Horizon - Now Island Cruises' Island Star

I was curious what Horizon looked like with balconies and a facelift now that it has been leased to Island Cruises. Today, I finally found the website, and I'm quite pleased by what I see. Although I never sailed on Horizon, I sort of lived vicariously through posted pictures. To me, the most striking change other than the balconies is that it looks like the restaurant has been split into two specialty restaurants - probably not a bad idea when the main diningroom is on one level. Anyway, here's the website. Enjoy!

http://www.islandcruises.com/index.p...=58&pg=explore

Thanks for the website re/ the former " Horizon ". The Horizon was Celebrity's first new ship and was home ported in San Juan back in the early nineties, doing 7 day cruises to the southern caribbean.
We sailed it back then when it was new, going to Martinique, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Thomas. We loved it and at that time it was the largest ship sailing the southern caribbean.
We Always wanted to sail it again and 3 or so years ago we had the opportunity to sail it out of Tampa for a 7 day cruise and really enjoyed it. I was sad to see it go and hope it has many, many cruises yet to come. It appears they have spruced it up very well.

The Zenith was Celebrity's second new ship and back in "93 my wife's company charted the entire ship for a 7 day cruise, which, needless to say was wonderful. We have always wanted to sail the Zenith again and have a 10 day booked for early next year. I would guess that the Zenith's days are numbered too as it's getting a little age on it. I'm happy we got to sail the Horizon twice and looking forward to being on the Zenith again.

At 46,000 tons, these were big ships back in the early 90's. Guess now they are called small.

Thank you, Glanders. It was a sad day when Horizon left the X fleet. After all, if they could add balconies for Island cruises, they could have added them for X. We had one great cruise on the Horizon, and would have loved more.

Wasn't there once a third ship that was sister to Zenith and Horizon?

Horizon's 2 restaurants (buffet and main dining room) have morphed into five: Island Restaurant and the Steak House (main dinig room) and The Grill, Beachcomber, and Oasis Restaurant (old buffet). The balconies make deck 10 look as if it has a case of the mumps.

Ah well, I guess that's progress. I also guess that, sadly, the same thing will happen to Zenith when the new Solstice ships join the X fleet.

Thks..
We were onboard as the Horizon became the first X ship to pass through the Panama Canal. Enroute to their first season in Alaska.
A very nice ship indeed.

There was no 3rd sister ship to the Horizon and Zenith. You may be thinking about the Meridian
which was Celebrity's first ship. It was an older ship, around 36,000 tons or so, if my memory is correct. It was refurbished by Celebrity , given their colors and had the distinctive X on the funnel. I did know the name it had sailed under prior to Celebrity buying it but can't now remember. I do know that it sank several years back, due to fire I believe. I agree that the Zenith is probably getting close to being sold or traded and that's why It's important to me to sail it again.

frito is corrrect.
When looking at the deck plans last evening of the "New" ship in the fleet I thought that something was off. Looking closer again today I note the following BIG changes.

More PAX cabins added on Deck three. This was previously all crew/

More PAX cabins added on Marina deck where the Great Fleet bar was and is on the Zenith,

My only other cmment will be. This ship when full will be so crowded you will not be able to Move in the public area's.

Sad.