California Restart Thread - Panorama Departing 8/21/21

[vicky3vicky]

I'm so glad you came back! I was afraid you had abandoned us. sounds like you're having a wonderful cruise! I have tons of questions, but I'll only ask 2 now. My nephew is coming with us and wants to know if there is any indoor smoking areas. Also, this is to anyone, but I am fairly computer illiterate and I do not know what I did to make my font suddenly dark. suggestions on corrections, please and thank you.

[klfhngr]

16 hours ago, Wanna_Cruize said:

We had some issues with the cards not working properly. My brother (solo) had Cheers, but it wasn’t activated, so the bar directed him to Guest Services. Since I’m platinum, I went with him, so we could use the special line, and I managed to get myself ‘moved’ into his cabin so I could also avail myself with the Cheers program. We thought it was all fixed, so made our way back to deck 5, back to the Havana bar again, and the cards still didn’t work. Sigh, back to Guest services forward on 3 to try again. The P&D line was a bit longer this time. It seems like the computers had lots of issues for this first cruise. After a while, someone else helped us, and finally got it straightened out, and off we went, again. 

 

DH went and checked out the hot-tub in Havana area. It was nice. Our wristbands were yellow, but there were other passengers back there with blue wristbands, and others without any bands at all. I wondered if the crew was more lenient on the first day, to allow others to see what the area is, to entice them to book Havana cabins the next time? We’ll investigate that more later. 
 

Question regarding drink package: My wife doesn't drink, and a friend's wife in a different cabin does not drink. Can they 'move' me and him together so that we can get the package? You sorta hinted that above.

[lancemcd]

I'm on Panorama over Thanksgiving. Could you post the Fun Times Daily itinerary or possibly let us know which days are formal nights?   Trying to book some alternate dining.  Thanks and hope you are enjoying the trip!

[tm_aw_love]

Formal nights might change from the initial sailings... they moved the itinerary around and are doing it in reverse order for the first 2 sailings... not entirely sure, but that might adjust formal nights.

[klfhngr]

20 minutes ago, tm_aw_love said:

Formal nights might change from the initial sailings... they moved the itinerary around and are doing it in reverse order for the first 2 sailings... not entirely sure, but that might adjust formal nights.

Please advise as to when lobster night is!

[imaboo]

18 hours ago, Wanna_Cruize said:

I decided to ask about the Carnival Kitchen classes....

Looking forward to hearing about your experience with the class! 

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us 🙂

[lancemcd]

4 hours ago, tm_aw_love said:

Formal nights might change from the initial sailings... they moved the itinerary around and are doing it in reverse order for the first 2 sailings... not entirely sure, but that might adjust formal nights.

Can you let me know what ship days they are doing formal night.  I totally understand it might change but even with your description of going in reverse order it doesn't tell mw which days is formal night. for your cruise.... Thanks in advance and buenos dias

[tm_aw_love]

22 hours ago, Wanna_Cruize said:

Ok, finally got some internet straightened out, and about to start posting our experiences onboard. WooHoo, we're finally cruising again, after 18 long months. I didn't really believe we were actually going to be able to go, until we finally pulled away from the dock. 

 

So, here goes with the live (somewhat delayed) review: 

 

Saturday August 21st.

After picking up my brother at Long Beach Airport at 9:00, we proceeded to the port, arriving about 9:45. Our Arrival time was 10:30, however no one at the port entrance asked about it, so we dropped our bags off with the porters (who were very happy to be working again, and greatly appreciated the tips (we tip $2 per bag), parked the car, and walked to the terminal.

 

There are workers outside who check your boarding pass, and ask if you have your vaccination card, and proof of your negative test. Just a verbal Yes was enough to proceed. Then we went to the terminal doors and were directed to a short line to get inside. If you didn’t have a mask on already, they politely asked you to put one on before going inside. 

 

They had double the number of small round tables they had been using before for this process. Each cabin goes to a separate table, to review all the paperwork. They scanned our boarding passes (which didn’t work and they had to look it up manually – this was to be a theme) They asked for proof of the negative test first, then the vaccination cards and passports. They asked us to review the Health Survey questions and asked us if anything had changed in our answers. After that, they took pics with their scanners and then we moved on to the luggage scanner.

 

We had brought 3 bottles of wine onboard, and were all in 1 bag. When I loaded it up to the guy manning the conveyor belt, I pointed out the 3 bottles, and the 12 pack of soda, that was it, no real checking of anything inside the bag, it just went right through the scanner. Then we gathered our bags on the other side and we in the terminal finally. 
 

  

Fantastic updates!

