time for ourselves. Shore excursions we booked lived up to expectations except one. My Sea Trek excursion was cancelled last sec, literally, because of compressor malfunction. But better still on dry land instead of underwater at the time. This is the only reason I gave 3 stars for excursions. Was offered any remaining excursions for 35% off which was appreciated but sadly I panic trying to snorkel. Overall the GREATEST vacation I've ever had!! Bucket list- Cruise Caribbean check! Read Less

This is a review of the six-night Western Caribbean itinerary. We are a middle-aged couple who have traveled extensively and have been on seven cruises including three on Carnival. Embarkation in Miami was a breeze as you no longer have to stand in line if you check in online and use a credit card. The sail and sign card is at your cabin door. The ship: Being new the ship was clean and in good shape. The atrium was small and unimpressive. The elevators system was hit or miss. Sometimes it worked great and other times it was down or assigned too many people to a car. The problem with the system is that when a person selects a deck number it does not know if they are alone or with ten family members. The casino was large but stank of smoke. The main pool deck had no whirlpools. It was hard to find an empty place on the Serenity Deck at times and there was no shade. My favorite place was the Lanai on deck five which is shady and quiet. Shopping: You can buy a fancy watch but there was no place to buy over the counter medications, sunscreen, candy bars, magazines, toothbrushes, Dramamine, diapers, etc. What were they thinking? Service: Our cabin steward kept our cabin clean and remembered our names. The buffet attendants whisked away dirty dishes amazingly fast. We did not eat dinner in the dining rooms so I can’t comment on waiter service and we don’t drink so we did not use any bars. We never received a final bill under our door so we had to request one via the internet. Instead of crediting us $100 for our gift card they credited $10! We had to fax them a form to fix it. Food: Since we were not feeling well and did not bring formal clothes we never ate dinner in the main dining rooms. The food at the buffet ranged from unedible too average. There were only about ten foods to choose from plus the salad bar. Cakes were dry. I remember huge buffets with multiple stations on past cruises. The deli was ridiculously small and understaffed so the lines were always long. Guy’s Pig and Anchor was OK as was the Mexican restaurant near the pool. There is a limited breakfast service in the Ocean Plaza that is quiet and not crowded. There are few free options for dinner if you don’t feel up to the main dining room. Why can’t they offer a Ruby Tuesday quality restaurant that is free? Surely this would be cheaper than a three course meal in one of the dining rooms. Entertainment: There are many options for entertainment although there is too much trivia. The Liquid Lounge performers were good although the sight lines in the theatre are terrible. I never had a problem getting a seat. Unlike other cruises I have been on there were no live bands in the pool area playing reggae, steel drum or calypso music. The SkyRide was still down. They should dismantle the whole thing. Noise: The main pool had very loud, almost painful, music at times. There was also loud music in the atrium. We could hear people talking outside our cabin, kids running down the hall late at night, doors slamming, people above us opening their balcony doors and moving furniture and when the ship was moving fast, waves hitting the side. Also a couple of times there were announcements in the middle of the night. Water shuttle (tendering): You don’t need tickets for the water shuttles in Grand Cayman and the cruise director will say that nobody waits for more than 12 minutes but what they don’t tell you is that you may sit on the rocking water shuttle for up to 30 minutes while it loads. They hold over 300 people which is why they take forever to fill. If you have a private excursion reserved allow at least an hour to get to land and find your tour company. Fellow passengers: There were over 600 kids on board which seemed like a lot for a school week. Most people seemed lower to middle class and spanned the age spectrum. Don’t worry about looking chunky in your bathing suit at the pool as there is fair number of people of size on board. Read Less

We've been on 15+ cruises over the years and go between CCL and RCL. The Horizon was by far, the most dissapointing ship out of all of them. The pros and cons: PRO: More seating in the public and buffet area. Never had to look for a seat to relax or eat. Guy's burger's Casino (small) but good lay out Every area was always cleaned up and tidy. Our cabin service was excellent. The FASTEST and easiest I've ever been on and off a ship in my life. CONS: NO elegance to the ship at all. No large atrium. They made more room for staterooms and people, and condensed everywhere else. Lines were way too long for comedy show, etc. Made you want to give up on even going to shows. Dining room had low ceilings. I miss the double floor open air. No elegance. We skipped dinner twice due to this. Our service was horrible. Most of the same food was at the buffet, which is a good thing, I guess. **TIP: use the Purell before and AFTER using the serving utensils at the buffet. The Promenade deck had less bars/shopping/seating and had too many PAY restaurants. Booked a Spa interior on the 11th floor. Very small and NO storage. Do not book! My husband lived out of his suitcase that was on top of the desk, and my suitcase was at the end of the bed that I had to walk around going in and out of bed. Drawers and safe are in the closet. The spa was smaller than my living room. Walked in, walked out and asked the receptionist if that was it, and walked back out never to return. Total waste of money to book a Spa room. Service at the pool bars (I know beyond busy) was slow and they were overwhelmed. Only one friendly bartender the entire week. Drink service in the casino was not to be found the first few days, then they wouldn't leave you alone the last 2 nights. Went to guest services for a request, and he just blank stared at me the entire time I was speaking. Needless to say, I will not be booking a cruise on The Horizon or it's sister ship,The Vista. Read Less

