Sunday, March 31, 2024

15 Must-Have Carnival Horizon Tips for Your Next Cruise

carnival cruise stuff to do

Of course, there are also several specialty suite and stateroom options available on Carnival Celebration. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. These photos are great, but you will have to pay for them if you decide to buy (taking the photo itself is no charge).

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Drink package, but be aware that, because of Texas law, the package isn’t available until the second ay onboard. The package is pretty inclusive, with really only the most premium drinks not covered. While the staff will call down specific decks to get off the ship at specific times, we found that just about everyone tries to leave at once, no matter if it was supposed to be their turn or not.

Embarkation and Debarkation Tips

Here you will set up your boarding information and your onboard expense account. Then, you can print out your boarding pass for embarkation day. Then there’s a lot you should know to make the most of your vacation starting the day you step on the ship.

Get a Massage in the Spa

Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. If you want to explore the ship and have a fun scavenger hunt at the same time, then set out to hunt down the ship’s coin. The answers are sometimes funny, sometimes surprising, but always interesting. For anyone that’s married or ever been married, it’s a can’t miss show. Those wanting somewhere a little less busy can try the Serenity area (adults only) or try sunny spots usually found at the back of the ship.

Have a Relaxing Soak in One of the Hot Tubs

Getting a Cloud 9 thermal suite pass for the day or week is the ultimate way to spend the day if you don’t want to get off the ship. There is a mineral pool, heated tile loungers, steam and dry heat chambers, and rainfall showers to wash your stress away. Created by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal, Big Chicken offers a wide array of tasty chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, and even a fried chicken basket. You’ll be glad you have the extra time — there’s so much to choose from on Carnival’s Seaday Brunch menu. From burgers and fried chicken to huevos rancheros and 12-hour French toast, there are plenty of options to delight every palate.

Waterslides, Ropes Course, Roller Coaster and SplashZone on Carnival Celebration

Medi-spa treatments, including acupuncture and Restylane fillers also are offered, as well as IV therapies. Grand Central will host activities like “Deal or No Deal” and Build-a-Bear sessions. On our New Year’s Eve cruise, the best spot for entertainment and celebrating was Grand Central, where our cruise director led us through the hits of the 2000s and taught impromptu line dancing. The carpet on the Horizon changes to let you know what general area of the ship you are in.

WaterWorks

carnival cruise stuff to do

Casino enthusiasts can play gambling at numerous tournaments, such as Blackjack, Poker, slots, table games and more. For a relaxing end to the day, head up to the deck for Dive-In Movies. To start, there are the newly introduced Excel suites, which just premiered on the Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship. Excel suites differ in terms of what they offer (some are larger than others and feature extra amenities such as private outdoor hot tubs or wrap-around balconies).

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carnival cruise stuff to do

The youngest children (6 months to 2 years) on Carnival Jubilee are Turtles, and programming is limited to certain times at Camp Ocean. Children don’t have to be potty trained to participate, but parents must leave diapers and toiletries with staff. Regardless of age and club, trained youth staff will be on hand in clubs at all times. It is convenient to have it all on your phone, but if you’re someone who wants to completely get away, it might feel like a chore. We did encounter a number of discrepancies around opening hours listed in the app vs. when venues were actually open. Also part of the Ultimate Playground are three waterslides as well as a splash park for the kids, which also has its own child-appropriate waterslide.

Watch the Stage Shows on the Ship

Found on the menu at the Golden Mermaid, it's a mix of gin, St-Germain liqueur, white cranberry juice, dragon fruit and lime juice. It was a bit too dry for me, so I didn't care for the taste; however, you won't want to miss the presentation, which involves a giant bubble atop the drink. It pops when you poke it, leaving behind a tiny poof of smoke. Also in the space is Emeril's Bistro 717, a New Orleans-style, for-fee eatery developed by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. This meant it wasn't at capacity, but it still felt loud and crowded, and often was fraught with lines. However, the service was generally excellent, with an exceedingly friendly crew.

The Lido’s free gelato is also a big hit among kids and adults. The innovative three-deck-high Grand Central Atrium space is one of Carnival Mardi Gras’ six themed zones – and it’s a winner. Big Chicken also offers a large toppings bar and, as the restaurant’s sign says, “We Encourage Sauciness.” Sauces include Shaq sauce, barbecue, buttermilk ranch, and buffalo hot sauce. Rudi Sodamin, Holland America Line’s amazing Master Chef, has been wowing guests of Carnival’s sister line for years.

Simply walk up to order at the counter, have a seat and a waiter will take over from there. Excel Suites, Carnival Jubilee's highest-level accommodations, receive all standard suite perks plus additional ones. It's so common for JavaBlue to be backed up throughout the day that an easy-to-miss sign directs passengers to other locations where they can grab a cup of coffee.

