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Carnival Panorama tips and tricks to help you have the best cruise vacation

Carnival Panorama Tips – 13 Cruise Tips to Maximize Your Fun

I thought I’d share some tips and tricks I learned after our recent Carnival Panorama cruise. These Carnival Panorama cruise tips will help you make the most out of your cruise vacation.

We sailed on the Carnival Panorama for 6 nights out of Long Beach in mid February 2024 and had a great time. I love the Carnival Vista class ships.

Carnival Panorama tips and tricks

Carnival Panorama Tips and Tricks

1. use the sauna for free.

Many people don’t realize that there is a sauna in the fitness center change rooms that are free for anyone to use.

Head up to deck 12 forward, in both the men’s and women’s locker rooms you will find the sauna. No need to bring a towel, they have ones there you can use.

You can use the Carnival Panorama sauna for free

2. Secret decks!

Carnival Panorama has some secret decks that most don’t know about. If you are looking for a peaceful spot with some amazing views, go to deck 7. Walk all the way forward past the passenger staterooms. You will find an unmarked door that leads outside.

Here you will find a small deck with spectacular ocean views. The bridge is right above this deck. There is also a small outside staircase that leads to the deck 6 secret deck.

You can access this area from deck 6 but I found the odd small door more difficult to open. There is no seating on secret deck 6 or 7, however, it’s worth a visit.

View from Carnival Panorama secret deck

3. Fresh Creations salad bar

There is a delightful salad bar on the Serenity deck (deck 15) called Fresh Creations. There is no charge to eat here and there are very limited hours. It is open on sea days only and only from 12:00pm – 2:30pm.

The line can be long so I’d suggest going right at noon.

4. Ocean Plaza Bar has specialty coffee

Before stepping in line at the JavaBlue Cafe, check the line at Ocean Plaza bar. They are beside each other on deck 5.

Many people don’t realize that the exact same coffee menu is available steps away at the Ocean Plaza bar. The line here is almost always shorter.

5. Free breakfast pastries at the JavaBlue Cafe

First thing in the morning, there will be a selection of complimentary breakfast pastries at the JavaBlue Cafe.

These pastries are similar to the ones in the Lido Marketplace buffet, but are conveniently located where specialty coffees and teas are found.

Later in the morning, the free pastries are replaced with donuts, cakes, and other items for an additional charge.

Free breakfast pastries early morning at Java Blue cafe on Carnival Panorama

While most people know that soft serve ice cream and frozen yogurt are available, you may not know that you can also get gelato complete with different toppings.

There is a gelato station in the Lido Marketplace buffet. Each day there are two flavors available and several toppings you can add.

Carnival Panorama gelato station

7. Spiked milkshakes & regular milkshakes

Yes, spiked milkshakes are a thing. The JavaBlue Cafe is also the Shake Spot where you can get delicious milkshakes. Regular or spiked, they serve up both.

8. Spa day passes are available

Before sailing, you can only prepurchase weekly passes for the spa relaxation areas, however on the ship you can purchase a day pass.

Sign up for one on the first day of your cruise as they can sell out. Port days are often quieter in the spa.

Enjoy the whirlpool, tile loungers, experience showers and amazing ocean views. When we cruised (Feb 2024) the rate was $68.00 for a day pass.

9. Guy’s Burger lines

There are two lines at Guy’s Burger Joint and many people don’t realize this right away. The line closest to the doors to the Lido Marketplace buffet is often shorter and at times considerably shorter.

People often arrive at the pool deck and see the one (often long) line for a Guy’s burger without realizing there is a second line.

Carnival Panorama cruise tip - there are two lines for Guy's Burger joint.

10. The buffet has a menu

There is a menu board at the start of the buffet. I love this feature.

Instead of walking up and down the buffet line peeking over people’s shoulders, or filling your plate with something that will do only to find something better, check out the menu first.

You can quickly see what is offered that day. It can help you decide faster if you will eat there or at one of the other venues.

Carnival buffet menu

11. Funfetti cake

Try the popular funfetti cake on the first day. It was in the dessert section of the MarketPlace buffet restaurant on deck 10. But I only saw it on embarkation day.

Carnival Funfetti cake

12. Seaday brunch is busy

If you are planning on going to a seaday brunch, check in early on the app for a table. We checked in for a table on the first sea day at 9:15 and it said there was 100-110 minute wait. And the wait time was fairly accurate.

Keep an eye on the wait times on sea day. You will find this on the Carnival Hub app. You may want to check in (basically reserve a table) earlier than you hope to go.

The good thing about a cruise is that you won’t go hungry. If you are set on the sea day brunch and have a two hour wait, you can definitely find something to tie you over.

13. Outside of deck 5 has great seating

If you are looking for a quieter but comfortable outside seating area be sure to check out deck 5.

There are several doors accessing the outside of deck 5. There are great seating options all along, from table and chairs to lounge chairs to round day beds.

This is my favorite area on the Carnival Panorama.

Some of the outside seating on deck 5 of the Carnival Panorama

Here is another photo of deck 5. See what I mean, such a great area.

More seating options on Carnival Panorama deck 5

I hope these Carnival Panorama cruise tips and tricks have helped you get excited for your upcoming cruise on this beautiful Vista class Carnival cruise ship. If you have previously sailed on Carnival Horizon or Carnival Vista you will notice many similarities.

Here are some other articles you may find helpful:

What to pack for a cruise to Mexico

Reasons teens will love Carnival Panorama

Surprising things to bring on a Carnival cruise

What’s included on a Carnival cruise and what is not

Cruise essentials – 55 items

59 Awesome cruise shirt ideas

25 Best Carnival cruise drinks

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Carnival Panorama Jan 21, 2023 post trip review.

cruisingguy007

By cruisingguy007 , February 3, 2023 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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cruisingguy007

This will be a review of Carnival Panorama Jan 21st 2023 cruise and Family Harbor area (first time for us).

Embarkation: Embarcation went pretty smoothly. There was a hiccup for some reason and they notified us that cabins wouldn’t be ready until 2pm but ours was ready upon boarding since we had a family harbor suite. The captains lounge at Long Beach terminal was way way too crowded with diamond, platinum, and suite guests. Carnival really needs to cut some portion of folks from this area, probably platinum since they board after diamonds and suite guests but it was way too crowded. 

E-muster right after boarding and off to have fun! I did notice that the cruise seemed to be filled with veteran cruisers and there were very few visible blue/red cards, it was mostly gold+ that I could see. This led to longer lines than usual at some of the eateries during embarkation lunch and this was the first clue that this was not like other cruises of the past with all blue cards jamming the lido buffet. First time seeing a line at Pig and Anchor bbq on embarkation.   

Cabin: Our original cabin was ready once on board but was missing one chair from the balcony. I asked about getting another (there should be four) but was refused (second cruise this happened) but we started to get settled but quickly noticed a bad smell (sewer) coming from the bathrooms and the air was not working in the bathrooms either. Call to guest services and a lot of waiting around while various members of maintenance and housekeeping came to attempt to fix it. 

About five hours after boarding it was determined that it could not be fixed and, after contacting guest services, we would be moved to another cabin and compensated $100 OBC for the hassle. A housekeeping manager helped us move all of our stuff over and we finally got resettled by nightfall. It was a bummer missing sail away and having to waste/wait all that time so I thought the $100 OBC was light but whatever, we cruising! 

Cove Balconies: I understand now why so many sing their praises, I dug it immensely and it really does bring you more in tune with the ocean. The Mrs. was able to see several whales near Cabo as well. We also saw a small pod and a full breach on our Rhythms of the Night excursion in Puerto Vallarta but more on that later. Cove suite balconies= awesome sauce!

I didn’t notice any excessive noise in our cabin, there were some thumps here and there but a noise maker easily drowns that out. I did hear kids running a few times but it was when I wasn't sleeping. Someone in our party got a cabin right next door to family harbor and they were miserable the entire cruise with loud noise every night, all night. They were compensated by guest services and were happy with the arrangement but wouldn’t stay in that area again. It really does depend on where your cabin is located so choose wisely.    

On a side note: yes, they will leave the beds out all day pretty much since there is only one service a day. This is important for folks considering booking more than two to a cabin, it works in the suits but in a regular cabin, no way would I be ok with this; something to consider for folks that are looking to book cruises. More cabins and spreading out is that way to go! 

Family Harbor Area: I really liked the family harbor lounge, much more than I thought I would in fact. It’s really nice to have ice, water, ice cream machine, coffee machine and snacks/sandwiches at various times so close by. They have a full breakfast spread there each morning, I did see powdered eggs as someone else reported but they had boiled eggs too with lots of options from sausages, french toast, bacon, potatoes, hash browns, various pastries, lox and bagel sandwiches, yogurt, milk  ect. It was well received by everyone. I definitely consider it a feature now rather than simply a nice touch. Makes breakfast on the balcony easy for those lazy mornings. It was manned by staff and kept clean and orderly.   

Food: I’ve seen some complaints recently about food quality and I have to say, I've seen none of that. Everything I had was good-great IMO. Main dining room dinner/breakfast was tasty and most of the favorites were there. They are charging for extra entrees beyond two but I happily paid $5 a pop for extra lobsters. The oysters were expensive this cruise at $2.50 a pop at the seafood shack but the dozen I had were good. 

Ordered a bunch of room service one night and it was good and got gobbled up. Tried the sushi, ramen, shrimp tempura and some other items from Bonsai and it was delicious. I will be eating there on the next cruise as well. Had tacos and a burrito at Blue Iguana cantina but didn’t make it to Guys burgers once this cruise (first time for me) as I was burgered out from the week(s) before the trip. 

I did eat at Pig and Anchor bbq and the chicken, sausage and collard greens are as good as ever. I even had this delicious stewed goat, curried veggies in coconut milk based sauce and these garlic seasoned potatoes from the mid lunch buffet one day and it was screaming good! Plenty of hot/fresh entrees in the lido buffet, even lamb on the last night. The deli is once again making great sandwiches and not the cold terrible ones during covid. The buffalo chicken and steak sandwich were great (fries are back too, no more chips).  Can’t say I had any bad food the entire cruise and no one else I traveled with reported any disappointing food either.

Ship: The ship itself looked great and there were plenty of servers around to take drink orders. I didn’t notice any significant staffing shortages that others have reported. Service was great all around the ship from bars, room steward, housekeeping etc. every staff member we encountered was awesome as usual. The crew/staff are really the crowning jewel of the Carnival product. As a side note, we had no propulsion issues and arrived everywhere on time.

I discovered on this trip that I’m not really as much of a  lido person as I thought. I much prefer the deck 5 area and really enjoyed this outdoor space on sea days when the lido was over crowded. I did enjoy the lido for the football game though, it was awesome watching at sea and there was a lot of energy that was quite nice to see. I didn’t see any badly behaved passengers and met a few interesting characters throughout the cruise.

This is also the best deck for drinks as Pig and Anchor, Alchemy, and Plaza bar were easily our favorite places to get drinks. We got all of our best drinks here during the cruise. We did end up buying cheers on the second day and it probably saved us some money. We should have gotten it before the cruise, we did in fact, but the Mrs. wasn’t feeling 100 and didn’t think she’d partake much but that changed after day one lol. She got her groove back so to speak. It was a good value for us considering how much everything costs al-a-carte. We may not get it next cruise since we plan to get off more and won’t have folks traveling with us but I do find it a solid value if you plan to drink 5-6 a day on average. The other drink options only add further value. 

A lot of folks were still having issues with using the elevators properly even later into the cruise and this caused cars to show up super full and other times people tried to squeeze on already full cars. I still like this system but maybe a little more outreach for passengers on how the elevators work is in order. Maybe a stateroom TV spot or an instruction paper in the cabins?     

Kids Clubs: The kids clubs are back to full operations and full hours. The kids had a blast and my youngest was nearly in tears on day seven when he realized we would be leaving the ship. They all had great things to say about the kids club staff and how much fun they had. This is a space where Carnival hits it out of the park for families and I’m sure will ensure many future cruisers who will have fond memories of their time spent in this space. I saw a story on reddit today in fact about a couple who met in the kids club and went on to get married and have kids, pretty awesome if you ask me! 

Ports: We stayed in Cabo and Mazatlan as we were traveling with some family that didn't really want to get off. Cabo is a great port to stay on the ship, you have it to yourself basically. We did Rhythm of the Nights in Puerto Vallarta and it was a great excursion. We did it exactly 18 years ago (while at a AI in Nuevo Vallarta) and much has changed for the better. The food was pretty good (excellent arrachera steak) and there were plenty of drink options, both on the island and on the ride there and back. You get a nice night time cruise as a bonus with the beautiful skyline and sky full of stars.

 We also got a mini whale watching side show on the way over with a pod of whales joining us for a large portion of the ride over. We even saw a full breach and particle breaches during this time and it was a super nice bonus! The show itself was high energy and very good as well with some very cool acrobatics. It did feel a bit rushed as they were trying to get us back to the ship at a reasonable time (we made it back around 8:40pm) but was still a great excursion. We saw a lot of various fish and sea turtles in the cool blue lights while reboarding the catamaran to return to the ship. Great excursion and highly recommended.

