How would you spend your time?

[Indytraveler83]

Hey everyone!  We are REALLY excited to get back on a ship in less than 2 months!

 

This is the 3rd... maybe 4th ship we've scheduled in trying to get back to cruising, and the itinerary has just changed again. Not complaining, as we are just excited to get back. However, this is going to be a new ship, new ports and essentially an all new experience for us. 

 

Carnival Horizon 6 day cruise, now stopping in Amber Cove, Half Moon Cay and Bimini with Chris Salazar as cruise director. 

 

We've actually never been to any of those ports and never been on that ship with that CD. If it were you:

 

What would you do at the ports?

What would you do on the ship (we have a standard balcony, with Cheers included)?

What do you think of this CD?

 

Any opinions are much appreciated!

[grumpyjr88]

HMC is gorgeous. We rented a cabana which was awesome and pretty much just relaxed and did some beach snorkeling all day. 

[jsglow]

Half Moon Cay is absolutely a beach port; Bimini too for the most part as relatively few tourist alternatives are available.  There seem to be more excursion options available at Amber Cove so that might be a place you try something different.

 

While we've not been on Horizon (yet), I suspect the cruise experience is more similar than dissimilar to other ships you've been on. You're an experienced cruiser.... do what you've historically enjoyed.

[Indytraveler83]

2 minutes ago, jsglow said:

Half Moon Cay is absolutely a beach port; Bimini too for the most part as relatively few tourist alternatives are available.  There seem to be more excursion options available at Amber Cove so that might be a place you try something different.

 

While we've not been on Horizon (yet), I suspect the cruise experience is more similar than dissimilar to other ships you've been on. You're an experienced cruiser.... do what you've historically enjoyed.

 

Struggling to figure out Bimini. Some reports are that you can do alot for free, others are that the beach excursion is actually worth it. Obviously a new port, so the feedback is limited...

[momof3cruisers]

Rent a cabana at HMC. Get off early, stay til the last tender. Worth every penny.

[wayne_trisha]

stay on the ship and use the drink package.  But we live 20 minutes from the beach and have not gone to the beach in at least 5 years. Kinda helps having a nice pool in the backyard with its own tiki bar.

[ninjacat123]

We did the 360 Beach for $65/couple which got us 2 beach chairs, an umbrella and 2 rum punches.  Since I had never been to Bimini, it was worth it to me.  Next time I would rent a golf cart (about $50 I hear) and head to Radio Beach and have lunch there when restaurants/bars are open.  

[mondello]

Bimini is so small, someone posted they walked right out and rented a golf cart from the guy with no paperwork involved, really laid back and casual vibe. There is a (free?) tram that you can ride down to a free beach. The beach excursion is good if you want to be sure of the chairs/umbrella, others just wing it and were able to find chairs after others had left.

Half Moon Cay will be a great beach day, always a pleasure when everything is taken care of. If you don't get a Cabana, you may wish to at least get a clamshell for shade.

[Enggrl]

18 hours ago, wayne_trisha said:

stay on the ship and use the drink package.  But we live 20 minutes from the beach and have not gone to the beach in at least 5 years. Kinda helps having a nice pool in the backyard with its own tiki bar.

We are the same, live 20 min from the beach and have an amazing backyard pool and outdoor kitchen.
We are cruising to these three ports in Oct on the Horizon and will do a shore excursion in AC, rent a golf cart in Bimini and prob just go to the beach for a bit in HMC and get back on to take advantage of our Cheers package since you can’t use it at the beach. 

[DGNewton]

21 hours ago, Indytraveler83 said:

Hey everyone!  We are REALLY excited to get back on a ship in less than 2 months!

 

This is the 3rd... maybe 4th ship we've scheduled in trying to get back to cruising, and the itinerary has just changed again. Not complaining, as we are just excited to get back. However, this is going to be a new ship, new ports and essentially an all new experience for us. 

 

Carnival Horizon 6 day cruise, now stopping in Amber Cove, Half Moon Cay and Bimini with Chris Salazar as cruise director. 

 

We've actually never been to any of those ports and never been on that ship with that CD. If it were you:

 

What would you do at the ports?

What would you do on the ship (we have a standard balcony, with Cheers included)?

What do you think of this CD?

 

Any opinions are much appreciated!

So excited for you....see sailed her on July 24th - 8 day SC and we will again Oct 30th 8 Day SC (same trip)

What would you do at the ports? 

We love Aruba and Curacao.  We always do beach trip trips as I can't snorkel in my old age, but there is plenty to do!  We are thinking of the Aruba all inclusive resort next trip for $130 as it is all day long and night in aruba.  We did the Island last trip and to me it was over crowded and more of a kid place - but nonetheless we had a great time and everything was good - hard to find a chair if you're late!

 

Curacao we go to the distillery, quick island tour, then to the beach break. Love the beach area by the aquarium.  Next time we are just cab over there and paying for a chair.  We want  more water time.

 

LaRomama DR - would not get off the ship and do not go out by yourself.  That's all I'll say.  People on the ship told us they were stalked and feared about their safety and scampered back.

 

Amber Cove DR  we would not stray far due to Covid and there is a nice pool area by the dock.  We must have the bike peddlers as it is to far to walk for me.  Good spot for the day.

 

What would you do on the ship (we have a standard balcony, with Cheers included)?

We do the pool decks during the day....just R&R 

We did not care the the Musical Broadway stuff - need to weed out their talent....The hidden gems are Jeffrey Munks and Eden Parker....Jeffrey plays the piano and mixed with his own music and rock too...again, many of his own songs...you can hear him when you eat in the Steak House as it is connected to the Piano Bar.  Jeffrey also has a show as the Cosmic Piano....Eden plays the sign along Piano Bar.....you can not miss them and be early as the room with be at capacity

 

Punchliner club was a big hit too - saw many shows

 

Casino - lots of smoke but they changed the rules and are trying to cut down on it...

 

And there are plenty of other activities to do for fun....

 

What do you think of this CD?  I posted about this guy.....we did not like him one bit and he was full of himself in our opinion.  They call him DOney, we called him a Jack Ass....to each to their own....there were cruises I've been on where I remember the good cruise directors, but we chose to ignore this dude and moved on to have our own fun....no worries you'll hardly ever see him on the deck.

 

Have fun you will not be dissapointed with a great cruise and fun times - we thought the food was great and the back buffet area is less crowned and better selection in our opinion.