Last month we sailed on Carnival Horizon (Vista Class) from Miami to the Southern Caribbean (Grand Turk, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curacao). At the time of this sailing, the ship is about a year old. Having cruised at least twice a year and on several cruise lines, I noted some new features and upgrades around the ship compared to prior ships that are worth sharing! So what’s new? Well…about 10 awesome things!
[Related: Downtown Nassau on Your Own: Walking Guide]
Presentation is Everything!
First, everything is just newer and prettier! The atrium is sleek with a neat 3-story LED Dreamscape sculpture that displays anything from fish to dragon scale. Hallways to the staterooms feel more efficiently designed with space in mind (inset mail slots for example). And with the key-less entry locks, passengers can enter their rooms quicker and that’s less people clogging up the hallways. Even the stairwells are prettier, each decorated with a gorgeous port of call (I just wish they were labeled).
[Related: What’s a Back-to-Back Cruise?]
Where do you want to go? 
Select Deck 
Assigned Elevator 
Wait for Elevator to Arrive
Smart Elevators?
If you’re freaked out about button-less elevators, don’t be. They’re way more efficient than the cluster of elevator mobs of older ships. Confusing at first, yes, but one ride should be all it takes. Ship maps are now in the center of the elevator bank where they’re more visible. Where would you like to go? Press that deck, wait for the elevator to be assigned, find that elevator and wait. You can also see each elevator’s queue onscreen. Some passengers get impatient and take the stairs, and good for them, and even better for passengers that can’t take the stairs.
Seating is Believing!
You guys. Extra seating has been added everywhere! Multiple decks have tables, benches, and loungers, so you don’t have to be confined to the atrium or lido deck. I loved hanging out in one of the many outside chairs on deck 5 after dinner, and away from the party scene on the lido. The Serenity area is larger, as well as benches around the multiple pools. Freedom!
[Related: How I Maximize Relaxation & Fun on Cruise Sea Days]
Fun for Everyone!
There are so many more activities than before. Kids have more options for pools and slides, the indoor and outdoor gaming and putt-putt golf is extended and also includes workout equipment around the track, and I love the SkyCourse and new SkyRide (like a suspended bike that goes around the ship). Here’s a tip: get in line for the SkyRide first thing in the morning on sea days because that line is brutal!
[Related: Cruising with Kids: Preparing for the Cruise and Excursions, Planning, Accommodations, and Boarding, & Sea Days and Kids Camp]
What the Films?
On Carnival Horizon, there’s an actual IMAX theater! They rotate short films for kids and Hollywood blockbusters. For about the same price as a ticket at home, you can watch Dark Phoenix in the middle of the ocean (or whatever NEW movie is playing). If you usually get bored on sea days, here you go!
If You Need Me, I’ll Be in the Library…
My absolute FAVORITE place on the ship to hang out was The Library Bar located on deck 5. It’s just like ship libraries we’ve seen before, but this one is bigger, and it has a self-serve wine dispenser! Oh and I self-served alright! I spent, and I’m not exaggerating, probably a total of 24 hours in there during sea days and evenings. I listened to my audio books and sewed…and I tried all the wines. My favorite wine in the dispenser was the Barolo.
[Related: My Cruise Kit: The Practical & the Ridiculous]
Get Your Brew On!
Also new to the fleet is an on-board brewery, Pig & Anchor. Yes, they actually make beer on the ship! We did a brewery tour on the first sea day (for a small fee), which included a tour, a flight, a certificate, a souvenir pint glass, and an extra pint whenever you came back. So yeah, we came back for some stellar BBQ, tasty cocktails, and more beer.
Keep it Clean!
In addition to the hand sanitizer stations around the ship, the buffet areas also have these neat hand washing stations. They’re fun to use, so maybe kids will actually wash their hands on their own.
Get in My Belly!
Carnival’s food was always great, but they’ve really upped their game. I noticed healthier options like avocado toast, parfaits, and cold pressed juices, as well as completely worth-it splurges like carbonara eggs! Even the cooking demonstration had new menu items, so if you’ve been before, do go again!
[Related: A Cruise Must: Chef’s Table on Carnival Cruises]
Picture Perfect!
And finally, Carnival’s picture gallery has a new teched out face-lift. Gone are the walls of wasted prints that you’d have to hunt for (and maybe not even find), and now there are iPads with searchable photos attached to your folio number. And you can order prints directly from the app!
More Cruise Tips, Packing Lists, and Past Cruise Adventures:
First 24 Hours on a Cruise Ship: Do’s and Don’ts
Cruise Tips: Planning and Packing
Cruise Packing Lists: Backpack & Rolling Suitcase Packing Checklists
Carry-On Suitcase Packing List (Packing Checklist for the Overhead Bin)
Carry-On Bag Packing List (Packing Checklist for Under the Seat)
Read about our Mediterranean cruise here and British Isles cruise here and Alaskan Cruise here and Western Caribbean Cruises here.
Don’t forget a corkscrew (read about my TSA-compliant Carry-On Corkscrew here)!
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