This cruise had some hits and some misses. I liked the design and updated look of the Panorama but it felt smaller than I was expecting for a newer ship. The ports of call were all amazing but tendering in to Cabo took until NOON so be sure to get a tender ticket ASAP when they become available or you risk being stuck on board for half the port day. The food was all very tasty but there is definitely less of it and getting it is slow or sometimes not available at all so plan ahead. Slides and SkyRide are fun but lines can be prohibitive and wind often closed both these things during our trip. Shows were good but we often couldn't get a seat even if we were early. Everything was still very fun and we loved it but be prepared for some of the pitfalls that surprised us.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Getting thru security and check-in is fairly quick but then there's a 30 - 40 minute line down the gangway.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Service in the main dining room was very very slow. Budget at least 2 hours for dinner if trying to make a show. Buffet is tasty but pretty small with limited options - maybe just 2 or 3 choices offered at a time so could be hard for picky eaters or dietary restrictions.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
The gym was TINY. The "red slide" was great but the "blue slide's" seams are not flush so it really hurts your back sliding over them. The SkyRide is fun, worth 1 or 2 go-rounds if the line is short. These things will close if there is wind.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
I miss the old school Carnival pool games/contests as those have all been toned way down or eliminated. The nightly shows and comics were all ok; cruise ship standard, but be sure to get to ANY show at least 20 minutes early or there won't be seats.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Most of the staff was perfectly friendly but I think they are still understaffed so service is slow. There were 2 or 3 staff members that were straight up rude, but that is the exception, not the rule. The majority of the staff were very nice.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship is still fairly new so it's all still clean and in good repair. Design is standard Carnival lay out where you just have to figure out which decks don't go all the way thru and then you're golden.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
I chose an interior upper/lower cabin meaning there was one twin bed and one pull down bunk bed that pulled down from the ceiling. I thought I would appreciate the extra floor space having a Pullman bed would provide but the inconvenience of this bunk bed was far greater than the extra floor space. Lesson learned!! It was a huge pain going up and down the bunk ladder and straight up dangerous at times. The person in the bottom bed didn't even have enough room to sit up in bed while the person on the top has no bed table whatever so no where to put your phone, the remote, a glass of water, NOTHING. It's very limiting and the bunk gets in the way anyway! Also being on the same deck as the Family Harbor lounge (deck 2) meant kids screaming, banging and RUNNING up the halls like they were doing laps! The sound of thudding, running footsteps was pretty constant but at least it did not happen too early/late.
Sooo maybe don't get a bunk cabin on floor 2 if you want anything in your cabin to make sense.
Ship tip
Don't get a bunk cabin on deck 2. Do get to all shows at least 20 minutes early. The cabin refrigerator does not get very cold so don't count on it for anything perishable. Reserve "set dining" way ahead of time if you want it bc it sells out. Do a Carnival Kitchen cooking class - so fun!!
Easy to walk around town, there is literally a blue stripe drawn down the road with signs so if you just follow the blue stripe you can walk from the ship to the main town areas
You do NOT need to pay $50 for an excursion to The Arches!! I cannot stress this enough!! You can just go with one of the vendors right off the pier - it's perfectly fine/safe and only cost us $15 each instead of $50 each and we got dropped off at a beach to boot!
You can very easily take a taxi about 20 minutes from the ship to downtown/the beach area. About $6 per person each way so have USD cash. Downtown is AMAZING for just walking around, shopping, bars, beautiful restaurants, beach front, the cathedral, it's all just beautiful to walk around
Thanks sooo.much, very helpful. Surprised the theater doesn't have enuf seating, never had that happen on any cruise. Especially appreciate your advice on taking taxis to beaches, and save money on their excursions. Wish I was going tomorrow but I've got a long wait.
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