Debarkation: Having a suite made debark easy and was a nice benefit. We usually just hangout until near the end with late tags but they brought us early numbered tags and we were off, through customs (use the porters!) and in the car by 9:30am or so. This got us home much quicker as we avoided traffic backups we usually have to deal with. We will do this from now on as it shaves off many hours on getting home. The CD was there to see everyone off and that’s always a classy touch IMO. He was also perfectly personable throughout the cruise. Probably the easiest debark to date.

Final thoughts: We really enjoyed this cruise and are solidly hooked on Carnival's product and enjoy the brand. The last two cruises had some shortcomings that seemed to have been remedied and it seems this is more in line with what we expect and know Carnival is capable of. Again, no staffing issues, no food issues and no provisioning problems as best we could tell. It actually felt much more like Carnival in 2020 before the bottom fell out and it’s nice to see the product fully shining again. Is everything exactly the same? Of course not, but I’m good with the small changes as the core product is still executed very well. We’re all excited about our next cruise and look forward to booking many more.

If anyone has any specific questions I’d be more than happy to answer, simply ask. Hope you found some value in this review, safe travels. 

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nwcruiselover

Thank you for taking the time to do this review.  I was on the Panorama B2B for the 1/7 and 1/14 cruises, and my experience was very similar to yours.  I too did the Rhythms of the Night excursion in Puerto Vallarta and was very impressed with it.  It was kind of pricey at $159.99 but worth every penny of it.

Great review!  Thank you for sharing!

Forgot to add, before anyone asks, no covid from any in our party once we got home. I keep seeing these doom/gloom posts warning about covid but we didn't get it on this cruise or the two previous cruises from last year. Wash your hands frequently and use common sense.  

48 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said: Thank you for taking the time to do this review.  I was on the Panorama B2B for the 1/7 and 1/14 cruises, and my experience was very similar to yours.  I too did the Rhythms of the Night excursion in Puerto Vallarta and was very impressed with it.  It was kind of pricey at $159.99 but worth every penny of it.

I agree, it was over 1K for me since we had a larger party and I tried to get a price match (to $111) for the regular show that day but it got denied, it would have helped but I'm glad we did it since the older kids are old enough to appreciate it and will probably remember it forever and we had some new cruisers who were elated with it overall. It was worth the money in the end though stung the wallet a bit.  😃  

kona_wahine

kona_wahine

Thanks for the review. We will be on Feb 18. Looking forward to the trip. Got a SUPER deal, didn’t plan on a cruise, couldn’t pass it up. Have an excursion in Cabo as we’ve never been but just going to enjoy the ship in Maz and PV. 

1 hour ago, cruisingguy007 said:   I agree, it was over 1K for me since we had a larger party and I tried to get a price match (to $111) for the regular show that day but it got denied, it would have helped but I'm glad we did it since the older kids are old enough to appreciate it and will probably remember it forever and we had some new cruisers who were elated with it overall. It was worth the money in the end though stung the wallet a bit.  😃  

I tried to price match to $111 also but they said EVERYTHING had to be exactly the same, and the $111 price was for a later show so they didn’t match because of the time being different.

9 minutes ago, nwcruiselover said: I tried to price match to $111 also but they said EVERYTHING had to be exactly the same, and the $111 price was for a later show so they didn’t match because of the time being different.

Yup, same response I got. They said since it was an exclusive ship excursion and the departure times and arrival back to ship times were different it was a no-go. 

I am wondering what cabin number you had initially? We will soon be on her in family harbor suite, and hopefully the issue will be resolved by then.

Random photos.

20230121_121919.jpg

Read some more of the comments and it seems like Carnival needs to do a reunion sweetheart cruise for those who met onboard! Who knew there were so many?!  😆

1 hour ago, mkkao924 said: I am wondering what cabin number you had initially? We will soon be on her in family harbor suite, and hopefully the issue will be resolved by then.

2416 I believe, aka poo cabin.  😝   😁

Haha

Thank you for the great review! We have been on the Vista, Panorama and Radiance since our return to cruising last April. Panorama was the best by a country mile, can’t wait to sail her again in December for our first NYE cruise. Hubby will turn 70 on NYE and four couples will be joining us, we’re all in Havana cabanas and balconies. Most will be first time cruisers and I booked the tailgate party cooking class for the group which should be fun. Everyone is getting the Cheers package, we can’t afford not too!   

In October we found the Pig & Anchor bar the best and my daughter and SIL spent just about every night in there. It was the happening spot on our cruise, the bar staff was fabulous and the drinks were tasty and STRONG. I did my research on the elevators so tried to explain to my family that we needed to push the floor number five times for our party but they wouldn’t listen to me. They even had a crew member stationed next to elevators when we boarded and I asked her to confirm we needed to push the floor number for every person getting on, she said no, just push the button, grrrr…. By the third day everyone seemed to figure it out, I guess they got tired of the doors opening to already packed elevators, lol!   

It was our 9 year old grandson’s first cruise, he had the time of his life and is now completely hooked. Camp Ocean was amazing, they do such a good job and the tears started when I picked him up the last night. He cried again at breakfast, walking off the ship and half way home in the car and is constantly asking when are going to take him on another cruise. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with the Family Harbor area. I have been getting free balcony offers so think I will book a cabin there when he is with us.   

Rhythm Of The Nights gets excellent reviews but you really brought it to life in your review, I am definitely going to recommend it to our NYE group. It will be prime whale season then so we might get the bonus show too, I hope so! Thanks again, I am now even more excited for the Big 70 cruise!   

Thank you for the review.  We go on the Panaroma next month and look forward to a great cruise like you had!

23 minutes ago, LaRue1975 said: Thank you for the great review! We have been on the Vista, Panorama and Radiance since our return to cruising last April. Panorama was the best by a country mile, can’t wait to sail her again in December for our first NYE cruise. Hubby will turn 70 on NYE and four couples will be joining us, we’re all in Havana cabanas and balconies. Most will be first time cruisers and I booked the tailgate party cooking class for the group which should be fun. Everyone is getting the Cheers package, we can’t afford not too!    In October we found the Pig & Anchor bar the best and my daughter and SIL spent just about every night in there. It was the happening spot on our cruise, the bar staff was fabulous and the drinks were tasty and STRONG. I did my research on the elevators so tried to explain to my family that we needed to push the floor number five times for our party but they wouldn’t listen to me. They even had a crew member stationed next to elevators when we boarded and I asked her to confirm we needed to push the floor number for every person getting on, she said no, just push the button, grrrr…. By the third day everyone seemed to figure it out, I guess they got tired of the doors opening to already packed elevators, lol!    It was our 9 year old grandson’s first cruise, he had the time of his life and is now completely hooked. Camp Ocean was amazing, they do such a good job and the tears started when I picked him up the last night. He cried again at breakfast, walking off the ship and half way home in the car and is constantly asking when are going to take him on another cruise. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with the Family Harbor area. I have been getting free balcony offers so think I will book a cabin there when he is with us.    Rhythm Of The Nights gets excellent reviews but you really brought it to life in your review, I am definitely going to recommend it to our NYE group. It will be prime whale season then so we might get the bonus show too, I hope so! Thanks again, I am now even more excited for the Big 70 cruise!     

Wow! Sounds like it will be great! A NYE cruise is high on the list for the Mrs. and I and we want to do one badly but missing Christmas with the extended fam would be tough. We actually missed our first one this year do to covid (dressed up as Santa for a school event and got a surprise present from someone or some family during photos) and it was tough but we are aiming to get one in, in the next few years. I'm really hoping to convince the extended fam to come along but it may be a tough sell. We are doing a Thanksgiving cruise this year though, a first for us and we are super excited about it.

The kids really do have a great time at the kids club and they get a real vacation too. It's nice to see them so happy and yet so sad when the magic is over. 

Agree with Pig and Anchor and Alchemy, those old fashion variants are great! The espressotini's over at Plaza bar are pretty solid also!  

Also agree with Rhythms of the Nights, especially for novice cruisers or those who have never done it on a land based Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta trip. Probably the most bang for the buck excursion as you get a sunset cruise, beach front dinner on the shore, a show and a combo nighttime starlight and lit up skyline view on the way back. Maybe even a whale bonus! It's like multiple excursions in one package.

Hope you have a wonderful NYE trip! It sounds fantastic!  

tonit964

Thank you for your great review! I’ll be on Panorama for the first time in October and I’m so excited to be sailing Carnival again, it’s been a few years.

Glad you had a great cruise!

8 hours ago, LaRue1975 said: Thank you for the great review! We have been on the Vista, Panorama and Radiance since our return to cruising last April. Panorama was the best by a country mile, can’t wait to sail her again in December for our first NYE cruise. Hubby will turn 70 on NYE and four couples will be joining us, we’re all in Havana cabanas and balconies. Most will be first time cruisers and I booked the tailgate party cooking class for the group which should be fun. Everyone is getting the Cheers package, we can’t afford not too!    In October we found the Pig & Anchor bar the best and my daughter and SIL spent just about every night in there. It was the happening spot on our cruise, the bar staff was fabulous and the drinks were tasty and STRONG. I did my research on the elevators so tried to explain to my family that we needed to push the floor number five times for our party but they wouldn’t listen to me. They even had a crew member stationed next to elevators when we boarded and I asked her to confirm we needed to push the floor number for every person getting on, she said no, just push the button, grrrr…. By the third day everyone seemed to figure it out, I guess they got tired of the doors opening to already packed elevators, lol!    It was our 9 year old grandson’s first cruise, he had the time of his life and is now completely hooked. Camp Ocean was amazing, they do such a good job and the tears started when I picked him up the last night. He cried again at breakfast, walking off the ship and half way home in the car and is constantly asking when are going to take him on another cruise. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with the Family Harbor area. I have been getting free balcony offers so think I will book a cabin there when he is with us.    Rhythm Of The Nights gets excellent reviews but you really brought it to life in your review, I am definitely going to recommend it to our NYE group. It will be prime whale season then so we might get the bonus show too, I hope so! Thanks again, I am now even more excited for the Big 70 cruise!     

I’ve done two NYE cruises both on Carnival and they are an absolute blast. You are going to love it. They were held on “elegant “ night and had two parties, one in the atrium that was the more dressed up one and the other one up on the Lido deck that was more casual. They passed out champagne just before midnight and had music & dancing. So much fun.

In the dining room at dinner, they had the hats & noisemakers on the tables, they might do it differently now though.

It’s a great way to celebrate a birthday for sure.

Great review!  This is one of my favorite ships.  I totally agree with you on the food.  I'm surprised how much the food quality can differ between Carnival ships.  We were on Panorama in September and I thought the food was better than on Celebration last month (but overall no complaints). 

Even though we sailed during Hurricane Kay, it was a good experience and as soon as we got home, we booked Panorama again for July.

Great review!  Thanks for sharing!  

We did the Panorama twice as soon as cruising opened back up and the ship was less than half full, which was fantastic.  However, we did notice that the food options were sparse and there was definitely a shortage of crew.  It's great to see that that things are somewhat back to normal.

slimbyspring

15 hours ago, kona_wahine said: Thanks for the review. We will be on Feb 18. Looking forward to the trip. Got a SUPER deal, didn’t plan on a cruise, couldn’t pass it up. Have an excursion in Cabo as we’ve never been but just going to enjoy the ship in Maz and PV. 

We are on the 2/18 cruise as well - we have never been to any of the ports!  Looking forward to it...we also got a great deal!

11 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:   Wow! Sounds like it will be great! A NYE cruise is high on the list for the Mrs. and I and we want to do one badly but missing Christmas with the extended fam would be tough. We actually missed our first one this year do to covid (dressed up as Santa for a school event and got a surprise present from someone or some family during photos) and it was tough but we are aiming to get one in, in the next few years. I'm really hoping to convince the extended fam to come along but it may be a tough sell. We are doing a Thanksgiving cruise this year though, a first for us and we are super excited about it.   The kids really do have a great time at the kids club and they get a real vacation too. It's nice to see them so happy and yet so sad when the magic is over.    Agree with Pig and Anchor and Alchemy, those old fashion variants are great! The espressotini's over at Plaza bar are pretty solid also!     Also agree with Rhythms of the Nights, especially for novice cruisers or those who have never done it on a land based Puerto/Nuevo Vallarta trip. Probably the most bang for the buck excursion as you get a sunset cruise, beach front dinner on the shore, a show and a combo nighttime starlight and lit up skyline view on the way back. Maybe even a whale bonus! It's like multiple excursions in one package.   Hope you have a wonderful NYE trip! It sounds fantastic!  

We are on Panorama in May and were looking at Rhythm of the Night. We have done the daytime excursion there twice and loved it. I have read of some having issues with bugs at the nightime excursion. Did you have any problem?

allinwonderland

I wonder if I ever said hi to you and didn't know it was you? LOL. Also spent a lot of time in Alchemy and Plaza. Thanks for inadvertently reminding me to go post all the notes and photos I took of this trip.

21 minutes ago, RenoNanaOz said: We are on Panorama in May and were looking at Rhythm of the Night. We have done the daytime excursion there twice and loved it. I have read of some having issues with bugs at the nightime excursion. Did you have any problem?

I had no problems with bugs in January, but I did buy bug spray onboard the ship and had it with me.  I read that there is more likely to be a problem if it has recently rained and the area is wet.  It’s a wonderful excursion and well worth the price.

Just now, nwcruiselover said: I had no problems with bugs in January, but I did buy bug spray onboard the ship and had it with me.  I read that there is more likely to be a problem if it has recently rained and the area is wet.  It’s a wonderful excursion and well worth the price.

