The Stena Horizon was built in 2006 at the Italian shipyard of Cantiere Navale Visentini as the Cartour Beta. Upon completion she was immediately chartered to Sicilian ferry operator Caronte & Tourist. The ship operated between Salerno and Messina until replaced by a new ship in May 2011.

In October 2011 she entered service between Rosslare and Cherbourg on a five year charter with Irish operator Celtic Link Ferries. As the Celtic Horizon the ship provided a thrice weekly service accomodating in the region of 120 trucks, 200 cars and, in budget accommodation, up to 1000 passengers.

On 26 February 2014 Stena Line announced that they had agreed to purchase Celtic Link Ferries with effect from 31 March 2014. The Celtic Horizon was renamed Stena Horizon and her management transferred to Northern Marine Ferries.

The Stena Horizon made her debut on the Holyhead - Dublin service on 2nd February 2016, providing overhaul relief for the Stena Superfast X. The ship arrived at the Welsh port from Belfast on the morning of 31st January.