carnival cruise ship horn battle

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Battle Of The Horns – Carnival Magic and Mardi Gras

Watch as Carnival Cruise Line’s, Carnival Magic and Mardi Gras have a cruise ship horn battle in Port Canaveral on October 24th, 2021. #CarnivalMardiGras #CarnivalMagic #cruise

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Why Do Cruise Ships Have Horn Battles?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships are known for their grandeur, luxurious amenities, and breathtaking views. However, one of the most entertaining and unique experiences on a cruise ship is the horn battle.

If you have ever been on a cruise or witnessed one from afar, you’ve probably heard these loud and playful horn blasts that seem to go back and forth between ships. But why do cruise ships have horn battles? Let’s find out.

The History of Horn Battles

The tradition of horn battles dates back to the early days of ocean liners. Back then, there was no internet or social media to promote ships, so captains would use their horns to announce their arrival in port. It was also a way for them to greet other ships and show off their vessel’s power and strength.

As time went on, these horn blasts evolved into more playful exchanges between ships. The first recorded horn battle took place in 1950 when two Italian ocean liners, the Andrea Doria and the Cristoforo Colombo, engaged in a friendly competition as they passed each other in New York Harbor.

How Horn Battles Work

Today, horn battles are organized events that take place during sail-aways or special occasions like holidays or anniversaries. Each ship participating in the horn battle takes turns sounding their horns in a specific pattern or tune.

The rules of the competition vary depending on the event’s organizers. Sometimes judges will rate each ship based on factors like creativity and volume, while other times it’s just for fun.

The Significance of Horn Battles

Horn battles serve as a reminder of the camaraderie that exists among sailors at sea. It’s an opportunity for captains to show off their ship’s capabilities while also demonstrating respect for other vessels.

Additionally, it adds an element of excitement and entertainment for passengers aboard the ships and those watching from shore.

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• Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruisers, Horn Battle from Port Canaveral?

By CarnivalBreeze319 , June 27, 2013 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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CarnivalBreeze319

Looking forward to a Carnival cruise departing from Port Canaveral! Does anyone know if they still do the Horn Battles as they leave port or do they not do it anymore due to restrictions? Thanks!

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BLGBEACHGAL

The Dream did not when we left Port Canaveral on May 18th. I love that too!

That stinks. Did they still do the horn in the ports that you visited?

The Legend did not in February and the Dream did not.

What are horn battles?:o

near the beach

Dito. What are horn battles? :confused:

Cruisecrazy202

When two or more ships are at the same port, one will blow its horn then the other, then back and forth for awhile. I even heard one sort of play a song. I think the tune was the theme to The Love Boat TV show if I remember correctly.

Sounds like fun.

Disney ships horns play "When You Wish Upon A Star".

And this one is funny.

Carnival valor played when u wish upon a star for Disney wonder Mexico..:D last November

Are you sure it wasn't the other way around? I don't think Carnival ships have the ability to play tunes on their horns. At least I've never heard anything other than a blast.

I've watched dozens of departures from PC and only saw horn battles twice, when a Disney ship was there too. That was fun, so I'm not sure why they don't do it more often!

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It's been a few years, but I do recall Disney Wonder's "When you Wish Upon a Star" horn when we left port in Port Canaveral. However, our most memorable ship horn battles were in Cozumel in 2010, when we were on Conquest docked next to Valor. Valor left first, at 4 p.m., and there was a great horn battle as she sailed.:D

On the way to Port Canaveral just sit at a traffic light in front of those shuttles after it turns green... you'll hear a horn battle that rivals anything the ship can do.

Dead sure might of had the ship name wrong hav a pic we didn't go our regular itinerary bcus of sandy we went to Costa Maya instead ..we were to go to Jamaica:cool: n grand Cayman ..

They sure did play that tune bcus everybody was like "..Awww"!!!;) ..

They didn't on the Dream June 8th either. We had the Ecstasy and Disney Fantasy in port with us. I loved it on my last cruise in port at Cozumel

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• P&O Cruises ( Australia )

Cruise Ship Horn Battle

By jeep-kk , January 20, 2010 in P&O Cruises ( Australia )

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Found this on you tube, it is a cruise ship horn battle between a Carnival Cruise Ship and a Walt Disney Cruise Ship.

The first horn you will hear is the Disney Ship (where the footage is being taken from).

Keep listening to the whole clip (1 minute) its quite cleaver. Who do you think wins the battle with the best horn?

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Kiwi Kruzer

They are neat to watch,

even better if you are standing right under the horn on the top deck.

Heres another with Oriana and QM2....

That was awsome, thanks for the links.

There a great many clips on utube featuring ships' whistles (horns), and some are quite good.

Kiwi_cruiser

That’s a good way of going deaf!, lol :p

Here is another video of OV 1 & OV 2 (Pacific Jewel) having a Horn Battle:

Wowwww! That sent shivers up my spine. Wonderful sound - that's given me a fix for the day! :D:D:D

Damn, I wish I could get broadband, I can't view any clips on this dial up. I will have to go to daughters place and have a look. I love the fog horns. The Sapphire had to put the fog horn on coming back from Oz to Auckland. Our cabin was on the top deck, with balcony, and it was great, sitting out there, sailing through the fog listening to it. There were so many complaints around the ship from some passengers about it. It's there for a reason for goodness sake, but it really made you feel like you were on a ship, just like in the old films.

In 2004, we flew over and joined QM2 for her maiden voyage into the Med.

That was an amazing voyage for horn blowing. Sea tradition calls for other ships to greet a new ship on the sea as they pass each other , and as we were in many ports with many other ships, sail outs were awesome.

I remember trying to make sure i was always filming when the horn went off on our sailaway from Sydney Harbour, and all 3 times all you end hearing is me screaming over the top of the horn as it scared the bejesus out of me! Big butch thing i am :p

Haha Jas, I actually jump, just about out of my skin, if I am not prepared for it. Same with fireworks. :D

Tell me about it, I get shivers everytime I watch it, strange how you react to things eh ....

Any "Maritime experts" out there who could tell us

when ships are permitted/required to blast the horn?

I know when a ship is getting underway,

they give 3 blasts,

and as mentioned above use it in fog.

I always wait for it as we leave a port ,

but sometimes it does not happen.

I wish I could put that sound on my mobile when it rings.:D

Hehehe Rockie - I think you'd cause a few heart attacks.!;) But I have to agree - it's a wonderful sound.

The three blasts is a signal that they are backing into the active sea-lane or channel. It is not usually give when moving forward from a berth.

Any "Maritime experts" out there who could tell us when ships are permitted/required to blast the horn?   I know when a ship is getting underway, they give 3 blasts, and as mentioned above use it in fog.   I always wait for it as we leave a port , but sometimes it does not happen.

The 3 blasts mean the vessel is operating its propulsion astern. Your only allowed to use your horn when operating in conditions with restricted visibility, overtaking another vessel, nearing a narrow channel, when manouvering or when unclear of another vessel intention.

Enjoy !!!!!!

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