Horizon 29-APR-2023 Sailing Review

[l2f]

This is be a short (no photos) review of the April 29, 2023, 8 Day, Horizon Sailing out of Miami. 

 

Itinerary: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.  This sailing had 4 sea days.  This was our experience and opinions of this cruise.

 

This was our thirteenth cruise (all on Carnival) and 6^th time sailing from Miami.

 

Pre-Pre Cruise

Our last cruise was the Spring of 2019.  Like so many, we had to cancel our cruise for 2020 and 2021.  Both were this same itinerary.

 

We booked our airfare in late 2022.  In early February 2023 airlines changed the flight times and the new times just didn’t work.  Only way to make work was to switch from flying into Miami to flying into Fort Lauderdale, and taking a ground transportation to Miami Hilton downtown.  The choice was wake up around 3:00 AM to go to airport or lose some time and not arrive in Miami until about 4:30 PM.

 

Pre-Cruise

We flew to Florida the day before our cruise departed.  Since our second cruise, we have always flown in the day before.  We got into FLL after 3:00 PM, which apparently is the cut off for shuttles to run to Miami.  So we hired an Uber.  $87.50 with tip.

 

Hotel

The hotel this trip was Downtown Miami Hilton on 1601 Biscayne Blvd.  We have stayed at Hilton’ before.  Usually one of our first few choices for a hotel.  Although we got 2 price drops in April 2023, the price was probably the highest we ever paid for a pre-cruise hotel.  We had several issues this visit.  One was getting special requested items to the room.  Saturday morning, apparently there were electrical issues on the entire block.  There was only 1 elevator working on generator power.  Due to no room service, Hotel was offering breakfast buffet free.

 

Evening in Miami

After checking in, we dropped off bags off, met our friends (their flight got in about 4 hours earlier than ours) and went to dinner.

[l2f]

Embarkation

We are excited.  Our first time on Horizon.  We had check in time of 10:00 – 10:30.  Our friends had 11:00 – 11:30.  We checked out and left the hotel approx. 10:45 (give/take a few minutes.)  We arrived at terminal, went right thru security, and directed right on the ship.  Cabins hall doors were shut with no access to cabin until 1:30PM signs posted.  We carried on all of our luggage.  We dropped off in the cabin and left.  Went and knocked eMuster out.  Then had lunch at Ji Ji.  After lunch we went back to the cabin approx. 1:30PM and unpacked.  Vacation has officially begun.

 

Cabin

We had a Deck 7 Aft cabin portside.  Friends had Deck 8 Mid Ship starboard side.  Our Sign & Sail cards were waiting in the cabin mailbox when we returned at 1:30PM to unpack.  Cabin Steward stopped by as we arrived at our cabin.  Introduced himself.  His name was Pedro.  We chatted a moment and he asked us if we wanted our cabin serviced AM or PM.  Also if we needed anything.  Requested ice twice a day.  Cabin Steward did a great job all week.  Probably top 2 or 3 Cabin Steward we ever had on any cruise.

 

Food

Food is so subjective.  For us…

 

Breakfast – We usually have all breakfast meals in the MDR.  But for this cruise, we had all breakfast on Lido.  Usually omelet station, but did hit Blue Iguana few times.  Bacon police were on duty this sailing.  Only available every other day.

 

We didn’t go to Sea Day Brunch any this cruise.  We aren’t fans.  Not so much the menu as it is the 8:30 opening time.  At home, we both (as well as our friends we were cruising with) get up early and eat breakfast by 6:00AM.  It is hard to wait until 8:30AM, which really becomes 9:00AM by the time you actually get food.

 

Lunch – We ate at Lido, Guys, Blue Iguana, Pig & Anchor, Pizza, deli, and Ji Ji.  Ji Ji was good but didn’t like we had to pick from a pre set menu.  Miss Mongolian Wok.  All in all everything we ate for lunch was good.

 

Dinner – Always in the MDR.  We had the assigned, early dining in the Reflections Forward Dining Room.   Our wait team was very slow.  We were the only table of 4 in the section.  Then a few 8-10 tops.  The section next to us were getting food in under 15 minutes from ordering.  We were in the 1 hour range.  In comparing it appeared our team took all orders, then retrieved all the food.  The other section the smaller tables, the team retrieved their orders first.

 

Definitely noticed smaller portions sizes, which we have no problem with.  As well as changes.  One very disappointing item.  We always get the Italian Sausage Linguini.  3 of the 4 at the table got this dish.  Literally had 3 slices of sausage.  I mean 3 quarter round, maybe 1/8” thick pieces.  In the past you would get an entire link or more.  And short on the sauce as well.  Basically ate linguini noodles that night.  Funny thing is they had Italian sausage on lido breakfast almost daily.

