ishap

I have always done the early dining option, but on my last cruise I decided to do the late dining option as I figured it would be better because of sleeping late, having breakfast, having lunch, etc. Well, I didn't like it. I felt like I was having dinner so late. I always like to be a bit dressy for dinner even when it's not elegant night (khakis, polo/dress shirt) because I like the experience of dining that way. But being late dining, it just was so late when I wanted to enjoy the night life, see a show, go to bed a little earlier, go to the piano bar, etc. Eating at 8:15, well, I just felt like I was missing a lot.

I think the ship is a big contributing factor when I choose a cruise...at least for Caribbean destinations. You do spend a lot of time on the ship and if it doesn't offer the amenities, entertainment, and food options you want, then it won't be nearly as an enjoyable trip. That being said, if the destinations aren't right, then it won't work out. I avoid Nassau and Freeport every chance I can get. But, as everyone here has said, there is no reason to not try some of the others. I have sailed a few of the different classes but tend to enjoy the bigger ones a little more. Everyone finds their favorite.

The pig and anchor is open for lunch without charge as well. But as staceyglow said, it's the Italian and asian spot that's open. I don't believe the steak house is and I know the sushi and seafood shack are always a charge.

Yes, if you use the bottle in the stateroom you will NOT be charged for it. If you have two red/gold members in the room, then both bottles are no charge. The steward will replace the bottles in your room but don't use the replaced ones or you will be charged.

Last time I was on Horizon the dining room was not open, but the specialty restaurants were. And there is no charge for lunch at these places.

I consider myself a decent drinker and can hold my booze rather well, but I have yet to hit the 15 limit. I came close once with 14 but wasn't drunk. But truthfully, if I was trying, it wouldn't be all that hard. Start with a mimosa in the morning after coffee, then beers at 11am all the way to 11pm...yeah wouldn't be hard and still not be buzzed. I really feel what happens is people drink when off the ship in port, then come back on board and then try to hit their 15 limit. That can be bad.

I have stayed in a Havana patio before and I loved deck 5. Ended up rarely going up to Lido except for a burger. Deck 5 has Guy's BBQ joint, plus, what they didn't advertise, was that the Ocean Plaza area had a small breakfast buffet. No one really knew about this until late in the cruise so didn't have to fight crowds at the buffet on Lido. With the private pool area and all the other bars/amenities on 5, it makes it well worth it. I will be cruising in a Havana patio room again in September.

Are their tours all just snorkeling from the beach?

Thank you very much for this review! Sounds fantastic!

I really like the looks of this tour. I will be going in September and was looking for something like this. I like to snorkel and the beaches, but I also wanted to see the Maho experience. I was debating on just taking a taxi to the Sunset Beach Bar, but have also heard that it's very crowded and not worth it.

Thanks for posting those prices. Now that I read through them, it does look familiar.

I'm mainly a beer drinker and according the calculator if I drank 12 beers a day (don't judge but yes I can do this starting at 11 and rolling through the night) and 2 specialty coffees, it would cost me $982 out of pocket compared to $566 for Cheers. Now, the calculator also shows beers being $8 a piece. My cruise last January I don't think I remember an $8 beer, but I could be wrong. I did have the drink package so I didn't pay attention but I feel that's high. Maybe not. Anyway, according to the calculator, even just drinking beer it is worth getting the package. Does anyone have a pic of the latest prices?

Since this is a Cheers topic, I will ask this here since a search of the forums brings up a lot of non-related posts... Got Cheers for the first time for my upcoming cruise. I know there is a 15 drink/day limit. Does anyone know if non-alcoholic beer goes against the limit? Since I typically do not drink liquor, on a sea day it would not be unheard of me to possibly drink 15 beers over a 12 hour span and not be buzzed. I enjoy the taste of beer so I could supplement it with non-alcoholic beer as long as it doesn't count against the limit. I know zero-proof frozen drinks and such do not, but nowhere could I find non-alcoholic beer. I have no questions on if it will be worth the price, as between beer, coffees, milkshakes, etc, yes I will get my money's worth. Also, if people are interested in the latest drink offerings, you may find this site helpful as it breaks down the menus to each bar on ships, and will tell you which ships have that bar: https://cruisespotlight.com/carnival-cruise-line-drink-menus-and-pricing/

I sailed the Horizon a few years ago and had a Havana Cabana. In my opinion, it ended up being the best cruise I have done to date! I loved the uncrowded Havana pool and hot tub. Plus, if you stay on 5, a little secret not known to many is that in the Ocean Plaza area they have a small breakfast buffet and light lunch time foods. So you can avoid some of the crowds by stopping by there for breakfast when you get up without having to go up to Lido.

The only time I have ever stayed in an interior room, I hated it. I didn't like not having a view of outside. Plus, while I know I can look at a clock to see the time, but while on vacation, when I wake up I much prefer to be able to tell if it's morning by the daylight and sunrise out the window. I may have been ruined by having a balcony on my very first cruise, but in the end, I found the interior was not really worth the savings.

Do you have to pay for all days you are on the ship or just the day that you use the the internet? I just want to be able to send a few messages to keep in touch with people back home on sea days, but find wifi when in port.

My kids always tell me I can find a friend anywhere, even though I don't consider myself a openly social person, but since I got divorced I find myself in the same situation. Here is my tip for ice breakers or getting conversation... I usually sit at the bar and people watch, listen to conversations. If the people are having a personal conversation (like relationship, issues, etc.) I keep quiet. If I hear an opener, like them talking about a movie, or someplace they have been or want to go, I usually interject a comment if I can relate. That almost always gets the conversation started. If people don't want to really talk to you, they give hints like turning back to each other, or changing topics so I take that hint and keep to myself again till I find someone else to talk to. I've had many an interesting conversation with people and met some really cool people that way.

I may just ask my PVP when I get closer and see what he says.

My plan was to check her in like she was traveling, and then when I get to port just say she couldn't make the trip or something.

So again, if she just is a no show, what happens with that OBC? Or do they just leave it for the cabin? I figured it was for the cabin so if I just left her on the booking and she "couldn't make the cruise" so was a no show, I would have to assume all the OBC would stay.

So question for you all... I have a cruise booked for January and after money already paid, and FCC from previous canceled cruises, I ended up with a 7 day cruise, fully paid for, with 1000+ OBC. This cruise was booked with someone else (ex-wife) because my PVP said that half belonged to her. So, my question is this: If I keep her on the booking, then make her a no-show, will all the OBC stay with me?

I am recently divorced but before I went through the divorce I had a bunch of FCC and OBC from past canceled cruises so I decided to go ahead and book a cruise to use all that up. To my surprise I was able to get a 7-day cruise w/ 1k of OBC and it didn't cost me anything out of pocket. I am young (47) but am having trouble finding someone to go with seeing as though all my friends have other commitments, or being young, still have young kids at home. My kids are all grown. Anyway, I am going to take this cruise alone to just get away, clear my head, relax, enjoy myself. Just curious as to any tips you solo cruisers may have for a solo newbie. Definitely not my first cruise, just would be the first one I've done solo.