cruiser20145 Posted May 8, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 8, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caps_Shield Posted May 8, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Horizon hands down. Newer ship, better ports (IMO), and a day longer. Really not even a question to me. Horizon has so many new things to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 8, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted May 8, 2018 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caps_Shield Posted May 8, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 8, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallnthensome Posted May 8, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Horizon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandbob Posted May 8, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Absolutely the Horizon. Newest ship, one more day, better shopping itinerary. Avoids Amber Cove, one of the Magic's ports too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 8, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Absolutely the Horizon. Newest ship, one more day, better shopping itinerary. Avoids Amber Cove, one of the Magic's ports too. Is Amber Cove really that bad? I've heard mixed reviews... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrelaine Posted May 8, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 8, 2018 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teknoge3k Posted May 8, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 8, 2018 Horizon. I wouldn't even think twice about this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHilla619 Posted May 9, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Another vote for Horizon. Newer ship and an extra night, no brainer for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasong38501 Posted May 9, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Easy decision for the Horizon for me too! Extra day, newest ship, and in my opinion better ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 9, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted May 9, 2018 I was just researching the ports for the Horizon, and I think I decided! St. Kitts looks amazing, and one look on the St. Maarten webcam had me hooked! GT will be a beach day, and San Juan is still up in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casino-queen Posted May 9, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 9, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casino-queen Posted May 9, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Do you do the casino? I was surprised at how big the one on the Magic was. Looking forward to checking out the one on the Horizon. Sent from my 2PQ93 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted May 9, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Like the dream class much more than the vista class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 9, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Do you do the casino? I was surprised at how big the one on the Magic was. Looking forward to checking out the one on the Horizon. Sent from my 2PQ93 using Forums mobile app We are not big gamblers, playing bingo is pretty much the most gambling we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 9, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Like the dream class much more than the vista class. I have heard that! Things like the main theater and dining rooms seem to be much more suited for the pax capacity on Magic than the Vista class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted May 9, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof4girls Posted May 9, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted May 9, 2018 #21 Share Posted May 9, 2018 Like the dream class much more than the vista class. We really enjoy the entertainment and Magic has much larger venues than Horizon for main show and comedy shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser20145 Posted May 9, 2018 Author #22 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badfinger Posted May 9, 2018 #23 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribnsnrklr Posted May 9, 2018 #24 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sperkins921 Posted May 9, 2018 #25 Share Posted May 9, 2018 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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