LIVE - Carnival Horizon - March 5-13, 2022

[ToddlerMom2016]

*taps mic*
 

Is this this on? 

Edited March 3, 2022 by ToddlerMom2016

[ToddlerMom2016]

Hi everyone – Thanks for joining me on my Horizon live. It has been EIGHT YEARS since my last cruise and I simply cannot wait.

 

I meant to start this a few days ago and get a lot of the background and intros done, but life… bear with me through the safety instructions!

 

I used to cruise about 3-4 times a year then March 2014 was my last cruise as I went through some life changes, then had a child, and welp then covid. I was pretty active on the boards back when I was cruising – my username was MrsBlair if anyone remembers me. I tried for entirely too long to get back onto that account and just couldn’t get it done. So I lurked, then finally made this account.

 

We were booked on this exact cruise for March 21, 2020. We all know what happened there! This is I think the 6^th rebook. I had also booked this itinerary for November 2016, and found out two weeks after I booked it I was pregnant, due that September. I wanted to wait till my son was 3 (hello kids club!), thus the March 2020 booking.

 

Originally the three of us were supposed to go. Somebodyyyy doesn’t want to get the vaccine, so around mid-January we made the decision it was going to be a mommy and me trip. A few weeks after that, we decided I’d go solo. I called my PVP immediately and switched to a Havana Cabana. Will be my first time! 

 

We’re cruising to Aruba, Curacao, La Romana, and Amber Cove. Aruba is my absolutele most favorite port. I was on the Carnival Miracle 10/18/10 sailing to this itinerary (sub Amber Cove for Grand Turk) when it was Carnival’s first porting there. I remember we were at the gangway waiting to disembark and they had a huge celebration going for our arrival and lots of dignitaries were getting on the ship as we were waiting to be the first off!

 

La Romana is my least favorite port, but hey, if it means getting back to Aruba…

[Soxfan04]

Can’t wai for your review! My family and I will be doing this exact itinerary in August

[ToddlerMom2016]

I will take a red eye from SFO on Thursday night to FLL on JetBlue. Their red eyes are my old faithful of cruising from Florida. It’s nice to have the full day prior to getting on the ship to start adjusting to EST and to enjoy Florida a bit. I do prefer FLL to Miami in every possible aspect. 

 

When I tell you I spent a ridiculous amount of time picking a hotel. We used to always stay at the Hyatt Place near Harbordale. Always. Well, they were booked, and I’m a bit older now and have different preferences. I spent weeks reading reviews and checking prices and comparing etc. from FLL down to Miami. Weighed so many options – did I want to stay in Biscayne Bay, try Hollywood Beach, keep to what I’m used to… Regardless, hotel prices were all pretty high for what I’m used to in that area. I believe it’s spring break for a few colleges, so that may have something to do with it. I ultimately forced myself to pick something and made sure I booked the non-refundable member rate at the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port. Chose the balcony two queen room so I could use the second bed for my suitcases. I have to book two nights as I arrive early Friday - total out the door was around $650. 

 

Edited March 3, 2022 by ToddlerMom2016

[ToddlerMom2016]

I love food. So much. I live for food. So part of my trip planning is always spending a ridiculous amount of time picking where I want to eat. Again, going back, we always ate at Duffy’s at the Harbordale Shops. They have these beer battered cheese stick… and fried cheesecake… I still dream about them. So that will be lunch on Friday.

 

I was initially planning to try Chima Steakhouse for dinner that night, but a friend from NYC is flying down to spend the night with me. So, we’re going to Takato Restaurant. Looks like they have amazing food and drinks and a nice vibe. Very much looking forward to that. I will go do lunch at Chima on the 13^th since my flight doesn’t leave FLL till 5 p.m.
 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Ok, back to the cruise…

 

I was due to have about $1,300 in OBC when it was the three of us going and we were in a Deck 11 balcony room. Now that it’s just me and I moved to a Havana Cabana, I’ll have about $600.

 

I debated waiting to purchase all the things, but I lack patience and decided to heck with it. I’ll play my OBC in the casino.

