LaRue1975

After the New Years cruise I am still on board for a relaxing second week. We were a group of 10 celebrating my hubby’s 70th birthday and we all had a fabulous time in the Havana area and around the ship. All of our friends were either new to cruising or Carnival. Was it perfect? Of course not but any problems were minor and most were resolved. The Havana experience exceeded all expectations, it was absolutely perfect for us. We were well taken care of by Enrique and the rest of the bartenders and staff. The pool was cold, the Pacific Ocean is always cold so we were not excepting it to be warm. It was drained and closed for an emergency repair on the morning we were in Cabo but was fixed and full by the time we returned in the afternoon. One of the hot tubs was excessively warm one day and I can confirm staff was advised but not sure if it was fixed. The weather was great considering it was winter, California and the Mexican Riviera are not the Caribbean. I did hear of problems with service and food in the MDR but we didn’t have any issues most nights. One night it took them at least 20 minutes to even acknowledge us but after firmly bringing it their attention our server appeared to take our order and the food came out fast. In the Steakhouse we were seated at a large table next to the piano bar which would have been fine but it was obnoxiously loud. We did complain the minute we sat down, asked to be seated at a different table or for the wall be closed to the bar. We were insistent that it was going to ruin our dining experience and by the time the wine was served they closed the wall which we greatly appreciated. The meal and service were excellent after the shaky start. Dinner in the Teppanyaki Grill was the highlight meal of the cruise. Food, drinks, chef, service all great, what a fun night! The last night we had dinner at the Cocina which was a hit too except my hubby’s short rib which was dry and tough. I heard a lot about that after, lol! The feedback on the breakfast and sea day brunch was not positive from our friends, there was definitely a problem there with the service and food. We never go the MDR for breakfast anyway so that didn’t effect us. In addition to the Blue Iguana and the buffet the breakfast sandwiches from room service were surprisingly good. At least some us went to all the production shows, never lined up early and enjoyed them. There were only three Playlist Productions, Soulbound, Rock Revolution and Celestial Strings. Two nights they had a Comedy Showcase in the main showroom. We went the last night and the comedian was fantastic, we were laughing the entire time. I wish they would do this every cruise, lining up outside the Comedy Club for every show is not for us. We gathered in the Havana Bar for drinks every night before dinner but didn’t spend time in there when the band was playing because it was too loud. I think the space is way too small for a band that size which is a shame because they were good. Plenty of other people in there every night though, maybe I just need ear plugs! I booked the Tailgate Party cooking class for our group as a thank you for joining us. It was definitely not perfect. In addition to the 10 of us there was a family with three kids. The teenage boy was fine but the two younger girls were running around and kept playing in the sinks. I was surprised to see the kids in the first place and blame both the parents and Carnival staff for not taking control of the situation. We were cooking with hot oil and skillets, it was not appropriate for them to be there. The chef was not great at teaching the class either but I think the situation with the kids was throwing him off too. I thought the whole thing was a bit of a train wreck and the food was bland with no spice at all. We all managed to have fun anyway and our friends insisted they enjoyed it but Carnival will definitely be hearing about it when I get my survey. Everyone LOVED our cruise director Deon, his parties were over the top good, especially the 80s Rock and Glow Party and the New Years Eve Party was top notch too. Best NYE celebration I’ve seen and it was hubby’s 70th birthday so we are usually doing something festive. He also stopped and visited with our group for quite awhile one night and gave a shout to hubby acknowledging his 70th birthday during the atrium party later that night. He is very warm and personable and was always out and about around the ship, not sure where he gets all that energy! Well, that’s all I can think of, didn’t intend to write a review. We are up on the lido deck now, it’s definitely not as quiet as Havana. We are surrounded by door slammers and loud voices which just confirms every cruise is different, even on the same ship. We’re still having fun, looking forward to Cabo again tomorrow!

Yes and yes, I am on the Panorama now on Lido deck but was in Havana last week for the New Years cruise. It was absolutely fabulous, especially the bartenders, they become friends. I am sure you will love it! The Pig & Anchor serves sit down lunch and dinner inside the restaurant in addition to the outside lunch buffet offered on sea days. Our plan tonight is to grab a table early for the NCAA Championship game and have dinner there. We’ll be spending plenty of time at the Havana bar too, just have to stay on the inside, lol!

Just off the Panorama, cabin 6469. The aft wraps do get smaller as they move up the ship with the 9th deck being tiny. Its balcony is also narrow and smaller. Our cabin was spacious, better than the standard cabin layout. The only negative is the closets are in a very awkward position with very little space between them and bed, it’s hard to fully open the doors. There are not shelves above the desk but it is bigger. The balcony is ginormous, very wide in addition to the length. I would only consider the 6th deck for an aft wrap on the Vista class ships. There are a lot of videos you can check out on YouTube.

Absolutely! Embarkation was far from flawless due the unprecedented king tides we have been having in California. The ship had to be docked a bit farther from the dock than normal and the ramp from the gangway to the ship was unstable. They were only sending 25 people at a time on the gangway and there were 4700 coming on board and 4900 departing. We noticed the tide was starting to go out after we boarded early with platinum status and it did start going faster later in the process. The cruise so far has more than met our expectations once on board and we are having a fabulous time!

