I recently joined about 20 other travel writers and a boatload of travel agents for a two-day inaugural sailing from Port Miami to Nassau and back.
The big and beautiful Carnival Horizon had come into Port for a year-long schedule of six- and eight-week cruises to the Caribbean. The large, (133,500 gross tons,) and lovely vessel is a Vista Class ship. She is designed to carry just under 4,000 passengers and is 14 decks high.
Restaurants include Bonsai Teppanyaki and Guy Fieri’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse/Brewhouse with a complete smoker and a variety of craft beers.
The ship’s contemporary design features comfort and grace, (didn’t find an uncomfortable seat on the ship,) and the usual cabin amenities.
Horizon is a family-friendly vessel with several of the attractions of Carnival Vista: family harbor cabins and the SkyRide.
Carnivals entertainment offerings are varied, with the something-for-everyone option ranging from classical music to salsa and hip-hop, a top-drawer Dr Seuss kids’ program and R-rated, adults-only comics. Shopping venues include a Victoria’s Secret lingerie shop, the only one at sea, and the now classic on Carnival, the Serenity area, is one of the loveliest I’ve seen.