Freedom 8 night VS. Horizon 6 night

[mscreneet]

So were torn about what to do.

We looking at 2 sailings: Freedom 8 night sailing which will do a Southern Caribbean itinerary ( Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Bonaire and Aruba) vs. Horizon 6 night Western Caribbean Sailing going to Ocho Rios, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

 

Heres our situation:

Several adults going, most of which are late 30s in age to late 40's in age.

All of the adults are pretty active. 

Children ranging in age from 6 years old to 11 years old

 

We were initially supposed to sail this year on the Breeze ( that has been cancelled ) so the Freedom will be sailing the exact same itinerary that the Breeze wouldve done this year

We love the itinerary but we don't care for the smaller ships.

After sailing the Breeze and even the magic we knew that we didn't want to sail anything smaller than Dream Class of ships. 

We have never been to Bonaire or Aruba so again that itinerary is definitely inviting.

 

We've never sailed on the Horizon however we have been to all of the ports that it will visit on this itinerary.

We love the thought of a newer bigger ship but the itinerary is just " ok " for us. 

Also we only get 6 nights with this sailing instead of 8 with the Freedom.

 

We've taken a vote amongst our group and we're dead split 50 /50

Any thoughts on the 2 ships

Will we miss having more activities choosing the Freedom?

Hows the condition of the Freedom??

 

Any suggestions / recommendations are appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

[bury me at sea]

I've sailed Magic and Breeze, Dream class, and thoroughly enjoyed them both.  If your party includes people who want a great spa experience, go that direction.  The T-pool is nothing short of amazing.

 

I haven't sailed the Vista class yet.  Can't get excited from what I've read.

 

I would choose the Freedom in a heartbeat, without hesitation.  I love that ship.  She's my favorite in the Carnival fleet.  Quirky for sure.  Getting to the rear, assigned dining room was initially a challenge but well worth it.  Lines in general were few and short.  Decor is beautiful.  The whole feel of this ship is relaxing and refreshing and representative of everything I hope for on a cruise.

 

I currently have a cruise booked on the Vista, but only because the Freedom is leaving Galveston and when the Breeze returns it will be for shorter cruises.

 

Sorry for rambling.

[HaveWeMetYet]

Some things to consider.

Aruba is very commercialized with US style shopping malls and a lot of casino/hotel properties. Think Las Vegas strip and Miami Beach combined. You do have a lot of restaurants to go have lunch at along the waterfront. Not much of a tropical island feel except the very far north end but hurry the bulldozers are coming.

Bonaire is the least developed of the ABC islands. I did a day pass at a hotel property south of the cruise pier, a bit of a walk but your group looks young enough. Food was great, pass included unlimited drinks, use of the pool, and the beach is fine. Good snorkeling also. Not much shopping.

[Lottacruises]

8 days is better than 6

[JaxsMama]

I would pick Southern Caribbean anytime. I also love Conquest class ships and cant wait to sail the Freedom.  It may not have all the bells and whistles but it has a huge red frog pub, a sports bar and the lines for shows will be nothing compared to larger ships. 

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, mscreneet said:

So were torn about what to do.

We looking at 2 sailings: Freedom 8 night sailing which will do a Southern Caribbean itinerary ( Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Bonaire and Aruba) vs. Horizon 6 night Western Caribbean Sailing going to Ocho Rios, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

 

Heres our situation:

Several adults going, most of which are late 30s in age to late 40's in age.

All of the adults are pretty active. 

Children ranging in age from 6 years old to 11 years old

 

We were initially supposed to sail this year on the Breeze ( that has been cancelled ) so the Freedom will be sailing the exact same itinerary that the Breeze wouldve done this year

We love the itinerary but we don't care for the smaller ships.

After sailing the Breeze and even the magic we knew that we didn't want to sail anything smaller than Dream Class of ships. 

We have never been to Bonaire or Aruba so again that itinerary is definitely inviting.

 

We've never sailed on the Horizon however we have been to all of the ports that it will visit on this itinerary.

We love the thought of a newer bigger ship but the itinerary is just " ok " for us. 

Also we only get 6 nights with this sailing instead of 8 with the Freedom.

 

We've taken a vote amongst our group and we're dead split 50 /50

Any thoughts on the 2 ships

Will we miss having more activities choosing the Freedom?

Hows the condition of the Freedom??

 

Any suggestions / recommendations are appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

I loved magic more than dream, same class. I liked dream class and conquest class more than vista.

 

There used to be many bad reviews on vista, but I guess people adapting. The area up by the spa did have salad to eat, but far too few lounging places.

 

Vista cut the comedy club and theater in about half. Plan to go early especially comedy club if you want to sit. 

 

I especially didnt like deck 5 closed in. I loved walking along and sitting and watching the ocean. Ocean view now blocked..

 

Bbq on freedom out of the way so most dont find it. Up above the back buffett, quiet and loved it. Bbq on vista was outside on deck 5 in the heat. I didnt like melty coleslaw or potato salad,

 

I'd vote for freedom if the price is the same.

 

I'm looking at vista vs freedom myself and vista is cheaper for 7 day cruises I'm comparing. The only thing I liked about vista was the CD and past guest party, otherwise no, only if its cheaper.

[Poseidon Patty]

Take the 8 day cruise. You will love Aruba! I was on the Horizon, in January, and was so disappointed. I expected some pizzazz, but it was just a huge, plain ship. Bigger isn’t always better. Have a great time, whichever cruise you choose 😊

[BelowDeck4us]

Our last two Carnival cruises were on the Freedom and Panorama.  We loved both ships.  Admittedly the Panorama had a few more activities, but those activities were also usually more crowded than on the Freedom.  Condition of the Freedom was good when we went a couple years ago.  The kids in our group liked the Panorama's Sky Zone trampoline park, which isn't on the Freedom.  The shows were better in the main theater on the Panorama,  but we had to line up earlier as there were fewer good seats.

 

As for your choice, we would hands down choose the 8 night Southern Caribbean itinerary, as we'd be happy to sail again on either the Freedom or Panorama.  

[SNJCruisers]

I would pick the 8 day southern in a heartbeat, even though our two 8 day Horizon cruises were great, primarily because we were in the Havana area.

[jerseyjjs]

I'd go with the Freedom.

[teknoge3k]

The 8 day would be a no brainer for us. 

[PhillyFan33579]

Easy decision in my book. 
 

Freedom > Horizon

Southern > Western

8 Days > 6 Days. 
 

As much as I dislike Vista class ships, Horizon has more activities that appeal to children if that is important when making a decision. 

[cellfree]

8 nights plus itinerary great. BTW what is the date of that 8 night Freedom, I love the itinerary. Just in case we have another cancellation coming up!

Edited June 20, 2020 by cellfree
added a question

[skrufy]

2 hours ago, cellfree said:

8 nights plus itinerary great. BTW what is the date of that 8 night Freedom, I love the itinerary. Just in case we have another cancellation coming up!

8 nights with no hesitation. The itinerary is much better. Glory (Conquest class ) is our favorite ship.

[SMSACE6]

I would choose Freedom 8 day cruise, both because 8 days better than 6 for a cruise IMO, and also for the itinerary.  I have been on Freedom twice, only ship I have sailed on twice, and would have no hesitation to do a third given the right opportunity.  I really dont know anything about Horizon or that class of ship, have not been on , so cant comment on the ship that way, but I find 6 day cruises are over before you know it.  Whichever you choose, I wish you a great cruise.