Horizon 7/3 review, a year in the making...

[jimbo5544]

After spending some abbreviated afternoon in Havana as we sailed away from Grand Turk, we had to go in and change for the Diamond event which was held on the 5th from 5 to 5:45 in the Piano bar.

These events are very nice, and we have been to several types and times of day (one on the Vista was a Suess Cat in the Hat Breakfast). The Piano bar late in the afternoon is the most common we have experienced. It is friendly, open and social and the drinks and very good apps and mini desserts are free flowing.

The Captain and a lot of senior staff mingle around with light chatter and this is an excellent opportunity to get to know these folks a little better and their life style. As example our captain lives in Miami and hos kids are in college and last year of high school. Chris was also there and very friendly and open as well. The Captain poses and a picture is taken with the Diamond guests and it is delivered to the cabin the next day.

We have also gotten to know some of the Diamond cruisers at these as well. We have good friends we met at our very first Diamond even aboard the Pride some time ago. On this sailing we met a couple from Maine who were at their first Diamond party. He is in law enforcement like my son and son in law who were both with us on this cruise.

[jimbo5544]

Before I move on a little about the Piano Bar. On the Horizon it is on the other side then on the Vista and bigger. It also has a retractable common wall with the Steakhouse that is opened when the Steakhouse is open and someone is playing a piano there for the diners. This is a nice touch and reminiscent of the way the steakhouses used to be on the Spirit class ships in the base of the funnel upper level.

[jimbo5544]

Dinner this evening was for a bunch of us (about half of our group) at Cucina del Capitano. Dinner for 34 is very intimate...... Kidding aside, they made it work with two long tables. They did a pretty good job of staging so we all got our meals at the same time. For groups here they suggest family style apps, we always agree and it def works. Here are a couple of pics from that meal.

[jimbo5544]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

after dinner we caught the comedy show and then a late cocktail at oceans plaza listening to the music and then hit the hay. Next up San Juan....for real this time.

[BENHANDEL]

I bring a little digital thermostat wit me when we cruise (OK, so I am a bit anal on certain things). The Vista and Horizon are unique, at lease in terms of Carnival ships when it comes to A/C. They have individual A/C units in each room (that support an all over ship system). These take the place of one of the closets in the entryway. The coldest I recorded on either ship was our first balcony room on the Vista that got down to 64.1 degrees. All the others got it to around 69.

Smoking - the casino def had a smoke smell and the only other place I noticed it was starboard side deck 11 (outside Camp Ocean. By far not the worst Carnival ship in that regard.

I cannot give you any price on the growlers, sorry. We did get a yard of beer one night with some apps in Pig and Anchor, but I did not buy so cannot help you there either. They were making beer during our cruise and the brew master (sure there a real title but it escapes me) was the same one we had on the Vista. Hope all this helps.

 

Thanks for the info! Seems strange that the smoking areas are so lose to the kids' clubs!?!?

[jimbo5544]

Thanks for the info! Seems strange that the smoking areas are so lose to the kids' clubs!?!?

 

 

 

It is bigger than right in front, but yes

 

 

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[lottiegreen56]

Thanks for the info! Seems strange that the smoking areas are so lose to the kids' clubs!?!?

 

My boys' pediatrician became a friend of the family and if I've heard him rant once, I've heard him rant a thousand times about how kids these days are allergic to everything because their parents don't smoke anymore, especially not around them. He's is one of the area's best childhood allergy specialists but we didn't take him up on it. Maybe the idea is catching on in Europe where the ships get built?

[BENHANDEL]

My boys' pediatrician became a friend of the family and if I've heard him rant once, I've heard him rant a thousand times about how kids these days are allergic to everything because their parents don't smoke anymore, especially not around them. He's is one of the area's best childhood allergy specialists but we didn't take him up on it. Maybe the idea is catching on in Europe where the ships get built?

 

If I understood you right, he recommends smoking to prevent childhood allergies? Lol...I think allergies are better than lung cancer. :)

[jimbo5544]

Sailing into San Juan is a pretty nice sail in, a protected port with a large fort on the left which is also a National monument. We pulled in a little early right after coffee on the Lanai and then breakfast upstairs on Lido with the whole gang. The weather was a little iffy as we sailed in with a couple of light showers. Here are some pics of sailing in.

[jimbo5544]

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

....and some more

[jimbo5544]

Our plan for the day was to spend some time checking out the San Juan area for the Travel business. Our group was doing a myriad of things. We checked out 4 hotels and then spent some time walking around the city and getting something to eat and a cocktail before heading back. Here are a couple pics taken as we walked around.

[jimbo5544]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

and a couple more....

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

So we headed back around 2 - ish and got a quick bite and spent some time with friends at the Havana pool area, (did I tell you that we REALLY liked this concept?). Here are a couple of pics....

[jimbo5544]

So we offered to let my sons two daughters nap in our suite while they had some alone time out on the town. We put them down and checked them every little while. Once up, they spent a little time out on he lanai before heading back.

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

Later we were headed to the MDR for the first time in a couple of days. We stopped off at the Alchemy Bar for a cocktail. Here are the same two hanging out at the second funnel that is in the casino one level down.

[jimbo5544]

 

 

[jimbo5544]

So, a brief sidebar in regards to the Alchemy bar. For those who have never sailed on a ship that has one, for those that imbibe, this is a a GREAT place. They will find a concoction that you like or can try. True, it does cost a bit more, but I would suggest you try it. Here are some pics.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

....and a couple more

 

 

 

 

 

this is my fav....a dirty martini with asiago cheese stuffed olives....

[jimbo5544]

So we made our way down to the MDR for the first time in three nights. I noticed a couple of things at this ding which I will go into a little. The first is that Flat Stanley was waiting for us in the empty chair at our table.

 

 

[jimbo5544]

The second thing I noticed was one of my biggest pet peeves. People coming in late to the MDR. I do not mean a couple of minutes, but 20 to 30 minutes late consistently. I cannot think of a more rude thing to do. It affects everyone in the MDR and the service that the staff can provide. At every opportunity I get (and I do get a fair amount), I give my 2 cents to the management team. Close the darn doors at 15 minutes after the posted time. The arrogance of people.....ARRRRGGGHHHHH

[jimbo5544]

After dinner was another present in the main atrium. The show Celestial Strings played and then they cam into the main atrium and the Violins played, the actors sang and the background music played. OUTSTANDING. My phone was almost dead, so I could not capture video, but here is a pic.

[jimbo5544]

Next up Amber Cove, something new for us....