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Carnival Horizon Useful Information

Explore Useful Things to Know About Carnival Horizon

Packing Tips for Your Carnival Cruise

Luggage Guidelines

  • For cruises of 3-5 days: Pack 1 bag per person.
  • For cruises of 6 days or longer: Pack no more than 2 bags per person.
  • Weight and size limits for each bag:
  • Max weight: 50 pounds.
  • Size when lying flat: No more than 16 inches high and 24 inches wide (length doesn’t matter).
  • Keep luggage unlocked for security checks.
  • Oversized or locked luggage may cause delays in delivery.

Items to Carry On

  • Important documents such as Passports, visas, and ID cards.
  • Valuables and medications.
  • Items you need immediately (while waiting for checked luggage).
  • Personal toiletries (travel size or standard container size).

Recommended Items to Pack

  • Daypack or collapsible bag.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Rain jacket/poncho or small umbrella.
  • Sunscreen and insect repellent.
  • Translation and guidebooks.
  • Books and magazines for entertainment.
  • Binoculars (especially useful in Alaska for wildlife viewing).
  • Phone chargers.
  • Camera for capturing memories.

Important Notes

  • Check the What to Wear section for outfit ideas.
  • Research the weather forecast for your destinations.
  • Checked baggage service closes 2 hours before sailing time.
  • If you arrive late, you’ll need to carry your bags on board.

Dress Code for Your Carnival Cruise

General Tips for Packing Outfits

  • Choose outfits based on your destination, cruise plans, and personal style.
  • Always pack for daytime casual, evening dress codes, and special events.

What to Wear - Daytime Attire

  • Casual Outfits:
    • Tops: T-shirts, polo shirts, blouses, or sleeveless tops.
    • Bottoms: Shorts, capris, khakis, and jeans.
    • Dresses: Light summer dresses.
    • Outerwear: Lightweight sweaters or jackets for cooler weather.
  • Additional Essentials:
    • Work-out gear.
    • Bathing suits and cover-ups.
    • For cooler climates: Layered clothing, scarves, and gloves.
    • For religious site visits in Europe: Women should cover knees and shoulders.
  • Footwear:
    • Comfortable, flat rubber-soled shoes, sneakers, water shoes, or boat shoes with traction.
    • Some activities/shore excursions may require closed-toe shoes.
    • Prohibited: Footwear with wheels.
  • Dining Dress Code (Lido Restaurant): Relaxed dress code for breakfast and lunch, but shirts, bathing suit cover-ups, and footwear are required.

What to Wear - Evening Attire

  • "Cruise Casual" Dress Code (Main Dining Room):
    • Men: Sports slacks, khakis, jeans, long dress shorts, and collared polo shirts.
    • Women: Summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, jeans, blouses, and tops.
  • Not Allowed: Cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, T-shirts, gym/basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops, and bathing suit attire.
  • Bring a red or blue outfit for the Mega Deck Party!
  • "Cruise Elegant" Dress Code (Formal Evenings):
    • 2–5-day cruises: One Cruise Elegant evening.
    • 6+ day cruises: Two Cruise Elegant evenings.
    • Typically held on the 2nd/3rd night or near the end of the cruise.
    • Men: Dress slacks, dress shirts, sport coat, suit and tie, or tuxedo.
    • Women: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts, blouses, or evening gowns.
  • Not Allowed: Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, T-shirts, sportswear, baseball hats, flip-flops, and bathing suit attire.
  • Steakhouse Dining: Follows the same dress code as the main dining room. On Cruise Casual nights, shorts are not permitted.

Special Event Attire

  • December: Bring an outfit for the Ugly Sweater Contest.
  • Halloween: Pack for Frightfully Fun events.
  • Big sporting events: Show your team spirit!
  • Carnival Journeys (6+ day cruises): Pack for Throwback Sea Day and the ‘80s Rock-N-Glow Deck Party.

Important Notes

  • Be respectful with clothing and accessories:
    • Avoid offensive messages, nudity, profanity, or inappropriate suggestions.
    • Clothing promoting hate, violence, or negative ethnic/racial commentary is prohibited.