 

The other noticeable let down was Prime Rib night.  Again 3 of the 4 at the table, and all had shoe leather tough prime rib.

 

We always found something to eat and by no means went hungry. 

[l2f]

Entertainment

Production Shows – the shows playing this week were: Soulbound, Vintage Pop, Amor Cubano, Celestial Strings, and The World Works Here.

 

We didn’t attend any of the production shows this cruise.

 

Music - A few years back we really got into listening to the live band.  The spring of 2014 on the Pride, we discovered we really enjoyed listening to the live band.  A band called Hi Lux was on the Pride and they were really good.  Every cruise since 2014 we have gotten lucky and the bands have been really good.  Well until this one.  The violist were good, but the band and the duo singers weren’t for us.

 

We understand these bands (or it used to be this way we heard) don’t work together forever.  Individual members contracts end, and a new member joins the band.  The band has to get into sync with new member. 

 

The piano bar seemed off as well.  The piano player was good, but really didn’t try to get the crown into it the night we went.

 

Comedy Shows - We did go to most of the adult comedy shows.  We saw John Knight, Arvin Mitchell, Ronnie Bullard, and Carl Faulkenberry.  All were pretty funny.

 

Casino - We aren’t big gamblers.  Never any tables games.  Usually we spend a little on slots.  The casino never seemed overly busy the times we walked thru.  The smoke wasn’t as bad as some cruises, but noticeable.  Not to start a smoking/non-smoking debate, just an observation. 

 

Bingo – we did one sessions of bingo.  The last bingo of the cruise for the $5,000 pot.  No luck, again.

 

Cruise Director

The CD was Cookie.  Not may announcements.  Didn’t see him around the ship all week in the areas we were using.  Likewise he wasn’t at the gangway greeting us upon returning to the ship like some CDs.  Didn’t have an option one way or the other.

 

Ports

Aruba – Grabbed a taxi ($15 one way for the 4 of us) and went to Eagle Beach.  Rented chairs/umbrella $15 per chair.  Great day.

 

Bonaire – All 4 planned a snorkel trip with Woodwind.  But 2 didn’t go.  The two that did go had a great time.  One of best snorkeling excursions we have done.

 

Curacao – Hired Around Curacao Tours for a private driver for the day.  We have used them in the past and Andy the owner is great.  We had an authentic lunch and hung out at Playa Kenepa Beach for the day.

 

 

Disembarkation

Our group met on Lido near omelet station for our last breakfast.  We all had late afternoon flights, and knew the airlines won’t let us thru the security checkpoint until 3-4 hours prior to our flights.  We got out of the cabins early and hung out in Ocean Plaza until last call, which was around 9:15-9:30.  Customs went really quick.  It was raining and we were flying from different airports so had to say our goodbyes quickly after security but before standing in the rain.

 

Next is probably the worse part of our trip.  We had reservations with SAS Shuttle from POM to FLL.  Spoke to Steve and went to the parking garage across the street as instructed.  There were others also waiting there for SAS.  We all waited over 2 hours.  Steve wouldn’t answer his phone.  If he did the reply was sitting in traffic not sure when the drivers will get there.  However we saw many other shuttle companies.  Eventually another company calls to pick us up.  Now this is unconfirmed, but several people told us SAS over committed to the F1 race in Miami.  If Steve was going to re-book us to another company, this should have been done much sooner than after 2 hours of waiting in the rain.

 

When the sub-contracted company showed up, the van was over full.  3 different groups that were waiting for SAS got picked up by this sub-contractor.  The rear two seats… each had one passenger with one butt check on the seat and the other hanging off.

 

We have used SAS in the past with no issues, but the lack of communication this trip and over 2 hour wait, we will never use them again.

 

Airport

Our flight had 3 delays.  We all made it home after a long day of sitting in airports and long drives once landing at our destinations.  We all got home close to midnight.

 

A couple of final thoughts

Weather was great.

 

Horizon rear pool / lounge chair area is too small. 

 

Entertainment for us was a bit lacking this sailing.

 

The platinum gift was a fannypack.

 

We did save the FunTimes.  Reply with your email if you want a copy.

 

All the crew we encountered were smiling and working hard.

 

We had another great cruise and looking forward to planning the next one.

[APDMOM]

Thank you for the trip report!  We still have a long wait for Horizon, but we already enjoy doing our research 🙂

[pcvtmom]

Thanks so much for your trip report! We'll be on the Horizon in less than 3 weeks.😁 I'm sorry to hear about the SAS problems.  We've used them in the past, and we've booked them for our cruise in June.  I hope we don't have the problems you experienced.