 

Last time I was in Aruba, we went to Palm Beach. Loved it. I’ve booked the De Palm Island excursion through Carnival for this time. I’m trying not to venture off on my own as much since I’m going solo.

 

 

For Curacao, I booked the Marriott Beach Resort through Resort for a Day.

 

 

La Romana, I booked the Bayahibe Beach Break through Carnival. I’ve done this one before and it was fine enough, aside from the annoyance of the 30-minute bus ride. As I mentioned, I really dislike this port… depending on how the week goes, I may just stay on the ship. 
 

 

Amber Cove – I’ve got the Pool Cabana booked. Yes, just me! I will likely invite friends I make throughout the week.

 

I’ve booked the Cheers! Package for my first time. Might be a bad idea given I’m solo, but hey, let’s spin the wheel. I also ordered a bottle of Tito’s and mixers and bottles of water for the cabin. This one, probably will be a dumb idea given both Cheers! and being Platinum, but there’s just something about having them available… right there… 24/7… that speaks to me.

 

I’ve also made two blowout appointments at the salon. I have naturally curly hair and keep it blown out, so we’ll see how it goes. I don’t trust my hair wont just frizz up in the humidity, but again, let’s spin the wheel.

 

I always did late dining in the MDR but am doing YTD this time. I’ve scoured some recent Horizon 8-day menus to see which nights are my least favorite menus. I have my favorites that I am so excited to taste again! I have the steakhouse booked for night 3, teppanyaki for lunch day 3, chef’s table for night 6. I need to fit JiJi’s in there somewhere.

 

So, while we aren’t on a Fun Ship Meetup, we have been told by John Heald that we are still going to enjoy Sailabration activities. I understand there may be some special menus, so my specialty dining plan may go up in smoke. We’ll play it by ear. 

 

Oh, and I bought the Premium WiFi Package.

 

I know it seems silly to do all this when I have OBC, but I wanted to make sure I got the excursions I wanted, reservation times I wanted, discounts on cheers and wifi… I will reimburse myself with my OBC once on ship by either using it to play slots or any other means.

Edited March 3, 2022 by ToddlerMom2016

[ToddlerMom2016]

I checked in just a few hours after midnight (could’ve done it a 9 pm my time, but that didn’t occur to me till the next day! on platinum/diamond check in day and got A03, 10-10:30 a.m. I feel terrible I’m ditching my friend instead of boarding later in the day, but I’ve been waiting for this cruise for 6 years. Sorry, not sorry! I’ll take an Uber to the port.

 

 

Since I’m boosted, I was able to test starting Wednesday. I took an at-home test Tuesday nightjussssssssssssssst to be extra sure – the panic waiting for testing while also gearing up for the cruise is something else. Called in to telehealtharound 9 am, took the test, was negative – easy peasy.

 

 

Am I packed? Nope. Did I ever make my packing list? Also nope. It’s now almost 10 p.m. and on top of packing I still need to wrap up A LOT of work (I will likely have to work on ship some). I have a bunch of appointments and more work tomorrow – and I will pull out of my driveway at 8:30 to get to SFO around 9:30 for my 11:00 flight. Now that I typed that out, I may want to leave at 8!

 

I’ll get it done. I always do. But it’d be nice to make things less stressful on myself some day!

 

It’s warm, right? I’ll just throw all my summer clothes into a suitcase and call it done. Kidding, but the clothes are the easy part. The rest is what is stressful. I’m afraid I’ll pack a bunch of stuff I didn’t actually need or won’t use, and will forget things I do need. For example, while in the shower today, I was like “oh yeah, my passport…”

 

Well, now that we're all caught up...

[ToddlerMom2016]

Once in FLL and on the ship, I’ll mostly try to keep up with pics and will add any text as necessary. I really am excited about doing this review – I’m going to try my best. If I come up missing, well… check the drink count! Or, look for me reading Saint Greg’s review lol.

 

Oh, one last thing – anyone else on this sailing, please feel free to add anything from your perspective or hop on this review – multiple views are great! And I’m happy to try to answer any questions I can, appreciate help from any others who feel like jumping in.
 

