Carnival Horizon

The 2018-built Carnival Horizon cruise ship is the second Vista-class (modified Dream-class) vessel in the CCL fleet. Horizon is Carnival's "the most family-friendly ship" with the company's newest kids- and family dedicated staterooms, facilities and amenities. Horizon is Carnival's 26th vessel.

From the same series (Vista-Class sisterships) are the fleetmates Carnival Vista (2016) and Carnival Panorama (2019), as well as the former Costa Cruises' liners Carnival Venezia (2019 as Costa Venezia) and Carnival Firenze (2020 as Costa Firenze) and Adora Cruises' ships Adora Magic City (2023) and Adora TBN (2024).

The vessel (IMO number 9767091) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 370039000) and registered in Colon.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). 

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 4000-passenger ship Carnival Horizon offers all Carnival Fun Ship 2.0 details, plus many first-at-sea features, including the Multiplex (the first at sea IMAX theater with a 3-deck large screen); Skyride (extraordinary peddled roller coaster bike ride); Havana cabins complex (with pool, lounge and its own bar); Family Harbor staterooms; the biggest SportsSquare sports complex; Fun Ship 2.0’s BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Bar and Alchemy Bar; new show programming; Carnival Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness.

With the 3x Vista-class liners (Vista/2016, Horizon/2018, Panorama/2019) were introduced the fleet-firsts "IMAX Theater at Sea" (87-seats cinema/part of Carnival Multiplex), "SkyRide" (outdoor/aerial bicycle ride/suspended 2-track bike course), Havana Staterooms (cabin complex with a swimming pool, sundeck, lounge, lanai balconies).

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Horizon staterooms (1965 total) include 74 Suites, 912 Balcony, 264 Oceanview and 749 Inside, including 35 wheelchair-accessible and 104 "Cloud 9 Spa" cabins, in all 34 grades. Most are sized 185-220-ft2, cabin balconies are sized 35-75 ft2. All Spa staterooms receive exclusive access to private Spa facilities on Panorama Deck and the following amenities: Spa reservations, complimentary use of Thalassotherapy Pool and Thermal Suite, fitness classes and deluxe bath amenities.

Carnival Horizon, like all Vista-class sisterships, has a new cabin category named aft-view extended balcony cabin which is exclusive to the Family Harbor area. Additionally, Carnival Panorama offers 18 tropics-inspired staterooms situated within the well-known Havana section. Just like the other 86 staterooms found within Family Harbor, the brand new aft-view extended balcony cabins boast a colorful nautical theme and is situated adjacent to the Family Harbor Lounge, which is the ultimate family hangout with large TVs and complimentary snacks and breakfast. Located aft on Decks 6-8-9, the Havana staterooms offer exclusive access to the Havana Deck which has a Cuban-themed bar and swimming pool.

The boat has 14 passenger-accessible decks of which 13 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Horizon offers two main dining rooms, Horizons, and Reflections. Horizons hosts a small bar suited for pre-dinner drinks. The main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Horizon also has a Lido buffet. Seafood lovers are pampered with the Seafood Shack - brand new to Carnival fleet, New England-inspired casual eatery located on top deck. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the menu includes steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fried clams, crab cakes, and other seafood surprises. Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4.

The ship has a Japanese specialty restaurant named Bonsai Teppanyaki. The new dining venue is located within the Bonsai Sushi restaurant on Promenade Deck.

• The restaurant offers a menu with authentic Far East dishes. A special feature is the live cooking show performed by its talented chefs operating at custom-built stations located at the center of an 8-seat table. Due to its limited seating, reservations are required.
• Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). Combo dinners are also offered. Each meal ends on a note courtesy of Chocolate Bento Box and Green Tea Ice Cream. The restaurant is open for lunch (sea days only) and for dinner (every night). Price (cover charge) is per person and covers the entire meal.

The available on all Fun ships Chef's Table is a dining experience that affords a dozen guests to experience multicourse dinner with the master chef, private cocktail reception and a tour of the galley. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Horizon restaurants and food bars.

