vicdreyer Posted April 29, 2004 #1 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Hi.. My wife and I got back from a 12 night Horizon (Caribbean) which departed 4-12, returned 4-24. We like cruising (this is our 2nd) but feel a bit taken advantage of. The crew and people we met were the highlights. Our disappointment came from the last minute change in itinerary, the buffet, activities and the rocking and rolling of this small ship (which I understand upset many people on this cruise.) We were scheduled for 'full' days in 5 ports (Cozumel, Curacao, Aruba, St Martin & St Thomas) and ended up with full days in 3 ports (Curacao, Aruba & St Thomas) and just a few hours in Cozumel.... This made for a booooring 8 days at sea...(you can only spend so much time on the pool deck) The activities were few and mainly consisted of 'talks' about jewelry buying, napkin folding, art auctions, etc) I was not impressed with the buffet....and many times ate 'almost warm' eggs and cold toast, and dry bacon... The main dining was better....but was still not what I expected.... and sometimes was less than OK... Aruba and St Thomas were the highlights.. If it weren't for the great crew, we would have been very, very disappointed... For those that have never cruised, and are planning to go on Horizon, here's A link to pictures I put up..it'll give you an idea of what cruising is all about.. [url="http://home.comcast.net/~vicdreyer/Horizon2004.htm"]http://home.comcast.net/~vicdreyer/Horizon2004.htm[/url] Generally, we enjoyed our vacation...but only because we made it enjoyable....the price was right...but next time, I will try another Celebrity ship..or another cruise line..but I don't think I'll sail Horizon again... Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdawson Posted April 29, 2004 #2 Share Posted April 29, 2004 So sorry you didn't enjoy the Horizon. One of my absolute favorite cruises out of 14 so far. What was the reason for missing ports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moni Posted April 29, 2004 #3 Share Posted April 29, 2004 vicreyer; Wow, great photos. DH and I are on the Horizon in Dec. and hope she is refurbished by then. On your photos it showed the bed against the wall…just wondering if it is hard for older people to get in and out of? (That would be me). I read on someone’s review that they had a peculiar odor on the ship. Just wondering if you noticed any of this? We’re really looking forward to our cruise. Thanks for your report and the nice photos. (You make a dynamite couple) Holland America-Maasdam 2002 Celebrity-Summit 2003 Princess-Golden 2003 Celebrity-Horizon 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicdreyer Posted April 29, 2004 Author #4 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Hi hdawson, Inspite of what we considered drawbacks (fewer ports, cold toast, etc) We did enjoy the cruise immensely...and will have wonderful memories on this particular cruise... Celebrity never did address to us why St Martin was removed from the itinerary, and why Cozumel was shortened to 1/2 day, but I booked this cruise because of the ports...and was quite disappointed at the change.. moni: It wasn't really hard to get in and out of bed (we're 48 & 49)...but you can sure feel the seam between the beds....just a little nuisance) I didn't notice any odors... except for cigarettes every once in a while... Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandytoesrose Posted April 29, 2004 #5 Share Posted April 29, 2004 We did a 7 day western Caribbean itinerary on the Horizon last year and loved it. True, it's not a glitzy ship, but the staff is outstanding. One of our favorite spots was the Cova Cafe. We never noticed any strange odors and had no complaints! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicdreyer Posted April 29, 2004 Author #6 Share Posted April 29, 2004 oops.. I posted twice..so deleting this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnrhodes54 Posted April 29, 2004 #7 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Hi Vic--I have not posted my review yet (this weekend) as I've still not become quite objective enough. Nice to have met you and the wife at the get together prior to the CC party. You're review was very objective (if not extremely generous). We were in the aft section of the Florida deck--[B]every[/B] day was a different smell/odor. I'm sure it was from the sewage system somehow. I don't want to get into too much now as my review will cover this also. When I called Celebrity about missing St. Marteen/St. Martin they told me it basically was just [B]over-booked[/B] and the Coast Guard would not allow that many ships in port. I've heard other people say they were told it was [B]weather-related[/B]--[url='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008'][img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_3_60.gif[/img][/url]. Hard