What You Need to Know About Carnival Horizon, 2021
Summary
WE WERE SO EXCITED TO BE BACK ON A CRUISE SHIP!!! This Carnival Horizon cruise got booked as soon as we heard that Carnival got the all-clear from the CDC. We were so ready to be back on a cruise ship but did not want to, or could not take the time off, to go on the earlier cruises that were the first to sail from North America. So, we opted for the second to sail, lol.
We love Carnival but had not cruised on the cruise line in quite a while (not since June 2018). So, it seemed fitting to reunite for a momentous occasion like cruising return to the U.S.
Ship
As this was only the second sailing the ship has had post-Covid cruise ban, the Carnival Horizon was kept immaculately clean. Plus, there were crew constantly cleaning the ship when guests were in areas that were not busy.
We enjoyed the layout of this ship. It is exactly like its sister ship, Carnival Vista; which we have cruised twice. So we knew exactly where everything was and how to maneuver around.
We loved the spaciousness of the balcony room and really liked how the new "E-Muster" was quick and to the point. Watch the video, report to your muster station area to check in and see the demo of the life jacket, DONE! Muster took maybe 5 minutes total and that included the walking of the stairs.
There were a few changes though. Carnival Horizon does not have a bar in the casino; just extra slot machines. Horizon also does not have the Red Frog Pub and Brewery. It has been replaced with the Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse. Carnival Horizon also has Bonsai Teppanyaki, a hibachi-style restaurant, and Vista does not.
A new thing that we really liked was the changes to the elevator system. There are no buttons on the inside of the elevator, except for the open and close door buttons. You select the floor that you are going to and then the elevator will tell you which car to wait at. It was really kind of cool and at times, worked really well. At other times, the elevator would take forever.
The ship was only filled to about 60% capacity, as well. This again, because it is still the only second sailing it has had post-Covid. We thoroughly enjoyed the extra space and the emptiness that this created onboard.
Itinerary
The itinerary was a great one! An 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary. The itinerary was originally Aruba, Bonaire, La Romana, and Amber Cove. But, Bonaire got changed to Curaçao about two weeks prior to the cruise. We didn’t mind that change at all, as we loved Curaçao when we ported there last time. Amber Cove was just as exciting as we have never ported there before.
We love Aruba so we were totally stoked that we would be there all day! So, we rented a Jeep and toured the island on our own during the day and that night...we made reservations to somewhere truly unique! We found a speakeasy called Apotek. And when I tell you that this place blew our minds, that would be an understatement.
Our next stop in Curacao was a short day, so we did not plan anything. We just walked around the downtown area. We found some lunch at Plasa Bieu, an open-air, rustic market with picnic tables and counters featuring open kitchens serving classic Curacaoan eats. Y'all, imagine a lunch hall with all your old school aunties and grandmas in the back cooking! Terry and I ate so good! We then walked a few more blocks and found the Ronde Markt. Another open-air, farmer's market that just made my little chef heart sing with joy. If I could have brought home the beautiful fruit and veggies we saw!
In La Romana, we had originally made plans to visit a Cigar Factory via Cigar Country Tours. But when we got there, we were informed that they lost power! So, our taxi driver saved the day and took us to a local cigar factory, Cornelio Cigars. This made my hubby giddy. He was like a kid in a candy store, or better yet, like me at the farmer's market lol.
In Amber Cove, we booked a tour with Iguana Mama Tours to explore the city of Puerto Plata. This was one of the most fun tours that we have ever been on. We got to see the city, visit the Teleferico Cable Car, visit a rum distillery, Ron Macorix Rum, had lunch at a FABULOUS restaurant, Kaffe, and then finished the day with dancing and another cigar demonstration at Espigon Cigar Factory.
Highlights
The biggest highlight of the cruise was the fact that we were able to cruise again! This was our first cruise in 17 months! It felt as if this day would never come. I was so optimistic about the whole pandemic situation but I did get quite depressed as more and more cancellations and deaths occurred daily worldwide.
Another highlight of the cruise was the food and drinks. The food and drinks onboard did not disappoint. Our first time eating at Cucina del Capitano left us stuffed and wondering why we had never eaten there before. Eating at Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse was a delicious down-home experience that left us stuffed. (Terry couldn’t finish his dinner!) And of course, dinner at Fahrenheit 555 never disappoints.
Another highlight for me was getting a massage at the Cloud 9 Spa. I was in desperate need for a massage and my masseuse worked magic on the knots in my neck and shoulders.
A highlight for Terry was being able to smoke his cigars at sea on the open deck.
Another highlight of this cruise were the times in port. We thoroughly enjoyed the full day in Aruba. We were there from 9am to 11pm! This way we were able to explore some of the island’s nightlife. Read more about that later!!!
What’s Missing
There wasn’t anything that I would have changed or done differently for this cruise. The staff was excited and welcoming. The captain maintained the ship great. Even though during the first two sea days the water was quite choppy causing lots of rocking; a few passengers were dealing with queasiness and seasickness. We were all just so glad to be back on a cruise ship and back at sea that no one seemed to mind being queasy.
Main Takeaways
Cruising is BACK! I want to yell it from mountain tops. It felt so wonderful to be back on a cruise ship. To smell the salty air. Feeling the wind against your skin. To see new places and explore new cultures and nationalities. This was the perfect ship and itinerary for our first cruise back post-Covid.
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