Thank You! We are definitley going to try it. (will bring some bug spray too 😉  )

I read everything I can on the Panorama but I feel like no one ever references the night club lol….if you checked it out on your cruise any feedback? Any other fun activities to not be missed? TIA

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carnival panorama cruise blog

  • Carnival / Cruising / Ship Reviews

Carnival Panorama Inside Cabin Tour and Review

by Prof. Cruise · Published May 2, 2022 · Updated May 2, 2022

Three photos of an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama with text that reads: Carnival Panorama Inside Cabin Tour and Review.

Introduction and Context

Prof. Cruise's dog in an elevator.

You’re probably wondering what a photo of a dog in an elevator has to do with an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama, right? First off, he’s not a dog. That’s Henry, the best good boi in all the land. And sweetest too – he only looks mad in this photo because we’d been trapped in the elevator of our high rise apartment building in downtown Seattle for 45 minutes following our morning walk and he wanted his breakfast! But while Henry would instantly forget about this little incident with his first post-rescue bite of kibble, I was quickly descending (not from a sudden elevator drop – sorry for the poor choice of word there) from mild claustrophobe to planning how I was going to walk up and down 24 flights of stairs for the remaining year left on our lease to distract myself from hyperventilating. It was bad.

And then a few days later I received an e-mail from Carnival informing me that the original cabin I’d booked, a porthole cabin with a view of outside, had been replaced with a standard inside cabin with no window. While I’ve sailed in inside cabins many, many times before without issue, the thought of one now had me wondering who I should call first, Carnival customer service or my therapist. I called my therapist first who was very helpful and told me to call Carnival and pony up for an oceanview or balcony cabin. Then I called Carnival which was very unhelpful (I shouldn’t say that – this cruise was totally sold out so there was no way they could move me to another cabin). Then I called my therapist again and got prescribed some good drugs.

A screen shot of a letter from Carnival letting Prof. Cruise know here cabin has been changed.

That’s the first of three important pieces of context you should know about before I launch into my review. The second is that this cruise was coming just weeks after a solo cruise I’d taken on the Majestic Princess where I was upgraded by media relations from my booked inside cabin to a mini-suite. So I was going from:

A mini suite onboard the Majestic Princess

And third, I was cruising with my 9 year-old, who toward the end of our sailing got a horrible bout of either food poisoning or a stomach bug and we spent two solid days trapped in our inside cabin while he barfed and I tried not to barf at having to smell and clean up barf with minimal ventilation.

A sick child laying in a bed with a cloth on his forehead and back.

Mind you, none of that stopped me from consuming approximately 25 slices of room service chocolate cake over those two days and, despite the unfortunate ending, my son and I had a great cruise together!

But I wanted you to understand the context (I know, get on with it already!), because I fear some of this review might be a bit saltier than it would have been under more typical circumstances. In any case, let’s start with a tour:

Carnival Panorama Inside Cabin Tour

And here’s what I loved about my inside cabin on the Panorama:

What I Loved about my Inside Cabin on the Carnival Panorama

While our inside cabin was very basic, I paid the equivalent of what a pack of breath mints and a Coke costs at my neighborhood bodega. And the cabin came with 7 days worth of unlimited buffet cake! According to my calculations, Carnival ended up $400 in the red on cake alone.

Carnival Panorama deck 8 deck plan with an arrow pointing to cabin 8464.

Cabin 8464 was located on deck 8 aft, just a short jaunt up to the buffet…for cake! And balcony snacks (read on)! While I didn’t choose it, I really ended up loving this location. It was in a much better spot than our original cabin on deck 1 forward.

Comfortable mattress and bedding

The main area of an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

While the thread count of the sheets was probably equal to the number of stars you’re giving this review (1-2), the mattresses and bedding were perfectly comfortable and my son and I both slept great.

Towel animals

A dinosaur towel animal on a bed in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

Inevitably, after a few days of sharing a cruise cabin with me, my son finds himself shouting, while imploring me to stop jumping from bed to bed so he can pick up the clutter: “It’s like a zoo in here!” And our accumulated towel animals look at him like, “what’s wrong with that?” And he looks a little perplexed at the dinosaur, but decides not to engage in a debate about realistic residents of a modern day zoo and simply reassures them: “I didn’t mean you guys!” Because he loves the towel animals created by room stewards on Carnival ships. I do too. And our room steward made us some great ones on the Panorama.

The desk and closet area of an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

As someone who both works to cruise and cruises to work (such is the life of a cruise writer), I appreciated having a desk. While it was small and the uncomfortable stool prompted me to wheel my ergonomic chair out onto my balcony to enjoy some fresh air when I got home so she’d know how much I appreciate her, it did the trick for the brief periods of time I needed to work.

Desk outlets

Outlets above the desk on the Carnival Panorama.

I also appreciated the 2 USB and 2 three-prong outlets above the desk. They were adequate to keep charged the many electronic devices required to keep me entertained at dinner while my 9 year-old droned on and on about politics and the Tolstoy novel he was reading.

Mini fridge

Mini fridge in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

I love the breakfast burritos from Blue Iguana Cantina so much that I sometimes eat three in a single day. I’ll sneak out right when they open, before my son is awake, and bring one back to the cabin to stealthily eat in the bathroom. Then once my son wakes up and we head out for a proper, non toilet seat breakfast, I order two more. One to eat then and one to take back to store in the mini-fridge for later. I also grab two extra slices of buffet cake at lunch (since it’s only available at lunch) to keep my breakfast burrito company before eating them after dinner.

I appreciate the in-cabin mini-fridges on Carnival even more since the line discontinued mini-bar service. One used to have to request the mini-bar items be cleared out in order to use the mini-fridge for room snacks. It was a pain for busy room stewards to empty them and I never once purchased anything from one. Wise move, Carnival!

Large flat screen television

Television in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

While we could never get the on-demand movies to work which was disappointing, the TV magically transformed this cabin from a likely tomb (in my claustrophobic brain) to a luxurious aft balcony. I simply kept the TV tuned to the aft camera channel, positioned my little blue stool in front of it, put my feet up on the counter above the fridge (like it was a balcony railing), and spent hours on end not seeing any wildlife while I sipped room service coffee and gorged on snacks. Exactly what I’d do with a real balcony cabin!

Seriously though, keeping the television tuned to one of the ship cameras kept my claustrophobia at bay. And my son appreciated having several cartoon channels to watch while he was sick.

Temperature control

Thermostat in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

This thermostat was a significant upgrade from the knob version seen on most older Carnival ships and it did a great job at keeping our cabin at the desired temperature – cool while my son was feverish and warm when I returned wet and chilled and mad from 4,000 consecutive trips down the red slide (mad because a crew member kicked me off alleging that I wasn’t letting any of the kids have a turn).

Shower head, water temperature and pressure, and clothesline

Shower head and clothesline in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

While the shower was the typical size and featured a cloth curtain (which isn’t ideal as water tends to get all over the floor), it had an adjustable and removable shower head, great temperature control and water pressure, and the standard retractable clothesline so I could dry out our bathing suits and my gym clothes.

Shower bench and bars

Shower bench and bars in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

This stateroom was an Ambulatory Accessible Cabin (AAC). These cabins are designed for passengers with mobility limitations, but who do not require regular use of a wheelchair or scooter. Really the only differences between this cabin and a non AAC cabin were in the shower with the addition of grab bars and a bench. While my son and I didn’t require an AAC cabin (it was just assigned to us), I loved being able to pull down the bench to sit on to shave. Or as a table for my early morning bathroom snacks.

Room service breakfast card

Room service breakfast card in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

While the selection is limited, this breakfast room service card was especially handy for the mornings my son was ill and we couldn’t leave the cabin. Bland carbs and hot tea were pretty much the only things that appealed to him as he started to feel good enough to eat, so I loaded us up with enough toast and bagels to last the day and requested decaf tea for him which was provided. Hot items are an extra charge, but cold items and beverages are complimentary.

Privacy door hanger

Privacy door hanger in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama

Despite this being one of Carnival’s newest ships, nothing about my cabin was cutting edge and everything, except for the thermostat and some additional outlets above the desk, was just like every other Carnival ship I’ve ever sailed on. This included the old-school privacy door hanger. Most newer ships on other lines have buttons to push connected to small lights near the outside of the door. That didn’t bother me in the slightest though. In fact, I just tried to pretend it was 10 years ago before I had gray hairs and wrinkles. Which brings me to the things I didn’t love about my cabin on the Panorama

What I Didn’t Love about my Inside Cabin on the Carnival Panorama

These are all relatively minor things, but I figured I’d mention them so anyone cruising on the Panorama can prepare for them. I’ll also offer some solutions in a “packing tips” section to follow.

Magnifying mirror

Magnifying mirror in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama

Remember that thing I said (you should, it was like two sentences ago!) about pretending it was 10 years ago? That’s hard to do with this mirror that makes your wrinkles each look like the asteroid caused crater that wiped out the dinosaurs. No wonder our brachiosaurus towel animal looked so terrified every time I walked by him (until his felt eyes fell off).

Pro Tip: Cover that thing with a wash cloth unless you’re prepared to drop some major dollars at the Estee Lauder counter when you return home.

No illusion of a window

Wall behind the beds in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

I mean, I wasn’t expecting a “virtual” view like some fancy new mega ships on other lines feature in inside cabins, but maybe at least a curtain or something to make it feel like their might be a window behind the bed? The institutional naked wall was a little drab and depressing and didn’t offer much of a lifeline to this claustrophobe. Thank goodness for the TV.

Lack of storage

Closet drawers in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

As a minimalist and human so tiny my clothes would hang loosely off an averaged-sized hobbit, the amount of closet storage in our inside cabin on the Panorama met our needs. However, with only two small closets, one with shelving and drawers and one for hanging items, it may not be adequate for those who find themselves frantically redistributing items between suitcases at the airport check-in counter to squeak in under 50 pounds while apologizing to the growing line behind them: “I’m so sorry, but I can’t possibly cruise without 16 pairs of shoes and a full ensemble to match. Also, this would go faster if anyone would volunteer to transport my 70’s party go go boots.”

Card control of electricity

Card slot in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

There are certain common features of cruise cabins that have just never made sense to me. Having to insert a card into a slot for most of the power to stay on is one of them. Is it a safety thing? Is it to conserve energy? Is it just so sub-par cruise bloggers will have something fairly innocuous to complain about in their reviews (mission accomplished)?

Whatever the reason is (please, if you know with certainly, enlighten all of us in the comments), it’s totally useless since most people, including me, just stick an old hotel key card or credit card in there for the duration of the cruise. If you don’t, any devices you have plugged into the outlets won’t continue to charge when you pull the card out. Be sure to always turn out the lights when you leave though.

Hair dryer in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

There was a time when I believed all cruise ship hair dryers were the same. But once I branched out and started trying lots of different cruise lines and ships, I realized the stereotypes I’d had about them, that none of them stayed on without continually pressing down a button, that they lacked sufficient power, and that they were always attached to the wall through a hole in a drawer, were wrong. It turns out cruise ship hair dryers come in many different models and configurations and not all of them suck. So let that be a lesson.

But I did find myself saying out loud to the hair dryer in our cabin on the Panorama: “Don’t be such a stereotype!” Because you had to continually push down the button for it to stay on, it lacked sufficient power, and it was attached to the wall through a hole in a drawer.

Bath products

Shampoo and shower gel in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

I once heard Carnival called the Motel 6 of cruising by someone on a Celebrity ship who followed up by saying she’d rather eat off the floor of a truck stop bathroom than ever sail on Carnival again. While I appreciated the analogy and jotted it down for future use (now!), I thought to myself: “Fine, more buffet cake and breakfast burritos for me!” And for what it’s worth, I drove twice from Utah to Michigan as a poor collage student and found both the Motel 6’s I stayed in along the way as well as the truck stop bathrooms I stopped in to pee far less enjoyable, like by an order of magnitude, than the worst Carnival cruise I’ve been on.

However, the shampoo and shower gel provided in Carnival cabins does remind me of motel products so bad that you don’t even bother to hide them so the maid will put out more and you can build up a reserve to take home.

Open shelving

Open bathroom shelving in an inside cabin on the Carnival Panorama.

I also don’t love the open bathroom shelves on Carnival because they make the space feel cluttered when full of stuff and smaller items fall through the openings. I even had a glass fall off one once during particularly rough seas and shatter. Which brings me to my packing tips for inside cabins on the Carnival Panorama.

Packing tips for Inside Cabins on the Carnival Panorama

Here are some items you might consider bringing with you to make your inside cabin on the Panorama more comfortable and functional. Some of these I brought with me, some I wished I’d brought with me, and some will only be useful to certain people (like those who pack a lot of clothes).

