Vista class · Carnival · In service since 2018
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Horizon is a Vista class cruise ship operated by Carnival, in service since 2018. At about 133,500 gross tons, it carries roughly 3,960 guests and ranks #7 by size in the 29-ship Carnival fleet we cover.
- 133,500 gross tons
- 3,960 guests
- 1,055 ft long
Photo: Mason Piscitelli, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ship facts
- Cruise line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Ship class
- Vista class
- Entered service
- 2018 (8 years ago)
- Gross tonnage
- 133,500
- Guests
- 3,960
- Length
- 1,055 ft (321.5 m)
- Speed
- 18 knots
- Builder
- Fincantieri
- Flag
- Panama
- IMO number
- 9767091
About Carnival Horizon
Carnival Horizon, the second Vista-class ship, arrived in 2018 and debuted two of Carnival’s most popular venues: Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse, with beers brewed on board, and Bonsai Teppanyaki. It also introduced Dr. Seuss WaterWorks, a Seuss-themed water park for kids. The rest follows the Vista template, with SkyRide, the Havana area and Family Harbor cabins. Horizon has sailed Caribbean itineraries of various lengths from Florida and makes a good alternative to the bigger Excel-class ships if you want the same casual dining for less crowd.
Best for: Families with young kids and barbecue fans who want a lively Caribbean cruise on a mid-to-large Carnival ship.
Carnival Horizon highlights
- Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse, which debuted here
- Bonsai Teppanyaki, a hibachi-style restaurant
- Dr. Seuss WaterWorks, a themed kids’ water park
- SkyRide suspended bike ride
- Havana area with its own pool and Cuban-themed bar
How Carnival Horizon compares in size
- Carnival Celebration183,521
- Carnival Jubilee183,521
- Mardi Gras181,808
- Carnival Venezia135,500
- Carnival Firenze135,156
- Carnival Vista133,500
- Carnival Horizon133,500
- Carnival Panorama133,500
- Carnival Dream130,000
- Carnival Magic130,000
- Carnival Breeze130,000
- Carnival Splendor113,300
- Carnival Conquest110,000
- Carnival Glory110,000
- Carnival Valor110,000
- Carnival Liberty110,000
- Carnival Freedom110,000
- Carnival Encounter108,977
- Carnival Adventure108,806
- Carnival Sunshine102,853
- Carnival Sunrise101,509
- Carnival Radiance101,509
- Carnival Luminosa92,720
- Carnival Pride88,500
- Carnival Legend88,500
- Carnival Miracle88,500
- Carnival Spirit85,920
- Carnival Elation71,909
- Carnival Paradise70,367
Gross tonnage measures a ship's enclosed volume, not its weight. Source: Wikidata.
Vista class sister ships
Sailing with Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line is America’s budget-friendly “Fun Ship” brand: casual, sociable and packed with free food, comedy and pool-deck parties. It sails from more US ports than almost any other line, which makes short Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico getaways easy to reach. It suits families, groups and value seekers, less so travelers wanting quiet elegance or fine dining.
Read our full Carnival guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →
Carnival Horizon FAQs
How big is Carnival Horizon?
Carnival Horizon measures about 133,500 gross tons and is about 1,055 feet (322 m) long. That makes it #7 of 29 Carnival ships we cover by tonnage, and #78 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.
How many passengers does Carnival Horizon carry?
About 3,960 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.
When was Carnival Horizon built?
Carnival Horizon entered service in 2018 and was built by Fincantieri.
What class of ship is Carnival Horizon?
Carnival Horizon belongs to Carnival's Vista class, alongside Carnival Vista, Carnival Panorama. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.
Is Carnival Horizon good for families?
Camp Ocean runs free supervised activities for kids aged 2 to 11 in age groups, Circle C is for 12- to 14-year-olds and Club O2 is for teens 15 to 17. Night Owls offers paid late-evening group babysitting. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Carnival Horizon offers for your kids' ages.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, Carnival official site.