Nice overall, but several hard to overcome issues

Item: Carnival Horizon
Rating: 4.2
Author: wwwebb1

Carnival Horizon Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

wwwebb1

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 74

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5

8 Night Southern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 27, 2021

Ship: Carnival Horizon

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9464

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 3 years ago

Review summary

Covid rules were more just suggestions. Saw the same unmasked people over and over again in venues where masks were required. One time a Carnival employee tried to offer a mask but were just laughed at. I have little confidence that these same guests were truly vaccinated.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

This is so much better than years past. Got on the ship quickly with maybe a 20 minute Covid Protocol wait.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Main dining room was great - food and staff. Buffets seemed to be a step down from years past - we took a two year Carnival break and tried out RC. RC definitely has better buffets, particularly breakfast.

Guy's Burger Joint

5 out of 5

Don't know how they do it, but great burgers and fries. Every time we think of trying another cruise line we worry about not having Guy's.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Havana Pool area was simply the best, but could use some shade. Bingo was very fun. The skybike thing was really cool, but scary if you're afraid of heights like me. I thought I'd just take the inside track and feel a little safer but midway through the ride the two tracks flip flop - Ooops. Still a lot of fun and an amazing view.

Horizon Casino

1 out of 5

I know smoke and casinos go hand and hand, but as a non smoker it's just impossible to enjoy. People love their games so much I'd really be interested in seeing Carnival try one smoke free casino to see what kind of financial impact it really has. My guess is minimal.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

No concerns here, everything top notch. Violinists were awesome. Final night live band show was fantastic.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Always a high point on Carnival

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cleanest I can ever remember

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

We knew going in the cabin was going to be a little on the smaller side with less storage due to it's location and huge balcony. The only issue was noise from the rear pool deck directly overhead - every night around 2am the staff apparently cleans and repositions everything on the pool deck.....LOUD.

Ship tip

Splurge for Havana

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

Airport is difficult to navigate unless you are flying American

Thumbs Up 0

Oranjestad, Aruba

4 out of 5

Beautiful as always. Did not do any excursions this trip.

Thumbs Up 0

Bonaire, Netherlands Special Municipality

4 out of 5

Just walked around town a bit, very nice.

Thumbs Up 0

La Romana, Dominican Republic Did not visit port

Ship engine issues

Thumbs Up 0

Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic Did not visit port

Ship engine issues

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

My wife and I paid months ahead of time for bus transportation from the cruise terminal to the airport. We waited in the hot Miami sun for well over an hour before we were able to board a bus. Not sure where the disconnect was but it was obvious this was overbooked and/or underplanned. We were both sunburned and soaked in sweat by the time we were able to board a bus for the airport. Piled on top of this is the escalators breaking down in the terminal. Total time – left our cabin at 8:30am, bus departed cruise terminal at 11:13am. Not even close to unacceptable.

Traveler Photos

Magnets to supplement lack of storage - 50lb capacity

Havana Pool area - this is about as crowded as it gets.

"Green" Straws are cool, but blehhh - bring your own metal straw

12 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 4 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us

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KurryandTyler 3 years ago

Great review, great pics!

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leog 3 years ago

Glad the masks arent being enforced. Got all my shots and am not scared. Hope the same is true for Vista tommorrow.

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hollysmomtravel 3 years ago

Thanks for the Information.

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Kracka 3 years ago

Anyway, good review overall and wonderful pictures 👍🏻 We've done Vista Havana Cabana (loved it!) and will be doing the same itinerary as you in a Horizon Havana in February (rear wraparound balcony like you).

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izrgreen 3 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to write a review

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Kracka 3 years ago

Glad to know they're not actually enforcing it! We're vaccinated and plan to wear our masks as little as possible, that was, after all, the entire point of getting vaccinated. Don't judge or make assumptions about people just because they value their personal freedom to act like adults.

Thumbs Up 3

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AuntPinkie 3 years ago

Appreciate your feedback.

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byhisgrace 3 years ago

Thank you for your review. Your photos are beautiful.

Thumbs Up 2

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cruising2004 3 years ago

Thank you for sharing your experience

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javawoody 3 years ago

Thanks for the review

Thumbs Up 2

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Other reviews of this sailing

Great ship, bad engine.

Great cruise. Had some engine problems but still had fun. Would like more ventilation in casino

waste of money