This package allows you to drink all the soda and juice you want from the soda fountain at a cost of $25.88 for a 3day trip up to $146.20 for a 17day cruise for adults. It can be a time to wind down under the stars or it can be a time to get the party going. Regardless of your preference, you’ll discover new activities every evening that offer the perfect accompaniment to your daily thrills. Enjoy more than just a shot of nostalgia for the early days of Carnival in this spot, made of equal measures of flavor, fun and entertainment. Carnival Celebration boasts five swimming pools and five hot tubs.

They all give you great views of the water from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Playlist Productions offers an impressive lineup of musicals and theatrical productions, but this is no small town (er, small ship) play. Expect spectacular talent and high production levels when it comes to the stage tech, scenery and costumes.

Duty-free shopping is big business on cruise ship (and in ports). The laws allow them to sell goods without taxes or duty, which means they can be cheaper than you’ll find back home. The popular items include things like alcohol, cigarettes, and jewelry/watches. Just know that there are limits on what you can bring home before you have to pay fees to the government when you disembark at the end of the trip.

As it currently stands as of the ship’s debut, it sits just outside the world’s Top 10 largest cruise ships. In our experience there are drastically fewer people here than poolside. There are also private clamshell loungers and hot tubs to relax even more. There are a lot more contests for everything from free-throw shooting to ping-pong. Try your hand at whatever you’re good at and do your best to win first place. Carnival often gives away a famous “ship on a stick” (a golden cruise ship trophy) that you can always keep to remember your vacation.

Since you share many public surfaces with these people carry a hand sanitizer to keep from getting sick. It’s very breezy on the ship’s deck invest in towel clippers to keep your towels in place when sunbathing. Wish we could all win money while in the Casino, maybe these Carnival cruise tips can push us in the right direction.

Onboard Activities Dive Into Fun Onboard Activities

carnival cruise stuff to do

On Carnival Jubilee, the Lido Marketplace on Deck 16 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but I found it largely uninspired and lacking in variety. The French toast I had for breakfast and the mahi mahi I had for dinner were tasty, but there are definitely better no-charge venues on board. Speaking of the bed, it was exceptionally comfortable, and I was excited to find that the TV across from it had a sizable selection of free movies (as well as newer releases for a fee). The TV also allows you to watch select live channels and shipboard programming and to check your onboard bill. On my sailing, I stayed in a balcony cabin, which was elegantly decorated in neutrals with blue accents. I appreciated touches like ample vanity mirror lighting, adjustable shelving in the closets and a surplus of USB outlets throughout the room, including near the vanity and beside the bed.

FUN ON DECK

It’s a wonderful place to relax, listen to live music, or participate in games and contests. Mardi Gras offers guests close to 20 excellent bars and lounges onboard. The shows here are good -- so good that the entire area turns into a huge bottleneck traffic jam central whenever a performance is ongoing. The other problem here are the sight lines, which are not so great if you are not in the main seating area of the Deck 6 level or right by one of the glass balconies on Decks 7 and 8. To get a good seat here for the big shows, it is recommended to arrive between 45 minutes and an hour early, which can be a challenge to plan around a leisurely dinner or drinks at a favorite bar. It’s near a pool and hot tubs, but loungers and sunbeds abound.

Enjoy a meal at Big Chicken

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Smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is allowed but only in designated outdoor areas on Deck 8 mid-ship on the starboard side. Smoking is also allowed on the starboard side of the casino, but it's for cigarettes only. All types of smoking are forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. My two most disappointing extra-fee food encounters on Carnival Jubilee were Seafood Shack (Deck 16, in the Lido zone, near the pool) and room service.

carnival cruise stuff to do

Some Specialty Restaurants Are Free at Lunch

Kids and adults who like to get wet can splash away at Carnival Waterworks, with its twister waterslides and a spray park. Cherry on Top sells bulk candy and other goodies if the complimentary desserts onboard can't shake your craving for Sour Patch Kids. On the Deck 5 Ocean Plaza, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is a meat lover’s paradise, with menu items such as sausage, pulled pork butt, and grilled chicken. Take a look at all that Carnival Vista has to offer with our guide for first timers. Carnival Mardi Gras sets sail from Terminal 3 at Port Canaveral in Central Florida.

Footer menu

Each has a patio for the private use of its guests; however, the patio looks out on a public deck walkway rather than directly out to sea. The Havana balcony cabins on Deck 6 have non-standard shapes or extended true balconies because they’re positioned at the curving back end of the ship. Here, cruisers will find SportSquare and the Clubhouse, which offer games like Ping-Pong, mini-golf, and outdoor billiards, as well as wacky outdoor fitness equipment. The most innovative option is the SkyRide, a recumbent bike ride around an elevated track. Carnival Vista has all the usual cruise ship attractions – casino, spa and fitness center, shops – but its top-deck attractions are next-level.

