Carnival Horizon Oct 2nd Cruise Review - Glad to be back

[Jgarriso]

Just returned from our First post-Apocalypse  Cruise.  8 day Southern - Aruba - Curacao - La Romana - Amber Cove

Wasn't sure what to expect as we booked the cruise and  with-in 4 days of booking we got 2 major changes,  Bonaire to Curacao and from no mask to Mask and Testing.  All of this made me afraid of what all might change as we got closer and closer and even on board,  but the cruise itself went fairly smooth.

Mask,  ( I will disclose that i am a non-mask wearer,  but i live in a small town that has almost no impact and have never seen anyone with symptoms) but what follows is a  observation not opinion.  about 90% of the people wore masks everywhere. (I'm talking in halls and laying in the sun)  Mask where required in Casino,  Dining, stores,  and shows and Elevators. That being said,  it wasn't enforced in all area's the same.   Buffet,  casino (especially at the tables), stores and Comedy Club where the most strict .   Elevators i was alone 95% of the time so didn't wear them when alone, always when not alone.  Going out or into the ship at ports,  i never wore them. (WHAT!) well there where no lines  so you basically walked  up to the security point,  put your mask on (because your supposed to) then they scan the card and then they ask you to remove your mask for visual recognition,  then 2 steps later your off the boat.  So i stopped wearing it and no one said anything.  There again,  not an opinion,  just stating the fact.  I wore a mask where i was asked to (and i saw it was enforced),  or where i felt others wanted me to.  Not happy about it,  but i survived and enjoyed my cruise.   (Please no comments about masks, lets not start that)

Crew and Ship.    Loved the crew and Ship.  Wasn't a fan of the live show,  little to artistic for me, but that is only personal taste.  What i did love was the smaller groups,  Piano bar singer,   Violinist trio, Rock band,  Duo from Brazil and the little Phillipino Girl Reggie.  All of theme where awesome and amazing.

Food:   So here i would give them a B-,  based upon previous cruises,   Staff was awesome as ever,  But little things where lacking.   Bagels and English muffins  and toast were such cheap generic bread that they had no taste or texture.   I fell in love with Eggs Benidicts on Carnival,  but couldn't eat them this time,  They just lacked Texture and taste.  Note sure if was the English muffin,  hollendaise sauce or what.   They had a slightly abbreviated menu, based upon past experience,  but that could be due to smaller capacity.  They didn't have funniest french toast,  pork chops  or macaroni with bacon during brunch. (Anyone else notice some things missing and some things being down-scaled as far as size or quality???)  Guys burgers and BBQ joint was still great.  All drinks are grossly over-priced and with tips included now they are WAY overpriced.  I get a feeling that eventually  we will be pushed to $$ dining but that could be years away.

Ports,  We had great port days and the only comment there was,  previously i had Amber cove down as a "stay on the  Ship day"  but we did a carnival excursion to a VIP beach and we had a great day.  There was no actual beach,  and the waves where high enough to enjoy surfing,  but the resort was setup as lavish and relaxing as any place i have ever been, and the food was good quality,  so for us it was an A+  if you had kids it would have been a horrible day.  During the experience i found the Amber Cove taxi stand,  so i would feel good about researching and doing a private day pass somewhere or taking a taxi to the town and walking around by myself next time.

Crew,  as usual,  the crew is awesome and really glad to be back to work.   Really makes me furious when someone is rude to them over  some non-issue.  People, if the kitchen sends out toast that doesn't meet your standard,  your talking to someone that works their butt off and smiles and calls you by name,  They didn't cook it.  Ask nicely and respectful  for more toast,  They deserve the same respect that they show us,  especially as they work 7 days a week,  16 hours a day and smile and say hello each time they pass one of us.  (Sorry,  saw this happen and wanted to go off myself) 

Carnival Corp.  I know its a buisness people,  but come on,    There is not a single thing that carnival does that is not designed to part you from your money.  Hey,  i get it.  but its so grossly crazy that its a little insulting.  EXAMPLE:   Miami airport to Cruise.  taxi is 27$  no waiting and dropped off at the front door.     Carnival shuttle,  17$ per person (34$ for a couple)  wait in line for it too fill up.     The whole cruise can be like going to the movies,    Ticket is reasonable,  but do you really need to charge be 27$ for a coke and bag of popcorn.   speaking of that,   it really burned my behind that on the the pool movie nights they sold popcorn for 3$ a bag,   Always been free before.  Really.    Sign of things to come,  like the airlines,  buy the ticket,  then pay for a seat,   luggage.  Next thing you know you'll have to rent a chair for the day!

 

Thanks for a great vacation Carnival.   Glad to be back to cruising.

 

[mumofsons]

was also on this cruise - one experience we saw on the last night - after the conga line a woman was outside of the dining room leaning over - her husband was shouting at the dining room staff - "I can't believe you people are still doing that - don't you know we are in the middle of a pandamic" it took everything I had not to stop and say to him - so why are you on a ship then?  she looked fine a couple minutes later and they walked back into the dining room so I don't know if she was out of breath had a panic attack or what.  I understand he was upset about her but don't take it out on the employees. I totally agree with you about the shows and we absolutely loved all the musical talent on the ship

This was just an observation - it was really the only time I saw someone be testy to the staff in the two weeks we were on the ship.  

[FiredogCruiser]

As a shareholder, I have mixed thoughts regarding the comments relative to fees being charged. This pandemic has put Carnival Corporation through some extremely tough financial times. Despite being back to sailing, they are not at 100%, either in passengers per ship, nor number of vessels sailing and as a result are still in a position of losing large amounts of money, in spite of the fees. Additional costs are also being incurred due to the pandemic precautions that are being taken in attempts to insure safety for passengers. Money has to come from someplace, and that place is from customers. So they have to balance the entry price of the cruise against revenue that can be obtained on board. Its a tough situation to be in, and there certainly isn't any way of approaching the matter that would satisfy everyone.

Personally I would prefer a little higher entry point price, and less on board charges. That way I believe I would have a much better feel for the overall cost to be incurred. But having read the comments people have made regarding the more all-inclusive nature of pricing on several other lines, I realize that many would rather have a lower entry point and then have the ability to determine what additional costs they decide to incur on board. But my feeling is that would lead to decisions to short change experiences over a fear of overspending.

I am looking forward to Carnival Corp. returning to profitability and am doing my part. We have two cruises currently booked on Carnival and one theme cruise booked with Holland. 

[JaniceB]

Thank you for your review!

[doxiegal]

Thanks for honest review. We're getting on the Horizon on Saturday the 16th... 5th time sailing on Carnival, 1st time on Horizon.. W are looking forward to enjoying our first cruise since Dec 2019..