Carnival Horizon
Carnival Horizon adds a Cuban-inspired Havana section and Guy Fieri's Smokehouse to the Vista-class formula
Carnival Horizon launched in 2018 as the second ship in the Vista class, following Carnival Vista (2016) with an expanded amenity set. At 3,954 guests, Horizon introduced two additions to the class design: Guy''s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse — a full barbecue venue with a beer selection — and the Havana section, a cluster of Cuban-inspired cabins with private pool and deck access during the day that opens to all guests in the evening. The ship homeports in Miami with a short-season New York rotation.
The Havana section is the most distinctive feature on Horizon. Cuban-inspired architecture, brighter colors, and a dedicated pool-and-deck area define a physical space on the ship that looks and feels different from the main lido. During the day, access is reserved for guests booked in Havana-category cabins — a meaningful incentive to pay the premium. After the transition time in the evening, the bar opens to all guests, which gives the section a social function for the broader ship population.
Guy''s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse serves brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and sides in a dedicated venue — not a pop-up on the lido deck but a proper restaurant-style space with a beer program. It''s included in the fare for lunch, with a fee dinner service. For guests who care about the food program, the Smokehouse is a meaningful addition to the Carnival baseline.
The Vista-class deck layout introduced the SkyRide — a pair of suspended cycling tracks that circle the ship''s upper deck. Horizon carries the SkyRide as standard, along with WaterWorks, the Dr. Seuss WaterWorks splash pad for younger guests, and the Serenity Adults-Only Retreat. The main dining room operates Your Time Dining and traditional seatings. The Steakhouse and Italian specialty restaurants round out the evening options.
Horizon''s Miami homeport suits Eastern Caribbean itineraries: Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Aruba, Curacao. The ship is a strong choice for guests who want the full modern Carnival package — Vista-class scale, Havana atmosphere, varied dining — at the Carnival value point. Guests who have sailed Vista and want to compare will find Horizon meaningfully differentiated by the Havana section and Smokehouse rather than being a near-identical repeat.