• Reflections Restaurant (1474-seat, complimentary MDR; the bigger of ship’s two main dining rooms; offers two fixed dinner seatings and open seating Breakfast and Lunch; “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts costs $5 cover charge)
• Horizon’s Restaurant (702-seat; offers formal dining with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining” between 5:45-9: 30 p.m.)
• Bonsai Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant), including Bonsai Teppanyaki
• Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ (barbeque and grill restaurant)
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (specialty restaurant, with “Chef’s Table” dining)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (poolside burger bar)
• Bluelguana Cantina (poolside Mexican fast food bar)
• Lido Marketplace (825-seat self-service buffet restaurant)
• Pizzeria del Capitano (24-hour pizzeria restaurant)
• Seafood Shack (offers indoor and outdoor seating, lobster and shrimp; a la carte priced)
• Cucina del Capitano (Italian Trattoria)
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen (specialty Asian restaurant).

In mid-January 2018, Carnival announced 4 new craft beers that will be brewed onboard the Horizon ship. The brews were developed by brewmaster Colin Presby. They are offered at Guy’s Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse (Brewhouse), The names of the new draft beers are inspired by the BBQ offerings at the Smokehouse/Brewhouse.

• "ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale" is a lightly hopped dry finish beer.
• "ParchedPig Smoked Porter" is brewed with in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, and molasses.
• "ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale" has rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit.
• "ParchedPig West Coast IPA" is a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale loaded with bitterness and distinctive aroma of pine and citrus.

The current list of draft beers brewed on the ship includes ThirstyFrog Red (clean and light), ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin' IPA (floral flavor, with passion fruit and citrus overtones), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (unfiltered lager with banana aroma and spices), FriskyFrog Java Stout (with hints of coffee), ParchedPig West Coast IPA (West Coast IPA/India Pale Ale, citrus and pine aroma), ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale (toasted caramel/biscuit flavored), Miami Guava (primary ingredient is pink guava), ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale (dry beer), ParchedPig Smoked Porter (in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, molasses), ParchedPig Beach Lager (golden ale available both on tap and in cans/when served in bars/dining venues), Carnival Birthday Beer (golden ale introduced in 2022 for the company's 50th Anniversary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Long-known for an abundance of entertainment, Carnival is not sitting on its laurels with Horizon. The fun onboard starts with SkyRide, the industry's first open-air, pedal-powered aerial ride. Riders have to climb onboard a hanging bike and "cycle" their way around the 800ft suspended track, 150 feet above sea level.

If you consider that SkyRide does not provide the needed adrenaline-pumping action, SkyCourse ropes circuit do. Both SkyCourse and SkyRide are part of the SportSquare, which also features an indoor hangout, mini-bowling, The Clubhouse, Ping-Pong, sports video gaming, arcade basketball and more.

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Vista-class vessels (Vista and Horizon) as facilities and onboard amenities.

The Horizon cruise ship offers an expanded "Seuss at Sea" kids program with its "Dr. Suess WaterWorks" (themed water park). The aquapark has 2 distinctly different waterslides (location Deck 12).