Wi-Fi Plans

1. Social Wi-Fi Plan

  • Features: Access popular social media apps and websites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.
  • Includes access to airline websites.
  • Not Included:
    • Most websites, email, video/music streaming (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc.), iMessage, Skype, Wi-Fi calling, and FaceTime.
  • Pricing:
    • Pre-cruise: USD 15.30/day.
    • Onboard: USD 18.00/day.

2. Value Wi-Fi Plan

  • Features: Everything in the Social Plan, plus email, news, entertainment (non-streaming), sports, weather, and banking sites.
  • Not Included:
    • Streaming (Netflix, Hulu, Spotify), Skype, Wi-Fi calling, and FaceTime.
  • Pricing:
    • Pre-cruise: USD 19.55/day.
    • Onboard: USD 23.00/day.

3. Premium Wi-Fi Plan

  • Features: Everything in the Social and Value Plans, plus the fastest speeds available (3x faster than the Value Plan).
  • Supports Zoom, Skype, and Team video calls (when coverage is allowed).
  • Netflix streaming via the Netflix app/account.
  • Not Included:
    • Music streaming (Spotify, Pandora), Wi-Fi calling, and FaceTime.
  • Pricing:
    • Pre-cruise: USD 21.25/day.
    • Onboard: USD 25.00/day.

Important Details About Wi-Fi Plans

  • Plans cover the entire cruise duration and allow use on multiple devices (one device at a time).
  • Guests can upgrade plans during the cruise.
  • Purchase options:
    • Pre-cruise: Buy online through the 'Manage My Booking' tab or The Fun Shops™. Must purchase by 11:59 PM ET the day before embarkation.
    • Onboard: Turn on your device’s Wi-Fi and follow the instructions to purchase.
  • Public Computers:
    • Available 24/7 (Windows-based).
    • Free printing is included.
    • No MS Office or software installations.
  • Restrictions:
    • One device can connect at a time.
    • Satellite speeds vary by location and time of day.
    • Certain content (mature/violent) is blocked.
    • VPNs are not supported - check with your company’s IT if needed for work.
    • No refunds after plan activation.
  • Tips for a Better Wi-Fi Experience:
    • Enable airplane mode to avoid roaming fees and connect to Carnival Wi-Fi.
    • Turn off background app updates to optimize speeds.
    • Pack the following for a seamless experience:
      • Wi-Fi-enabled devices (laptop, phone).
      • Chargers and power supplies.
      • Data cables for transferring photos.
      • Headphones for privacy.

Facilities and Services for Guests with Disabilities

General Access

  • Accessible elevators with tactile controls and audible signals.
  • Accessible routes throughout the ship.
  • Accessible tables are available in dining venues.
  • 24-hour room service is available for all guests.
  • Pool lifts on select ships (Carnival Horizon, Panorama, Radiance, Sunrise, Vista, and Mardi Gras) with a 300-pound weight limit.

Accessible Staterooms

  • Fully Accessible Cabins (FAC): Designed for guests with limited/no mobility, with accessible routes and bathrooms with grab bars and shower seats.
  • Fully Accessible Cabins – Single Side Approach (FAC-SSA): Similar to FAC, with accessible space on one side of the bed.
  • Ambulatory Accessible Cabins (AAC): For guests with mobility limitations, but no wheelchair/scooter required. Includes grab bars.
  • Standard Cabins: Not fully accessible, may have barriers like narrow doorways and bathroom steps.

Personal Mobility Devices (Wheelchairs/Scooters/Segways)

  • Inform Carnival at booking if traveling with mobility devices.
  • Only devices with gel, dry cells, absorbed glass mats, or lithium-ion batteries are allowed.
  • Devices must fit through a 22” wide stateroom doorway.
  • Safe operation is required, including careful navigation around thresholds and elevators.

Rental Services

  • Mobility devices can be rented from Scootaround for US port departures.
  • Folding/disassembling scooters are recommended for easier storage.

