If you are looking for a great cruise ship the whole family will love, then check out Carnival Horizon. There are so many fun activities and amenities to keep your teen entertained. Here are the top reasons teens will love Carnival Horizon.
Carnival’s Horizon cruise ship is part of the Vista class cruise ships, along with Carnival Vista and Carnival Panorama. I love this class of ships.
If your Caribbean cruise is stopping in Grand Cayman you will want to read Stingray City – A Must Do In Grand Cayman. If Jamaica is one of your stops, check out Dunn’s River Falls Jamaica.
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Carnival Horizon Activities Your Teen Will Love (That are FREE)
SkyRide
Sitting suspended, you pedal your way around the open air course. There is no additional charge to ride Carnival Horizon’s SkyRide.
Be sure to ride it early on in your cruise as it doesn’t operate in high winds. You don’t want to wait until the last day only to find it isn’t operating.
Waterslides
Who doesn’t love watersides? Carnival Horizon has 2 large twisting waterslides as part of their Waterworks area. This is a great fun and free way to spend a few hours.
Mini Golf
Mini golf is another fun, free, family friendly activity on Carnival Horizon.
Basketball
Your teen may enjoy shooting a few hoops or joining in on a small basketball game.
Carnival Horizon Ropes Course
Carnival Horizon has a fun looking ropes course that you can make your way around, all while enjoying the ocean views. The “SkyCourse” is included in your cruise fare and is sure to be a hit with your teens.
Related post: Top 12 Tips For Cruising with Teens
Some cruise essentials to consider:
Carnival Horizon Sports Square
This outdoor area can provide hours of fun in the sun. Here you will find many activities including an outdoor fitness area, ping pong, and foosball. The basketball court mentioned earlier is located here, and at certain times it converts to volleyball.
The Sports Square on Carnival Horizon will be a popular spot with your teens.
Carnival Horizon Pools
Enjoy relaxing by or playing in the pools. There is always a fun atmosphere on a Carnival cruise around the mid ship pools. Check the HUB app for the fun to watch pool side games and line dancing.
Carnival Horizon Teen Clubs
Carnival Cruise Lines offers two different teen clubs. One for the 12–14 year old tween/teens called Circle C. You can read more about Carnival Circle C here.
Club O2 is the Carnival teen club for those aged 15-17. Club O2 offers age appropriate activities including karaoke, movies and video games. You can read about the Carnival Club O2 activities here.
I always suggest that your kids attend the meet and greet on the first day of your cruise. If they wait a few days to check it out, they may feel like all the other teens already know each other. Their best chance of enjoying the teen club is to attend the first day.
Dive In Movies
Dive In Movies is what Carnival Cruise Line calls the movies they show on the big screen by the pool. Movies will be shown on certain evenings. Check the HUB app for the dates, times and movies that will be shown.
Grab some popcorn ($4 (can change)), find a lounge chair, and enjoy. Movies are always better in the Caribbean air.
Deck Parties
The deck parties on Carnival are family friendly and a lot of fun. Dance, sing, and create life long memories as your sail on to your next destination.
Crafts
“Make it with Michaels” is offered on Carnival Horizon. Make simple craft projects at no additional cost. This is offered on select days and times so be sure to watch the daily FunTimes schedule if you are interested in this activity.
Carnival Horizon has so many fun free activities. Your teen could have an amazing cruise vacation just enjoying all the free activities however there are several other fun things to do on Carnival Horizon that have an additional cost.
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Carnival Horizon Activities Teens Will Love – Additional Cost
Imax Theatre
Carnival Horizon is only 1 of 2 Carnival ships that offers Imax movies. There is an additional cost however it is something your teen may enjoy. When we sailed on the Horizon in Dec. 2023, the cost was $16.99.
The Thrill Theatre side (different than the IMAX) wasn’t operating in Dec. 2023. A crew member told me that it hasn’t opened since COVID and wouldn’t be. When the Horizon is dry docked next (refurbished) it will be removed.
Build A Bear Workshop
The Build A Bear Workshop on Carnival Horizon is a fun activity your teen could choose to treat themselves to. They will end up with a cute cruise souvenir.
The Build A Bear cost varies depending on the stuffy and clothes they choose.
Here is the Carnival Build A Bear my daughter made on our last cruise.
Carnival Horizon Video Arcade
There is a 24 hour video arcade on Carnival Horizon that is sure to be a hit with your teenager. While it is a lot of fun, the cost can add up quickly.
If your teenager has charging privileges on their cruise card, be sure they are aware of what they are allowed to spend. It’s easy to swipe your card and lose track of what you’ve spent.
You can expect to pay between $1.50-$3.00 per game and the virtual reality game is $5.00. Of course prices can change, this is only meant to give you an idea of what to expect.
Carnival Horizon ZSpa
Carnival Cruise Line offers teen spa services for 13-17 year olds called ZSpa. This is a big reason teens will love Carnival Horizon.
If you are looking to make your teen’s cruise extra special, consider treating them to a spa treatment. Carnival Horizon teen spa services include facials, massages manicures, pedicures and more.
You can see the Carnival ZSpa menu here.
Candy Store
Okay, it may be a stretch calling candy shopping an activity, but it is one of the reasons teens will love Carnival Horizon. There is a candy store on board called Cherry on Top.
Food – One of the Reasons Teens Will Love Carnival Horizon
Teens will love the free food options available on Carnival Horizon. No matter what time of the day it is, your teen will find delicious food options.
Carnival Horizon Restaurants – Included
In my opinion, Carnival has some of the best free cruise food. There are some restaurants on Carnival Horizon that have a fee, however the selection of restaurants Carnival offers for free is impressive.
Here are some of the Carnival Horizon restaurants that teens will love. These restaurants are all included in your cruise fare (no extra cost).
Guy’s Burger Joint
Guy’s Burgers on Carnival Horizon will likely be one of your teen’s favorite go to lunch spots. My teens love it.
They serve up delicious burgers and fries, and are open for lunch. There is no additional cost to eat here.
Blue Iguana Cantina
Another popular free restaurant on Carnival’s Horizon cruise ship is the Blue Iguana Cantina. It is open for both breakfast and lunch and serves delicious tacos and burritos.
Pizzeria Del Capitano
Teens will love that pizza is available 24 hours a day on Carnival Horizon. The Pizzeria Del Capitano currently has 5 pizzas on the menu – see them here.
Pizzeria del Capitano is located at the back of deck 10 by the Tides pool and hot tubs. There is a beverage station with ice, water, ice tea and lemonade that is free.
Captain’s Pasta Bar
The pasta lovers in your family will want to check out the Captain’s Pasta Bar. Choose your pasta, then choose your sauce and your extras. This is upstairs from the Lido Marketplace buffet.
It is a specialty dining restaurant with an extra cost in the evening but they offer free lunch.
Free Ice Cream
Carnival Horizon has free soft serve ice cream available until late, they call it Swirls. Help yourself to chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or any combination of.
Free ice cream on vacation!? Gotta love that.
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To summarize why teens will love cruising on Carnival’s Horizon cruise ship:
- Fun activities both day and night
- Amazing food – so many great free options.
- Visit different Caribbean islands
- Opportunity to make new friends
- Life long memories