Clear toiletry bags

If you don’t already have something similar, pick up a few clear toiletry bags to put your smaller makeup and hygiene items in to store on the open shelves in the bathroom.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Sunrise alarm clock

If you like waking up to natural light, a sunrise alarm clock is a great inside cabin cruise hack.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Portable phone charger

Because there was no outlet near the bed and I like to have access to my phone to check the time, I was happy to have brought along my portable charger to charge up my phone at night. We also used it to keep my son’s video game system charged during travel. I have this one (it’s inexpensive and works great):

carnival panorama cruise blog

Magic cascading hangers

Magic cascading hangers are a great hack for a small closet. You can bring extra hangers or ask your room steward to provide more.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Removable hooks

There were no hooks on the walls of this cabin to hang jackets, swimsuits, purses, and other items. I wished I’d had a few removable ones to stick around. I like these Command hooks .

carnival panorama cruise blog

Plastic plate covers

To transport your room snacks and keep them fresh! Plastic plate covers are available to purchase on Amazon , at many Dollar Stores, or you can use a shower cap as a hack.

carnival panorama cruise blog

As I mentioned earlier, your inside cabin on the Panorama will come stocked with shower gel and shampoo as well as a bar of soap. However, if quality is important to you, pack your own (maybe the little bottles you hoarded from your pre-cruise hotel). And note that conditioner is not provided. Or just tie your hair back in a makeshift bun for 7 days like I did and call it good: cruise hair, don’t care!

So, would I book this cabin again? Well since I didn’t actually book this cabin at all, I guess the better question is: would I book this cabin intentionally?

For the same price? Yes! For much more than what I paid for it? Probably not. While I know many people are loyal to Carnival (and there’s so much to love about the line), I’ve found it really does pay to shop around. Carnival doesn’t always have the best prices (despite what many believe) and cabins on other lines are often a step up in terms of quality and features. But should you think I’m poo pooing Carnival, I just booked another cruise on her tonight! My son and I will be on Carnival again this summer, this time on the Spirit to Alaska. And with that…

Class Dismissed.

Be sure to share this review with your cruising companions and PIN it so you can refer back to it later!

Homework (10 points): Cruising on the Carnival Panorama with kids (or kids at heart)? Read my review of the Sky Zone . Then check out my 10 Pro Tips For A Fast And Smooth Embarkation Day on Carnival. You can also find all the Carnival dining and bar menus with prices HERE .

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social social media sites:

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About Prof. Cruise

carnival panorama cruise blog

Given name Sarah, but also answers to Prof. Cruise. Retired after 10 years as a college professor to focus full-time on her primary research interest: travel. With a concentration in cruising.  Home port: Seattle.  Mom of a shaggy-haired dog and a shaggy-haired human.  Lover of books and dessert.  Fancies herself a bit of a comedian – you’ve been warned.

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Carnival Panorama Review – The Good and The Bad

The Carnival Panorama is one of the newest ships in the Carnival cruise line and it does not disappoint! This massive ship holds over 4000 passengers and sails the Mexican Riviera year-round.

So if you already booked your cruise or you’re still thinking about it and wondering what the Carnival Panorama is like… this is for you!

If you have any additional questions about the ship or what to do in Mexico, drop them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them!

Carnival Panorama Reviews. Mexican Riviera Cruise

Where Does the Carnival Panorama Sail To and From?

The Panorama sails out of Long Beach, California. Long Beach is a beautiful coastal town just outside of Los Angeles. You can easily fly into LAX and take a short UBER ride to the Long Beach area.

I recommend coming in a day before your cruise to make sure you dont have any travel problems (the ship won’t wait for you!). Long Beach is lined with several beautiful beaches and tons of shopping and fun restaurants.

Once on board, the Panorama sails to three Mexcian Ports: Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. Typically in that order.

You’ll have a full day in Puerto Vallarta (usually 9 am-8 pm), a day in Mazatlan (8 am-5 pm), and a shorter day in Cabo (6 am-3 pm).

While on board you also have 3 full days at sea. This means that while the boat is sailing through the ocean, you can enjoy the pool and all the amenities that Panorama has to offer… and there are tons!

Looking for some great excursion ideas? Click here!

What is the best deck on Carnival Panorama?

Deck 10 – The Lido Deck

I guess that all depends on what you like to do! But typically you’ll find that Deck 10 (the Lido deck) is the most popular and probably where you will spend most of your time.

This deck is home to the Lido Marketplace… AKA the buffet! You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, as well as snacks throughout the day. The buffet is open almost all day long, with just short breaks to change over the food.

You’ll also find unlimited soft serve ice cream on the Lido Deck… and if you’re traveling with kids, you will often find them here!

The Lido Deck is also home to the main pool and 2 of the best bars, the Blue Iguana and the Red Rum Bar. Each has a different drink menu so make sure you check them both out!

carnival panorama cruise blog

You’ll find other food places on the Lido Deck as well, including Guys Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina… both places are included in your booking.

Towards the back of the ship on the Lido Deck is the Tides Pool . Here you’ll find the only 2 hot tubs available to kids and adults. The Pizza place (open until 4 am!) is also here as is the Seafood Shack (which costs extra).

The tides pool

The Lido deck is where you will find access to all the “fun” stuff on the ship. There are waterslides, minigolf, basketball, foosball, and more!

carnival panorama cruise blog

The Lido Deck main pool area is where you will also find the deck parties each night, and where they play movies as well.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Deck 5 – Promenade

Probably the second most visited deck on the Carnival Panorama. In the front of the ship is the Liquid Lounge, home to several great shows.

The promenade is home to most specialty restaurants, shops, and fun bar areas. So we tend to spend most of our days on the Lido deck, and our nights on the Promenade deck.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Some fun places to visit here are The Library, which is a beautiful and quiet place to grab a book or get some work done if you need to.

The Piano Bar is directly across from the Library and is a great, mellow bar where you can request songs. The Alchemy Bar is located right in the center of Deck 5 and is the perfect place to grab a unique drink.

The Alchemy Bar - Carnival Panorama

Further down the deck, you will find JavaBlue Cafe and Shake Spot. The Javablue Cafe opens early and is home to your specialty coffees (including spiked coffees) and shakes in the afternoon.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Just past the cafe is the Ocean Plaza. You can find everything here from game shows, to musical acts. This was one of our favorite places to relax after dinner and enjoy music.

Panorama Deck Plan

CLICK HERE For a comprehensive floor-by-floor deck plan of the Carnival Panorama.

Once you are on board, I recommend you download the Carnival Hub App and you can search for specific places on the ship.

It’s very easy to get turned around once on board. One tip I always give people is to learn two terms:

Bow/Stern – This indicates the front of the ship

Aft – This indicates the back of the ship

By knowing these two simple terms, you will have a much easier time finding any place on the ship. And if you don’t know which direction is the front, just look out any window and you’ll see the direction the boat is going.

Carnival Panorama Food Review

I have sailed on several cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess. Compared to these other cruise lines, Carnival does lack in the food department.

But even though those other cruise lines might have better cuisines, the food on the Carnival Panorama was still really good and I had no complaints.

Lido Deck Buffett – You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. Breakfast is typically pretty busy as most of the ship’s passengers eat here. Lunch is a little less crowded because passengers like to enjoy other options.

carnival panorama cruise blog

The food at the Lido buffet is surprisingly good. Breakfast is typically the same every morning but offers a pretty big selection of food. I enjoyed having eggs benedict literally every single morning! And even the lunches and dinners are great too.

Restaurants – The Vista and The Horizon – There are 2 dining rooms on the ship but each dining room serves the exact same menu. One is reserved for My Time Dining while the other is reserved for Your Set Dining Time.

If you are signed up for My Time Dining (where you eat at any time you want) you need to download the Carnival Hub App and log in to the dining room to reserve your table. They give you a countdown and let you know when your table is ready.

This is really great because you can reserve your spot while you are still in your room or at a bar and head to the dining room when your table is ready.

I do have to say that I was disappointed with the food in the dining rooms. It was pretty mediocre. Not bad but not great either. We actually found we enjoyed the food in the buffet to be better and ate dinner there a few times.

The only thing that really makes the dining room worth it is their specialty dessert… The Carnival chocolate melting cake . So good!

The famous Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake

One positive aspect of the Main Dining Rooms (also referred to as MDR) is the beautiful view you get while eating dinner. Just check out this sunset view we had at dinner one night…

carnival panorama cruise blog

OTHER DINING OPTIONS – It’s tough to know what’s included sometimes and what’s not. So here is a quick breakdown of what is and what’s not.

Included Dining:

  • Guy’s Burger Joint – is located on the Lido deck near the main pool. You can grab build-your-own burgers here any day. They were absolutely delicious!
  • BlueIguana Cantina – Also located on the Lido deck near the main pool. Great tacos and burritos and even serves breakfast burritos. I love that you can get as many tacos as you want. Not hungry? Get one… super starved…get 5!
  • Cucina Del Capitano – This cute little Italian place lets you build your own pasta bowl. It is included in your cruise far during lunch but costs extra during dinner. I recommend it if you like pasta, but not worth the extra cost.
  • JiJi Asian Kitchen – Amazing Oriental noodles and ramen options. This was a favorite of ours! Free during the lunch hours but costs extra during dinner times. I highly recommend visiting here at least once.
  • Pizza – Open until 4 am! Grab a slice or a whole pizza any time of the day. This is located aft of the ship near the tide pool and hot tubs. Suprisingly good! Fresh firewood pizza. I could have eaten this every day.

Guy'y Burger Joint

Extra Cost Dining:

  • Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse – located on the 5th deck near the JavaBlue Cafe, you’ll find some pretty amazing BBQ here. TIP: This is FREE on embarkation day (the day your board) so eat there right away!
  • Seafood Shack – located on the 10th floor, lido deck, at the rear (aft) of the ship next to the Tides pool. The seafood shack costs extra but their lobster rolls are worth the extra cost.
  • Bonsai Teppanyaki – Open during dinner hours, and requires a reservation. Enjoy a fun and interactive experience where they cook the food right in front of you.
  • Steakhouse – You’ll also need reservations for this specialty restaurant. While I’ve never personally tried it, many people have reported this to be truly amazing. The best steak, lobster bisque, appetizers, a wine pairing, and more.

Guy's Pig and Anchor

Drinks On The Panorama

One of the most asked questions about the Carnival Panorama is about the drinks! What’s included and what’s not and if the Cheers package (alcohol) is worth it.

Included Drinks: You will always be able to have a section of free drinks on the Panorma that include; water, lemonade, orange juice, passion mango juice, and basic tea and coffee. You’ll find these at the buffet and any dining area.

Drinks that cost extra: There is a huge selection of drinks you can also purchase on your cruise. These include; milkshakes, sodas, specialty coffees, and any alcoholic drinks.

Water: if you have the Cheers package, you can grab bottled water from most of the bars. Otherwise, there are water fill stations around the boat (mostly near the buffet on the Lido deck).

Is the Cheers Package worth it?

This answer can honestly be different for anyone. If you only have one or two drinks a day, perhaps not.

But drinks on the Panorama can add up fast. Each alcoholic beverage at the bar can average about $15-$18 apiece.

The Cheers Package also includes items such as; specialty coffees, milkshakes, Gatorade, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic beverages.

So if you start your day with a coffee or two, then move on to drinks at the pool, end your day with a glass of wine or cocktail at dinner… you should definitely consider getting yourself the Cheers package.

Carnival Panorama Adults Only Sections

Traveling without kids? Have no fear! There are a few places you can go where you can find peace and quiet.

The biggest and most popular is the Serenity area . In this area, you will find 2 hot tubs, padded hammocks, sun loungers, round 2-seater chaise lounges, and shaded areas. Not to mention a bar!

Serenity Hot Tub

There is no pool here, unfortunately. And there is no adult-only pool on the entire ship.

If you are looking for a quiet place to retreat at night, go to the Library Bar. While it doesn’t officially ban underage passengers, it is far too quiet and boring for them here and your chances of an adult-only sanctuary are pretty good.

On deck 5, just outside of the Javablue Cafe, are several tables, chairs, and loungers out on the deck. This is also not technically a non-kid area but they are rarely here and I was able to enjoy my morning coffee while looking at the ocean every morning in peace.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Carnival Panorama Rooms

The rooms on the Panorama are actually quite spacious (for cruising standards). I always recommend getting a balcony room if it’s within your budget. I have seen whales from my balcony on both an Alaskan Cruise and my cruise to Mexico on the Carnival Panorama.

Not to mention the amazing sunsets/sunrises and views you see sailing into each port.

Traveling with 4 or more people? Find out the secret to getting 2 cruise rooms for the price of one!

Balcony rooms are also a lot more spacious than the interior rooms. When you first walk in, you have a bathroom to one side and a large wall closet (with hangers and drawers and a full-length mirror) to the other side.

Carnival Panorama Balcony Room

Keep going and you’ll find a decent-sized couch with a coffee table, a desk with more drawers, and a large mirror across from it.

The beds in ALL rooms are twin sized. You can combine them to make a king-sized bed or keep them separate.

Carnival Panorama Balcony Room

While bathrooms on cruise ships are typically very small, the bathrooms on the Panorama are actually a pretty decent size. One major plus is the many shelves near the sink area.

Carnival Panorama bathroom

The interior rooms have most of the same features minus the couch.

While the interior rooms as a great option for those on a budget, the balcony rooms are worth every penny. On our cruise to the Mexican Riviera, we saw several whales from our balcony as well as a sea turtle. Not to mention great sunsets every night.

Carnival Panorama Balcony room

Havana Rooms : If you like upgrades, check out the Havana rooms! These are similar in size to most balcony rooms. The difference is that the decor is more tropical-like and with the Havana rooms, you get exclusive access to the Havana pool, bar, and hot tub.

TIP: If you tend to get seasick, choose a room as close to the front of the ship, and lowest on the ship.