• The "Cat in the Hat" waterslide (named "Kaleid-O-Slide" on Carnival Vista) is an enclosed raft slide with length 137 m (450 ft) and several twists and turns. The slide's entrance is a giant replica of the cat's red-and-white hat. The waterslide is colored in red and white, making it one of the ship's most distinctive features.
• The "Fun Things" waterslide (named after the troublemakers Thing 1 and Thing 2) is an enclosed body slide, it features a polka dot-motif and has a length of 65 m (213 ft).
• Dr. Seuss theme characters decorate the entire waterpark area. Numerous memorable phrases from Dr. Seuss books are displayed on the clear partitions surrounding the aqua park facility. Dr. Seuss' presence is featured in other parts of Carnival Horizon, including the signature Dr. Seuss Bookville kids play area, also at all themed special events, including Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, Story Time, the Seuss-A-Palooza Parade (promenade event).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Horizon lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Family Harbor Lounge (a new, dedicated to families space with 24-hour complimentary dining, concierge and babysitting service, movies, video games, board games by Hasbro)
• Liquid Lounge (1400-seat, 2-level show lounge, with “Playlist Productions” and “Hasbro Game Shows”)
• Horizon Atrium (3-deck high midship lounge area with LED screens, live performances, visual displays; served by 100-seat Horizon Lobby Bar)
• Shopping Arcade (with two Boutique Shops and two Fun Shops); Pixels Photo Gallery and Shop; Dream Photo Studio; Cherry on Top (candy shop)
• Horizon Casino (484-seat)
• Limelight Lounge
• Lanai promenade (with 60 outdoor seats, served by Lanai Bar-BQ Bar)
• FunHub (Internet room)
• Shake Spot; Taste Bar; Havana Bar; Clubhouse and Bar; JavaBlue Café
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge served by 50-seat Plaza Cafe)
• Havana Outside (Havana pool area with one swimming pool, two whirlpools, palm trees)
• Carnival Multiplex (includes IMAX and Thrill cinemas)
• Thrill Theatre (5D cinema room)
• IMAX Theater (the first IMAX at sea, with 3-deck high screen)
• Circle C (kids club lounge); Club O2 (teens club lounge)
• Warehouse (Video Arcade)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (poolside Mexican bar)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (also serves the ThirstyFrog Red draught beer)
• (new) Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse / Brewhouse is an open-air complimentary restaurant for a variety of BBQ favorites (with shipboard-smoked meats) and house-made craft beers. The menu features pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, Guy Fieri's traditional sides, and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends. The new complimentary eatery is via partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The other Fun Ship with a brewery is Carnival Vista.
• Tides Pool (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area; served by Tides Bar)
• Camp Ocean (formerly known as "Camp Carnival" - youth activities program)
• Dr. Seuss Bookville (family-themed kids room with all Dr. Seuss books available to read; offers games and themed activities)
• Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (wellness complex)
• Carnival WaterWorks (water-play outdoor area with AquaPark, Twister waterslide, Kaleid-O-Slide)
• Seaside Theatre (with huge LED screen)
• SportSquare (outdoor sporting area); SkyGreens (mini golf); Jogging Track
• SkyTrack;
• SkyFitness (outdoors)
• SkyRide (“bicycle ride in the sky”)
• SkyCourse (suspended ropes course)
• "Dreamscape" is named Atrium's 3-deck-high LED-lighted sculpture.

Serenity is the ship's adults-only retreat (complimentary/free entry for passengers 21+ yo) accessible at any time. This is a forward-location outdoor area/sundeck with 2x Jacuzzies/whirlpools (large-size outdoor hot tubs, cantilevered/infinity pool type, with glass walls), 2x massage huts, cabanas, Fresh Creations (complimentary chopped salad station for made-to-order fresh salads), Spritz Bar/Serenity Bar (waiter-served beverages), and an exclusive sundeck for relaxation, sunbathing and evening dance parties. Both bars and the whirlpools are available between 8 am - 10 pm. Hours may vary depending on cruise itinerary, portdays/seadays, weather.

Serenity Deck is furnished with hammocks, premium wicker chaise lounges and clamshell chairs (plush seating, teal cushions), shaded seating areas with double loungers and plush wicker sofas, live trees for decoration. At regular bar prices, Serenity Bar's menu offers drinks and refreshments (cocktails, beer/buckets, wine by the glass, frozens, smoothies, shakes, sodas).

Exclusively for Carnival Horizon, Carnival Cruise Line's entertainment team partnered with celebrity directors from Los Angeles (Broadway) and London (West End) to create 3 new signature shows - part of the onboard "Playlist Productions" revues. The new shows (named "Celestial Strings", "Soulbound", "Vintage Pop") use the full capacity of the interactive LED screens. A 4th show ("Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance") is also available on the Horizon ship. It was introduced in 2017 on Carnival Vista.

• "Celestial Strings" show is themed on classical music mixed with modern pop.
• "Soulbound" is a gothic-inspired, New Orleans-themed show featuring R&B music favorites.
• "Vintage Pop" show is themed on "Gatsby's Cotton Club", featuring modern songs recomposed into classic jazz interpretations performed live by a 6-piece jazz band.
• "Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance" show is themed on classic Latin songs mixed with modern music hits. It is held at the Havana Bar and highlighted by a 7-piece Cuban music band.

Itineraries

Carnival Horizon itinerary program had an inaugural cruise season in the USA with roundtrip mini cruises to Bermuda leaving out of NYC New York. The ship offers 4-night Bermuda short breaks (during spring and summer 2018) in addition to the previously scheduled 8-night Caribbean itineraries roundtrip from homeport NYC (starting May 2018).

The cruise ship's maiden voyage in the Mediterranean was from Barcelona. On May 9, the ship repositions to New York (arriving May 23, 2018) for a series of 8-night Caribbean cruises throughout the summer. On September 22, 2018, the Horizon continues to its next USA homeport Miami, for a year-round schedule of 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries.

