If you’ve been thinking about cruising to the ABC islands—this is your sign to do it.

I just got back from sailing on the Carnival Horizon to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao… and I’m already ready to go back.

This was my first time doing this itinerary, and it completely lived up to the hype—but there are definitely things you should know before you book.

🚢 The Ship: Carnival Horizon Review

Let’s start with the ship itself.

I personally love Vista-class ships, and Horizon reminded me why. It’s that perfect middle ground—not too big, not too small. There’s plenty to do, plenty to eat, and it doesn’t feel overwhelming like some of the mega ships.

There were always entertainment options happening—live music, shows, comedy—something for everyone no matter your vibe. And if you’re someone who actually uses your drink package, the variety of bars onboard is a huge plus.

One feature I really appreciated?
Digital boarding passes. You can add them straight to your Apple Wallet—no printing, no scrambling at the port. Simple, easy, and exactly how it should be.

And when it comes to food (especially lunch), Horizon delivers. There are so many included options that you can eat something different every day without getting bored.

What I Didn’t Love

No cruise is perfect—and I’m always going to give you the real version.

The biggest downside for me was the casino setup. There is no separate non-smoking casino, and the slot machines I like to play were in the smoking section. If you’re sensitive to smoke, that’s something to be aware of.

I was also disappointed that the new main dining room menus weren’t rolled out yet. It’s the same menu Carnival has had for over a year, and as someone who cruises frequently, I was really hoping for something new. Because of that, I ended up doing more specialty dining than I normally would just to get variety.

And one more thing—there were consistently long lines for the shows and comedy club, so if those are important to you, plan to get there early.

Final Thought on the Ship

Would I sail on Horizon again?
Absolutely.

But like any ship, it’s about knowing what to expect so you can plan accordingly and enjoy it.

🍽️ The Food: What’s Included vs. What’s Extra

Let’s clear something up right now—you do not need to spend a ton of extra money to eat well on this ship.

Included Dining (And There’s a Lot)

For lunch alone, you have:

Lido Buffet
Guy’s Burgers
BlueIguana Cantina
Pig & Anchor
Pizzeria
Carnival Deli
Mongolian Wok
Pasta Bella

You could easily go the entire cruise without repeating a meal.

Breakfast was also a win—especially the omelette bar, BlueIguana breakfast options, Bagels & Lox, and sea day brunch in the main dining room.

For dinner, your included options are:

Main Dining Room
Lido Buffet
Guy’s Burgers
Pizzeria
Deli

And honestly, the main dining room is still your best included dinner experience.

Specialty Dining (What We Paid Extra For)

Now, let’s talk about the extras.

For lunch, my favorites were:

Bonsai Teppanyaki
Bonsai Sushi

For dinner, you also have:

Guy’s Pig & Anchor
Cucina del Capitano
JiJi’s Asian Diner
Steakhouse
Chef’s Table

Everything we had was good—but here’s my honest take…

I didn’t originally plan to do that much specialty dining. The only reason I did? I wanted more variety because the dining room menu hasn’t changed.

If you’re a first-time cruiser, you may not feel that at all.

If you’re a repeat cruiser like me, you might.

🌴 The Ports: Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao

This is where this itinerary really shines.

Each island had a completely different vibe, which made the entire trip feel full and unique.

🚙 Aruba: The Perfect Adventure Day

Aruba was hands down the best island for exploring.

We rented a jeep and created our own adventure for the day.

We visited the donkey sanctuary, drove down to Baby Beach (which is absolutely beautiful), and just took our time enjoying the scenery.

We also stopped at Don Jacinto for authentic Colombian food—and it was incredible.

If you love flexibility, this is the island where you rent a car, a side-by-side, or a scooter and just go.

🌊 Bonaire: Quiet, Unique & Unexpected

Bonaire was my surprise favorite.

We took a trolley tour through the neighborhoods and learned about the history, culture, and how the island operates.

Bonaire is a small island—only about 20–25 thousand people—and it has a completely different feel. It’s known for diving, protected marine life, and a slower, more peaceful pace.

One thing I found really interesting?
The island generates its own power using a combination of generators and solar energy.

You can also rent UTVs, golf carts, or scooters here, but this is definitely more of a nature-focused, laid-back destination.

🌈 Curaçao: Colorful, But Too Short

Curaçao is the largest of the three islands—but ironically, we had the shortest day there.

By this point, we were feeling the effects of the sun and a full week of activities, so we stayed close to port and kept things low key.

My biggest takeaway?

I wish we had more time here.

This is definitely an island I want to come back to and explore more.

🐴 A Note About the Donkeys

One of the most meaningful parts of this trip was learning about the donkeys you see on Aruba and Bonaire.

They were originally brought to the islands in the 1500s by the Spanish as working animals. Over time, as modern transportation took over, many were left to survive on their own.

Today, there are sanctuaries working to care for and protect them—and visiting one ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.

✨ Final Thoughts

This itinerary? I would do it again in a heartbeat.

You get:

Adventure in Aruba
Culture and nature in Bonaire
Color and history in Curaçao

And when you understand what each island offers, it completely changes your experience.

💬 Thinking About This Cruise?

If you’re considering the ABC islands and want help:

Choosing the right ship
Planning your port days
Deciding what’s worth spending money on (and what’s not)

I’ve got you.

Because the difference between a good cruise and an amazing one… is knowing what you’re doing before you get there.

Carnival Horizon ABC Islands Cruise Review