TIP: Deck 10 (the Lido deck) is where the buffet and pool can be found. Which means that area gets a LOT of traffic. Keep that in mind when booking a room on the 9th floor.

Carnival Panorama Activities

As far as Activities go, the Carnival Panorama has this area down. When we sailed, our cruise director was Marty and he was amazing. I have been on many cruises and this was the first time a cruise director was so involved.

Almost every night there was a party on deck, and each one was super fun!

Theme Parties:

  • 80’s night – dress in 80’s gear and dance to your favorite classic 80’s music)
  • White Night – everyone wears white and has a dance party
  • Silent Night – the silent disco party! One of my personal favorites
  • Glow deck party – Where.. you guessed it… everything glows and the kids get giant glow sticks set to music
  • Sail away party – This one is actually when you first sail away from Long Beach right around 4:30pm and includes dancing, music and activities to start your cruise off in style!

Carnival Panorama really has too many activities to list. Every day, you will get a printed out list of activities left in your state room. You can also find everything on the Carnival Hub App.

From shows, to movies, to contests… you will never be board on this ship!

The Not So Good

We really enjoyed our time on board the Panorma and don’t actually have too many negative things to say. If you are thinking of booking a cruise on this ship, you will enjoy it thoroughly!

But there are just a few small things I want to mention that did disappoint us a tad bit.

Negative Parts of the Panorama:

No Adults-only pool – On a lot of cruise ships, you can find an adult only pool in the Serenity area. But on the Panorama, they only have hot tubs in the Serenity area. No pool. So if you want to take a dip in cool water away from splashing kids… you can’t.

Only 2 hot tubs, at the rear of the ship – Another thing that really bothered us was that there were no hot tubs by the main pool on the lido deck. EVery other ship I have sailed on has multipl hot tubs in this area.

And since the main pool is where most of the kids swim and where the water slides are, you have to choose if you want to grab a lounge chair here or on the way back of the ship. In other words, you almost have to choose the pool or the hot tub.

Soda/specialty coffee locations – On other cruise lines, you can find a coffee bar and a soda machine right in the buffet area. So I can usually grab my morning latte with my breakfast.

On the Panorama, the speciality coffee area is on the 5th floor, a long walk from the buffet on the 10th floor. Not super convenient if you want to have coffee with your breakfast each morning.

Lack of soda and water stations: Again, soda machines seem to be everywhere on other ships. But on the Carnival Panorama, you can only get soda at the bars. So if your child has a soda package, they have to fight the crowds of adults getting drinks at the bar, just to get their soda.

You also can’t get soda at the buffet, so if you want some with your lunch or dinner, you have to walk across the ship to the bars and grab one from there. Not very convenient if you are a family and trying to keep track of your kids.

Same goes for water. You would think that a ship that is sailing to a sunny and warm place would offer more water stations. But the only one we could really find was at the buffet. so no matter where you were on the ship, you had to go to the lido deck to fill your water bottles.

carnival panorama cruise blog

The Carnival Panorama Review

Overall, we were very impressed with the ship. Carnival does a great job of making your vacation as fun as possible. The staff are always incredible and I would sail this ship a hundred more times!

We also enjoyed our time in the ports a lot more than I thought we would. You can read more about each port we visited below.

And if you have any pros or cons you’d like to add to this list, feel free to drop them in the comments below for future passengers.

Happy sailing!

You Might Also Be Interested In:

  • What To Do In Puerto Vallarta on your Mexican Riviera Cruise
  • Spend a Cruise Port Day in Mazatlan (coming soon!)
  • What to do In Cab San Lucas When On a Cruise (coming soon!)
  • 25 Must-Pack Items For Any Cruise!

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A full review of the Carnival Panorama, sailing to the Mexican Riviera

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What do you do about ironing your clothes?

There is a laundry room with an iron and ironing board on every floor where you can iron your clothes at any time!

Hello, enjoyed reading your review on Carnival Panorama cruise – quite informative. Thank you! Please hurry and post things to do in Los Cabo. We’re traveling in May, 2024.

We are May 18-25 2024. Sail Away!!!

You are going to LOVE it!

I’m looking forward to my first cruise aboard the Panorama next month; so, I have no first-hand experienced. However, in reading other reviews, I’m wondering if you didn’t (inadvertently?) omit ice tea from your list of free beverages. Thanks.

Correct, ice tea is included! Thank you for catching that, I will add it to my list!

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  • CruiseMapper
  • Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Panorama

Carnival Panorama cruise ship

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

  • Los Angeles (Long Beach-San Pedro, California)

Carnival Panorama current position

Carnival Panorama current location is at North America West Coast (coordinates 23.12322 N / -106.68646 W) cruising at speed of 18.8 kn (35 km/h | 22 mph) en route to MXMZT>MXCSL. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Panorama

Carnival Panorama current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Mexican Riviera . Prices start from USD 529 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 20 Apr, 2024 and ends on 27 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Panorama

  •   Itineraries
  •   Review
  •   Wiki

Carnival Panorama Itineraries

Carnival panorama review, review of carnival panorama.

The 2019-built Carnival Panorama cruise ship is the third Vista-class (modified Dream-class) liner in CCL's fleet. Carnival's Vista-class vessels are the fleet's most family-friendly, featuring the company's largest family staterooms and dedicated facilities and amenities. Panorama is Carnival's 27th vessel.

From the same series (Vista-Class sisterships) are the fleetmates Carnival Vista (2016) and Carnival Horizon (2018), as well as the former Costa Cruises ' liners Carnival Venezia (2019 as Costa Venezia) and Carnival Firenze (2020 as Costa Firenze) and Adora Cruises ' ships Adora Magic City (2023) and Adora TBN (2024).

The vessel (IMO number 9802384) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 374527000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ). 

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

Carnival Panorama cruise ship

The 4000-passenger ship Carnival Panorama offers all Carnival Fun Ship 2.0 details, plus many first-at-sea features, including SkyZone trampoline park (decks 7-8), Skyride (extraordinary peddled roller coaster bike ride); Havana cabins complex (with pool, lounge and its own bar); Family Harbor staterooms; the biggest SportsSquare sports complex; Fun Ship 2.0’s BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Bar and Alchemy Bar; new show programming; Carnival Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness.

With the 3x Vista-class liners (Vista/2016, Horizon/2018, Panorama/2019) were introduced the fleet-firsts "IMAX Theater at Sea" (87-seats cinema/part of Carnival Multiplex), "SkyRide" (outdoor/aerial bicycle ride/suspended 2-track bike course), Havana Staterooms (cabin complex with a swimming pool, sundeck, lounge, lanai balconies).

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Panorama staterooms (1965 total) include 74 Suites, 912 Balcony, 264 Oceanview and 749 Inside, including 35 wheelchair-accessible and 104 "Cloud 9 Spa" cabins, in all 34 grades. Most are sized 185-220-ft2, cabin balconies are sized 35-75 ft2. All Spa staterooms receive exclusive access to private Spa facilities on Panorama Deck and the following amenities: Spa reservations, complimentary use of Thalassotherapy Pool and Thermal Suite, fitness classes and deluxe bath amenities.

Carnival Panorama, like all Vista-class sisterships, has a new cabin category named aft-view extended balcony cabin which is exclusive to vessel's Family Harbor area. Additionally, Carnival Panorama offers 18 tropics-inspired staterooms situated within the well known Havana section. Just like the other 86 staterooms found within Family Harbor, the brand new aft-view extended balcony cabins boast a colorful nautical theme and is situated adjacent to ship's Family Harbor Lounge, which is the ultimate family hangout with large TVs and complimentary snacks and breakfast. Located aft on Decks 6-8-9, the Havana staterooms offer exclusive access to the Havana Deck which has a Cuban-themed bar and swimming pool.

The boat has 14 passenger-accessible decks of which 13 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Panorama offers two main dining rooms, Horizons, and Reflections. Horizons hosts a small bar suited for pre-dinner drinks. The main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Panorama also has a Lido buffet. Seafood lovers are pampered with the Seafood Shack - brand new to Carnival fleet, New England-inspired casual eatery located on ship's top deck. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the menu includes steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fried clams, crab cakes, and other seafood surprises. Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4.

Carnival Panorama cruise ship

The ship has a Japanese specialty restaurant named Bonsai Teppanyaki. The new dining venue is located within the Bonsai Sushi restaurant on Promenade Deck.

The restaurant offers a menu with authentic Far East dishes. A special feature is the live cooking show performed by its talented chefs operating at custom-built stations located at the center of an 8-seat table. Due to its limited seating, reservations are required. Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). Combo dinners are also offered. Each meal ends on a note courtesy of Chocolate Bento Box and Green Tea Ice Cream. The restaurant is open for lunch (sea days only) and for dinner (every night). Price (cover charge) is per person and covers the entire meal.

Carnival cruise ship havana pool (Vista, Horizon, Panorama)

The available on all Fun ships Chef's Table is a dining experience that affords a dozen guests to experience multicourse dinner with the master chef, private cocktail reception and a tour of the galley. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Panorama restaurants and food bars.

  • Reflections Restaurant (1474-seat, complimentary MDR; the bigger of ship’s two main dining rooms; offers two fixed dinner seatings and open seating Breakfast and Lunch; “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts costs $5 cover charge)
  • Horizon’s Restaurant (702-seat; offers formal dining with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining” between 5:45-9:30 p.m.)
  • Bonsai Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant), including Bonsai Teppanyaki
  • Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ (barbeque and grill restaurant)
  • Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (deck 5/specialty restaurant with “Chef’s Table” dining)
  • Guy’s Burger Joint (poolside burger bar)
  • Bluelguana Cantina (poolside Mexican fast food bar)
  • Lido Marketplace (825-seat self-service buffet restaurant)
  • Pizzeria del Capitano (24-hour pizzeria restaurant)
  • Seafood Shack (offers indoor and outdoor seating, lobster and shrimp; a la carte priced)
  • Cucina del Capitano (Italian Trattoria)
  • Ji Ji Asian Kitchen (specialty Asian restaurant)

Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge (deck 4) is the first-at-sea venue dedicated to active and retired US military personnel. The bar lounge features a distinctive decor with the logos of the USA's 5 armed forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), military memorabilia throughout, walls lined with photos and messages themed "America’s Heroes", "Welcome Home" and "Thank You for Your Service". Specialty cocktails are served in custom-made pint glasses. A portion of each beverage sale benefits Operation Homefront (nonprofit organization). The special glasses can also be purchased as souvenirs.

Panorama is Carnival's first ship with "Carnival Kitchen" - a new dining venue (part of Horizons Restaurant / aft on Deck 4 ) dedicated to CCL's new culinary program with 15+ cooking classes led by the ship's chefs. Carnival Kitchen has max capacity 18 guests and 9 cooking stations, each fitted with granite countertop, sink, cooktop, refrigerator, utensils. The floor is tiled while the ceiling and walls are steel-covered. The room has a dedicated dining area as dinners are part of the classes and price-inclusive (pricing ranges between USD 30-60 per person). Among the dinner-inclusive cooking classes (signature dishes and desserts) are Carnival Classics Workshop, Orient Unknown Class (Asian), Pasta Master Class (Italian), Cake Workshop, and other classes themed on sushi, pizza, pies. Each class is held in four 1-hour or 2-hour sessions and on sea days only. Reservations can be made online (pre-cruise) and on the ship (at any restaurant).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The fun onboard Carnival Panorama starts with SkyRide, industry's first open-air, pedal-powered aerial ride. Riders have to climb onboard a hanging bike and "cycle" their way around the 800ft suspended track, 150 feet above sea level.

Carnival cruise ship SkyRide (Vista, Horizon, Panorama)

If you consider that SkyRide does not provide the needed adrenaline-pumping action, SkyCourse ropes circuit do. Both SkyCourse and SkyRide are part of the SportSquare, which also features an indoor hangout, mini-bowling, The Clubhouse, Ping-Pong, sports video gaming, arcade basketball and more.

Carnival cruise ship SkyCourse (Vista, Horizon, Panorama)

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Vista-class vessels as facilities and onboard amenities.

The Panorama cruise ship offers an expanded "Seuss at Sea" kids program with its "Choose Fun WaterWorks" (themed water park). The aquapark has 2 distinctly different waterslides (location Deck 12) - named "Red Fun" (455-ft / 139-m long) and "Blue Fun" (300-ft / 91-m long).

