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Horizon or Magic?

cruiser20145

By cruiser20145,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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cruiser20145

cruiser20145

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I’m looking at cruises for next spring, my first cruise, and have pretty much narrowed it down to two: the Carnival Magic leaving from Miami and going to Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Amber Cove; and the Carnival Horizon also leaving from Miami going to Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Kitts. This will be my mother and I on this cruise, and I want to make sure we won’t have major security issues (avoiding Jamaica at all costs). The cruises leave within a day of each other, and are less than $300 difference for an interior. The Magic is a seven day, while the Horizon is an eight day.

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cruiser20145

cruiser20145

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I’m kind of leaning towards the Horizon just because it is a day longer and is newer. However, I kinda feel like we will enjoy the Magic’s ports more. We’re also kinda nervous about crowds on the ship. Yes, I know it is Spring Break, so ships will be more crowded, but I want to limit that as much as possible. Will Magic or Horizon be equally crowded?

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Caps_Shield

Caps_Shield

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Horizon is bigger so it will have more people. They will both be full on spring break though. That said the Horizon, IMO, has a better chance at distributing the crowds. Food for example, there are more offerings on the Horizon so the distribution of people helps.

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chrelaine

chrelaine

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Is Amber Cove really that bad? I've heard mixed reviews...

 

I didn't know what to expect, but we really liked it. It was an excursion free day by the pool that cost us nothing. There were plenty of chairs near the pool, unlike on the ship!

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cruiser20145

cruiser20145

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I was on the Magic in Oct. and loved it. But my daughter, grandson and I will be on the Horizon in April. Looking forward to the IMAX and the new activities such as the pedal bicycle.

 

Sent from my 2PQ93 using Forums mobile app

 

I'm looking forward to the Sky Ride, but I have absolutely zero desire to go to the IMAX theater. I get motion sick in movies as it is, and the added motion of the ship will simply make me miserable!

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Micahs Grandad

Micahs Grandad

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I didn't know what to expect, but we really liked it. It was an excursion free day by the pool that cost us nothing. There were plenty of chairs near the pool, unlike on the ship!

 

We were there in December. Huge pool lots of chairs nice few hours in shaded lounge chairs.

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momof4girls

momof4girls

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Like the dream class much more than the vista class.

 

Although I’ve never sailed the Vista class, I’ve read countless reviews and looked at tons of pics. Based on only those things, I would choose the Magic. I may be a bit bias though as I LOVE the Dream class ships, especially for all the things we enjoy doing. And they are new enough to me to not feel like “old” ships.

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cruiser20145

cruiser20145

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We really enjoy the entertainment and Magic has much larger venues than Horizon for main show and comedy shows.

 

 

How is the lido buffet and pool? Are they crowded? From pictures, it looks like the Horizon and Magic have the same size buffet and pool.

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Badfinger

Badfinger

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I am all about the Cloud 9 Spa. And what I have seen online about the Vista class, the T-Pool in the spa is much smaller and right next to the heated loungers. What Einstein came up with the idea to put a noisy spa tub right next to heated loungers that one lies on to relax? Look for yourself...that T-Pool is about 30 inches from the heated loungers. Compared to the Dream Class where the the T-Pool is much bigger and it's own room to contain the noise.

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caribnsnrklr

caribnsnrklr

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I am all about the Cloud 9 Spa. And what I have seen online about the Vista class, the T-Pool in the spa is much smaller and right next to the heated loungers. What Einstein came up with the idea to put a noisy spa tub right next to heated loungers that one lies on to relax? Look for yourself...that T-Pool is about 30 inches from the heated loungers. Compared to the Dream Class where the the T-Pool is much bigger and it's own room to contain the noise.

Yeah, we were on Horizon inaugural and bought spa pass. Not good. Pool is smaller with no neck jets and was hotter than regular hot tubs. Some days couldn't even get in it so hot. They had to keep calling maintenance .The only good thing about being with loungers in same room is you could get up from pool and go right to one and bonus no guy snoring on lounger (yes it has happened many times to us lol)because of the noise of people talking in pool. Not a good idea on Carnivals part. I will be on magic first time next month and also in october (with spa room yeah) so hoping better. Horizon does have new buffet stations which are nice and new elevator system that takes some getting used to. Nice ship but not for spa area. I know someone mentioned casino, we didn't like the casino slots either. Very high (6.00-8.88) max denominations and weird machines. Vista at least had good slots. Had a great time though and do love the ship but some things make ya scratch your head and say hmmm lol.

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sperkins921

sperkins921

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My vote: Horizon

 

Reason? I don't care about SJ as a port, GT I've not been to (yet- will be there in Sept) but am ambivalent about. That leaves a toss up between AC and St T or St M and St K. And for me, I much prefer St M and St K.

 

Since Orient Beach is still devastated from the hurricane, I can't do my Eruo beach experience. So that means outside of wanting to stock up on vanilla and a trip to Tiffany's (DH started this thing where we get a key added to my necklace from there or the Oasis Tiffany's a year or so back) I wouldn't really need to get off the ship in either case. Which means for me, I'd rather check out the new ship.

 

Also, Spring Break? Please do Havana, even if it's an interior. No way in hell I'd fight those crowds on Carnival's tiny pool...

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