From what I read and my one Havana experience on the Vista the Havana area is monitored and you have to have a wristband to be on the pool deck. It is a small community so the wristband’s aren’t as necessary after a few days as the staff and fellow passengers know who belongs there and interlopers would stand out. The bar on the pool deck side never opens to everyone, you can’t enter the pool deck from the inside bar unless you are staying in a Havana stateroom. The inside bar area is always open to the public. I can’t remember for sure when the outside bar opens but I think around 9. It is basically the same bar as the inside as it’s a big circle and the inside opens earlier so you can get a drink there before 9. The outside bar closes before dark and the inside stays open until at least midnight. I’m looking forward to my second Havana experience, it’s wonderful, I’m sure you will love it. See you there! Edited to add you might want to lower your expectations for a flawless boarding. With the packed Christmas cruise debarking and the packed New Years cruise embarking there are likely going to be some challenges. Add in the predicted rain tomorrow too, just pack your patience. Once we are all on board it will be smooth sailing down to sunny, warm Mexico, can’t wait!

Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄🛳️🎄🎅🏻 https://fb.watch/p1tXvgFbOR/?

See you there, we are doing a back to back too. I’m really looking forward to a relaxing week on the second leg. We are with a group of 10 celebrating hubby’s 70th on NYE and will need another week by ourselves to recover! 😜

Most if not all of the returning/new crew members boarded in Victoria. When the cruises were cancelled the crew members that had upcoming leave went home early and the rest of the crew has remained on the ship. They are working now on the Holiday decorations and preparing for the return of guests. There will be plenty of time to restock the ship when they get to Long Beach, it is normally done in a few hours. The azipod repair is something they have done many times on the three Vista class ships so there should be no problems there. I board December 30th and expect everything to be in tip top shape, can’t wait!

I think it was first posted on John Heald’s Facebook page.

Rumor has it she is heading South Tuesday morning but nothing is confirmed. No doubt she will make it in time for the party! 🥳🎄🛳️🎅🏻🛳️🎄🥳

We’re almost there!

Here’s a pic you might enjoy, I can hear the song Reunited in my head. ❤️🛳️❤️

Another great idea, I am definitely going to try it next time, thanks!

Oh my gosh, that’s horrible! It also 100% sounds like something that would happen to me. 🤦🏼‍♀️

That’s good info, thank you!

But I always make fun of the people waiting in line and clogging up the entrance to the dining room. 😜 I might just try it myself now that I know why. We are with a big group for our New Years cruise so it won’t be a problem and the next one is the Celebration with lots of dining options. It’s not a big deal to me but I have a hard enough time getting hubby to the MDR, he hates all the waiting around between courses which is probably worse in Anytime.

I’m not sure of the exact timeline but I am sure she will be in Long Beach on time. Carnival would not be so publicly confident if there was any question it will happen.. I’m all checked in for the New Years cruise, whoo-hoo! 🥳🛳️🥳

17! It’s a double whoo-hoo because I am on the Panorama and it’s only been a sure thing for a couple of days, whew! Edited to add I have a 24, 66, 143 and 150 too. That covers the first half of 2024 which is going to be a very good year. 😎

They assign you a table on the app, do you ask for the different table at the desk when you arrive?

I booked the Early Seating instead of anytime last cruise and went to the dining room after we boarded to find our table, it was a table for 6. I went to the dining room as soon as it it opened and switched to Anytime. The hubby and I don’t like how close they sit us to other tables either but Early Dining was a total fail. Not sure if I want to try again or not.

I have the repositioning cruise to PC booked for December 2024, got a free balcony deal from the casino. I really want to do this cruise but have come to the realization we just can’t at that time of year. Now they are offering it in early November 2025, perfect! I am going to move my booking there even though I don’t have a casino offer, super happy we can still do this cruise!

She is about to dock in Victoria, yay! Here is a link to the Ship Report podcast, this site has been invaluable for information during Panorama’s adventure to be repaired. It is also very interesting to learn about all the maritime workers that made it possible for our ship to be repaired in time for the Holiday cruises. Yesterday's podcast was a summery of everything that went into getting it done, it’s very interesting and kudos to all that came to the rescue. We will definitely raise a glass on board in toast to you in the Pacific Northwest, thank you! ❤️🛳️❤️ https://shipreport.net/2023/12/11/the-carnival-panorama-heads-back-to-victoria-as-the-saga-continues/?fbclid=IwAR12bznsEBD-lZlVyPdB1JS6_0KiCcX17hemNHM7H5AzOEpx8zwoyruEgKI_aem_AYGr-LOd2xGyaiw4d0TS3z7e8lCcwtzCNXeXfn21cED4s4ja1-lwXEGW3v58Y-OAY44

Looks like all is well with the Panorama, yay! She should be out of the Columbia River in a few hours and on her way to Victoria to retrieve her tail. The President of Carnival and now John Heald on Facebook have both announced that she will be ready for the Christmas cruise December 23rd. I think that is enough assurances to get out the suitcases! 🥳🛳️🥳

This makes sense because the Ship Report’s info comes from the pilots on the Columbia River and it estimates the Panorama is leaving Portland at 2 AM tonight. So it looks like the sea trials will be the last hurdle they need to get over to be sure we are cruising for Christmas and New Years. There is a cushion for some delay but if the pods fail and she has to go back to dry dock that will not be a happy ending to 2023 for us. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed! 🤞🤞🤞🤞

The Panorama is officially on schedule to arrive in Victoria Tuesday at 7 AM. That should leave plenty of time to get her tail on and make it home for Christmas, the Holidays are looking bright!