Carnival Panorama ship Choose Fun WaterWorks park

  • The "Cat in the Hat" waterslide (named "Kaleid-O-Slide" on Carnival Vista) is an enclosed raft slide with length 137 m (450 ft) and several twists and turns. The slide's entrance is a giant replica of the cat's red-and-white hat. The waterslide is colored in red and white, making it one of the ship's most distinctive features.
  • The "Fun Things" waterslide (named after the troublemakers Thing 1 and Thing 2) is an enclosed body slide, it features a polka dot-motif and has a length of 65 m (213 ft).
  • Dr. Seuss theme characters decorate the entire waterpark area. Numerous memorable phrases from the Dr. Seuss books are displayed on the clear partitions surrounding the aqua park facility. Dr. Seuss' presence is featured in other parts of Carnival Horizon, including the signature Dr. Seuss Bookville kids play area, also at all themed special events, including Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, Story Time, the Seuss-A-Palooza Parade (promenade event).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Panorama lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

  • Family Harbor Lounge (a new, dedicated to families space with 24-hour complimentary dining, concierge and babysitting service, movies, video games, board games by Hasbro)
  • Liquid Lounge (1400-seat, 2-level theater lounge located forward on decks 4 and 5 ) is ship's main show lounge for grand-scale show productions in the evenings, also hosting the “Playlist Productions” and “Hasbro Game Shows”. Here are also presented the cruise company's ever-first "dancing drone" shows featuring modern music and a dedicated performing crew of 12. Carnival's two new shows (based on this new media technology) are named "Rock Revolution" and "Broadway Beats" (both part of the ship's Playlist Productions program). "Rock Revolution" is a concert-type production themed on the Woodstock festival and 1970s fashion styles. Rock Revolution features 3 horn performers, a 3-person rock band (using interactive drum sets), dancing drones (flying throughout the lounge), themed costumes, classic rock songs, modern choreography with high-energy vocals. "Broadway Beats" is NYC -themed production show with the city's best-known landmarks displayed on theater's LED screens (skyline, neighborhoods, street art, etc). Liquid Lounge hosts are three Carnival Panorama ship-exclusive production shows - "Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance" (7-piece band mixing contemporary and classic Latin songs), "America Rocks" (rock music-themed tribute show) and "Flick - The Power of Motion Pictures" (movie songs-themed).
  • Panorama Atrium (3-deck high midship lounge area with LED screens, live-performances, visual displays; served by 100-seat Panorama Lobby Bar)
  • Shopping Arcade (with two Boutique Shops and two Fun Shops); Pixels Photo Gallery and Shop; Dream Photo Studio; Cherry on Top (candy shop)
  • Panorama Casino (484-seat)
  • Limelight Lounge
  • Lanai promenade (with 60 outdoor seats, served by Lanai Bar-BQ Bar)
  • FunHub (Internet room)
  • Shake Spot; Taste Bar; Havana Bar; Clubhouse and Bar; JavaBlue Café
  • Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge served by 50-seat Plaza Cafe)
  • Havana Outside (Havana pool area with one swimming pool, two whirlpools, palm trees)
  • Thrill Theatre (5D cinema room)
  • Circle C (kids club lounge); Club O2 (teens club lounge)
  • Warehouse (Video Arcade)
  • BlueIguana Tequila Bar (poolside Mexican bar)
  • RedFrog Rum Bar (also serves the ThirstyFrog Red draught beer)
  • (new) Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse / Brewhouse is a complimentary open-air restaurant for a variety of BBQ favorites (with shipboard-smoked meats) and house-made craft beers. The menu features pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, Guy Fieri's traditional sides, and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends. The new complimentary eatery is via a partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The other Fun Ship with a brewery is Carnival Vista .
  • Tides Pool (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area; served by Tides Bar)
  • Camp Ocean (formerly known as "Camp Carnival" - youth activities program)
  • Dr. Seuss Bookville (family-themed kids room with all Dr. Seuss books available to read; offers games and themed activities)
  • Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (wellness complex)
  • Carnival WaterWorks (water-playground / outdoor AquaPark) with two waterslides - Red Fun (455-ft / 139-m) and Blue Fun (300-ft / 91-m). "Red Fun" is a raft slide (with 1- and 2-person rafts) and features kaleidoscopic visual effects. "Blue Fun" is an enclosed tube slide.
  • Seaside Theater (outdoor cinema with a huge LED screen)
  • SportSquare (outdoor sporting area); SkyGreens (mini-golf); Jogging Track
  • SkyFitness (outdoors)
  • SkyRide (“bicycle ride in the sky”)
  • SkyCourse (suspended ropes course)
  • Serenity Retreat (adults relaxation area served by Serenity Bar, with 2 cantilevered Whirlpools and sunbathing area).

The current list of draft beers brewed on the ship includes ThirstyFrog Red (clean and light), ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin' IPA (floral flavor, with passion fruit and citrus overtones), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (unfiltered lager with banana aroma and spices), FriskyFrog Java Stout (with hints of coffee), ParchedPig West Coast IPA (West Coast IPA/India Pale Ale, citrus and pine aroma), ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale (toasted caramel/biscuit flavored), Miami Guava (primary ingredient is pink guava), ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale (dry beer), ParchedPig Smoked Porter (in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, molasses), ParchedPig Beach Lager (golden ale available both on tap and in cans/when served in bars/dining venues), Carnival Birthday Beer (golden ale introduced in 2022 for the company's 50th Anniversary).

Sky Zone Park

Instead IMAX Theater, Carnival Panorama has SkyZone. IMAX Theater was introduced on Carnival Vista as the first ever IMAX at sea. It features 3-deck high screen for first-run movies, shown at the same time as mainstream releases. On Deck 7 is IMAX Theater's lower level (1 of 2).

Carnival Panorama SkyZone Park

SkyZone is a 2-decks high indoor trampoline park (also first at sea) via a partnership with Sky Zone. Sky Zone (2004-founded) is a Los Angeles -based chain of indoor family centers located in USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, India, UK, UAE, among others. Some Sky Zone parks have rock climbing and warped walls, even a laser tag course. Sky Zone attractions include connected trampolines, pits filled with foam blocks, trampoline-based dodgeball. A standard land-based Sky Zone park consists of several courts with main trampolines placed horizontally and surrounded by trampolines placed at angles (thus serving as court's walls). The courts are mainly used for bouncing and jumping, but also for games of dodgeball and basketball.

Carnival Panorama's SkyZone Park is sized 280 m2 / 3000 ft2) and consists of one 12-lane trampoline court (also used for playing dodgeball and basketball), a separate challenge zone (fitted with a rock-climbing wall, balance beam, Tug of War, Skyladder climbing apparatus), seating area. Basketball goals are above the trampolines, permitting cruise passengers to bounce and slam-dunk shots into them. Ship's SkyZone park is also used for family-themed events, including night-time blacklight glow parties, birthday parties, toddler time sessions (stacking oversized soft blocks), fun fitness activities. SkyZone is at additional cost and has a weight limit of 136 kg (300 pounds).

Itineraries

Carnival Panorama itinerary program is based on roundtrip departures from homeport Long Beach (Los Angeles CA) . The ship's year-round Pacific Mexico deployment was announced on February 10, 2018, making it the first newbuild "Fun Ship" based in California / West Coast USA in 20 years. The news was announced officially during the re-opening of Carnival's Long Beach Cruise Terminal.

From Long Beach, the ship operates on 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises (Saturday departures) to call ports Cabo San Lucas (Baja California) , Mazatlan , Puerto Vallarta .

In 2025-2026, Carnival Panorama has scheduled roundtrips to Mexico from Long Beach, including a 6-day Baja California itinerary (departures on Saturdays, visits Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas/overnight) and an 8-day Mexican Riviera itinerary (departures on Sundays, visits Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta).

Carnival Panorama - user reviews and comments

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Carnival Panorama cruise ship

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Carnival Panorama Wiki

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6272) has volume 133868 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 11963 tons, max draught 8,6 m. The powerplant is based on 5x MAN marine diesel engines (4-stroke, common-rail injection/2x 14V48/60CR plus 3x 8L48/60CR) with combined output 62,4 MW (83680 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on two ABB Azipod thrusters with combined output 33 MW (44250 hp). The registered shipowner is CARNIVAL HOLDINGS BERMUDA LTD while the registered manager is CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE.

By gross tonnage/volume, VISTA-class ships are currently the largest in Carnival's fleet. They also feature several fleet-first facilities, including Multiplex media entertainment complex (5D Thrill cinema), SkyRide (roller coaster with multiple riding bicycles on 2 paralleled tracks), larger SportsSquare complex, Havana Outside complex (pool, jacuzzies, bar, new Havana cruise accommodations), Family Harbor staterooms (with its own family-themed lounge /24-hour dining, concierge, babysitting, entertainment).

Carnival Panorama cruise ship

Among ship's interior design features is the Dreamscape" - Atrium-located LED sculpture created by kids hospitalized in St Jude Children's Research Hospital ( Memphis TN USA ). The 3-deck high artwork was designed by the company Techno Media and consists of 33 different creations, The sculpture's centerpiece has over 2000 flexible LED (custom-made) tiles. This funnel-shaped central part has a height of 24 ft (7,3 m). The artwork is rotating, with patterns based on daytime, cruise port of call or special occasion.

Construction works started on July 7, 2017, with the steel-cutting ceremony. On January 10, 2018, was vessel's keel-laying ceremony held at Marghera shipyard (near Venice Italy ), with which officially started the construction process. The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 6, 2018. The ceremony's godmother was Antonella Cazzin (Marghera shipyard employee). The important event was attended by Ben Clement (Carnival's Senior VP), Marco Scaramuccia (ship's Project Manager) and Antonio Quintano (Marghera shipyard's Director).

Liner's year-round Pacific Mexico deployment was announced on February 10, 2018, making it the first newbuild Fun Ship based in California since 1998. The news was announced officially during the re-opening of Carnival's Long Beach Cruise Terminal .

Ships Captain is Carlo Queirolo (33-year-old Italian / as of 2018) who was first employed by Carnival as a deck cadet in 1985 on the Festivale ship (1961-built as RMS Transvaal Castle). He became Captain in 1996, since then has served on the ships Elation , Paradise , Glory , and Dream . Ship's Chief Engineer is Nunzio Priolo: (from Sicily), employed by Carnival in 1980 (as Third Officer) and promoted to Chief Engineer in 2004 (on Carnival Miracle). Ship's Hotel Director is Damir Mrsic: (Croatian) - with Carnival since 1993, promoted to Hotel Director in 2009 and previously working on the ships Legend, Freedom and Splendor.

The new Carnival cruise liner Panorama (fleet's 27th vessel) was officially delivered on October 29, 2019. The ceremony was attended by Paola De Micheli (Italy's Minister of Infrastructures and Transport), Christine Duffy (Carnival Cruise Line's President), Giampiero Massolo (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO). Following the delivery, vessel's MMSI number ( flag-state ) was changed from 247392300 (Italy) to 374527000 (Panama).

On November 1, the ship left Europe (Marghera Shipyard) on a Transatlantic repositioning crossing to LA (around South America - passing Cape Horn (Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, Chile) , with the maiden voyage planned for December 11 from Long Beach CA.

Panorama's Godmother is Vanna White (1957-born as Vanna Marie Rosich) - a US TV personality and actress, best-known as the hostess (since 1982) of Wheel of Fortune (NBC nightly game show, first aired in 1975). The liner's christening ceremony was held on December 10, 2019, in Port Long Beach. The special event was attended by Christine Duffy (CCL's President) and the celebrity chefs Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse and Rudi Sodamin.

Carnival Panorama refurbishments 2023-2024

Carnival Panorama's first drydock was in 2023 (December 2-23) conducted at Vigor Shipyard in Portland Oregon USA .

Due to propulsion system/machinery issues, CCL canceled six Mexican Riviera cruises (scheduled departures from Long Beach/Los Angeles on Nov 11-18-26, Dec 2-9-16) to allow the drydocking. To fix the issue, Carnival Panorama entered drydock at Vigor Shipyard on December 2nd. The project also included a complete technical overhaul.

Curiously, due to Columbia River's air draft/bridge restrictions (in Portland OR), before the drydocking, the ship remained docked in Victoria BC Canada (November 21-26) where most of its funnel/smokestack was removed.

A major drydock refurbishment project for the ship is currently scheduled for 2024 (September 9-October 12) to be conducted in Singapore (by either Sembcorp or Damen).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2019-2020

Bookings on Carnival Panorama were opened on March 21, 2018. The "Inaugural Cruise" was offered as a special voyage (3-day mini cruise) from Long Beach to Ensenada Mexico (December 11-14, 2019). Next tables show the ship's maiden voyages as call ports times as prices per person (USD, based on double occupancy Inside Cabin fares).

3-day Inaugural Cruise - prices started from USD 275 pp.

7-day inaugural Mexican Riviera cruise - from USD 680 pp

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After 3 sailings on Carnival's Panorama, I'm convinced there's no better cruise at a cheaper price

  • A friend and I recently sailed on Carnival Panorama, one of my favorite ships for its overall value.
  • We each spent $437 for our own interior cabins, including food, on a 7-night sailing to Mexico.
  • The Panorama is packed with free activities and is a good, cheap option for solo cruisers.

I've sailed on the Carnival Panorama three times, with my spouse and also with friends. I think it's the best cruise ship for anyone on a budget, or who wants their own cabin.

carnival panorama cruise blog

I'm a frequent cruiser and have stayed in a variety of cabin styles over the years, from mini-suites all the way to interior rooms on the lower decks. I've done so on many ships on cruise lines including Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess.

But I keep going back to the Carnival Panorama . 

I've sailed on Panorama twice with my spouse, and we already have another sailing booked for later this year. Recently, I also traveled onboard with a friend, but opted to book my own solo cabin rather than share one. 

While sharing a room and splitting the cost with another traveler is often the best way to save money on a cruise, I knew that wasn't the case with the Panorama as the prices are low enough to afford on my own, and Carnival doesn't charge a single supplement fee like most cruise lines do. 

Here's why anyone looking to book a cruise on a budget or travel solo should only consider the Carnival Panorama.

I paid just $437 for my own interior cabin on a 7-night sailing to Mexico on the Carnival Panorama. That fare included accommodations, entertainment, meals, and basic drinks like water, juice, coffee, and tea.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Through my past cruises, I've come to find that the inside rooms offer just the right amount of space I need personally, while paying the lowest rate possible to meet my budget.

