by Anne Kalosh
Last updated: 5:49 PM ET, Wed April 18, 2018
Carnival Horizon is packed with all the goodies that live up to Carnival Cruise Line's "Choose Fun" motto.
First ships in a series bring on the new "wows." The second ship then refines and, often, improves. That's the case with Carnival Horizon, the sister of the 133,500-gross-ton Carnival Vista, which made its debut in 2016.
"Vista was extremely popular and very well-received. It had a lot of firsts like SkyRide and all the new dining. With Horizon we've refined the offering and added some new things as well," said Adolfo Perez, Carnival's senior vice president of sales and trade marketing.
Carnival Horizon introduces the line's first teppanyaki restaurant, Bonsai Teppanyaki, and a combined smokehouse/brewhouse with Food Network celebrity Guy Fieri. Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse serves barbecue favorites and four new craft beers brewed on board. It replaces the RedFrog Pub & Brewery on Vista.
"Everyone loves teppanyaki," Perez said. And when it comes to Guy's, he ordered seconds of the Trash Can Nachos, topped with pulled pork, bourbon brown sugar sauce, pico de gallo and melted cheese.
Also new, are a Dr. Seuss-themed WaterWorks, upgraded retail and enhanced technology. The ship has the fleet's fastest Wi-Fi (it can support Facebook live-streaming) and speedier mobile embarkation using hand-held barcode scanners.
There are also "destination-based" elevators that have been getting so much buzz on social media. Instead of pushing a button to call the elevator, riders select their destination on a touch screen and are immediately directed to a specific car, indicated by a letter. In the car, there are no further buttons to push (other than "open" and "close"), whisking riders straight to the floor they selected.
The idea is to speed up the service, and on busy embarkation days, the elevators can be programmed to go just to the decks where lunch is served. Once the staterooms are ready, the elevators go to all floors.
The Dr. Seuss WaterWorks park is fun and colorful. Slides are themed on The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2, and the giant dumping bucket is The Cat's red-and-white-striped hat.
New Playlist Production shows are "Soulbound," a gothic-inspired journey through New Orleans; "Celestial Strings," with a live string trio; and "Vintage Pop," mingling music from the Great Gatsby and Cotton Club era with contemporary songs. Carnival Horizon is also introducing magic shows.
Carnival's always outstanding steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, has been elevated with new preparations and presentations. For example, smoked oysters are served with a flourish under a smoke-filled glass dome. And one Instagram-worthy dessert, Art on the Table, involves a chef "painting" a large white palette with fruit sauces, candies, meringue, and cookies to go with big globes of ice cream.
The Piano Bar is now located adjacent to the steakhouse so the super-tender wagyu beef, filet mignon, and lobster tail are accompanied by piano virtuosity.
Of special note on Carnival Horizon, are more premium accommodations, with 18 additional Havana rooms for a total of 79, together with 96 Family Harbor accommodations, 104 spa cabins, and 74 suites.
Perez encouraged agents to boost their commissions with suite sales.
"The Havana section, with its exclusive daytime access to a Havana-themed bar and pool, is really popular. It drives a premium. People are willing to pay for them," he said. The minimum age for children there is 12.
For families with younger kids, the Family Harbor zone has been a "home run," according to Perez. With roomier accommodations and a dedicated lounge with concierge, games, snacks and buffet breakfast, the Family Harbor category also commands a premium.
"A lot of time travel agents shop with their own wallets. They think what they can afford. You really have to understand what the client wants. Not everyone wants the least expensive cabin on Riviera Deck," Perez said.
When it comes to shops, Carnival Horizon's upgraded retail features Le Vian jewelry, Victoria's Secret and, for the first time, designer brands Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Breitling, and Hublot.
Carnival remains a leading family line, carrying 800,000 children a year, and this newest ship presents an attractive choice.
"We've always been a family brand. The fact we're so accessible around the U.S., with all our homeports, makes a big difference," Perez said, because families can drive to their ship and save the airfare. "We've always had great family programs," he added, citing Camp Ocean, teen clubs Circle C and Club O2 and a crew who take good care of children.
Carnival Horizon is packed with all the line's latest family draws including an IMAX Theater, the multi-dimensional Thrill Theater, SkyRide, SportSquare with its SkyCourse ropes challenge, miniature golf course and more.
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