Category: Carnival Cruise

Carnival to Can and Keg Craft Beers Onboard Cruise Ships

5/1/2019

By John Roberts

How about this craft beer fans?

Carnival is expanding on its breakthrough idea to brew craft beers at sea, the first such line to do so. Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama have beer-brewing facilities onboard, and now Carnival has partnered with Lakeland, Fla.-based Brew Hub to become the first cruise line to can and keg its varieties. The in-house brewery team aboard Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista will produce the cans and kegs so cruisers can enjoy the beers on all Carnival Cruise ships -- and even be able to take home the flavors.

The agreement is the first of its kind between a craft beer manufacturer and a major cruise line.

"With the success of our breweries on Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon the obvious next step was to let all of our guests fleetwide enjoy our refreshing craft beers, and that's where our partnership with Brew Hub began," said Edward Allen, Carnival's vice president of beverage operations. "To be the first cruise line to ever scale up its beverage operations by canning and kegging their own beer is unprecedented.

"My hope is that our guests will take a four-pack home with them to share with family and friends as a refreshing and memorable reminder of their cruise."

Three of the Carnival beers, which are based on recipes developed in-house by Carnival's brewery team, are now available in 16-ounce cans and on tap across all 26 ships, as well as at all private destinations.

ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat is an unfiltered wheat beer with flavors of orange and spices.

ParchedPig West Coast IPA is in the style of a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale, with a hoppy, intense flavor loaded with bitterness. It has a bright flavor profile and an aroma of citrus and pine.

ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale is highlighted by its rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit. This is a well-balanced and smooth brew.

Since introducing the first North American brewery at sea in 2016, Carnival has served nearly 300,000 pints of its private label craft beers. Much like breweries on land, Carnival's brewery team has also taken advantage of seasonal products to create innovative varieties like a Miami Guava Wheat and Pumpkin Spice Ale. A brewery will also be featured aboard Carnival Panorama when it debuts in California in December 2019.

Carnival Vista is home to the Red Frog Pub & Brewery, and Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama feature Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse.

Cheers to this news!

What flavors are you taking home?

JR

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Carnival Cruise Ship to Get Overhaul, Sail to Cuba from New Cities

11/14/2018

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Rendering courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

By John Roberts

Carnival Cruise Line is set to totally revamp Carnival Victory and give it new life and amazing new itineraries as Carnival Radiance.

Once the ship undergoes an overhaul in 2020, it will emerge to sail including 9- to 13-day European voyages, as well as Carnival's first trips to Cuba from New York and Norfolk, Virginia.

Carnival Radiance also will sail four- to nine-day voyages to the Caribbean and Canada/New England from New York and a winter season of cruising to the Caribbean and Cuba from Port Canaveral, Fla.

These are the details of Carnival Radiance's planned 2020 inaugural season:

Following a $200 million dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, for its refurbishment, Carnival Radiance is due to debut April 29, 2020, with a 10-day Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona followed by nine- and 12-day cruises visiting top destinations, including Italy, France, Croatia, Greece, Malta and Spain. The ship will then embark on a 13-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Barcelona to New York June 11 to June 24, positioning the cruise ship for its inaugural season in Manhattan.

Once in New York, Carnival Radiance will offer a series of four- and six-day Bermuda cruises, as well as a four-day cruise to Saint John, New Brunswick, eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages and the line's first Cuba cruises from New York -- nine-day sailings that include a full-day and overnight stay in Havana and two Bahamian ports of call. The New York season concludes with a series of Canada/New England voyages featuring stops in Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax.

The ship will also offer four five- to seven-day voyages from Norfolk in October and November 2020, including the line's first Cuba cruises from that port. The week-long Cuba cruises will feature an extended stop in the capital of Havana along with visits to two tropical Bahamian ports. There will also be a five-day Bahamas cruise and a six-day cruise visiting three of the country's most popular destinations, including the private island of Half Moon Cay.