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6243) has volume 133596 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 12164 tons, max draught 8,6 m. The powerplant is based on 5x MAN marine diesel engines (4-stroke, common-rail injection/2x 14V48/60CR plus 3x 8L48/60CR) with combined output 62,4 MW (83680 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on two ABB Azipod thrusters with combined output 33 MW (44250 hp). The registered shipowner is CARNIVAL HOLDINGS BERMUDA LTD while the registered manager is CARNIVAL CORPORATION.

By gross tonnage/volume, VISTA-class are currently the largest Carnival ships. They also have new for the fleet features, like Multiplex media entertainment complex (IMAX theater - 3-deck high LED screen for first-run movies, plus 3D Thrill cinema), SkyRide (roller coaster with multiple riding bicycles on 2 paralleled tracks), larger SportsSquare complex, Havana Outside complex (pool, jacuzzies, bar, new Havana cruise accommodations), Family Harbor staterooms (with its own family-themed lounge /24-hour dining, concierge, babysitting, entertainment).

The ship's powerplant consists of 5x MAN marine diesel engines (4-stroke, common-rail injection) - two 14V48/60CR and three 8L48/60CR. Their combined power output is 62,4 MW.

Among ship's interior design features is the “Dreamscape”. This is an Atrium-located LED sculpture created by kids hospitalized in St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis TN USA). The 3-deck high artwork was designed by the company Techno Media and consists of 33 different creations, The sculpture's centerpiece has over 2000 flexible LED (custom-made) tiles. This funnel-shaped central part has a height of 24 ft (7,3 m). The artwork is rotating, with patterns based on daytime, cruise port of call or special occasion.

The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on March 10, 2017, at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard. After the float-out followed interior fittings. The launching featured the traditional “coin ceremony”, consisting in welding a silver coin on the ship's top deck. Godmother of the launching ceremony was Clementina Zecchin (Fincantieri employee). The ceremony was attended by Richard Morse (Carnival's Senior VP Hotel Operations), Fabrizio Timossi (Carnival's Project Manager) and Antonio Quintano (Marghera yard's Director).

On March 2, 2018, was announced the name of the liner's Godmother - Queen Latifah (US rapper, songwriter, singer, TV and film actress, producer, author, entrepreneur). During the christening ceremony  (May 23, 2018, held in NYC New York) she participated in a special “Lip Sync Battle: Horizon” onboard show. The event was invitation-only, with an overnight stay on the ship and gala dinner.

On March 28, 2018, the vessel was officially delivered to Carnival Corporation by Fincantieri. The ceremony was attended by Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation's Chairman), Christine Duffy (Carnival Cruise Lines President), Giampiero Massolo (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO). Upon the ship's delivery, Fincantieri had built 81 cruise vessels (1990-2018), of which 64 for Carnival Corporation.

The liner's first Captain was Luigi de Angelis, with 22-year of service with the company (starting as a deck cadet in 1995 on Carnival Imagination). Ship's Hotel Director is Pierre Camilleri.

In 2021-2022 (Dec 22 thru Jan 8) Carnival Horizon was emergency drydocked in Italy (at Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard) due to propulsion system issues. The drydocking was also used for changing the ship's old livery (white) with CCL fleet's new livery (red-white-blue). Horizon restarted operations on January 22 (2022), out of PortMiami.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2018

The following tables show the ship's Inaugural cruise itineraries (maiden voyages) by destination. The itinerary information includes ports of call (as sequences and port times) and prices per person (in USD, double-occupancy rates on lowest category Inside cabins).

13 nights / 14 days, Inaugural Mediterranean cruise (Europe) - prices started from USD 1300 pp.

(repositioning) 14 nights / 15 days, Inaugural Transatlantic cruise from Europe to USA (prices started from USD 990 pp).

4 nights / 5 days, Inaugural Bermuda cruise (prices started from USD 620 pp).

8 nights / 9 days, Inaugural Eastern Caribbean cruise (prices started from USD 1000 pp).

8 nights / 9 days, Inaugural Southern Caribbean cruise (prices started from USD 780 pp).

6 nights / 7 days, Inaugural Western Caribbean cruise (prices started from USD 490 pp).

Godspeed!