Carnival Horizon from Miami vs Carnival Magic from Port Canaveral

[SC2020]

I really like the Horizon, but a cruise out of Miami would require a flight and I'm already on a budget. Or I could drive to Port Canaveral and cruise on the Magic. Two very similar itineraries, so that part is kind of a wash.

 

For those who have cruised both, is the Horizon worth the extra cost/time of having to fly? I would be new to Carnival, but not new to cruising.

[SNJCruisers]

Have not been on the Magic, but have been on her sister ship the Breeze back in 2013.  On the other hand, next week will be my 3rd time on the Horizon.  It's newer, it's bigger and it has the Havana area.  if you go on the Horizon you also have the option to fly into FLL.  If you're able to drive to PC, then you should also be able to drive to MIA.

[groundloop]

2 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

......  If you're able to drive to PC, then you should also be able to drive to MIA.

 

Ehhhhh..... it's about an additional 3 hours of driving.  I'f you're driving, say, 8 hours to get to Port Canaveral I can certainly see where you wouldn't want to drive 11 hours to Miami.

 

AND I'll add that Port Canaveral is one of my favorite cruise ports.

[SC2020]

15 minutes ago, groundloop said:

 

Ehhhhh..... it's about an additional 3 hours of driving.  I'f you're driving, say, 8 hours to get to Port Canaveral I can certainly see where you wouldn't want to drive 11 hours to Miami.

 

AND I'll add that Port Canaveral is one of my favorite cruise ports.

It's not the drive down, but rather the drive back up. It's nine hours one way

[firefly333]

I think magic is better. Better spa cabins perks. The promenade is open to see the ocean. The theater and comedy club hasnt been cut in half. The bbq isnt outside.

 

I didnt like vista  class when I first did it. I'm booked vista because it was the only 7 day choice when I booked out of Galveston. 

 

Drive to PC. 

[groundloop]

15 minutes ago, SC2020 said:

It's not the drive down, but rather the drive back up. It's nine hours one way

 

Yep, we're kind of in the same boat ( 😁 ).  A bit over 8 hours to Port Canaveral for us and I wouldn't want to venture any further than that.  We always get close to our cruise port a day or two early and spend some time looking around or whatever, but after the cruise it's nice to get home in a single day. 

ALSO, I've been on one of Magic's sister ships (Dream) and liked it a lot.

[firefly333]

And magic has the upgraded Italian pay restaurant. I've been on dream and magic and preferred magic.

 

In this day and age of covid it would be a no brainer to me. Go enjoy 2 for 1 fish tacos at cocoa beach on taco night.

[SNJCruisers]

5 hours ago, firefly333 said:

And magic has the upgraded Italian pay restaurant. 

And Horizon doesn't?  Horizon also has Jiji's, which Magic doesn't and Teppanyaki, which Magic doesn't and most importantly,  the Havana area, which Magic doesn't. 

But then again only the OP can make the decision.  I fly to FLA and prefer MIA or FLL because it gives me two options airport wise.  The most I would ever drive to a cruise is just over 2 hours, which I can do for NYC, Bayonne and Baltimore.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

And Horizon doesn't?  Horizon also has Jiji's, which Magic doesn't and Teppanyaki, which Magic doesn't and most importantly,  the Havana area, which Magic doesn't. 

But then again only the OP can make the decision.  I fly to FLA and prefer MIA or FLL because it gives me two options airport wise.  The most I would ever drive to a cruise is just over 2 hours, which I can do for NYC, Bayonne and Baltimore.

I get it you dont live near a port and the OP said he can drive to PC but not to Miami. 

 

You couldnt pay me enough to drive to miami .. and I lived 13 years in boca raton before I moved back to texas.

 

If magic has a lot to recommend it like promenade is open to see the ocean and bigger theater and comedy club, it's not like horizon is worth flying to get to.

 

I'll continue to drive until covid is better. I know you like to argue but I dont think horizon is worth flying to right now.  Enjoy what each ship has to offer.

 

I used to drive to new orleans a 10 hour drive, but I've decided against that too, no matter how low the price. I drove to Florida to see the condo I bought. I'm not flying and exposing myself to needless risk. Sorry you dont get my pt. Magic does have a nice spa area the op could enjoy vs the more expensive Havana area. 

 

If the choice was mardi gras not magic .. maybe I'd fly there, ..big maybe. I'm booked oasis out of miami march 2023. Wouldnt go if covid doesnt change .. and I do know miami fairly well. My vote is still for op to drive. Not fly. Especially not for horizon. Horizon to me is a nothing special ship.