My friend and I each spent $304 before taxes on our own dedicated interior cabins. After taxes and port fees, the cruise rate was $437. We also prepaid gratuities for the week at a rate of $97.93.

Included in the fare was unlimited dining apart from specialty restaurants, all live entertainment, and activities like trivia, dance parties, waterslides, mini putt, and a ropes course. The rate did not include alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, or activities on port excursions. 

We also added on the cost of a 2-day spa pass for $40 per person on this sailing, as we wanted to have access to thermal sauna suites and a large spa tub. 

For this particular sailing, I booked my cabin seven weeks in advance, so it's quite possible to find great rates without too much advance planning.

Most importantly, I didn't have to pay a single supplement fee on Carnival.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Because my friend and I each wanted our own cabin, I was certain I'd have to pay extra for the solo supplement, which is standard on most cruise lines when someone chooses not to share a room.

This is because most cruise staterooms are meant to hold at least two people, and the single supplement helps the cruise line make up for lost revenue they could have made had there been a second person in the room, according to the LA Times .  

But I've never had to pay such a fee on Carnival. In fact, had we shared one cabin, according to my research on Carnival's website, we would have only saved about $50 each for the week. And since we both loved the idea of having our own dedicated private spaces as adult travelers, we each booked our own room.

We each had our own spacious interior cabin that came with plenty of storage to maximize the space.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Both me and my friend booked standard interior cabins on the Carnival Panorama and our cabins were identical.

Each cabin was 185 square feet and meant for one traveler with a single bed. I thought this actually made the room appear much larger as it didn't have two beds like I'm used to in cruise ship staterooms. I never felt cramped.

In addition to a comfy bed, my room had a desk and chair, full closet, and a small fridge. There was also plenty of storage in the closet and a separate shelving unit so I was able to make the most of my space by putting my belongings away.

I also had a full bathroom with shelves for toiletries and a large stack of towels.

My friend's cabin was on the second floor, while mine was on the third. We could have paid more to be in a prime location closer to the pool deck, but with the elevators close to us and the pool parties just a quick lift away, I'm glad I opted to save the money.

Even though I didn't feel cramped in my room, I didn't spend much time in it as I was more interested in having fun outside, exploring the ship, playing games, or dancing at a deck party.

carnival panorama cruise blog

I had all the space I needed in my room, but other than naps or bedtime, I rarely spent time there. There was too much going on with planned activities and ship amenities for me to stay in the room.

One of our favorite morning activities was attending free trivia tournaments. We ended up making new friends each time and my friend even led our team to victory and is now the proud owner of a "ship on a stick" trophy and whale-tale medal. 

There were more free activities offered than we could possibly do, from trivia to dance lessons, karaoke to mini putt.

Our ship also went to exciting ports that I'd expect to visit on a much pricier cruise.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Our cruise took place in late April and sailed to the Mexican Riviera, which is the route Panorama visits year-round from the Port of Long Beach, California. Our days would be filled with visits to sunny destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas. 

With this itinerary in mind, my friend and I thought $437 was an incredible deal for our individual cabins. I'm already plotting ahead to when I can do this sailing again as a solo traveler on my own.  

To stay on budget, we focused on the ship's free dining and drinks.

carnival panorama cruise blog

I was a big fan of the incredible variety of dining included with our base cruise fare. 

We had seven complimentary venues to choose from and we tried them all: Blue Iguana Cantina, the Lido Marketplace buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, The Carnival Deli, The Captain's Pasta Bar, Guy Fieri's barbeque restaurant and his burger bar, and of course, the main dining room.

My near-daily favorite was Guy's Burger Joint. I especially loved being able to load my burger with as many or as little fixings as I pleased. 

We also frequented Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, which costs extra for dinner but offers free lunch on sea days.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse is an upcharge specialty restaurant from Guy Fieri by night, but for lunch on sea days, they offer a selection of barbeque favorites for free. The menu includes beef brisket, pulled pork, sausage, beans, potato salad, and mac n' cheese. 

For the evening specialty upcharge options, the Smokehouse charges a la carte, so a guest could spend anywhere between $10 for finger foods to closer to $30 for apps and an entrée.

Our free lunch selection was a great way to sample Fieri faves for free as we could select as much or as little as we wanted, all plated by the Smokehouse crew. 

We did splurge on one specialty restaurant, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, for surf and turf.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Panorama has a nice selection of specialty restaurants for an additional flat fee, like Bonsai Teppanyaki for $35 per person or classic Italian at Cucina del Capitano for $18 per person. 

While we focused on complimentary dining throughout our cruise, near the end of our trip, we decided to have a special night out at Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. We indulged in surf and turf, an amazing wine selection, and unlimited appetizers and side dishes, and dessert. The steakhouse is $38 per person, and I think it's well worth the upcharge for the memorable food and service.

While I purchased drinks à la carte, my friend pre-purchased an unlimited drink package for $55 per day.

carnival panorama cruise blog

My friend pre-purchased Cheers! – the unlimited drink package – that was offered pre-boarding for $55 per day. That meant for the week she spent $385 to enjoy whatever drink she wanted day or night.

Since I drink more coffee than cocktails, I didn't get the package and instead paid a la carte. My favorite cocktail set me back $12, which wasn't too bad for a flavorful refreshment. For the week, I only purchased three alcoholic drinks, so I spent less than $50 for the occasional cocktail. 

I also spent nearly $100 on specialty lattes, americanos, frappes, and mochas at Java Blue Café. I could have spent zero if I relied solely on the free coffee in the buffet, though.

I also thought our spa passes were well worth the extra $40 to enjoy the thermal pool and saunas.

carnival panorama cruise blog

While we aimed to maximize our fun onboard the ship and ashore, at other times, we also looked for quieter moments where we could recharge.

I thought Carnival's Cloud 9 Spa was a great place for that and a 2-day pass cost just $40 for unlimited use of the thermal pool and various sauna facilities. 

Massages and spa treatments were also available and typically start at $105, but we found the saunas and hot tub to be what we needed for far cheaper. Plus, the pass allowed access day and night as many times as we wanted, so we would spa in the morning and in the evening after enjoying a day in port. 

In addition to the spa, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat was a chill area for adults away from all the action.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Outside of the spa, we also found an adults-only sundeck with quiet zones, hot tubs, daybeds, and cabanas that were free to use throughout the day. This was an unexpected treat when we wanted to enjoy a sunny day, but not get caught up in all the deck party action by the pool.

I was surprised that this space was free to enjoy, as cruise lines like Princess and Norwegian charge at least $20 for a few hours' usage for a similar space, in my experience. 

Other fun included activities include a sports deck with foosball, basketball, an outdoor workout zone, corn hole, mini golf, table tennis, and yoga stretch sessions.

carnival panorama cruise blog

My friend and I are admittedly not that sporty, but I loved seeing the variety of outdoor activities for groups to enjoy at no extra cost.

The basketball court seemed particularly popular in the afternoons, while families used the mini golf course day and night. 

I'm also always surprised that the ropes course and SkyRide, a suspended cycle ride, are free.

carnival panorama cruise blog

On past sailings, I've challenged myself to the free ropes course. It's intimidating at first but I think it becomes easier as you build confidence. Especially when I notice 10-year-olds passing me at a much faster pace. 

The ropes course has solid platforms to walk from one area to the next, navigating the path via different rope obstacles. Guests use the ropes to balance themselves while taking in sea views from the elevated course. It's open to all ages, and is free.

There's also no upcharge for SkyRide, a suspended cycle ride positioned high above the top deck for a workout with incredible ocean views. Guests pedal themselves around the track at whatever pace suits them. 

I'm always a bit amazed that this is a free activity aboard Panorama, as it seems like something that would have a separate fee, especially since guests can go on this ride as many times as they like.

The water slides and relaxing pools are my favorite way to spend a sea day on Panorama.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Each time I've sailed Carnival Panorama, the water slides end up being my favorite way to spend an afternoon. I think they're kid-friendly but have just enough thrill factor to keep adults running back up for another turn. I follow it with a dip in the pool, and it's pretty much my definition of a perfect day at sea. 

When I just want to swim in the pool, in my experience, the mid-ship pool deck can be busy with deck chairs claimed early in the morning. Yet there's usually plenty of space in the pool for me to enjoy my dip.

The smaller pool on the back deck is another go-to, since I find less people use this one because there are fewer deck chairs. That's fine by me, since I prefer to spend my pool time actually in the water. 

I always look forward to nightfall when many live music venues and entertainment come alive at no extra charge.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Each sailing, I look forward to the '80s deck party that has happened on every Carnival cruise I've taken. The DJ spins classic pop and rock, and just about everyone shows up in 80s fashion, so I always pack my cruise wardrobe accordingly.

Panorama also has many live music venues. Havana Bar is one of my favorites for Latin music and karaoke showdowns. 

Additionally, the ship's main stage usually offers three production shows with rock, blues, soul, and a few Broadway favorites. These performances are free and don't require seat reservations or tickets.

The Atrium Bar is also a good spot to catch featured performers, including rock violinists,  throughout the day and all evening.

Throughout our cruise, I enjoyed just about every venue Panorama has to offer, but I always find my way to Alchemy Bar in the late evenings. It's where I think the best cocktails are served, and it's a central hub for meeting other groups of newfound friends. 

For quieter evenings, I enjoy free Dive-In Movies on the big screen by the pool.

carnival panorama cruise blog

When I'm not catching a show or listening to music over a cocktail at sea, Dive-In Movies are my go-to for a quiet night. On the big screen above the pool, we caught new feature films under the stars. This offering doesn't require reserved seats or tickets and is yet another free activity.  

Carnival Cruises are all about having fun. I genuinely thought we experienced great service and a never-ending list of things to do. And I can't believe we got to do it all for such a low price.

carnival panorama cruise blog

All week long, my friend and I commented on how attentive and friendly the Panorama crew were. At every turn, there was a wave, a friendly hello, or a question if we needed anything. 

As a single traveler on a budget, I found the Panorama made it easy to maximize the good times. And even though Panorama always sails the same Mexican Riviera itinerary year-round, I never grow tired of this cruise. I already have another Panorama sailing booked for my spouse and I this year, and I can't wait to sail with a friend again — or by myself — on what has become my favorite budget-friendly cruise.  

carnival panorama cruise blog

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Carnival Panorama Virtual Tour: Catch a First Glimpse

By Carnival Cruise Line

Come celebrate Carnival’s new ship  Carnival Panorama, and experience its West Coast home in Long Beach, California , sailings to the Mexican Riviera and innovative onboard surprises waiting to thrill you and your family. You’ll never be far from the familiar fun activities and highlights that make every Carnival ship your home at sea, but you’ll also be dazzled by what’s in store for you once you step foot on board.

Carnival Panorama’s Onboard Activities Highlights

As you’re enjoying your seven-day cruise vacation and  itinerary to visit Cabo San Lucas , Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta on the Mexican Riviera, there’s a whole universe on board for you to experience. But first, we can’t wait to shout it out — Carnival has the first-ever indoor Sky Zone® trampoline park and challenge zone at sea. Think about how much fun you and your kids would have playing gravity-defying dodgeball and basketball or having a nighttime glow party on a cruise. Continuous age-specific tumble events happen throughout each cruise in this 3,000-square-foot thrill-a-minute activity spot.

skyzone on carnival panorama

Carnival Panorama includes all the other favorite things to do that you’ve experienced or heard about on other Carnival  cruises , including these activities:

  • For sporty types : Hang out at  SportSquare , your gym at sea. Get your heart pumping by bike racing in the sky on  SkyRide , an elevated bike path above the deck and ocean.
  • For game enthusiasts:  Participate in  Clue © : The Murder Mystery . Grab your Clue Case File and scour Carnival Panorama to win your reward. Or get your singing game on, grab a mic and try for the  Lip-Sync Battle ™ : Carnival championship.
  • For water babies (and adults): Splish, splash or speed down waterway tubes and raft slides on board with WaterWorks activities, or simply hang at the pool of your choice.
  • For kids: Let your kids have their own getaway while you’re having yours.  Camp Ocean ™ keeps 2- to 11-year-olds active with age-appropriate cruising activities.  Circle “C” ® gives 12- to 14-year-olds a place to themselves with movies and dancing.  Club O2 ® brings high school-age cruisers together for jam sessions and never-ending video games to make them feel right at home.
  • For Dr. Seuss fans: For the younger set, they’ll love all the onboard Dr. Seuss activities. Start the day off with a  Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast ™ , and move on to  Dr. Seuss Bookville ™ to tucker them out for nap time.

kids doing the ropes course on carnival panorama

Carnival Panorama’s Dining Out Highlights

You’ll have the best array of dining experiences and food options possible on Carnival Panorama . You’ll always find a place to satisfy your cravings or your adventurous foodie side, including:

  • Steak and burgers:  You won’t have to go far to get your choice cuts. For an onboard fine-dining experience, head to  Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse for choice steak cuts, lamb and seafood, complete with wine and beer pairings that offer an evening out like no other. For Guy Fieri fans, or just fans of the juiciest roadside burgers this side of the deck, try  Guy’s Burger Joint . Or go pair up a brisket or baby back ribs with one of our exclusive Parched Pig craft brews at  Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse while enjoying the pub’s live music and lively atmosphere.
  • Seafood: For 360-degree ocean views, head to  Seafood Shack for a taste of New England or try  Bonsai Sushi surrounded by beautiful bonsai trees.
  • Asian: Experience dining theater at  Bonsai Teppanyaki where you’ll see your meal expertly grilled by a chef tableside, or try flavorful dishes from pot stickers to Singapore chili Shrimp, and Fried Wonton, for dessert at  JiJi Asian Kitchen ® .
  • Behind-the-scenes: In addition, reserve your spot for a sneak peek at The Chef’s Table for Carnival’s  culinary studio event — a first-ever behind-the-scenes tasting and tour of how Carnival creates its most tempting dishes.

guys pig and anchor smokehouse brewhouse on carnival

Carnival Panorama’s Nightlife Highlights

If you have kids 11 years old and under, sign up for  Night Owls ® so your little ones can have the time of their lives while you have the time of yours enjoying Carnival Panorama’s nightlife offerings. Enjoy onboard comedy scheduled after the family-friendly shows at Carnival’s  The Punchliner Comedy Club . Or join the  Carnival Players Club ™ so we can host you at our onboard casino .

