Secret Horizon Tips

With a new ship, comes new tips! And the Horizon has plenty...

Tip 1: Anyone sailing on the Horizon in its inaugural year (April 2018-March 2019) can request a commemorative Horizon book to take home for free. If there isn't one in your room, you can request one from your cabin steward or grab one from Guest Services where they have some sitting on a shelf!


Tip 2: The Horizon has an IMAX theatre with current movies but shows sell out quickly. Head to the the theatre desk on Deck 6 Fwd on the first day to book your movies tickets for the day and time you want. If the desk isn't open, you can use the self-service kiosks in front of the desk to buy tickets any time of the day!

 

Tip 3: The Havana area on Deck 5 is gorgeous! Even though this space is exclusive to Havana guests during the day, guests not staying in that area can check it out in the evening from 7 p.m. to midnight when it is open to everyone (including kids). Have a late dinner? This is a great place to grab a cocktail and take in the view before your meal. If the ship is sailing in the right direction, it's also an amazing spot to get perfect sunset pics.

Tip 4: On Sea Days at 3:00 p.m., you can go for Afternoon Tea in the back dining room (Meridian) on Deck 4. They also bring around desserts and finger sandwiches and often had live violinists when we travelled.

Tip 5: Shhhh, there is a secret deck on this ship with comfy chairs on Spa - Deck 14. To get there, take odd hallway and head towards the front of the ship. You will need to go through three doors and then you will reach a cute little private deck with 4 patio cushioned chairs and a table (see above).

Tip 6: Carnival Cruise Line has started offering an MDR breakfast menu on port days as well as sea days! Unlike Lido buffet, these free breakfasts are made to order. The menu comes with the usual faves – buttermilk waffles, vanilla French toast and eggs benedict  –but also offers new items like avocado toast! 

Tip 7: Carnival Cruise Line is piloting a new program on the Horizon that will allow guests to order pizza anywhere on the ship using the Hub app. The cost is $5 per pizza and is automatically charged to guests’ Sail & Sign shipboard accounts.

Tip 8: Free lunches at specialty restaurants! 

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse is a new specialty restaurant being offered on a select Carnival ships. It costs $$ but guests can check out a free menu (and live music and lively atmosphere) on embarkation day (and sea days) between 12-2:30p.m. Their lunch buffet offers pulled pork, smoked beef, blue ribbon chicken, greens, beans, mac & cheese, plus an assortment of sauces. Consider avoiding the rush by arriving later. Chances are good that at 2 p.m. you'll be able to walk right up as opposed to waiting in a line stretching halfway around the promenade. 

Jiji's Asian Kitchen and Cucina, which cost $$ for supper, also offer FREE lunches. Build a custom stir fry at Jiji's or a custom pasta a Cuchina (choose your noodles, sauce and toppings) between 12-2p.m. The FunTimes calls it a buffet but at both places servers in fact come to your table to take your custom order. Located on Deck 11 Aft, both are tucked away behind the elevator lobby so many people don't find these gems, but they are both still very popular for those who do. Head here for a late lunch to avoid the crowds or as soon as they open. If you arrive and there's a wait time, they do have buzzers you can take with you to sit back out on deck!

Tip 9: Blue Iguana Cantina has build-your-own tacos (chicken, pork, fish) and burritos (chicken, beef, shrimp). But if you're a sucker for shrimp tacos like me, you can go to the taco station and ask them to grab shrimp from the burrito station. Then, just pile on your fave toppings from the salsa bar for a tasty, fresh taco! Mmmmmm, fresh salsa!

Tip 10: There is a secret salad bar on the Serenity (21+ deck) on Sea Days. It's not like the salad bar on Lido; it’s a hidden gem with many extras, like shrimp. It’s free and no passes are needed to eat here. Watch the video.

Tip 11: The new elevator system is your friend and actually saves you time. The only guests who hate it are the ones who don’t pay attention or understand how it works. Learn how to use the smart elevators early. When you arrive to the elevator area, find the console and enter the number of your floor destination to request an elevator. You need to press the floor number for each person in your group. That tells the elevator console to send an extra elevator if multiple people are waiting. Then hop on and it will take you where you need to go - no need to press any buttons once inside because you won't find any! 

Tip 12: Download the Hub App before you board. It won't seem like much before you board but once you're on the ship's network, the App lets you book dining reservations, order pizza, check your account balance, view/favourite your photos, set notifications and even favourite activities from the fun times so you have your own personalized list. It's incredibly useful and will help you get the most out of your vacation.

Tip 13: The SkyBox is a nice getaway for sports lovers. Not sure if it's the location on Deck 4 midship or just because there are so many things to do but it's pretty quiet in there during the daytime. Bonus tip: Keep an eye on their menu as they sometimes offer specials on Pig & Anchor items (e.g. you can get appetizers for $2 during special happy hours (usually during games) that cost much less than when you order at the restaurant).

Tip 14: Use Deck 1 to navigate around crowds in ports. In most of the ports, the gangway will be located on Deck 0 (just above the water line). If you're using the midship gangway then walk up Deck 1 and walk to the part of the ship that you want to go to avoid elevator congestion.

Tip 15: Find secret sail away spots. If you head to the very front of decks 5,6,7, 10 or 11, you'll find these areas are pretty much always empty. Being at the front of the ship makes them the perfect place for a peaceful sail away, not to mention incredible pictures!

Tip 16: The gym on the Horizon seems a bit small for ship that carries over 4000 guests so if you want to get in a good work out, avoid going during peak times. Your best bet is early in the morning or late in the day. Another option? Head up to Deck 12 where seven laps equals a mile.

Tip 17: Buy a 64-oz growler from the Pig & Anchor. It's approximately $32 to fill and it's the perfect to-go cup to take along to Dive-In movies. 

Tip 18: Want a tour of the ship brewery? Head to Pig & Anchor bar as soon as you arrive. There are openings for a select few to view and taste test. Cost is currently $24.95. It’s approximately 90 min - 2 hours. They talk about the process of making the beer on board and you get to go into one of the brew rooms. Then, they give the group a pitcher of each type of beer and everyone samples. You'll also get a certificate and a special glass at the end.

Tip 19: Like Bloody Marys? The Pig and Anchor bar infuses their vodka in a 2 cubic jar of vegetables creating the base for what is possibly the world's greatest Bloody Mary.

Tip 20: Like beer but didn't buy the drink package? Bring your Tervis because there's beer on tap at Lido for 32 cents an ounce. Just swipe your Sail & Sign card!

Tip 21: Enjoy one last goodbye meal. The main dining room, Lido Marketplace and Blue Iguana are all open on disembarkation morning.

Tip 22: Check into your flight for free using one of the computers in the Internet Face. You can also ask Guest Services. On the Horizon, the cafe is located on the Promenade Deck just outside Ocean Plaza.

Tip 23: Got plans after debarkation? You can get off the ship quick if you opt for self-assist. Get up early, head to a Fwd deck to watch sail-in, then grab breakfast as soon as the dining room opens at 6:30 a.m. and just pick up your luggage and stroll off the ship.