Carnival Celebration Eastern or Carnival Horizon Southern?

[bochamps]

Looking for some regular cruiser's advice between these two ships.  Will be traveling with my wife and our two sons (16 and 13).  Our dates are very specific, due to travel baseball and other kids sports. Looking to cruise in July.  To date, we have been on the Inspiration (2009 without the kids -5 night - Western Carrib), Sunrise (2022 - with the kids - 4 night - Bahamas), Paradise (2023 without the kids - 4 night - Cozumel).

 

Looking at either a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the new Celebration, or an 8 night Southern Caribbean on the Horizon.  I have a Casino Offer for some free play, and drinks everywhere for me, and a deeply discounted rate for the cruise on an ocean view room.  

 

Curious of people's thoughts between the Celebration and the Horizon, and the two itineraries.   The Southern trip looks a little more rushed between ports, but like the idea of showing the boys Aruba.  The Eastern trip is a day shorter.  As far as ships, we've only really been on the smaller class ships, so both the Horizon and Celebration would be large ships in comparison.  I realize the Celebration is the biggest class ship, but the Horizon looks to have lots of nice amenities as well, compared to the ships we've been on.  Thanks for any advice.  

[Hoosierpop]

I like both ships. Maybe Celebration slightly more. But I love the southern itinerary so easy decision for me. Go southern.

[snowdogsmm]

Did the 8-night Southern on the Horizon in August and loved it.  Aruba and Bonaire were my favorites.  Both are newer/large ships with lots to keep teenagers busy but I would go with the extra day and the southern itinerary.

[jsglow]

Both itineraries are great.  For me it would come down to pricing.

[lazydayz]

I would go for Horizon.  Longer cruise and nice size ship.  And I love the Southern Caribbean ports.  

 

But take that with a grain of salt - two of my booked cruises are on the Celebration.  We have done the Mardi Gras four times and loved it.  But we are big ship people and have been to the ports many times.  Now we tend to choose cruises based on the ship or the itinerary.  Our other booked cruises are on the Pride, but those are special ones - one in Europe and a repositioning one that gets us to many of the lesser-visited Caribbean ports.  

 

I really think you can't go wrong with either the Horizon or the Celebration.  Both have a lot to offer. 

[May1cruiser]

Only comment is Celebration has so many food choices, cannot enjoy offers within 7 days. It will take a longer cruise or two trips on celebration to take advantage of all offerings. 

 

I also prefer southern ABC islands as they are less frequent.

 

Vote for 8 day horizon. 

 

[1025cruise]

I'd go with the southern itinerary.

[pcvtmom]

I, too, would prefer the southern itinerary aboard the Horizon.  My husband and I did this one a year ago, and we've booked it again, with children and grandchildren in tow, for June!

[mdin]

I haven't been on Celebration, but Horizon is my favorite ship so far. My wife and I did the Southern Caribbean itinerary last March and loved it (especially Aruba). When our Vista 2024 cruise was cancelled, we rebooked Horizon for the same itinerary again. Eastern Caribbean is great too though (love St. Maarten and St. Thomas). 

[Bagbklyn]

We loved Horizon. Did 8 day Southern 3 years ago. Actually we're doing 8 day Southern on Celebration this summer.  Once a month they have an 8 day going to the ABC islands so we jumped on it. Good look. I'm sure either choice will be fun

[StephPS79]

I love the Horizon, and southern itinerary.  We have Celebration booked for February 2024, haven't been on it yet, but also have Horizon booked for ABC islands for November 2024, and if I'm being honest, I might be more excited about that one.  That might be because we booked Havana for the Horizon for the first time, so looking forward to that, and I could feel differently after Celebration.  But for now, that would be my choice!

[missholly24]

21 hours ago, bochamps said:

Looking for some regular cruiser's advice between these two ships.  Will be traveling with my wife and our two sons (16 and 13).  Our dates are very specific, due to travel baseball and other kids sports. Looking to cruise in July.  To date, we have been on the Inspiration (2009 without the kids -5 night - Western Carrib), Sunrise (2022 - with the kids - 4 night - Bahamas), Paradise (2023 without the kids - 4 night - Cozumel).

 

Looking at either a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the new Celebration, or an 8 night Southern Caribbean on the Horizon.  I have a Casino Offer for some free play, and drinks everywhere for me, and a deeply discounted rate for the cruise on an ocean view room.  

 

Curious of people's thoughts between the Celebration and the Horizon, and the two itineraries.   The Southern trip looks a little more rushed between ports, but like the idea of showing the boys Aruba.  The Eastern trip is a day shorter.  As far as ships, we've only really been on the smaller class ships, so both the Horizon and Celebration would be large ships in comparison.  I realize the Celebration is the biggest class ship, but the Horizon looks to have lots of nice amenities as well, compared to the ships we've been on.  Thanks for any advice.  

I have this same exact question and I've been on around 20 cruises! I'm ready to flip a coin. LOL....

[csm5986142]

On 2/1/2023 at 9:31 AM, May1cruiser said:

Only comment is Celebration has so many food choices, cannot enjoy offers within 7 days. It will take a longer cruise or two trips on celebration to take advantage of all offerings. 

 

Although I totally agree with the comment above, it would be the only thing I would count as an advantage Celebration has over Horizon right now.  These are my 2 favorite class of ships, and we've been on both in the last 5 months.  Unfortunately for us, the Celebration crew was just not up to par.  I know it's a new ship and the crew has not necessarily had a chance to get in sync yet, but they just seemed tired and unhappy.  We experienced a lot of slow service and confusion.

Unless the added dining venues are a big deal to you, I'd pick Horizon and the Southern itenerary in a heartbeat.

[Indytraveler83]

Which specific itinerary are you looking at?  That would greatly affect my decision.

 

Horizon usually visits 3 or 4 of the following: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, La Romana, Amber Cove.  The first 3 are great.  Amber Cove is a relaxed port with a pool party vibe.  La Romana is sorta far from anything, and you really only get off the ship if you have an excursion.

 

Celebration looks like it visits Amber Cove, San Juan and then either St. Thomas or St. Maarten.  Can't go wrong with the last two ports either way.

 

The good news is you are likely looking at a great trip either way.  Horizon is our favorite ship so far, but we haven't been on the Mardi Gras or Celebration yet.  

[mz-s]

I love southern Caribbean! Aruba and Curaçao are fantastic ports I could never get sick of.  Have not been to Bonaire - hopefully very soon!

Edited February 3, 2023 by mz-s