One the whole, this one does have to rate as the worst cruise of the 18 I've taken. The stress of the covid tests, plane delays, boarding delays, multiple itinerary changes from the hurricane, lackluster food all conspired against me. I know that this is not all Carnival's fault; but this is all the reality of the current experience for many. I will try again in a couple of months and hope for better.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
What can I say? Got there at 1:15p, stood in line for hours, boarded at 5:30p. No visible assistance to the elderly or disabled. It's hard to justify excuses for that one.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
A waiter commented "they haven't gotten everything together in the kitchen yet". That was probably about right. Sometimes I wondered if I was eating something that had been in the deep freeze since 2020. The best I had was only good, and worst (like daily hockey puck biscuits) was pretty bad. Understandable, yes; but, It was still a big disappointment.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Performers did a good job. Definitely a plus
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff was great. Fantastic. Some of their stories what they went through during the pandemic were heartbreaking. A definite reason to be cruising right now is to support a group of employees that are 100% here for you.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The Panorama still feels pretty new since it has little wear and tear. I really don't like the layout of this class of ship, but that's never been a deciding factor on any of my cruises
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Balcony cabin was nice and (probably since we were at 50% capacity) the best air conditioned of any room I've ever had. No surprises, which is not a bad thing.
Ship tip
Have lower expectations right now. Some things are still getting worked out
Very nice. We saw some flooding damage at the closed artisanal market; but otherwise the city appeared to fair well after Hurricane Dora. The old section was a nice visit. We did a hotel day pass and it was a nice relaxing experience.
Jallaway, did you have a $600 on board credit from a canceled cruise? Did it show up OK on your account? Was there any restrictions on its use? Casino, gratuities, etc?
So the sailing on August 28 of 2021 was only the Panorama’s SECOND sailing?? Ooooh I’m excited now! I know she was supposed to go into service at the end of 2019. The first brand new cruise ship for the west coast in over 20 years! So I originally booked a cabin on her maiden voyage, but due to unrelated issues, we had to cancel very early on, like in February. But I assumed that she went into service as planned and had sailed at least for 4-5 months before the cruising industry was shut down last summer…
I’m EXCITED bc I went on a cruise with a group of women to the Bahamas in October 2018, and it was the first cruise for most of them. But for me, it was like my 12th. My expectations based on my past experiences were high, and I was EXTREMELY disappointed at the condition of the Elation! I knew she was an older ship bc I sailed on her on my first cruise in 2002, but when booking, our group was assured she was in beautiful shape, having been “recently refitted and renewed”. They were all impressed, and all I could see was the mold between the panes of glass and around the window fittings, the scratched and etched glazing on the balcony glass, the scratches in the paint and the dents and gouges in the furnishings.
My cabinmate on this upcoming cruise on the Panorama for Christmas is my cabinmate from that dreadful Bahamas cruise in 2018. And I have REALLY been hyping how much nicer the Carnival ships USUALLY are, bc she was one of the few others who noticed the raggedy condition of the Elation. So it’s nice to know that I’ll be keeping my word, and she’ll get to experience the beauty of a brand new, unworn ship!!! ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS OUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO OURSELVES, setting sale on Christmas Eve Yayyyyyyy!
Willwork, they do have them all. We tried the trash can nachos for the first time and they were good. We do most of our meals at the sea Day brunch and in the main dining room at night.
The food wasn't very good? Didn't they have Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana, Pig & Anchor? Don't tell me they forgot how to make Guy's Burgers; that's pretty much why I booked this cruise.
BCKampf,
The intinerery was changed three times. Shortly after sail, they told everyone they would be dropping Mazatlan and sail straight into Ensenada.
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