 

One post you are saying texas and florida has a lot of covid and the next arguing with me it's worth flying to miami, when he can drive to PC.

 

Stay safe. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by firefly333

[pogoism9]

If you are going to PC, sail on Mardi Gras

[SNJCruisers]

35 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

 Horizon to me is a nothing special ship.

Then why are you currently booked on its sister ship, the Vista?

[mondello]

4 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Then why are you currently booked on its sister ship, the Vista?

 

12 hours ago, firefly333 said:

 

 I'm booked vista because it was the only 7 day choice when I booked out of Galveston. 

 

 

[balcony bound]

Magic is a great ship.  Unless you are booking a Havana cabin on the Horizon, seems "safer" these days to drive to Port Canaveral?  If nothing else, keeps you off an airplane.  Additionally, even though it is a small chance of testing positive for COVID, if you drive, you can drive yourself home instead of quarantining in a hotel.

 

I'm also in the camp of never driving to Miami again. Can't even imagine what would make me do that drive again.  Itineraries out of Port Canaveral are basically the same these days.

[sc4125]

I've never been on the Horizon, but I have been on the Magic and it is very nice - I will be on her again next year.  As for the ports - in my opinion there is no question that Canaveral is far superior to Miami.

 

Sounds like the people (or person) who argues that the Horizon is much better than the Magic is basing it on a couple of pay for restaurants and the Havana area, but are you booking a Havana cabin - if not it doesn't matter how great the area is - you won't be able to use it.

 

Again, I haven't been on the Horizon, but Magic was fine.  I will be leaving on the Mardi Gras in 5 days and am very happy it's in Canaveral (only an hour and a half drive for me).

[RoperDK]

I grew up in Miami and would love to try the Horizon, but just can't commit to booking.  We drive to Florida ports and the experience out of Port Canaveral and Tampa is much better than Miami and even Ft. Lauderdale.  We do venture down to Ft. Lauderdale for a special ship or itinerary.  Even stone crab season can't tempt me to drive through that craziness anymore.  Would you consider adding an extra day to your return trip?  Add a night in Daytona or St. Augustine depending on your interests.  I personally wouldn't want to fly right now.  It's not just the expense, but the stress, delays, and crowds that would bother me.  I haven't been on the Magic, but have been on Dream and Breeze.  We really enjoyed both of them.  If they only had JiJis.....   

[SC2020]

11 hours ago, pogoism9 said:

If you are going to PC, sail on Mardi Gras

 

I'd love to, but kind of on a budget and Mardi Gras is a little bit more than I'd like to spend. Probably could swing it, but I'm leaning towards 6 night Eastern Caribbean on the Magic (Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove). Both for the price and the fact that flying is even more of a hassle with COVID

[vacruisin]

5 hours ago, balcony bound said:

Magic is a great ship.  Unless you are booking a Havana cabin on the Horizon, seems "safer" these days to drive to Port Canaveral?  If nothing else, keeps you off an airplane.  Additionally, even though it is a small chance of testing positive for COVID, if you drive, you can drive yourself home instead of quarantining in a hotel.

 

I'm also in the camp of never driving to Miami again. Can't even imagine what would make me do that drive again.  Itineraries out of Port Canaveral are basically the same these days.

I hear ya about driving to Miami.  We've driven down there twice from VA and we vow to NEVER make that drive again.  We hit the FLA line and still have another 6 hours to reach Miami.  Not a good time! lol

Edited August 23, 2021 by vacruisin

[DGNewton]

On 8/22/2021 at 1:06 PM, SC2020 said:

I really like the Horizon, but a cruise out of Miami would require a flight and I'm already on a budget. Or I could drive to Port Canaveral and cruise on the Magic. Two very similar itineraries, so that part is kind of a wash.

 

For those who have cruised both, is the Horizon worth the extra cost/time of having to fly? I would be new to Carnival, but not new to cruising.

Dude,  my wife and I sailed the Horizon in late JUly.....My son and his girlfriend saied the Magic this month,  We have different taste ut they loved the CAY...but didn't get off off in Nassau.

 

We loved the trip we booked for Halloween.

 

It's a matter of where you want to go.  Southern Carrin of Bahamas....

 

I'd go Horizon, but just our opinion......

 

 

 

 

[hawaiikat]

Just did the Horizon and Magic (one day between cruises.).  The Horizon was better prepared and staffed than the Magic.  Crew members were more pro-active and helpful on the Horizon.  Food was good on both ships, but the Magic buffets with its "international" days was better.

