Carnival Horizon’s arrival at PortMiami was marked with a larger-than-life celebration highlighted by a fun basketball-themed event featuring the company’s Chief Fun Officer – NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal – along with Miami HEAT legends Alonzo Mourning, Shane Battier and Glen Rice.

The festivities, which took place prior to Carnival Horizon’s inaugural two-day cruise, included the unveiling of a large Choose Fun bumper sticker on the ship’s stern, as well as a flyover from the Carnival AirShip – a massive 128-foot-long red, white and blue blimp that has been traveling the Southeast to bring awareness of new ship deployments in several key markets as part of the line’s monthlong Homeport Advantage campaign.

During the event, Carnival presented a $25,000 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital representing funds from an online promotion in which consumers who posted a photo of the AirShip in social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun triggered a donation to the hospital and entered them in a drawing for free cruises and other prizes.

“With its awesome top-deck attractions and wide variety of al fresco dining experiences, Carnival Horizon is the ideal ship for the Caribbean and this event was a perfect way to celebrate her Miami arrival while benefiting the special children of St. Jude,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “And we’ve taken our Choose Fun tagline to the next level by putting a giant a bumper sticker on our newest ship proclaiming our never-ending commitment to FUN!”

Added O’Neal, “In my role as CFO, I get to tell everyone just how much fun you can have on a Carnival cruise and I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of the festivities for the new Carnival Horizon, which takes the concept of choosing fun to an entirely new level with so much to see and do for guests of all ages.”

As the line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon offers an array of innovations, including the first Dr. Seuss–themed water park, Smokehouse Brewhouse offering BBQ favorites from Food Network star and longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri along with four craft beers brewed on board, the line’s first teppanyaki venue, the SkyRide aerial attraction, an IMAX Theatre and a suspended ropes course.

Also featured is a vibrant Havana section with tropics-inspired staterooms and its own Cuban-themed bar and pool, Family Harbor featuring extra-roomy accommodations, the Family Harbor Lounge, a luxurious Cloud 9 Spa and Ocean Plaza, a spacious dining and entertainment venue with indoor and outdoor seating.

Like the name implies, Carnival Horizon also includes food and beverage outlets offering amazing views with indoor and outdoor seating options at venues such as Bonsai Sushi, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse and Library Bar.

Following the two-day cruise, Carnival Horizon kicks off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises from PortMiami beginning Sept. 22, 2018.

• Six-day cruises depart Sundays, calling at Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico
• Eight-day itineraries feature Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; La Romana, Dominican Republic; Curacao; and Aruba OR Grand Turk; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten.

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL. Carnival can also be found on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Photos: Carnival Cruise LIne/ Andy Newman