Now off to pack… 

[ToddlerMom2016]

17 minutes ago, Soxfan04 said:

Can’t wai for your review! My family and I will be doing this exact itinerary in August

Yay!!! I’m already jealous of you!! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Getting more real by the minute! 
 

 

[Jamman54]

Great start to your review and looking forward to the rest! We did this exact cruise last August and had a blast. 😎

[CruisinMama2003]

Well this was a nice surprise to wake up to today 😁 Love your sense of humor! Im here for it! Have the best time on your loooooong awaited cruise, cheers! 🍹

[ToddlerMom2016]

5 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

Great start to your review and looking forward to the rest! We did this exact cruise last August and had a blast. 😎

Awesome!! It’s definitely my favorite itinerary. Thanks for tagging along! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

2 hours ago, CruisinMama2003 said:

Well this was a nice surprise to wake up to today 😁 Love your sense of humor! Im here for it! Have the best time on your loooooong awaited cruise, cheers! 🍹

Thank you!!! Welcome! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Well I got a lot more packing done last night than I hoped or expected. Feeling less stressed today! 

 

I did pack way too many clothes though. I’ll go back through and try to be a bit more reasonable. Do I need sandals in every color? Probably not. 5 purses? Definitely not… 😂

 

I also found my packing list from 2014 for all the “other” stuff and there were a few gems on there I’m glad I was reminded of. 

 

A few appointments, some work, and finishing touches, then tonight - WE FLY!
 

[helene109]

11 hours ago, ToddlerMom2016 said:

I will take a red eye from SFO on Thursday night to FLL on JetBlue. Their red eyes are my old faithful of cruising from Florida. It’s nice to have the full day prior to getting on the ship to start adjusting to EST and to enjoy Florida a bit. I do prefer FLL to Miami in every possible aspect. 

 

When I tell you I spent a ridiculous amount of time picking a hotel. We used to always stay at the Hyatt Place near Harbordale. Always. Well, they were booked, and I’m a bit older now and have different preferences. I spent weeks reading reviews and checking prices and comparing etc. from FLL down to Miami. Weighed so many options – did I want to stay in Biscayne Bay, try Hollywood Beach, keep to what I’m used to… Regardless, hotel prices were all pretty high for what I’m used to in that area. I believe it’s spring break for a few colleges, so that may have something to do with it. I ultimately forced myself to pick something and made sure I booked the non-refundable member rate at the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port. Chose the balcony two queen room so I could use the second bed for my suitcases. I have to book two nights as I arrive early Friday - total out the door was around $650. 

 

We are thinking of staying here in May as we are on the Horizon too same itinerary! We want to eat at Bass Pro shops as our restaurant closed!

[ToddlerMom2016]

1 hour ago, helene109 said:

We are thinking of staying here in May as we are on the Horizon too same itinerary! We want to eat at Bass Pro shops as our restaurant closed!

Oh cool ok! I’ll post pics for you!

[helene109]

1 minute ago, ToddlerMom2016 said:

Oh cool ok! I’ll post pics for you!

I appreciate it! I am just not sure room is big enough. My kids 26 and 22 are coming. We will use the airport shuttle as we land at 630. Not too many hotels offer breakfast and a shuttle.

[DebOinKC]

Great start to your review. We are on this same ship/itinerary next October. Have a great time.

[peteandpris]

Great begining looking forward for more. Thank you.

[mkcurran]

Have fun!

[ToddlerMom2016]

1 hour ago, DebOinKC said:

Great start to your review. We are on this same ship/itinerary next October. Have a great time.

Very exciting!! Hope you enjoy the preview! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

5 minutes ago, peteandpris said:

Great begining looking forward for more. Thank you.

Welcome aboard! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

3 minutes ago, mkcurran said:

Have fun!

Thank you! Plan might be too much fun. 🤣

[ToddlerMom2016]

1 hour ago, helene109 said:

I appreciate it! I am just not sure room is big enough. My kids 26 and 22 are coming. We will use the airport shuttle as we land at 630. Not too many hotels offer breakfast and a shuttle.

Are you in one of the double queen balcony rooms? I think they’re a touch bigger than the standard.