I have never had a check in process go so smooth and quick. Literally, from terminal drop off to on the ship was less than 30 minutes. We didn't have "Faster to the Fun" and we are not Gold, Diamond, Platinum or Elite cruisers. In 30 minutes we were having a burger and fries at Guy's on the lido deck. Amazing. The disembarkment took more time, but it ran seamlessly with little waiting in any line. The Carnival Horizon flagship had a guest population of around 4,600 according to Mike the cruise director. I was concerned with the amount of people and limited space. I've read many reviews and usually start with the worse reviews. My main concern was I'd be spending most of the time in a line of some sort. This proved not to be the case. I would have never guessed there were so many guests. I have cruised on Carnival before and it wasn't any worse than other cruises and in some cases I'd say it was better. The only big issue was the sail away party. Most of the ship was on the lido deck all wanting drinks. The wait for drinks was insane, but that was the only time. I would recommend getting to the lido early on departure to get a seat at one of the bars if that's your bag. My wife and I had the endless bubbles plan (soda) and it was worth it. The food was typical. I wish the Blue Iguana Cantina was open for more than breakfast and lunch. We tried Guys Pig and Anchor. I had the prime rib and my wife had the baby back ribs 1/2 rack. Both were excellent. I also had the nachos which were just ok. It costs extra to eat there, but the cost was very reasonable for the quality of food. It seemed any of the food venues that cost extra were worth the added cost for the most part. At the Seafood Shack, which also costs extra, the clam strips and fried shrimp were excellent while the lobster roll was flat tasting. As usual the deli and pizza were nice options at no charge. Guy's Burger was a staple and the buffet was also good. Again lines were not a problem and I'm not sure why. On sea days everyone has to eat. We saw both comedians and they were excellent. The PG shows were just as funny as the R shows. The last night of the cruise they had both comedians do a special late show in the Liquid Lounge which was great. There is so much to do and see on this ship we didn't get to some of it. It gives us something to look forward to on the next trip. I liked the smart elevators. They were easy to use and efficient once we learned how to use them. Read Less

This ship was beautiful, very clean, modern and the food was great! We had not vacationed in 2 years and wanted to cruise. We wanted a super fun time so we picked carnival. We got what we asked for. Lots of fun. The deck parties, adult Quest game, Love and Marriage game, club. The staff was very nice and the dining staff in the Merridan was incredible. They interacted with the guest and went out of their way to make sure that u had what u needed. We had so much fun on the Carnival Horizon that we go home and booked another cruise on that same ship. The only disappointment was the the sky ride bikes were not working the entire cruise. They sent out a notice saying mechanical problems and weather. I think everyone should have been given some type of ship credit for the inconvenience as I'm sure that was a lot of people reason for picking the ship. Everyone in the cabin should not be forced to get the drink package if u do not drink. The Broadway shows should start earlier on Eligant night to give people a real chance for a dinner and movie. The late dinner people will miss it every time or have to leave mid show to make it to dinner. Over all...a fantastic time! Read Less