There are bars aplenty on board Carnival Panorama. When the sun goes down, head to our  Havana Bar to be transported to antebellum Cuba and take in a handcrafted Cuban cocktail while dancing the night away. After the casino, celebrate your winnings by heading to our  Casino Bar , located right near the casino floor, for top-shelf drinks. For a tropical island party vibe all night long poolside, go to the  RedFrog Rum Bar ™ and taste Carnival’s proprietary signature beer, ThirstyFrog® Red. For a vintage cocktail hour feel, the  Alchemy Bar ™ is where you’ll find bartenders who know how to select spirits and use infused syrups and spices that can only be found in old-time, old-fashioned recipes.

Carnival Panorama’s Adult-time Highlights

There are even more adult-time offerings during the day. Escape to the  Cloud 9 Spa ™ when you feel like being pampered with a massage, a facial or a soak in the Hydrotherapy Pool , or you just need to unwind from the day by relaxing in the  thermal suite . Or hide out in the  Serenity Adult Only Retreat ™ area, where you can nap or finally finish that book you’ve been reading for a year.

carnival panorama virtual tour

Carnival Panorama’s Stateroom Highlights

Choose your favorite  stateroom on Carnival Panorama. You’ll have your choice of stateroom styles and locations designated as  Interior (the most affordable),  Ocean View (for gazing at views),  Balcony (for enjoying sea breezes) or  Suites (for stretching out). Look for family-friendly staterooms that accommodate up to five people and have an extra bedroom — great for groups, too. Specialty themed staterooms include:

  • Family Harbor staterooms and suites, with whimsical nautical décor, offer exclusive access to the Family Harbor Lounge, which features snacks, breakfast, movies, video games and more. The Family Harbor restaurant is close by, too; kids eat free in most onboard specialty restaurants, along with other kid-friendly benefits.
  • Havana staterooms and suites, decorated with a sophisticated tropical theme, have private access to the Havana Bar & Pool area so you’ll feel like you’re on your own island resort hideaway.
  • Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites, with ultra-relaxing decor, are located right next to the most pampering place on board, the Cloud 9 Spa, where you’ll get priority spa reservations.

Check out Carnival Panorama’s deck plans : There are 15 in all, so you can get an overview of the ship and know where to go to chill, get a thrill, order at the grill or get a refill. Treat yourself to a vacation on the new Carnival Panorama, and experience the joys of cruising from Los Angeles to Mexico and back.

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Carnival Panorama

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Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line |

carnival panorama cruise blog

Find a Cruise on Carnival Panorama

with a cruise advisor

A member of Carnival Cruise Line's Vista class, the Carnival Panorama debuted in December 2019 as the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years. With a capacity of 4,008 guests and 1,450 crew, Panorama is one of Carnival's largest ships.

Among the ship's standout amenities is the Sky Zone – a trampoline park that offers dodgeball and basketball games, toddler bounce sessions and more. Other unique Carnival amenities found on the ship include a suspended bicycle in the air called SkyRide, a sprawling water park, the Cloud 9 Spa and an open-air recreation area and ropes course.

Dining options on board are just as diverse. In fact, there are more than a dozen dining venues aboard Carnival Panorama, including multiple Guy Fieri eateries, a sushi restaurant, a steakhouse, a seafood eatery and more.

Carnival Panorama offers the line's typical range of accommodation classes (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite) along with Family Harbor and Havana staterooms and suites. Havana Cabana Suites feature rain showers and patios equipped with hammock chairs, along with exclusive access to the Havana Bar & Pool. Meanwhile, Family Harbor accommodations are located next to the ship's Family Harbor Lounge and afford guests special perks, such as a free evening of babysitting and complimentary kids meals in the onboard specialty restaurants.

Sailing from Los Angeles , the ship cruises to destinations in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas . It also departs from Singapore for transpacific voyages. 

Pros & Cons

Offers Sky Zone trampoline attraction

High passenger-to-crew ratio

  • Expert Rating » 4.0
  • Traveler Rating » 4.4
  • Health Rating » 5.0

Carnival Panorama ranks # 1 out of 25 Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

  • # 1 in Best Carnival Cruise Line
  • # 2 in Best Cruises to Mexico
  • # 3 in Best Cruises for Singles
  • # 5 in Best Cruises for Groups
  • # 7 in Best Cruises for Families
  • # 10 in Best Affordable Cruises

Carnival Panorama offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

carnival panorama cruise blog

Carnival Panorama contains 14 decks. Find out which features are available on each Carnival Panorama deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 606 guests have reviewed Carnival Panorama , giving it a rating of 4.4 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Ship Photos

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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IMAGES

  1. Carnival Panorama

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  2. Carnival Panorama Cruise

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  3. Take a Virtual Tour of the New Carnival Panorama

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  4. Carnival Panorama images

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  5. Travel: Carnival Panorama makes a big splash in Long Beach

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  6. Why Carnival Panorama is the Most Fun Ship at Sea

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VIDEO

  1. Carnival Panorama 2023 Ship Tour

  2. Carnival Panorama Cruise Day 1

  3. 💜Carnival Panorama Cruise- February 2023💙🛳️

  4. CARNIVAL PANORAMA CRUISE 2023 (DAY 1)

  5. Carnival Panorama Cruise 2022

  6. Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship Arcade

COMMENTS

  1. Carnival Panorama Cruise Blog

    Hi, we are Chris and Rickee and we have been cruise journalists since 2002. We have sailed on 143 cruises on 113 ships with 42 cruise lines. We love sharing our experiences on our website, blog and YouTube channel.

  2. Carnival Panorama Tips

    Carnival Panorama Tips and Tricks. 1. Use the sauna for free. Many people don't realize that there is a sauna in the fitness center change rooms that are free for anyone to use. Head up to deck 12 forward, in both the men's and women's locker rooms you will find the sauna.

  3. What You Need to Know Before Sailing on Carnival Panorama

    Carnival Cruise Line's latest ship has set sail from Long Beach, CA. Carnival Panorama is the third Vista-class ship in the fleet. This mega-ship is home to some of the line's most popular restaurants, entertainment, and venues. We recently sailed on Carnival Panorama and learned some things about cruising on this ship. Now that we are back ...

  4. Ultimate Guide to Carnival Panorama

    The newest Carnival ® Cruise ship, Carnival Panorama, features more fun, food and activities than ever before, ensuring that every moment of your cruise from California is wonderful and entertaining.. Whether you are embarking on a family cruise or cruising with friends or a loved one, when you cruise to Mexico on Carnival Panorama, you'll be on one of the most memorable cruises ever!

  5. Carnival Panorama Mexican Riviera Cruise Review

    We have just returned from 7 fun-filled nights sailing on Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Panorama. This third Vista-class ship is home to 15 decks of food, activities, entertainment, and plenty of good times. This Mexican Riviera cruise on Carnival Panorama stops at three ports of call including Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and ...

  6. 18 Top Things to Do on Carnival Panorama

    Jump Around in the Sky Zone. The Sky Zone on Carnival Panorama is a first at sea indoor trampoline park and challenge zone for thrillseekers of all ages. This arena is a two-story, 3,000+ square foot space. The Sky Zone is open all day on sea days and in the afternoon and evenings on port days with multiple sessions offered for different age ...

  7. Carnival Panorama Jan 21, 2023 post trip review.

    Posted February 3. This will be a review of Carnival Panorama Jan 21st 2023 cruise and Family Harbor area (first time for us). Embarkation: Embarcation went pretty smoothly. There was a hiccup for some reason and they notified us that cabins wouldn't be ready until 2pm but ours was ready upon boarding since we had a family harbor suite.

  8. Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship to Mexico Review With Photos

    I've cruised on the Carnival Panorama three times, which sails year-round to Mexico. On my most recent cruise, I spent $437 for my own interior cabin during a seven-night sailing. I keep coming ...

  9. Carnival Panorama Inside Cabin Tour and Review · Prof. Cruise, Ship

    Tour inside cabin 8464 on the Carnival Panorama and learn what I loved and didn't love about it. Plus bonus packing tips! Skip to content. ... than the worst Carnival cruise I've been on. ... And don't forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof ...

  10. Carnival Panorama| Cruise Ships

    This ship packs all the best, most delicious fun from her sister ships Carnival Vista ® and Carnival Horizon ®, but still manages to stand out. One example: it's easy to stand out when you're literally flying, and Carnival Panorama has the only Sky Zone ™ trampoline park you'll find at sea.... Read More. 133,500 Gross. Tonnage.

  11. Carnival Panorama Review

    43. The Carnival Panorama is one of the newest ships in the Carnival cruise line and it does not disappoint! This massive ship holds over 4000 passengers and sails the Mexican Riviera year-round. So if you already booked your cruise or you're still thinking about it and wondering what the Carnival Panorama is like… this is for you!

  12. Carnival Panorama Review

    The Carnival Panorama cruise ship is a great pick for a Mexican Riviera itinerary, and it appeals to a wide range of passengers. It is a non-stop-fun option - but expect noise everywhere. Still ...

  13. Carnival Panorama Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    Carnival Panorama refurbishments 2023-2024. Carnival Panorama's first drydock was in 2023 (December 2-23) conducted at Vigor Shipyard in Portland Oregon USA. Due to propulsion system/machinery issues, CCL canceled six Mexican Riviera cruises (scheduled departures from Long Beach/Los Angeles on Nov 11-18-26, Dec 2-9-16) to allow the drydocking.

  14. Ray's Cruise & Travel Blog: Carnival Panorama Cruise Review

    This is my 1st time on the NEW Carnival Panorama, my 75th Carnival Cruise Line cruise, and my 152nd cruise overall. I am sailing with the Dear Wife and many of my good cruise friends. ... Search This Blog. Bosque Travel. Book with Ray - Email: [email protected]. Ray's Future Cruises & Travel. Carnival Jubilee - Western Caribbean - March 16 ...

  15. Carnival Panorama Cruise Is Best Value for Budget and Solo Travelers

    Here's why anyone looking to book a cruise on a budget or travel solo should only consider the Carnival Panorama. Advertisement. I paid just $437 for my own interior cabin on a 7-night sailing to ...

  16. Take a Virtual Tour of the New Carnival Panorama

    Carnival Cruise Lines has released a virtual tour of its first new ship on the West Coast in 20 years - Carnival Panorama. The four-minute video tour is hosted by the ship's cruise director Emma Nixon who takes viewers on a virtual journey throughout the vessel, from the aerial attraction SkyRide and the Choose Fun-themed WaterWorks aqua park to the first-ever Sky Zone trampoline park at sea.

  17. Carnival Panorama Virtual Tour: Catch a First Glimpse

    Carnival Panorama's Onboard Activities Highlights. As you're enjoying your seven-day cruise vacation and itinerary to visit Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta on the Mexican Riviera, there's a whole universe on board for you to experience. But first, we can't wait to shout it out — Carnival has the first-ever indoor Sky Zone® trampoline park and challenge zone at sea.

  18. Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do

    Crew Members: 1,450. Length: 1,055 feet. Entered Service: 2019. When Carnival Panorama debuted, it was the largest in not only the Vista class, but in the Carnival fleet overall. Today, Carnival ...

  19. Carnival Panorama: Virtual Tour

    Go on a virtual tour of our newest ship, Carnival Panorama! It's an incredible place in the middle of the sea that brings out the fun in you! Get a sneak pee...

  20. Carnival Panorama Activities

    Carnival is a seriously family-friendly cruise line, but Panorama aims sky high (pun intended) with new attractions like Sky Zone that kids -- toddlers through young adults -- can join in with ...

  21. Carnival Panorama Review

    Carnival Panorama ranks # 1 out of 25 Carnival Cruise Line Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings. #1. in Best Carnival Cruise Line. #2. in Best ...

  22. Carnival Panorama Cruise Reviews

    Voted Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship, Carnival Panorama is scheduled to set sail from Long Beach in 2019.Carnival Panorama is the third in the line's highly successful Vista-class series, which are all named to reflect the connection between the vessels and the sea and highlighted by stunning indoor/outdoor spaces that create a truly unique seagoing vacation experience.

  23. Carnival Panorama Full Ship Tour

    Hi Cruisers, We've been on Carnival Panorama twice in the past year, and we've had lots of opportunities to get to know this beautiful ship. We've walked the...