Carnival Cruises takes delivery of second Vista-class cruise ship Carnival Horizon

Carnival Cruises took delivery of its newest cruise ship Carnival Horizon at what it called a “traditional maritime handover ceremony” at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy on Wednesday.

Carnival Horizon is now en-route to Barcelona, Spain. It will depart April 2 on an inaugural 13-day voyage – the first of four sailings from the European port.

The ship will then cross the Atlantic to New York, where she will be inaugurated at an overnight gala. The naming ceremony will feature the ship’s godmother, Grammy award-winning musical artist and actress Queen Latifah.

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At 133,500-gross tons and with a passenger capacity of 3,954 people, Carnival Horizon is the second in the new Vista class of cruise ships launched by Carnival last year. She is a sister ship to Carnival Vista, with a third vessel, Carnival Panorama, due for delivery in 2019.

“Carnival Horizon is an absolutely stunning ship offering so many ways to ‘Choose Fun’ both inside and out,” says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “In addition to the many exciting innovations previously introduced on Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon offers some new one-of-a-kind features and attractions that make this ship truly special allowing our guests to create a lifetime of wonderful vacation memories.”

The 133,500-gross ton Carnival Horizon is the second of Carnival’s new Vista-class cruise ships.

Carnival Horizon offers several unique and exciting features, all of which were debuted aboard Vista last year. These include a new Dr. Seuss-themed WaterWorks aqua park, part of the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises; Bonsai Teppanyaki, the line’s first teppanyaki venue, and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse serving up “real deal” barbecue favourites created by Food Network star Guy Fieri.

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There are also four new craft beers brewed on board. They can be enjoyed at eateries that feature amazing views with both indoor and al fresco seating. These venues include Bonsai Sushi, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and the Library Bar.

The Havana suites in the tropics-inspired Cuban style section of Carnival Horizon.

Carnival Horizon also offers fun innovations like the bike-ride-in-the-sky aerial attraction SkyRide; an IMAX Theatre; the Havana section with tropics-inspired staterooms and its own pool; and Family Harbour featuring extra-roomy accommodations and the Family Harbour Lounge.

Following a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean sailings from New York, Carnival Horizon will reposition to Miami for a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22, 2018.