This was our 5th Carnival cruise, and our third to the Southern Caribbean in January. We choose this itinerary because the weather is always 80 degrees or above in this part of the world during this month, so "Fun In The Sun" is guaranteed regardless of where you are coming from! Now to the ship. The Horizon is beautiful and well thought out in its design. The transformation of the LIDO deck buffet from the single line concept, to multiple serving areas made for less congestion, and quicker service. My family and I were able to walk up, grab a plate and our food, and immediately sit down for a meal. BRAVO Carnival! We also found plenty of seating available, which made for short meal times allowing us to get back to the fun! The staff in the LIDO buffet were excellent by greeting everyone, clearing tables quickly and even walking around offering to gather more drinks, or desserts. I also enjoyed the speciality restaurants, including Bonsai Sushi and Pig & Anchor. Both are excellent with the full Pig & Anchor restaurant on board offering those amazing Greens and Barbeque at anytime a plus. You can also eat for free on Sea Days for lunch. Normally, my family and I are not MDR folks, because we travel for work often, and are not looking to sit down in a restaurant for a meal for a long period of time. The Horizon is the exception. We had breakfast several times, being served by the wonderful Harlene and Tomina, and used the Carnival app. to reserve a table for dinner, where I had the grilled lobster, which melted in my mouth. Including Pizza, Guy's Burger, Blue Iguana, and other food locations, Carnival provides a meal option for all cruisers on board. The cabins are also one of the reasons why I sail Carnival. If available, I would definitely book a Havana suite. But, I have a beautiful five year old daughter who comes along, so I have to go with another option. Must be 12 years or older to book a Havana room. Here's a tip, the hot tubs and pool in the Havana are open to everyone after 7 pm, so head on down for a virtually private bar, romantic getaway, or family fun time. Carnival handles other customers by offering Family Harbor Suites with a private fun area, and other excellent options. I could afford a balcony, suite, etc., but being the cost conscience guy I am, I always book us in a QUIET, Deluxe Ocean View Suite, located forward of the ship. Why? It has two bathrooms with one being a full , and the other a half. If you are a husband with a wife or daughter, no need to further explain why this is important. Secondly, the square footage of these rooms is 230 square feet, with none of that space being used by a balcony. A definite plus for us. Being a regular cruiser, I am also aware the Family Harbor suites are near the Aft of the ship, and below the galley. It can be very noisy so be careful in where you book here! Our room was clean, comfortable, and our Steward Suli was excellent. There when you needed him, and disappeared leaving you to enjoy your cruise at other times. Entertainment wise, Carnival has it all. We normally don't go to the shows, but speaking to other passengers these were excellent. The Southern Caribbean itinerary is one of the best at sea, which includes Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, and Aruba. Don't be afraid to explore La Romana, we hired a driver for $25 per person and explored the entire city. Just be prepared to say NO to some aggressive vendors along the way. The other ports are quiet, beautiful, and can be enjoyed by walking if you choose. Both embarking and disembarkation were painless and efficient. We always leave our rental car at the Miami International Airport, check in at the Carnival Kiosks located near the baggage claim areas, then the entire family rides in a taxi to the port for a flat fee of $27. Yes, I said $27! Compare this to taking the carnival shuttle, or other travel options where you have to wait for the bus, ride with a larger group, etc. $27 is the authorized fee for taxi service to the port in Miami, and being Florida residents, by driving down in a rental and picking one up at the airport after the cruise, we save a ton of money on both travel costs and parking. Also, by checking in at the Kiosk, you are allowed to go directly to the Security Line at the port and walk right onto the ship during your assigned time. No need to pay for Faster to the Fun and and no waiting in lines at the port! We still travel to Miami and spend the night before our cruise in a hotel to avoid any last minute hick-ups. Highly recommend Carnival, and enjoy your cruise with them! Read Less

I had $$$ casino free play, the casino was very nicely designed with the newest slots. The smoke was no worse than any other ship comparatively. We ate at the buffet , formal dining room and a specialty restaurant, "ALL" fantastic. Crew went out of their way to make everyone happy. Serenity area on deck 15 was exceptional with triple the space, cabana type clam-shell covered chairs and bar service. They even had a salad bar at lunch. Our cabin Steward was fantastic and always around if we needed anything. We have been cruising for 18 years and this was one of the best. very easy for my wife to navigate with her rollater/and cane for her to get around. We share the love among various cruise lines and really do not have a favorite. If we have the chance to cruise the Horizon again we will without hesitation. To sum it up..Great ship, crew and entertainment, especially the "Dive in" movies under the stars... they were all first run new releases..."GREAT JOB CARNIVAL". Seeyou again soon!!! P.S. have to try the donut sandwiches at the coffee shop-maple bacon-over the top!!! Read Less

Carnival Horizon is a beautiful ship! Ship maintenance seems to be well done and few, if any, common areas require additional maintenance. The crew members were friendly and went out of their way to ensure a carefree vacation for my wife and myself. We really felt that the crew members were motivated to provide excellent, friendly service. Our stateroom. #7426, was larger than most inside staterooms I've experienced on other lines. Fit and finish were excellent as was the care that our room steward took to ensure that each of our needs were met. This is one of the few times I did not feel cramped in our stateroom. Our room was very quiet in the evenings. Dining - ate breakfast and lunch on the Lido Deck, and dinners were taken in the Meridian Dining Room upper level. Breakfast - it's difficult to ruin a breakfast meal. Buffet items were limited and each buffet counter was a pretty much the same as all others. The eggs to order lines became long but chefs did a good job of preparation. Lunch options were improved over breakfast with Guys Burgers, separate BBQ smokehouse "Pig and Anchor" and a Taco Stand which were all excellent. We all enjoyed the automatic hand washing machines on the Lido Deck. Dining in the Meridian Dining Room was generally excellent. Our servers at table #646 were attentive and exceeded expectations each evening. The menus were tasty and the preparation was generally good. Kudos to the cruise line for including good cuts of Prime Rib and one night of Lobster!!! My only complaint was the Fried Chicken meal where the chicken was cold and the mashed potatoes wouldn't melt the whipped butter I put on top. The fried oysters were actually raw oysters inside a thick coating of flour. The entertainers were very good and the quality of the musicians was excellent given some challenging material performed without error. We enjoyed the shows and felt that the rooms were well managed and the supporting crew was very good. The Cruise Director was engaging and made us all feel at home on the sea without becoming annoying as so many directors do. Getting on and off this ship was a study in efficiency. Very good work by staff!!! Read Less