Following the cruises from the Northeast, Carnival Radiance will reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., to operate a winter schedule of six- to eight-day voyages to the Caribbean and Cuba beginning November 8. The program includes six-day voyages featuring a day-long visit and overnight call in Havana and two Bahamian ports; a six-day sailing to Grand Turk, Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic and Nassau; and seven- and eight-day Caribbean voyages visiting some of the region's most popular and beautiful islands, including Aruba, Curacao, St. Kitts and Grand Turk.

As part of the transformation to Carnival Radiance from Carnival Victory, the ship will get a slew of staples now found on many other ships throughout the fleet. This means Carnival Radiance will get new restaurants: Pizzeria del Capitano, Seafood Shack, Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, Cucina Del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi, The Chef's Table and Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse.

It also adds lounges and bars: RedFrog Pub, Piano Bar 88, Limelight Lounge and Liquid Lounge. Other new features: Cloud 9 Spa, SportSquare with a ropes course, and additions to the WaterWorks water park, which adds the 203-foot-long AquaTunnel water slide.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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The 25 Spots I Love on Carnival Horizon, and the One I Hated

5/2/2018

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Carnival Horizon microbrewery craft beers

Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse stands out among all the wonderful things on the new Carnival Horizon cruise ship. It's a microbrewery on a cruise ship. Double-win!

By John Roberts

Carnival Cruise Line's newest flagship Carnival Horizon does the best job that I have seen so far in offering something for everyone on a cruise. I typically don't subscribe to the idea that a cruise ship has to be everything. Trying to please all types of cruisers generally leads to a chaotic and disorganized feel to these megaships. I think it's better to know what you are, have a laser-focus on the type of cruise experience you want to offer and then do it really well. That might be luxury, adventure, family-style, food-focused or a party ship.

However, Carnival Horizon carries about 4,000 passengers, and the line has designed a cruise experience that offers a pleasant time no matter what type of cruise you are looking for. The reason it works is because the ship has fantastic flow that uses a series of small- to medium-sized venues that stand alone as cool destinations within the entirety of the ship. You can escape to these spots and mix and mingle with others without being overwhelmed by crowds of cruisers.

I sailed on Carnival Horizon in the Mediterranean and was surprised by the awesome experience I had on such a big ship. Here are 25 things I loved about Carnival Horizon (plus, one thing that really annoyed me).

1. Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse
This is our favorite new place. We love craft beers, and Carnival Horizon is the second ship with an onboard microbrewery (following Carnival Vista). This ship adds a barbecue joint, too, in collaboration with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Four craft brews are available (Toasted Amber, Farmhouse Ale, West Coast IPA and Smoked Porter) and pair well with barbecue lunches (free on embarkation day and sea days) and dinners (priced a la carte).

Carnival Cruise Line

2. Guy's Burger Joint
This Carnival Cruise Line classic is also available poolside on Carnival Horizon, serving juicy burgers and fries included in your cruise fare. Don't forget the hearty toppings bar to add bacon, mushrooms and other items to make your own signature burger.

Carnival Horizon Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

In The Loop Travel

3. Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse
This place has all the fantastically delicious cuts of meat and hearty sides that you expect from a steakhouse. The decadent desserts and delightful music accompaniment from the adjacent Piano Bar make it a perfect romantic dining experience.

Carnival Cruise Line

4. Piano Bar
This comfy space features a pianist playing soothing tunes during the dinner hours. Then, the joint heats up later in the evening with sing-a-longs and a variety of other tunes as passengers gather for cocktails. Grab a seat right around the piano to be closer to the action.

Carnival Cruise Line

5. Bonsai Teppanyaki
Part meal. Part theater. The combo makes for a deliciously fun night with fellow cruisers in this small dining venue. (They can squeeze up to 18 people at the two cooking/dining stations.)

Carnival Cruise Line

6. SkyRide
This innovative ride first appeared on sister ship Carnival Vista in 2016. Passengers climb into sky bikes that dangle from side-by-side rails that encircle the back half of the top of the ship. You get amazing views as you gently pedal or race around the tracks.