Airport Transfer

  • Hydraulic lift transfers are available for guests with mobility limitations.
  • Maximum weight limit: 500 pounds (guest + device).
  • Must be requested 14 days in advance.

Wheelchair Assistance

  • Limited wheelchairs are available at terminals on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Contact a representative at the terminal for boarding assistance.

Going Ashore

  • Water shuttles may not be accessible to guests with mobility devices.
  • The final decision on disembarking is made by the captain based on safety and conditions.

Key Tips

  • Notify Carnival early about mobility needs.
  • Reserve accessible staterooms in advance.
  • Ensure mobility devices meet Carnival's requirements.
  • Pre-arrange accessible transfer services and facilities.

Alcohol Policy and Drinks Packages

Drinking Alcohol on Board

  • The minimum age for purchasing/consuming alcohol: 21 years.
  • ID may be requested before alcohol purchase.

Bringing Liquor and Beverages on Board (Embarkation)

  • Non-alcoholic beverages (water, sodas, juice, etc.) in cans/cartons (max 12 items of 12 oz each) can be brought in carry-on luggage.
  • One 750-ml bottle of wine/champagne allowed per person (21+), during embarkation only.
  • Prohibited: Alcoholic beverages except for wine/champagne on embarkation day, port wines, vermouth, sherry, and other fortified wines.
  • Back-to-back cruises: Allowed to bring the same quantity per cruise, stored for safekeeping between cruises.

Corkage Fee

  • USD 15 per 750-ml bottle for wine or champagne consumed in dining rooms or bars.

Bottled Water

  • Pre-purchase bottled water for delivery to the stateroom on embarkation day.
  • Available on board via room service. Non-refundable once purchased.
  • Prices:
    • 12-pack (16.9 oz bottles): USD 11.95 (plus delivery fee).
    • 1 large bottle (50.72 oz): USD 4.50 (plus delivery fee).
    • 8-pack (50.72 oz bottles): USD 24.95 (plus delivery fee).

Distilled Water

  • Available for pre-purchase or on board via room service.
  • Must be hand-carried with CPAP machine if bringing own.

Coolers

  • Large coolers are prohibited.
  • Small coolers (max 12” x 12” x 12”) for non-alcoholic beverages/medications are allowed as carry-on.

Purchasing Liquor Pre-Cruise

  • Limit of two alcohol products per stateroom.
  • One bottle of hard liquor allowed per stateroom on 7+ day cruises.
  • Pre-purchased alcohol can only be consumed in the stateroom, except for wine/champagne served in dining areas.

CHEERS! Beverage Program

  • Must be purchased for each adult (21+) in the same stateroom.

Purchasing Liquor on Board and at Ports

  • Alcohol bought at ports or in The Fun Shops is stored until the end of the voyage.
  • Collected on debarkation day in a designated lounge.
  • May be subject to Customs duties if exceeding allowable limits.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages at Ports

  • Guests can bring up to 12 cans/cartons of 12 oz non-alcoholic beverages (e.g., sparkling water, sodas, juice) when coming back onboard after a port visit.

Smoking Policy

Non-Smoking Areas

  • All staterooms, suite accommodations, and outside balconies are NON-SMOKING.
  • Applies to all forms of smoking: cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, e-cigarettes, and marijuana.

Marijuana Policy

  • Carnival follows U.S. federal law, prohibiting the possession and use of recreational/medicinal marijuana.
  • Violation results in a $500 charge per violation and may lead to disembarkation.

Smoking Areas

  • Smoking is allowed in specific exterior deck areas and the casino (while seated and playing).
  • Smoking in staterooms or balconies violates the policy.

Disembarkation

  • Guests disembarked for policy violations will be responsible for their return travel expenses.
  • No refund for unused cruise fare and future sailing may be prohibited.

Tobacco Products

  • Minimum age for purchasing tobacco: 21 years (U.S.-based itineraries/ships only).

