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By Steve Nakazawa - March 18, 2026
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A Tale of Two Voyages on the Same Ship in 2025
They say you can never step into the same river twice, but apparently, you can step onto the same cruise ship twice in five months!
In 2025, my wife and I found ourselves aboard the Carnival Horizon for two very different voyages. First, a romantic 8-night Southern Caribbean escape in January, and then a 6-night Western Caribbean family milestone celebration in May.
Sailing the same ship twice in one year taught me a lot about how a ship’s "vibe" changes based on the calendar and the guest list. Here is my take on why the Horizon remains one of my favorite "middle siblings" in the Carnival fleet.
The "Goldilocks" Ship: Horizon vs. Celebration
The "Goldilocks" Ship: Horizon vs. Celebration
Having recently sailed the mega-ship Carnival Celebration, the Horizon (a Vista-class ship) felt like the perfect "middle ground."
The Size: At 133,500 gross tons, it’s large enough to have a brewery and an IMAX theater, but small enough that you aren't constantly checking a map.
The Crowd: It felt noticeably less "packed" than the Excel-class ships. If you want the bells and whistles without the 5,000+ person bustle, the Vista-class is the sweet spot.
Voyage 1: The Engagement Celebration (January 2025)
Voyage 1: The Engagement Celebration (January 2025)
Our first trip was an 8-night Southern Caribbean run from Miami to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). Although we had planned this cruise months in advance, we had just gotten engaged a few weeks prior, so we decided it was our way to celebrate. Also, since we already had the May cruise booked, we spent a lot of time exploring the ship, so we could report back to our family members and familiarize ourselves with the layout.
The Pre-Cruise Kickoff
We flew into Miami the day before embarkation and stayed in Brickell and headed to Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana. If you’ve never been, it’s a Miami landmark—the Cuban coffee and the atmosphere were the perfect way to start the trip.
The Vibe Onboard
January was peaceful. With longer port stays in Aruba and Curacao (islands we’ve loved since our 2019 Meraviglia cruise), the ship had a mature, relaxed energy. There were far fewer families and more couples enjoying the quiet sea days.
The "First Night" Dining Hack
We discovered that if you dine at Cucina del Capitano or the Steakhouse on the first night of the cruise, you can get a free bottle of house wine or 50% off any bottle under $100. We hit Cucina on night one and loved the family-style Italian atmosphere (and of course got our free bottle of wine).
The Steakhouse Highlight
Another night, we splurged on Fahrenheit 555. As a steak lover, the USDA Prime Cowboy Steak, the Stuffed Mushroom appetizer, and Apple Tarte Tatin were 10/10 for me. My wife, who doesn't eat red meat, was equally impressed by the Lobster Tail and the famous Chocolate Sphere dessert.
Game Day at Sea
Another highlight for me was hanging out on the Lido Deck on the first night and watching the Washington Commanders upset the heavily favored Detroit Lions 45 to 31 in an NFC Divisional Round game. I estimate that the Lions fans onboard outnumbered us Commanders fans by 4 to 1, which made the experience that much more memorable (sorry to any Lions fans out there - I understand the frustrations - I spent most of my childhood in the Detroit area cheering for the Lions).
A Movie Experience Like No Other
Speaking of screens, the Horizon is one of the few ships in the fleet with a true IMAX Theatre. During our January cruise, we caught a showing of The Lion King. There’s something uniquely cool about sitting in a full-scale, high-tech theater watching a blockbuster while you’re technically in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. It’s a great "rainy day" or "sea day" escape that you won't find on most ships.
Voyage 2: The Family Milestone (May 2025)
Five months later, we were back onboard—this time with a group of six to celebrate milestone birthdays for my (now) father-in-law and sister-in-law. This was a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.
Choosing this specific sailing was a bit of a balancing act. As the unofficial 'lead planner' for the group, I had to weigh everyone's priorities: my sister-in-law was set on seeing Mayan ruins, my mother and father-in-law were looking for the best overall value, and my wife and I were hoping for a ship with a brewery. The Horizon ended up being the 'Goldilocks' choice—it checked every box for our specific dates and budget without compromising on the experience.
The Pre-Cruise Kickoff
Since we were traveling with a group of six, we flew in a day early and stayed near the airport for convenience. We spent our "bonus day" exploring different sides of Miami, allowing everyone to do their own thing before we all got onboard the ship:
Sports & Sun: My father-in-law and I caught a Miami Marlins game at LoanDepot Park, while my sister-in-law hit Miami Beach.
Culture: My wife, her best friend, and my mother-in-law explored the incredible street art in Wynwood.
Food: Since my wife and I really enjoyed dining at Versailles Restaurant in January, we convinced everyone to meet back up there for an awesome Cuban dinner.
The Vibe Shift Onboard
What a difference a few months makes! May was "party time." The ship was full of families and younger adults, and the energy was much higher. From our observations, it looked like a lot of recent college graduates were celebrating onboard.
Planning for a Group
This trip was the "spark" that made me realize that I wanted to become a travel advisor. Balancing a group’s needs—like my sister-in-law’s must-see visit to Mayan ruins—while coordinating travel logistics and dining for six people was a puzzle I actually enjoyed solving. Since we had just sailed on the Horizon a few months earlier and were familiar with the layout, we were able to help our family members get around and recommend activities.
The Havana Splurge
For this cruise, my wife and I decided to splurge on a Havana Aft Corner Balcony. While the rest of our group booked standard interior cabins nearby (which was a great way to keep the overall trip cost down), having one Havana "base camp" gave us a unique perspective.
The Room: Spacious with a large wrap-around balcony which provided great views and plenty of space for the group to hang out.
The "Havana" Perks: If you are booked in a Havana cabin, you get a special wristband that grants access to the exclusive Havana Pool area. It was a quiet sanctuary away from the May crowds, with its own pool and bar. (Note: This access is strictly for Havana guests only, so while our family couldn't join us at the private pool, it served as a perfect quiet sanctuary for my wife and me to recharge between group activities).
The Age Rule: It’s also worth noting that Havana staterooms are restricted to guests 12 and older, which helps maintain that peaceful, 'adults-oriented' vibe.
The Reality Check: Be warned—the Aft Corner balconies are uncovered. While it was the perfect, spacious spot for our group of six to gather for sail-away or sunset drinks, it gets very hot in the direct Caribbean sun. If you’re a "shade seeker," you'll find yourself retreating to the Havana pool area (or the AC) during the afternoon heat.
What Stayed Consistent?
What Stayed Consistent?
Even with the change in "vibe," we really enjoyed several things on both sailings:
The Brewery Tour: We did the tour at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse on both cruises. It’s $35 well spent for any craft beer fan. We even brought the whole family the second time!
Main Dining Room (MDR): We used Anytime Dining both times. Even with a group of six in May, reserving a table through the Hub App was seamless and quick.
Bingo: I never thought I would be into bingo, but the Carnival Fun Squad members running it were very engaging and entertaining, and I found myself really enjoying it onboard.
Closing Thoughts
The Carnival Horizon might not have the "BOLT" rollercoaster or the 6-zone layout of the newer Excel-class ships, but it was the right sized ship for us. Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape to the ABC islands or a high-energy family birthday bash, this ship delivers. The Horizon was the perfect fit for our 2025 milestones, but every traveler is different. Whether you want the high-tech zones of the Celebration or the classic charm of the Vista-class, I’m here to help you navigate the fleet.
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