 

We had Aft Balconies on both ships.  The Horizon cabin was all good.  The Magic cabin had a broken toilet seat which took 3 maintenance visits to get fixed correctly.  The AC in the Magic cabin was warm and they were never able to get it to cool down.

 

Our preference for CD was Donkey on the Horizon, over Gary on the Magic, but that's a personal choice.

 

Non Smoking Casino Annex on the Magic was good for non-smokers and the area had newer machines, but less action.  Horizon casino was more lively and stayed open later.

 

Port Canavarel was much easier and faster for embark and disembark.  But both ports had us on the ship in less than an hour.

 

You should do great with either ship.  Lots of fun to be had for everyone!

[Jamesatgsu]

On 8/22/2021 at 4:35 PM, SC2020 said:

It's not the drive down, but rather the drive back up. It's nine hours one way

Similar for me, but FIL lives in Orlando so we break the trip into 2 days on the way down, but make the whole drive coming back. 

 

I'd always choose the ship I haven't been on all things equal. Factoring in tolls, gas, and parking, flying may actually be the cheaper option. When it is two of us, I fly, when it is 4-5 of us I drive.

[DGNewton]

On 8/22/2021 at 1:06 PM, SC2020 said:

I really like the Horizon, but a cruise out of Miami would require a flight and I'm already on a budget. Or I could drive to Port Canaveral and cruise on the Magic. Two very similar itineraries, so that part is kind of a wash.

 

For those who have cruised both, is the Horizon worth the extra cost/time of having to fly? I would be new to Carnival, but not new to cruising.

Wow...why is this even posted.....figure out what you want to spend or go on for ports....DUh....just saying, this is a no brainer due to such low cost offers......are you just trying to post something?  Getting sick of the carnival postings sorry......

[SC2020]

2 hours ago, hawaiikat said:

Just did the Horizon and Magic (one day between cruises.).  The Horizon was better prepared and staffed than the Magic.  Crew members were more pro-active and helpful on the Horizon.  Food was good on both ships, but the Magic buffets with its "international" days was better.

 

We had Aft Balconies on both ships.  The Horizon cabin was all good.  The Magic cabin had a broken toilet seat which took 3 maintenance visits to get fixed correctly.  The AC in the Magic cabin was warm and they were never able to get it to cool down.

 

Our preference for CD was Donkey on the Horizon, over Gary on the Magic, but that's a personal choice.

 

Non Smoking Casino Annex on the Magic was good for non-smokers and the area had newer machines, but less action.  Horizon casino was more lively and stayed open later.

 

Port Canavarel was much easier and faster for embark and disembark.  But both ports had us on the ship in less than an hour.

 

You should do great with either ship.  Lots of fun to be had for everyone!

Thanks! I am probably going with the Magic!

[RoperDK]

43 minutes ago, DGNewton said:

On 8/22/2021 at 12:06 PM, SC2020 said:

I really like the Horizon, but a cruise out of Miami would require a flight and I'm already on a budget. Or I could drive to Port Canaveral and cruise on the Magic. Two very similar itineraries, so that part is kind of a wash.

 

For those who have cruised both, is the Horizon worth the extra cost/time of having to fly? I would be new to Carnival, but not new to cruising.

 

45 minutes ago, DGNewton said:

Wow...why is this even posted.....figure out what you want to spend or go on for ports....DUh....just saying, this is a no brainer due to such low cost offers......are you just trying to post something?  Getting sick of the carnival postings sorry......

 

The OP was asking a valid question.  I have cruised on Carnival many times and have wondered the same thing, comparing Miami and PC along with newer and older ships.  The OP stated that the ports were similar.  They also said they were new to Carnival. I doubt they were "just trying to post something".  I enjoy the Carnival forum because it is so welcoming and helpful.

[DGNewton]

12 hours ago, RoperDK said:

The OP was asking a valid question.  I have cruised on Carnival many times and have wondered the same thing, comparing Miami and PC along with newer and older ships.  The OP stated that the ports were similar.  They also said they were new to Carnival. I doubt they were "just trying to post something".  I enjoy the Carnival forum because it is so welcoming and helpful.

My bad and apology.....i misread into this.....

[ninjacat123]

If you are spending the night in PC and have time, check out Rikki Tiki Tavern at the end of Cocoa Beach Pier.  Great way to kick off a cruise!  Hope you have a great time!!