Special Diets

Dietary Options

  • Carnival offers a variety of special diet options:
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten-free
    • Kosher
    • Indian vegetarian
    • Low in carbs, fat, sugar, or cholesterol

More to Know:

  • Chef Training: Chefs are specially trained to prepare meals for guests with dietary restrictions.
  • Empire Dining Menu: Includes helpful hints for guests with dietary needs.
  • Enjoyment: Guests can enjoy their meals without compromising on dietary restrictions and even have seconds.

Medical Information

Medical Staffing and Equipment

  • Medical centers meet or exceed CLIA and ACEP standards.
  • Staffed by qualified physicians and nurses, with staffing levels based on ship size.
  • Physicians meet ACEP credentialing guidelines, with certification in cardiac care and emergency medicine.
  • Medical centers are equipped with lifesaving equipment (defibrillators, external pacemakers, thrombolytic therapy, ECG, lab equipment, pulse oximetry, and x-rays on many ships).

Medical Emergencies

  • The ship’s physician determines if air evacuation or emergency disembarkation is needed.
  • The captain is notified immediately to assess if the course or speed of the ship needs adjustment and to contact appropriate rescue agencies (e.g., U.S. Coast Guard).
  • Patient disembarkation can be done via ship diversion, helicopter, or rapid boat, depending on location and medical condition.
  • No helipads are available on Carnival Cruise Line ships.

Service Dogs

Eligibility

  • Only service/working dogs are permitted onboard.
  • Service dogs must be trained to meet disability-related needs.
  • Therapy/companion dogs and service dogs in training are not allowed.

Vaccinations & Documentation

  • Service dogs must have current vaccinations, in addition to those required by port officials.
  • Many ports only accept annual rabies vaccinations; three-year rabies vaccinations may not be recognized.
  • It is the guest's responsibility to ensure their service dog meets the vaccination and documentation requirements for each port.

Disembarkation & Care

  • Failure to meet vaccination/documentation requirements may prevent disembarkation or lead to quarantine.
  • If a guest chooses to leave their service dog onboard while disembarking, they must arrange for the dog's care, as the ship’s staff cannot assist.
  • The service dog cannot be left unattended in the stateroom.
  • Original vaccination records and required permits should be carried and a copy left at Guest Services upon boarding.

Age Restrictions on Board

Youth Curfew

  • Guests 17 years of age and under, not accompanied by an adult (21+), must be clear of public areas by 1:00 am.

Drinking Alcoholic Beverages / Tobacco Products

  • Guests must be 21 or older to be served alcohol onboard.
  • A valid ID with a birthdate is required for alcohol purchases.
  • For U.S.-based itineraries, the legal age for purchasing tobacco products is 21.

Casino and Bingo

  • Guests must be 18 or older to play the tables and slot machines.
  • Guests under 18 are not allowed in the casino.
  • Guests must be 18 to purchase bingo cards and play.

Serenity Adult-Only Retreat™

  • Guests must be 21 or older to enter the adults-only area.

Spa Carnival® and Cloud 9 Spa™

  • Fitness Center and Studio: Guests 18+ may use the fitness facilities on their own. Guests aged 12-17 may use the facilities with a parent or guardian, subject to posted restrictions.
  • Salon: Available to guests of all ages for hair, nail, and facial services.
  • Spa Facilities: Guests must be 18+ to receive treatments or use spa facilities (e.g., sauna, steam rooms, Thermal Suite, Thalassotherapy Pool).
  • ZSPA: Teens (13-17) must be accompanied by an adult to book treatments. A parent's consent form is required.

Lounges, Shows, and the Dance Club

  • Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult in public areas.
  • Guests under 18 must leave the dance club by 10:00 pm.
  • Guests under 18 may not attend "R" rated Punchliner Comedy Club shows.

Shore Excursions

  • Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) to participate in shore excursions.
  • Some excursions have age minimums, noted accordingly.

Getting Off the Ship in Port

  • Minor children 16+ may debark without an adult.
  • Minor children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult (18+) from the same travel group to disembark.