[VIFP1987]

Thank you for your review! Very enjoyable read! 

[300dtc]

We were also on this cruise. Absolutely agree that SAS dropped the ball on the return. We ended up paying a different company to take us to FLL after many unanswered calls. When we were called back we were already on the other shuttle!
 

Crew was wonderful, food was sometimes hit or miss. Steakhouse was delicious, best meal on the cruise! It was fun…

[ninjacat123]

when you say "Horizon rear pool / lounge chair area is too small. " do you mean the Tides Pool area on Lido?  Thanks for your review!  We will be on Horizon Jan 2025 with the same itinerary in a Havana Cabana.  I want to check out the company you used for Bonaire for snorkeling!

[l2f]

23 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

when you say "Horizon rear pool / lounge chair area is too small. " do you mean the Tides Pool area on Lido?  Thanks for your review!  We will be on Horizon Jan 2025 with the same itinerary in a Havana Cabana.  I want to check out the company you used for Bonaire for snorkeling!

 

Yes.  I was referring to the Tides Pool Area.  To our group the area seemed small and was magnified by chair hogs in full force.  One morning I was up before sunrise and went to take sunrise pictures.  I was in the Tides Pool area and some chairs already had towels on them before the sun was up.  We did see an employee walk thru and place stickers on chairs with belongings but no people.  But only observed this once ourselves.

 

Woodwind is great.

[MalleyCat]

We disembarked the day you got on. While we had a good time-we were on a cruise and not at work-it definitely is in the bottom 3 of my 17 Carnival cruises. The food anywhere except for the deli or Guys was lukewarm at best. The sky ride and ropes course were never open with no reason given why. Shows were blah. Comedians were pretty good. Staff was tremendous. I had high hopes because I loved the Vista when we sailed on her years ago. Like I said, I still had a good time, but kind of feel like we were missing out on something. Would my experience turn me away from Carnival? Absolutely not. I’m just hoping my Alaskan Cruise on the Spirit lives up to my expectations or at least comes close. 😊

[Illbcruzn4life]

On 5/21/2023 at 1:37 PM, l2f said:

Entertainment

Production Shows – the shows playing this week were: Soulbound, Vintage Pop, Amor Cubano, Celestial Strings, and The World Works Here.

 

We didn’t attend any of the production shows this cruise.

 

Music - A few years back we really got into listening to the live band.  The spring of 2014 on the Pride, we discovered we really enjoyed listening to the live band.  A band called Hi Lux was on the Pride and they were really good.  Every cruise since 2014 we have gotten lucky and the bands have been really good.  Well until this one.  The violist were good, but the band and the duo singers weren’t for us.

 

We understand these bands (or it used to be this way we heard) don’t work together forever.  Individual members contracts end, and a new member joins the band.  The band has to get into sync with new member. 

 

The piano bar seemed off as well.  The piano player was good, but really didn’t try to get the crown into it the night we went.

 

Comedy Shows - We did go to most of the adult comedy shows.  We saw John Knight, Arvin Mitchell, Ronnie Bullard, and Carl Faulkenberry.  All were pretty funny.

 

Casino - We aren’t big gamblers.  Never any tables games.  Usually we spend a little on slots.  The casino never seemed overly busy the times we walked thru.  The smoke wasn’t as bad as some cruises, but noticeable.  Not to start a smoking/non-smoking debate, just an observation. 

 

Bingo – we did one sessions of bingo.  The last bingo of the cruise for the $5,000 pot.  No luck, again.

 

Cruise Director

The CD was Cookie.  Not may announcements.  Didn’t see him around the ship all week in the areas we were using.  Likewise he wasn’t at the gangway greeting us upon returning to the ship like some CDs.  Didn’t have an option one way or the other.

 

Ports

Aruba – Grabbed a taxi ($15 one way for the 4 of us) and went to Eagle Beach.  Rented chairs/umbrella $15 per chair.  Great day.

 

Bonaire – All 4 planned a snorkel trip with Woodwind.  But 2 didn’t go.  The two that did go had a great time.  One of best snorkeling excursions we have done.

 

Curacao – Hired Around Curacao Tours for a private driver for the day.  We have used them in the past and Andy the owner is great.  We had an authentic lunch and hung out at Playa Kenepa Beach for the day.

