NEW CARNIVAL HORIZON TO MAKE DEBUT IN EUROPE IN 2018

There will be a brief window of opportunity to sample Carnival's newest ship, Carnival Horizon, in Europe between April and May of 2018. Before her departure for New York the new ship- the second of three Vista class sisters- will operate a short season of cruises in the Mediterranean.

Begining with a thirteen night round trip sailing from Barcelona on April 2nd, Carnival Horizon will sail four round trip itineraries from the Catalan capital in all, with the programme rounded out by one ten night voyage, and a pair of seven night sailings, before the ship sails from Europe for her summer homeport of New York.

The 130,000 ton ship then begins a series of eight night Caribbean cruises the last through until late September, when she repositions to Miami for her first season of alternating, six and eight night Caribbean cruises as the spearhead of Carnival's winter Caribbean campaign.

Carnival Horizon is the second of a projected trio of sister ships. Aother ship being built on a similar platform, originally intended for P&O Australia, has now been gifted to Carnival instead, and she will round out the trio. In return, the 113,000 ton Carnival Splendor will leave the Carnival fold and transfer over to P&O Australia after a major refit.

Carnival Horizon will also showcase all the signature attractions that made Carnival Vista so popular, including the SkyRide, and also the first IMAX theatre on any ship, as well as the WaterWorks aqua park, together with the very well received cabana cabins.

Carnival has a history of operating short European deployments on new ships as they emerge from the line's favoured shipyard at Fincantieri in Italy. But, while such a short season is a good way of 'shaking down' the ship to ensure that her crew and on board systems gel into an effective product, it is hardly going to bring back repeat business for the line.

What Carnival needs is a ship dedicated to the European market, at least between April and October. Up to now, the company has shown far less interest in a European market share than, say, Norwegian or Royal Caribbean, and has seemed happy to leave it to satellite companies such as Costa, Holland America and Princess.

All the same, these first European cruises on this second Vista class ship will appeal hugely to familes and couples of all ages,