Caribbean Cruise August 28-September 9, 2025: (210 Photos)

Sandy and I took our last cruise way back in 2011 aboard Carnival Freedom just weeks after getting married. Since then we've taken a bunch of different trips including touring the Maritimes with Steve & Kailee in 2015, Steve & Kailee's wedding trip to Cuba in 2017, a bunch of trips to Las Vegas and then Jamaica last year with Cory and Natasha to name a few.

We really missed the economical stress free travel of cruising now that Vegas has gotten edaciously expensive, and missed solid great food after mediocre experiences at best visiting all inclusive resorts. From our last Carnival cruises we fondly remembered reasonable fare, lots of sights to see and top quality cleanliness and food. We were about to find out if that remained true or would be be disappointed!

Our flight left YYT in the early morning hours Thursday with our stopover to clear customs in Montreal.

Just a couple hours later we landed safely in Miami, we were last here in 2010 for our very first vacation together aboard Carnival Valor.

Sandra found a great deal on a highly touted hotel situated near the airport and fairly close to the Dolphin mall which would keep Uber fares reasonable during our stay.

We availed of the complimentary hotel shuttle for transportation to and from the airport, a welcome savings and still quite convenient!

After a long day of travel we did some shopping within walking distance of the Hotel, first grabbing Wendy's for supper and popping into CVS & Walgreens for a few last minute supplies. We spent the evening enjoying the gorgeous outdoor pool back at the hotel.

One welcome feature of this hotel was an included breakfast buffet each morning. This was another great savings, very convenient and absolutely delicious.

This morning we hailed an Uber and headed out to the incredible Dolphin Mall for some retail therapy, taking advantage of fantastic Labor Day Weekend/Back to School sales.

It was great to finally find great selection of reasonably priced clothing, something we haven't experienced since our last trip to Vegas in 2019. Shopping at home is expensive and selection limited.

I spent lots of time at Bass Pro and managed to lay hands on my next purchase, the Cabela's 15" vacuum sealer. I didn't purchase it today due to luggage restrictions, but having seen it in person I know it will be a game changer for packaging bacon and moose.

My Trap shooting buddies back home would die for these fantastic prices on target load ammunition!

For supper we stopped into Buffalo Wild Wings where I finally got to enjoy my absolute favorite deep fried pickles. I first had these here during my last visit in 2010 and I've been chasing them without success at every restaurant I've visited since.

That evening we re-packed our suitcases for our morning departure to the Miami Cruise Terminal.

For this drive we booked a hotel shuttle which was a very reasonable means to get to the cruise terminal with all of our luggage.

First glimpse of our home for the next eight days aboard the beautiful Carnival Horizon. This is a much bigger and more modern ship than the last two we travelled on fifteen years ago.

Our voyage will take us 1100 nautical miles over two days south to the ABC islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. These are gorgeous Dutch islands off the coast of South America.

With our bags checked with the Porters, we headed inside the cruise terminal to check in.

In short order we boarded Carnival Horizon, we made our way to our mandatory check in at our assigned muster station, checked out the main lobby atrium before heading up to Deck 10, Lido Deck to see the buffet, pools and beautiful outdoor spaces.

Before too long a massive thunder and lightning storm passed over, thankfully as embarkation was still taking place, our sail away was not delayed at all.

Before we knew we were off!

Leaving the terminal we first passed Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. This is currently the largest cruise ship in the world, launched just one year ago has been joined by its sister ship Star of the Seas just a few weeks ago! These ships hold over 6000 guest compare to the Horizon's 4100 guests.

Its a remarkable and feature packed boat, and also rather pricy as well.

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Next we passed the equally beautiful MSC World America which is brand new and went into service earlier this year.

My camera didn't do this shot of the incredibly long Deck 6 hallway justice!

Keeping costs in line for this adventure we chose for the first time an inside cabin. You are no longer allowed to smoke on outdoor balconies like you were back in 2011 so we saved those $$$ on this much more economical stateroom.

The room was incredibly well appointed and was plenty of space for both of us. Part of the TV entertainment package included high definition live views outside the ship which was as good as or better than a port hole equipped room on the lower decks. Our stateroom was located on Deck 6 far away from any noisy venues, and was approximately amidships which made venturing throughout the ship a breeze.

For this cruise we chose Your Time Dining so that we weren't tied down to a specific dining schedule each day. Your Time Dining took place in the aft Meridian Restaurant on levels 3 & 4. On this ship there are no long lineups for the restaurant, you simply book a table via the Carnival app (the app shows you the current estimated wait time so you can place your booking accordingly), when the table is ready you have 10 minutes to make your way to the restaurant. It was super smooth and an overall great experience every night of the cruise.

The Meridian Restaurant is one of two main dining rooms on the ship and was our choice each day. the menu selections changed every day, none of the meals disappointed us in any way, a welcome break from food at some of the all inclusive resorts we've visited. Other dining options include the main buffet on Deck 10 which like the Meridian is included in our cruise fare, or you can choose one of many specially restaurants which can be booked at an additional cost.

Tonight I started with the Roasted Duck Rolls which were delicious. Having just gotten back into the swing of cruising, I forgot that is is perfectly fine to order more than one appetizer. You can even order more than one entrée but there is an additional charge after 3 entrées per person. (There was no published limit on apps and deserts!)

For our entrees both Sandy and I chose the 12 hour braised short rib. This was paired with green beans, chive mashed potato and a truffle au jus.

For desert neither of us could pass up the chocolate covered cheesecake!

After supper we headed to the main theatre, known as the Liquid Lounge which is located on Deck 4 forward for the Welcome Aboard show. Its a very impressive venue even more so than the theatres on Carnival ships during our last vacations.

Here we met Carnival Cruise Director George who seems like an absolutely fantastic and energetic cruise director, definitely earned his spot as our favorite one to date.

The party continued afterwards out in the gorgeous main Atrium which spans Decks 3 through 6.

Day 2 first full day at sea. We began our day with breakfast in the Meridian restaurant Deck 3 Aft where we chose steak & eggs (a fillet mignon no less), delicious corned beef hash, eggs, and bacon.

We are sailing south, this morning we passed behind the island nation of Cuba. We spent most of the day exploring the ship and its many amenities then spent the afternoon at the Aft pool on Deck 10.

We took these magnetic hooks with us on this trip which were very handy for hanging up wet swimwear each day. On a long cruise you do not want to pack away damp clothes in your dirty laundry.

This evening we were back at the Meridian Restaurant. Drinks on a cruise are not included unless you purchase the premium drinks package, neither of us are big drinkers so we purchased a few throughout the voyage. Unlike many all inclusive resorts, on a cruise ship your getting only quality beverages and booze. As returning cruisers Sandy and I had a free offer during booking where we received free alcoholic drinks in the casino which ended up working quite well.

For supper today Sandy had a Caesar Salad and the appetizer size chicken linguini alfredo.

Meanwhile I tried out a salad featuring salmon, kale, arugula, shaved beet, parmesan, red onion and berries topped with a raspberry vinaigrette.

I also ordered up Escargot which were absolutely delicious. For entrees both Sandra and I ordered the Duet of filet mignon & 12-hour braised short rib that we both forgot to snap a picture of! It was paired with mashed potato, green beans and a red wine sauce.

For dessert I chose the outstanding chocolate panna cotta while Sandy enjoyed the chocolate melting cake which is served with vanilla ice cream.

After supper we headed to the Liquid Lounge on Deck 4 forward for the Soulbound theatre show which was simply amazing.

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