 

 

Disembarkation

Our group met on Lido near omelet station for our last breakfast.  We all had late afternoon flights, and knew the airlines won’t let us thru the security checkpoint until 3-4 hours prior to our flights.  We got out of the cabins early and hung out in Ocean Plaza until last call, which was around 9:15-9:30.  Customs went really quick.  It was raining and we were flying from different airports so had to say our goodbyes quickly after security but before standing in the rain.

 

Next is probably the worse part of our trip.  We had reservations with SAS Shuttle from POM to FLL.  Spoke to Steve and went to the parking garage across the street as instructed.  There were others also waiting there for SAS.  We all waited over 2 hours.  Steve wouldn’t answer his phone.  If he did the reply was sitting in traffic not sure when the drivers will get there.  However we saw many other shuttle companies.  Eventually another company calls to pick us up.  Now this is unconfirmed, but several people told us SAS over committed to the F1 race in Miami.  If Steve was going to re-book us to another company, this should have been done much sooner than after 2 hours of waiting in the rain.

 

When the sub-contracted company showed up, the van was over full.  3 different groups that were waiting for SAS got picked up by this sub-contractor.  The rear two seats… each had one passenger with one butt check on the seat and the other hanging off.

 

We have used SAS in the past with no issues, but the lack of communication this trip and over 2 hour wait, we will never use them again.

 

Airport

Our flight had 3 delays.  We all made it home after a long day of sitting in airports and long drives once landing at our destinations.  We all got home close to midnight.

 

A couple of final thoughts

Weather was great.

 

Horizon rear pool / lounge chair area is too small. 

 

Entertainment for us was a bit lacking this sailing.

 

The platinum gift was a fannypack.

 

We did save the FunTimes.  Reply with your email if you want a copy.

 

All the crew we encountered were smiling and working hard.

 

We had another great cruise and looking forward to planning the next one.

Thanks for the review. Horizon is one of my favorite ships,especially in the Havana area.

 

we got off the Celebration the day you got off the Horizon. We also used Sas and luckily had no problems . Ours was also subcontracted and the vehicle wasnt marked. The driver said I’m in a black Mercedes. Oh ok, that narrowed it down, but we found him.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 5/21/2023 at 1:37 PM, l2f said:

We had reservations with SAS Shuttle from POM to FLL.  Spoke to Steve and went to the parking garage across the street as instructed.  There were others also waiting there for SAS.  We all waited over 2 hours.

happened to us in April. SAS shuttle never came. The guy stopped answering his phone after 9:30 am. Before that he just said the shuttle will come around 10 am. There was another family waiting for SAS with us. The other shuttles offered their services, and we finally went with one of them around 11 am. Good thing we did... made it to FLL in a nick of time.

Edited May 24, 2023 by Itchy&Scratchy

[BlerkOne]

Love Woodwind Bonaire, but when we went, it was a trimaran and blue. Plan on going with them next time, as well.

[BlerkOne]

7 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Love Woodwind Bonaire, but when we went, it was a trimaran and blue. Plan on going with them next time, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

etc., etc...

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Out horizon cruise skips Bonaire.

 

I guess we'll have to book another one that does. 

 

44 days until we board! 

[mrdrift]

Great review of your trip. I would love to see the fun times, my email is mrdrift@verizon.net.

 

Thank you

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Were the IMAX and 4D theaters open?

[l2f]

2 hours ago, mrdrift said:

Great review of your trip. I would love to see the fun times, my email is mrdrift@verizon.net.

 

Thank you

Sent

[l2f]

9 minutes ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

Were the IMAX and 4D theaters open?

Sorry.  We didn't use/attend either of these venues.

[ObstructedView2]

1 hour ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

Were the IMAX and 4D theaters open?

 

Hi @PrincessArlena'sDad🙂

 

Click on the link below for the Fun Times for this sailing. IMAX is open, but I don't see anything listed for Thrill Theater?

 

Horizon April 29, 2023 Fun Times:

https://www.saintgregtravel.com/carnival-horizon-april-29-2023/

 

 

 

🍹

[dlphn501]

I would love copes of the Fun Times - my email is dlphn501@tds dot net (Hopefully you catch that; wasn't sure if I wrote the whole thing out if it would be "flagged").

[l2f]

On 5/25/2023 at 3:22 PM, dlphn501 said:

I would love copes of the Fun Times - my email is dlphn501@tds dot net (Hopefully you catch that; wasn't sure if I wrote the whole thing out if it would be "flagged").

Sent

[shaharis1701]

On 5/21/2023 at 2:37 PM, l2f said:

We did save the FunTimes.  Reply with your email if you want a copy.

We are doing this cruise in September, I would love copies of the Fun Times! shaharis1701@yahoo DOT ca

Edited May 30, 2023 by shaharis1701