Just off of the Horizon, mixed feelings

We just got home from the first 8 night Horizon trip out of NYC. Overall, we had a good time because we just wanted a low-key, relaxing time. The entertainment and camp staff were truly phenomenal. I can't get over how great they all were with my son. However, the ship is definitely still working out some kinks, and I also think the people and schedules, for lack of a better word, on this sailing were much different from what the staff had grown accustomed in Europe.

Seemed to be some definite training issues. We had issues with our room steward (flat out lied to us), the drink service in the comedy club was awful, and some of the food service staff on Lido (especially deli) were just nasty. On the other hand, we met tons of lovely and kind crew members who went the extra mile.

I think our perception of the cruise overall was a lot better than a lot of the other guests. We heard people complaining everywhere we went about the food (it was as expected, or better, to us), the elevators (they are really terrible and need to be reprogrammed), and the service (definitely mixed bag here).

I do have to say that the overall guest makeup was very different from our last cruise in September to CA/NE. Seemed like a lot of first timers who perhaps don't know cruise etiquette (or maybe just general manners). So maybe that was taking a toll on the staff as well, as some folks were incredibly rude to the crew. I also heard there was a fight where someone threw a chair at the pizza place and he/they were banned from CCL for life? All that said, we did meet some fantastic people too who were pleasant and did in fact know how to wait their turn (or, you know, not leave their dishes in the middle of the stairway).

I'm going to try to post a quick review later this week. In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions I can answer. I'll leave you with a few pics of some of the staff that made our trip great.

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We are on the Horizon on the 13th. Glad your overall experience was okay - if underwhelming. Did you have Elegant Nights on days 2 and 7, as per expected? Wife hoping to book hair appointments on those days. Anything specific with the elevators, or just what I have been reading about being full and having to start over, and not being able to adjust after getting on?

Yes, formal nights were the second and 7th nights.

The elevator programming is good in theory, but the execution isn't there. I'm not sure what the issue is, it seems like they assign everyone going in the same direction to the same elevator (and the other 3-5 never get assigned, even if 10 people walk up and selected the same destination), and when it finally comes, it stops on every floor and nobody gets on or off. I guess people give up on waiting?

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Thanks for the info! It definitely sounds like the elevators need a new algorithm of some kind - will encourage us to use the stairs, I guess!

I thought the elevators were great. Some people just might need more time to reprogram themselves. No, you can't change your mind after you get in the elevator and no, kids (or adults) can't push all the buttons once in the elevators. There are no buttons except for open/close door. The trick of riding down a floor to reserve space going back up is mitigated. Some people were embarrassed when they jumped in any open elevator door and thought they could change the destination once in.

Sometime there was a slight wait, but there was always room when I wanted an elevator. Somewhat surprisingly, I never saw one out of order, but then, how would you know? :cool:

Did you happen to save the Fun Times? I'd love to see them.

Can you explain how the elevators work and how to best use them?

Did you use the Hub App? I hear the Horizon has additional features like dining reservations.

I do have the Fun Times and will post.

You have to select your level outside of the elevator then it assigns you to an elevator. It theoretically should bring you right there, but it still seemed to stop on nearly every deck.

I used the Hub app frequently. They had an option to make a reservation at the specialty restaurants, however, the one time I looked early in the week, there was no availability. I'm not sure if that was legit or a bug. The YTD reservation system wasn't yet available on the Hub.

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Really, a chair thrown? Some people are just trash.

Thanks for your review, I really appreciate it. I usually take the stairs and will try to avoid the elevator..lol

Quick question, what time did they started letting people disembark after self assist?

We had zone 7, and they called zones 6-11 at about 9:15. I want to say they called zones 1 and 2 around 8, and 3/4 around 9?

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Fun Times day 1. Sorry if some pics are sideways

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day 2

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day 3

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day 4, Grand Turk

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day 5, San Juan

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day 6, Amber Cove

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day 7

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day 8

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Thanks for sharing the funtimes.

Agree they need to be monitoring the elevators and adjust as needed. Or post directions somewhere! Half the time we gave up and walked.

That's great! I have the following questions:

Pixels Welcome Aboard Special

Receive 10% off all photos first two days of cruise only. Bonus: Start earning rewards for photo purchases right away!

What is this? How does it work? I will most likely get getting pictures, but do I have to prepay?

What's the "Casino Vault?"

There's a Mongolian Wok at 11 Aft for lunch, but I though JiJis was the Mongolian wok for lunch. Are there two? Is the one at 11 aft open for breakfast omelettes?

What's the "Captain's Toast Celebration?"

What are the "Mixologist sign-ups?"

How is the Continental Breakfast offerings at Ocean Plaza?

What's the "Mule Tasting?" Yeah, I assume it's a Moscow Mule, but is it worth it?

 

There's a Mongolian Wok at 11 Aft for lunch, but I though JiJis was the Mongolian wok for lunch. Are there two? Is the one at 11 aft open for breakfast omelettes?

 

Mongolian Wok is JiJi's for lunch. Same place. Or I guess you could say Jiji's has what is Mongolian Wok on other Carnival ships. But on Horizon you choose what you want off a list on a paper.

That's great! I have the following questions:

 

What's the "Captain's Toast Celebration?"

A little party where the captain and some higher up crew are there for photos and such.

What's the "Mule Tasting?" Yeah, I assume it's a Moscow Mule, but is it worth it?

Mule is really any mixed drink with ginger beer - so Moscow is with Vodka (and lime), but I've seen different cutesy names - Appalachian Mule with moonshine, Caribbean with rum, Kentucky with bourbon - you get the idea

That's great! I have the following questions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is this? How does it work? I will most likely get getting pictures, but do I have to prepay?

 

I'm guessing here, but I'm guessing it's a discount to buy pictures on the first two days. If you wait until the last day the lines are tremendous. This is probably their way of moving pictures earlier in the trip.

 

What's the "Casino Vault?"

 

No idea, we went to the casino once, and left very quickly because it was super smoky, the smokiest it's ever been on any ship I've been on. Even walking through there was difficult on this sailing.

 

There's a Mongolian Wok at 11 Aft for lunch, but I though JiJis was the Mongolian wok for lunch. Are there two? Is the one at 11 aft open for breakfast omelettes?

 

What's the "Captain's Toast Celebration?"

 

You can have your picture taken with the Captain in the atrium, and then all of the senior officers are introduced.

 

What are the "Mixologist sign-ups?"

 

I think these are tryouts to compete in the Mixology competition, which is essentially a way of mixing up a crazy drink and then getting people to vote on it, although I'm not sure that the actual taste of the drink is taken into consideration!

 

How is the Continental Breakfast offerings at Ocean Plaza?

 

It's very good. If I recall they had cold and hot cereals, meat and cheeses, yogurt, eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and some breads/pastries. Coffee/tea, juices and milks. There may have been one or two other things that I'm forgetting. And it's not crowded at all.

 

What's the "Mule Tasting?" Yeah, I assume it's a Moscow Mule, but is it worth it?

 

I looked at the card every day in Ocean Plaza, and I can't remember much about it! I think I remember there were six or eight different types you could choose from in a tasting and I want to say it was 4 for $20? The only ones I definitely remember were peach and vanilla.

 

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Thanks for sharing.