LIVE - Carnival Horizon - March 5-13, 2022

[firstimecruiseronncl]

On 3/5/2022 at 7:25 PM, ToddlerMom2016 said:

My Havana Cabana door doesn’t open. Hoping to get that fixed soon. I really want to sit in my porch swing!!! 

I had an issue with my door on my Oct 30th sailing. I was in the Havana cabin 5239. They came and oiled it but you still had to fight with it to get it open. 

[ToddlerMom2016]

43 minutes ago, firstimecruiseronncl said:

I had an issue with my door on my Oct 30th sailing. I was in the Havana cabin 5239. They came and oiled it but you still had to fight with it to get it open. 

Dang, so frustrating!! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Todays Funtimes! Welcome to Curacao! 
 

The main piano guy was in fact NOT back last night, so misprint I’m assuming. 
 

they’re still advertising the heck out of the ship meetup so I’m guessing they’ll stream one of them on the screen? 
 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Curacao! 
 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Last night’s towel buddy 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Table 230. I enjoyed the convo. Interesting group… 😂 I’ll likely join them Friday and Saturday as well. It’s so odd though - it’s a big round table of 12 with 5 of us. 
 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Goodness gracious I didn’t post steakhouse pics!!!

 

Steakhouse night 3 was amazing. There have been lots of complaints in our group about slow service, etc - I did not experience that. There was also an irate man arguing with his table mates about something on the menu missing (I’m not sure what), but he ended up leaving and they stayed and had dinner. He may have had too much to drink.
 

The ambiance was nice as the classical piano bar guy was playing and I had a seat next to the window. I was seated promptly when I walked in and service was steady. I opted for a bottle of champagne, not realizing I’d get 25% off (I would’ve picked a different bottle!) I appreciated that they brought small individual portions of the sides I wanted. The wasabi mashed and the mac n cheese are still as good as I remember.  Don’t even bother with the garlic rapini though - it was so bitter! I took the cheesecake to go (it’s still in my fridge. Tonight!) I didn’t grab pics of the menu, but I will and will post. I got the pork belly and stuffed mushroom apps. Both great. Opted for the cowboy ribeye at the server’s suggestion. It was wonderful as well. 

 

There were two ladies dining next to me who I ended up having great convo with and hung out with later in the night at the club. A young couple next to them who finished off my bottle once I was done (probably a glass each). I keep running into them as well - they’re very cute!! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

The steakhouse menu isn’t downloading but it’s your standard menu. I’ll grab when back in ship. 
 

Here was the Night 3 MDR menu I opted out of. 
 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Ok, let’s get into Aruba. As you know, after sailing here in 2010, all I’ve wanted is to get back. I tried in 2016, multiple times in 2020, 2021, and finally here in 2022!!! I booked the De Palm Island excursion versus trying to find somewhere on Palm Beach as I figured it would be easier and just as gorgeous. We were to be at busses by 10 am for a 20 minute bus ride to the boat that would take us to the island. Random shots along the way. Bus ride was fine, to be expected. Nothing to report there. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

We get to the boat dock and wait about 10 mins for the bus before us to unload then hop on the boat for a quick 5 minute ride. 

They give two wristbands. The striped one is used for snorkeling. You can’t order drinks till you’ve snorkeled (or not if you’re not) but you can only get drinks with the solid one. Additionally, a map of the island and info. Boarding card with waiver you’re to read and hand over when you get off the boat. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

When we walked up the plank, I went in to ask about cabanas and premium seating. Everything was sold out. Oh well. I had emailed two months prior but never heard anything back. So I ventured out to find somewhere to lay out. 
 

Remember the NCL Epic was docked with us? Well, they all got there first and hogged up all the beach chairs. All of us were like *****???? I immediately questioned if I made a bad decision booking this for my one day in Aruba. I thought about leaving and inquired about it. They would’ve taken me back by boat across the way and called a taxi for me. 
 

I decided to just get something to eat, see the flamingos, and see how I felt then. Also determined to make the best out of the day. Should also note, I was pretty tired and hungover and had to check myself on that. Should’ve listened to Mahk. 
 

There were two options for lunch. A restaurant on the opposite end from the flamingoes, very lido-esque. Then a grill in the middle with hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken nuggets. All with fries. I thought the burger and fries were great. Hot dog, not so great. What’s funny is so many people on the bus back we’re talking about how bad the burgers were. I laughed because I loved em and went back for a second later! They had a sex on the beach, something blue, and a cruiser for cocktail options. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 9, 2022 by ToddlerMom2016

[ToddlerMom2016]

Side note, the Hub App DRAINS your battery. So bring a portable charger if you’re a keep your phone on you type. 

[ToddlerMom2016]

So, I ventured around for a bit then finally found a chair in the shade in the back row. I fell asleep for a bit and when I woke up, NCL passengers were gone! Grabbed a few pics, that second hamburger, then it was time for us to head back (we were to be at boat at 4:15). 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Some pics from the drive back 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[helene109]

Was your excursion thru Carnival if so what was the exact name of it? Thanks!

[skidawg79]

On 3/6/2022 at 10:09 PM, ToddlerMom2016 said:

Often wonder why they stack the chairs at night. I’m assuming safety reasons. Feel bad for the crew that has to do this nightly though. 
 

 

I think it has something to do with cleaning as well.   Easier to clean the floors with the chairs stacked.   Loving the review...we board the Horizon on 3/19!  How long have your dinners been?  Heard with the uptick in capacity, they are taking forever. 

[ToddlerMom2016]

6 hours ago, helene109 said:

Was your excursion thru Carnival if so what was the exact name of it? Thanks!

They have a couple variations, but any of the De Palm Island ones will take you where I was. This was the exact one I did though. 

[ToddlerMom2016]

4 hours ago, skidawg79 said:

I think it has something to do with cleaning as well.   Easier to clean the floors with the chairs stacked.   Loving the review...we board the Horizon on 3/19!  How long have your dinners been?  Heard with the uptick in capacity, they are taking forever. 

Yeah, makes sense! Dinners have been pretty quick, in my opinion. More which than what I remember previously! 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Well guess who day drinking got the best of? 😂

 

I fell asleep on accident around 5 and woke up around 7. Pushed my JiJi’s back (I’m here now). Missed steward service, so no towel animal. Bummer. 
 

After dinner I’ll wrap up Aruba and cover Curaçao. Have menus and food / drink pics to post as well. 

[ToddlerMom2016]

So I made the best of De Palm Island but did not yet feel my Aruba stop was complete. I was back on board a little after 4:45 and was determined to make sunset (6:49 pm, 5:49 ship time) on Palm Beach. Showered and dressed quickly, hopped in a cab, and made it! I gave the driver three options - Marriott, Hilton; or Hyatt Regency. He suggested Marriott, so that’s where we headed. Here are photos from the drive over. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 

 

Sunset was GORGEOUS! They have dining on the beach. I had the Aruba Blues cocktail. Played in the casino a bit before heading back to ship. Passed apps, nice touch! And I got this passport book from Amazon which also has slots for vaccine card, ID and credit card, and cash. It’s easy to pop in and out of safe on port days. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ToddlerMom2016]

I was back on ship by 8:15 (9:15 local) promptly for dinner at 8:15 with Table 230! Posted pics last night. 
 

ARUBA WAS PERFECT. 

[ToddlerMom2016]

“If we can live on this ship in peace and harmony, we can do that anywhere and everywhere.” - CD Erin ♥️

[Lane Hog]

We were on Horizon back in 2019, and it looks like it's holding up pretty well... 

How close did your cab back to the ship cut it on sailing time?

[ToddlerMom2016]

Welcome to Curaçao!