In The Loop Travel

7. SkyCourse
This is a challenging ropes course also located at the top of the ship. An easy track and a difficult route are available, and you can easily slide your harness attachment along the rails to decide which spans you want to attempt. You cross rope lines and slim balance beam-style "bridges" in between a series of platforms. This really gets your heart racing.

In The Loop Travel

8. Cucina del Capitano
This is the ship's Italian restaurant, and it's worth having just a light lunch before coming for the big dinners offered here. Breads, pastas, salads, main courses and desserts come at you wave after wave. You can also come in for pasta lunches (no charge) at Cucina del Capitano.

Carnival Cruise Line

9. Dr. Seuss Waterworks
A waterpark area themed with your favorite Dr. Seuss characters. It has a giant dump bucket, spray tunnel, splash area and two awesome waterslides. Kids and adults have a lot of fun cooling off here.

In The Loop Travel

10. Limelight Lounge
This lounge space is home to the ship's comedy acts and other fun shows. Limelight Lounge is an intimate venue with a variety of comfortable seats that all have a good view of the small stage area.

In The Loop Travel

11. Havana Bar
This Cuban-themed bar is the most lively dance area each night, with a band at the centerpiece of the bar on a stylish open stage belting out fantastic salsa and rhumba tunes. The bar features a big variety Cuban cocktail favorites including mojitos and Cuba libres. This bar also has outdoor seating and a pool and hot tubs open to all passengers in the evening.

Carnival Cruise Line

12. Havana Cabana Staterooms
This new cabin category debuted on Carnival Vista in 2016. These staterooms offer an array of special amenities and features. The cabins and suites are located close to Havana Bar and Havana Pool. The tropics-inspired cabins feature private outdoor patio cabanas that face the expanded Lanai outdoor promenade for inspiring sea views. Until 7 p.m. each day, the promenade alongside the Havana Cabana staterooms and the Havana Pool area is for the exclusive use of passengers staying in Havana accommodations.

In The Loop Travel

13. SkyBox Sports Bar
Carnival Horizon's sports bar is the best place to watch a game. The layout offers big booths, tables and bar seats, all with views of the full wall of digital TV screens. Decor includes posters, helmets, pictures and jerseys of sports stars, and a LED ticker screen crawls around the top of the bar displaying scores, news and trivia.

Carnival Cruise Line

14. Alchemy Bar
This martini and craft cocktail bar is another hot spot before and after dinner. Alchemy Bar is a natural gathering place because it is located in the main corridor in an atrium-style area on Deck 5 amid several alternative restaurant locations. Passengers rarely pass by without seeing one of their friends there and then settling in for a Moscow Mule or one of the creative concoctions on the diverse and innovative drinks menu.

Carnival Cruise Line

15. SportsSquare
All the fun and active games are located at the top of Carnival Horizon in the SportSquare area. Aside from the waterslides, SkyRide and SkyCourse, you'll see The Clubhouse at SportsSquare, SkyTrack, SkyFitness, SkyCourt and SkyGreens. This is where you can play billiards, ping-pong, mini-golf, cornhole, basketball and even Twister. The jogging track and two sets of outdoor fitness equipment are up here, too.

In The Loop Travel

16. BlueIguana Cantina
This is a tasty and super-convenient burrito and taco eatery located by the pool. This is our favorite spot for breakfast burritos, as well as lunch and anytime snacks. You'll find plenty of spice options at the salsa bar, which also feature slices of watermelon and fresh limes.

In The Loop Travel

17. Ocean Plaza
The secret gem of this area that serves as a large open lounge for dancing, live music, and trivia is the small buffet located near the rear of the room. This makes for a hassle-free quiet breakfast and lunch spot if you don't want to go all the way up to the buffet or wait for service at the main dining room for lunch. They serve salads and dishes like soups, macaroni and cheese, ribs and deli meats.