First Timer’s Guide to Carnival Vista

(Yes, you'll be timed, and don't forget to smile for a photo.) The ocean views from above are totally worth the cost. Plus, the space is a bit of a throwback to the days when interior designer and architect Joe Farcus was responsible for Carnival's ship decor. The decor is midcentury modern style meets '80s quirk, featuring a pink and teal color scheme, fun light fixtures and a bar with colored mirror accents. Surrounding the stage are tons of seating options, as well as JavaBlue Cafe, which serves coffee and snacks; Cherry on Top candy shop; the Center Stage and Grand View Bars; and Bonsai Sushi and Teppanyaki. It also serves as an access point for the onboard shops, Piano Bar 88, The Punchliner Comedy Club and the Jubilee Casino.

The Havana Pool Area Is Open to the Public After 7 p.m.

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Fellow guests told me the gym can get rather crowded during the peak morning hours. Like every state-of-the-art cruise ship, Carnival Celebration has shops for just about every need, from souvenirs and toothpaste to high end jewelry and watches. The second roller coaster at sea, Carnival Celebration’s BOLT is, of course, one of the ship’s most touted attractions. For $15, guests get a 15-second, 800-foot ride that does a loop and races around the funnel on motorcycle-style “cars” at speeds up to 40 MPH. The caveat here is to not delay if you want to try this unique thrill. Our plans for a late week ride were dashed by high winds and rain, so take advantage of it early, just to be safe.

Carnival Jubilee bars

Circle C activities may include dodge ball, bean bag tosses, books, board games, cards, scavenger hunts, movies, karaoke, video gaming and other themed activities. Kids-only dinners are provided in the Lido Restaurant each night after embarkation day and lunch is provided on port days only. Carnival Celebration has an excellent gym with a line up of LifeFitness cardio machines (treadmills and ellipticals) that face the sea through full-length windows on port Deck 6. These machines can be programmed for virtual “runs” in a wide range of settings, from the rocky trails of British Columbia to the shores of Maui. There are also weight machines and free weights, as well as a stretching area and a spinning room. Free and for-fee classes are available here at various times of day.

Usually, they don't have meat in them, nor was meat listed as an ingredient on the menu. If I were a vegetarian or vegan, it would have concerned me. The first couple had to do with differences between the Carnival HUB app and the daily Fun Times printed schedule. On one occasion, the app said Seafood Shack opened half an hour earlier than it did, while the paper version of the daily schedule had the correct information. Another time, the printed daily had the wrong theater show listed for that night; the correct one was posted in the HUB. On another day, the printed schedule was missing part four of a four-part show, which did show up on the agenda in the app.

This spot includes a warm tub as well as a lot of padded lounge chairs. While we love the privacy here, we preferred the options (and wind protection) of Serenity. Loft 19 is also where you find the ship’s cabanas, available for rental at $500 a day.

Passengers can carry on one bottle of wine or Champagne per person (21 years and older); this will incur a $15 corkage fee for consumption in public areas. Each person can also bring up to 12 standard cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages like juice or soda. Alcohol-free drinks in plastic and glass bottles aren't allowed. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable. At the time of publication, prices started from $709 per person ($101 per person per night) for an inside cabin or $919 per person ($131 per person per night) for balcony accommodations. Another excellent show is "Rio Carnival," which occurs at Center Stage in the Grand Central zone instead of the main theater.

carnival cruise stuff to do

The oft-forgotten tweens get their own lounge called Circle C on Deck 6, adjacent to the onboard video arcade. Teens chill in a separate disco hangout, Club O2, on Deck 4. Activities are not as structured for older kids, but counselors are on hand to supervise dance parties and sports competitions. Havana Cabanas and Havana Cabana Suites on Deck 5 have a unique outdoor layout.

Keep a lookout for previously booked rooms, which become available before the cruise begins. Then proceed to book these rooms, if they are in your category, or be ready to part with more cash for upgrades. Avoid falling into the same pitfalls that previous cruisers did. Take a flight at least a day or two earlier to avoid missing your cruise trip due to flight delays.

There, you can order any of the same coffee beverages you'll find at JavaBlue but in far less time. If you're feeling more like a cocktail, you can grab one of those, too. On my sailing, the bartenders were phenomenal and even remembered that I prefer non-dairy milk with my lattes. When Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Jubilee debuted in December 2023, it became the third ship in the line's Excel Class, closely mimicking sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Although there are more similarities than differences among the three, Carnival has still found a way to make Carnival Jubilee innovative and fun by tweaking a few of the offerings.

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