to believe anything you were told. I'm still po'd and will never sail Celebrity again. On our roll call post cruise I cannot find 1 totally positive review (as well there should not be). For those people that have sailed Horizon in the past and "loved" it my hats off to you and boy do I envy you--wish we could have had the same experience. I also really liked the crew but even the "advertised" superior food never materialized. Good but definitely not above other lines. Anyway--full review coming this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicdreyer Posted April 29, 2004 Author #8 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Hi John... It was nice to meet you also.... we did see you with your luggage in Aruba..and figured you ended your trip. and yes, even I believe my critique was extremely favorable. We've only sailed once before on Carnival...so I really cannot say this one was bad with only one other to compare. I can say that we felt the Carnival Paradise's buffet was much better (better selections and quality) as were their activities...but i would have to say the crew of the Horizon did a better job of making you feel welcome. I spose it's how you look at it.... overall we enjoyed the Horizon more because there weren't a lot of kids running up and down the hallways, kids cutting in line at the buffet, etc.... (I like kids, but when we are on vacation, we prefer a more quiet, romantic atmosphere rather than a playground envorinment). Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G_Man Posted April 29, 2004 #9 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Ditto on the disappointments… 03/'03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brigittetom Posted April 30, 2004 #10 Share Posted April 30, 2004 First, Thank you for taking the time to post the great pictures. I especially like the one of your wife on the gangplank. There is no feeling like it. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We were on the Horizon about 5 years ago and had a wonderful cruise. It sounds like things have gone down hill, but I'm guessing you were unfortunate to be on an off cruise. We were on the Galaxy in Dec. 02 and I disliked that cruise and everything about it including many of the staff (except for the great passengers we met). We cruised her again in Feb. 03 and it was a fantastic cruise all the way. How disappointing. Zenith from Jacksonville Feb. 13 05 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chichi Posted April 30, 2004 #11 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Hi Vic, Nice photos, can you send me the pics from the Captain's table dinner, I am unable to copy them. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]It was very nice to you and Marta. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Check my profile for the e-mail address. Thanks John, it was also my pleasure to have met you, looking foward to the review. Bob Seaward (Norwegian Sea)- 1996 Monarch of the Seas - 1997 Majesty of the Seas - 1998 Monarch of the Seas - 1999 Horizon - 1999 Horizon - 2000 Zenith - 2001 Millennium - 2002 Horizon - 4/2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicdreyer Posted April 30, 2004 Author #12 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Hi ChiChi... Once you are viewing the larger image, you should be able to 'right-click' with your mouse, and select 'Save as'...and then save it on your computer... If that doesn't work I can e-mail them.... I checked your profile, and your e-mail isn't on there? Besides those pictures you see on that website, I also have a picture of the Captain's table that the Horizon photographer took (which was put in each of our rooms)..did you get that one also? If not, I can scan that for you too.. Vic <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chichi: Hi Vic, Nice photos, can you send me the pics from the Captain's table dinner, I am unable to copy them. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]It was very nice to you and Marta. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Check my profile for the e-mail address. Thanks John, it was also my pleasure to have met you, looking foward to the review. Bob Seaward (Norwegian Sea)- 1996 Monarch of the Seas - 1997 Majesty of the Seas - 1998 Monarch of the Seas - 1999 Horizon - 1999 Horizon - 2000 Zenith - 2001 Millennium - 2002 Horizon - 4/2004<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted April 30, 2004 #13 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Hi Vic. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]FYI...they removed all the email addy's from everyone's profile. Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda! See My Century and Mercury Pictures at: [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicdreyer Posted April 30, 2004 Author #14 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Bermuda?!! Lucky dog you.... By the way, Nice pictures on webshots! I've only seen pictures of Bermuda....and man! they got some nice looking beaches....we plan on going to Bermuda...just not sure when.... and I hope the Horizon meets your expectations.... Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted April 30, 2004 #15 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Thanks Vic[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Well, the ship is more like a "floating hotel" when she goes to Bermuda..2 Ports and we stay more than 2 days in each place. It would have to be really bad for me not to enjoy myself [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda! See My Century and Mercury Pictures at: [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising"]http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chichi Posted April 30, 2004 #16 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Vic, I try everything, I only have Art and Bitmap. I need jpeg. Please e-mail them. It could be aol restriction. After my free three months I am going cable. e-mail address: [email]Chichigolf@aol.com[/email] Thanks Vic Bob Seaward (Norwegian Sea)- 1996 Monarch of the Seas - 1997 Majesty of the Seas - 1998 Monarch of the Seas - 1999 Horizon - 1999 Horizon - 2000 Zenith - 2001 Millennium - 2002 Horizon - 4/2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLSmith Posted May 1, 2004 #17 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Great pictures!The pictures brought back wonderful memories of my cruise on the Horizon in 2002.CLSmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2004 #18 Share Posted May 8, 2004 vic, With your permission, I have added your wonderful gallery of photos to the index of cabin photos on Celebrity ships that I have been maintaining: [url="http://www.geocities.com/mahdnc/Cabinpix.html"]http://www.geocities.com/mahdnc/Cabinpix.html[/url] Jubilee 1991 Solar Eclipse Century FO 1996 E Carib Mercury FO 1998 W Carib Galaxy SS 2000 Alaska IP Infinity FV 2002 S Carib Horizon HS 3/05 W Carib Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teedee Posted May 8, 2004 #19 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Sorry about the disapointments with your cruise. You seem to have kept a good attitude about it, though. I personally love sea days so extra ones seem like heaven to me, but if I had booked the cruise for the ports I too would have been disapointed. Terri Skyward - 1989 Carnivale - 1991 Holiday - 1994 Fantasy - 1998 Century - 2002 Century - 2003 Jubilee - 7/04 Century - 9/04 Coral Princess - 3/05 Valor - 10/05 Days til Valor Vampires Cruise [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] [img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vicdreyer Posted May 8, 2004 Author #20 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Mahdnc... No problem adding my pics to your photo gallery..I'm not sure how long that link will be good...if you prefer, you can copy any of the pics you like and use them as you wish... teedee... Hi... I still enjoyed the cruise..and we're already looking ay a Celebrity Summit cruise in March or April 2005... Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heaven2 Posted May 9, 2004 #21 Share Posted May 9, 2004 We just came off the Summit Western Carribean cruise 4/30. We wanted to book the Horizon in January CC class. Found out that she will not be completely refurbished until Feb. or later. We decided not to book and wait until the ship is finished and CC class is installed. Summit is going in for a refurbish Jan 17th. that is why that cruise is cancelled. Having sailed Celebrity since before RCL bought them, I will say that the food and service has slipped. The food is okay for number of people served. But gone are the great desserts and sauces of the past. The cream soups are now very, very thin and salads are smaller. You can survive but should not expect the gourmet food of the pass. We did not try the Normandie dining room since based on the general food presentation, we did not feel like paying an extra #30.00 apiece. We still had a good time, but don't believe their food should be considered anything special. We sailed Holland last year and the food was slightly better on variety and taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 9, 2004 #22 Share Posted May 9, 2004 vic, thanks. If you do not intend to maintain this site indefinitely, then I will go ahead and copy a few of your photos over to one of the photo galleries at Cruisemates or Cruise-Addicts...... Jubilee 1991 Solar Eclipse Century FO 1996 E Carib Mercury FO 1998 W Carib Galaxy SS 2000 Alaska IP Infinity FV 2002 S Carib Horizon HS 3/05 W Carib Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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