Nice ship- pretty good food - terrible staff

Item: Carnival Panorama
Rating: 3.3
Author: lillie0104

Carnival Panorama Cruise Review to Mexico

lillie0104

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 02, 2023

Ship: Carnival Panorama

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8309

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

It was ok. It could have been 100 better if staff wanted to be there. Everyone seemed miserable. Also, if we did not have to clean our own tables by the pool bars & restaurants & remove old cups & ashtrays from the machines at the casino that would have made a huge difference. We were disappointed that would could not go to Cabo. It is understandable & I agree safety first. However, I feel they should have done some thing to make the blow a little easier. It would have been nice to be offered a free on-demand movie, or a free photo download or happy hour at the bars for an hour. Just something. Lastly, we both got Covid on this cruise. I am assuming it was on the last day when we were all shoved into a little room for about a half an hour literally inches apart waiting for debarkation. It was a nightmare. Elevators kept coming down & there was no room for people to get out. It was 100 a fire hazard. The day after we returned home we spent the day in the hospital. My partner also got colitis on the trip. So needless to say not a great end to a mediocre cruise - that could have been a great cruise if staff put on a little effort.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Steak House - from what I hear it was good food - terrible service - I never received my meal - after 2 plus hours I left & no one ever followed up - The Vista food was OK but much better service, we liked the Seafood Shack , Guys burgers, BlueIguana Cantina ,Bonsai Teppanyaki, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse & late night pizza. The Buffett was gross.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

We went to the pool in the back (less crowded & relaxing) on the 1st afternoon- right when I was about to get in I saw a really large dark yellow pool of poop floating in the water. I guess a child had diarrhea. A staff member came & cleaned it right away. However, I was turned off by all pool activities after that. It was a bummer because I really wanted to try the water slides. Deon is the entertainment director & he is great. Always full of energy & gets the crowd to participate. We went to the 80’s night, white party , the welcome & going away party. We went to Let’s Make a Deal, that was fun until the monitor went out & we all had to wait around for about 30 minutes to complete the round. Again, Deon came to save the day. We went to a comedy show , Havana Nights & the Piano bar. All of them are worth checking out.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Good - see above

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Hit or miss but mostly miss. A lot of staff just seemed like they did not want to be there & did not make any attempts to provide good service.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabins were kept clean- bars/ restaurants always had tons of dirty dishes. Several times we cleaned our own table to find a seat.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

It was a great location- met the description- paper thin walls. We had people fight one night from 2-4 a.m. The next afternoon the couple in the other room were arguing throughout the evening.

Ship tip

You can take one bottle of wine or champagne per person plus 1 12 pack of 12 oz cans of soda , coffee , water or energy drinks. Get involved in the ships activities. Have them take you luggage the night before returning home. Take a light bag & eat breakfast, bring a book .whatever & wait for the mad dash to get off the ship calms down.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Long Beach (Los Angeles), California

4 out of 5

Long Beach is ok

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2 out of 5

I did not care for it .

Thumbs Up 0

Mazatlan, Mexico

5 out of 5

Loved Mazatlan

Thumbs Up 0

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Did not visit port

Bad weather - we did not get to go

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Horrible

8 Comments

Sogmoore 1 year ago

Great tip and thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Tropicgal 1 year ago

Thanks for reviewing and your specifics

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate your comments

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

hollysmomtravel 1 year ago

The day you get off the ship is always hectic and elevators are always full

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

cruising2004 1 year ago

Definitely not the experience we received in February. Crew members were very attentive, elevators are always packed on debarkation.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

karlgrgurich 1 year ago

Wow. All that would turn me off too.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

willwork4cruz 1 year ago

Great advice. That’s too bad about the crew not being happy. Carnival usually has the happiest crew. I’ll be on there in a couple weeks. Hopefully they cheer up by then.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Wonderful cruise

Mexican riviera

Pleasantly surprised!