In The Loop Travel

18. Tides Pool and Bar
This place offers great views off the aft of Deck 10 and is an ideal spot to hang out for a sea day. The Resort Pool area features a medium-sized pool and two hot tubs and is close to the Tides Bar. You also can enjoy seating in sun or shade -- or wander up the steps to Deck 11 for more-secluded loungers and seats with even better views.

Carnival Cruise Line

19. IMAX Theatre
This theater on Deck 6 operates just as a movie theater on land, showing first-run movies (and charging for them, of course). This is a good option if you are on a long cruise and have multiple sea days and are looking for something different to do other than bake in the sun again.

Carnival Cruise Line

20. Thrill Theater
Sharing the same complex as the IMAX theater is the Thrill Theater, which promises screams and chills as passengers feel winds, mists and vibrations in their chairs while viewing short features on subjects like nature or a scary or adventurous tale requiring a journey in a rollercoaster or similar herky-jerky thrill ride. (Fee)

In The Loop Travel

21. Resort Pool
The Resort Pool is the main swimming and lounging area on the lido deck. This is a smallish pool that offers shaded gazebo-style seating spots right at the pool, so you can cool your feet in comfort. A large screen shows movies just above the pool, and Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar are set strategically in each of the four corners around the Resort Pool.

Carnival Cruise Line

22. Pizzeria del Capitano
This pizza spot is open 24 hours out by the Tides Pool. You can come by to grab a slice anytime hunger strikes. It's a great option for a quick fix right after you come back from a busy day ashore, too.

Carnival Cruise Line

23. Atrium Bar
The centerpiece of the first area you enter as you board your cruise is Dreamscape, a massive swooping floor-to-ceiling sculpture that features LED lights showing colorful graphic art that changes minutes by minute throughout the day. The sculpture funnels up from a circular bar and large public space that draws people for live music and the themed parties throughout the cruise.

In The Loop Travel

24. JiJi Asian Kitchen
The variety of food here is incredible. This is a family-style dining at its best, where you get to enjoy traditional foods from all over Asia, highlighting dishes from China, Vietnam, Singapore, Mongolia, Philippines and Indonesia. The restaurant also offers a lunch (no charge) where you pick your own items to be stir fried.

Carnival Cruise Line

25. Seafood Shack
This is the place for you people (not me) who love lobster, lobster rolls, crab cakes, fried buffalo shrimp, peel-and-eat shrimp, clam chowder, clam strips and snow crab. Pricing is a la carte at this casual restaurant located out by the Tides Pool.

In The Loop Travel

With all the good stuff on Carnival Horizon, I spent some time in one place that could have been better . . . much better.

I Hated the Fitness Center on Carnival Horizon
Hate is a strong word, I know. I should say I was extremely disappointed with the small space. I had the same complaint about Carnival Vista, the sister ship to Horizon, and I am certain many other cruisers felt the same way. I would have thought it wise to adjust the plans for Carnival Horizon to make the space more appropriate for a ship that regularly carries almost 4,000 passengers.

The gym offers a small free-weight area with dumbbells that go up to 100 pounds. Also, nearby and crammed in too tightly are the center's resistance training machines. Watch where you step as you take your turn on a machine as another passenger could be moving the handles of another piece of equipment uncomfortably close to you.

The fitness center does well by having plenty of treadmills and exercise bikes, but the safely usable floor space is limited for stretching (rowing machines are placed under slanted glass windows, and I saw more than one passenger crack their heads when maneuvering in the area).

The cardio studio is used for the challenging and fun Ryde spin class but is also an extremely small space for other fitness classes.

Being a person who rates a good gym as very important on my cruise, I probably get a little more worked up than most about this shortcoming on Carnival Horizon.

I probably should have just spent more time at the microbrewery.

Thanks for reading and happy sailing!
JR

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Carnival to Can and Keg Craft Beers Onboard Cruise Ships

Carnival Cruise Ship to Get Overhaul, Sail to Cuba from New Cities

The 25 Spots I Love on Carnival Horizon, and the One I Hated

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