 

Do you know if Sky Zone (trampoline park) is open?

[tm_aw_love]

7 minutes ago, lancemcd said:

Can you let me know what ship days they are doing formal night.  I totally understand it might change but even with your description of going in reverse order it doesn't tell mw which days is formal night. for your cruise.... Thanks in advance and buenos dias

I'm not onboard for another week and a half, just commenting to others. 

[Wanna_Cruize]

On 7/31/2021 at 8:42 PM, ScottsSweetie said:

So, I've heard that the steakhouse bar can be a great place to get a good glass of wine - that they often have other or better choices than some other bars. I've been to the steakhouse on other ships but never really noticed a bar. Any of you previous Panorama cruisers have any experience with this?

I stopped by the Steakhouse bar while we were waiting for something else and asked. Yes, they do have wine there that is not available other places on the ship, also a lot of whiskeys and bourbons. Here's the wine-list I got from the QR code. 

 

Also, I stopped by Monday also to ask about the free bottle of wine the first or second night special, to make sure it was still valid. They said yes, they are still running that promotion. 

[Wanna_Cruize]

On 8/17/2021 at 2:58 PM, klfhngr said:

PLEASE let us know when lobster night is! We booked steakhouse on night 2, which is first formal night we believe. We thought that lobster would be served on 2nd formal night (day 6), but no one really knows. Please let us know, thank you!

Lobster was served on the first Sea Day which is the first Cruise elegant night also (night 2) - I don't see lobster on the 2nd cruise elegant night, (Thursday) which for us on this revamped port stops is Cabo. 

[Wanna_Cruize]

On 8/17/2021 at 5:19 PM, vicky3vicky said:

I am interested in knowing if there are any indoor smoking areas, if the sky-ride is a little scary, if the platinum/diamond party is still on the last full day of the cruise and the average length of the Bonsai Tempanyaki dinner/entertainment.

From the Hub App (Good to Know Section)

Smoking Areas: 

Indoors: Horizon Casino Deck 4 midships

Outdoors: The Lanai, Deck 5 fwd Starboard and Deck 11 Fwd and Aft starboard. 

 

Haven't done the skyride (yet)

Haven't gotten the invite yet to the P&D party

Have a reservation for Teppanyaki on Thu evening at 7:15

[Wanna_Cruize]

On 8/18/2021 at 10:58 AM, vicky3vicky said:

A few things I would like to know, please and thank you. Is the serenity deck often packed and/or windy and I would like to know about the performance of the cruise director as well.

 

Hard to say for this cruise, unfortunately, because we're in the Havana area, so didn't really check out Serenity Deck yet, except on the first day. The weather has been mostly overcast, because the the hurricanes (Grace & Henri) so not sure how that will affect it. 

 

We don't generally go to the CD shows, but he seems pleasant in the announcements, and not too overbearing. 

[ScottsSweetie]

Thanks so much for the steakhouse bar menu!!! 😀 🍷

[Wanna_Cruize]

23 hours ago, crzndeb said:

Thanks for your posting  Wanna_Cruise. I will only bug you with one question, and that’s who are the mixologists at Alchemy? Thank you

I wrote it down to check later today, they just opened at 2pm on this 2nd sea day. I'll swing by before or after dinner & check.

[Wanna_Cruize]

1 hour ago, tm_aw_love said:

Fantastic updates!

 

Do you know if Sky Zone (trampoline park) is open?

I believe it is, I saw it from the elevator when someone got off on that floor. Hub App says Sky Zone is open from 9am to 11:30 pm.

[Wanna_Cruize]

5 hours ago, imaboo said:

Looking forward to hearing about your experience with the class! 

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us 🙂

Stay tuned, didn't do a write up yet, but took the grilling one today, and have two more booked. 

[Wanna_Cruize]

1 hour ago, lancemcd said:

Can you let me know what ship days they are doing formal night.  I totally understand it might change but even with your description of going in reverse order it doesn't tell mw which days is formal night. for your cruise.... Thanks in advance and buenos dias

Cruise elegant night was night 2 (Sun) and night 6 (Thu). Should have both been Sea days, but Night 6 is now Cabo, but we depart at 3pm, so it's still elegant night. 

[Wanna_Cruize]

OK, got to get off the computer and get dressed for dinner. Be back later. 

[bdever]

22 hours ago, bdever said:

Is that door marked crew only on the starboard side? What happens if you try to go through it? 

 

21 hours ago, bdever said:

@Wanna_Cruizecan you ask your cabin attendant to bring you slippers to go with your Havana robes or were the slippers already in the closet? I’m thinking they cut back on offering Havana guests slippers but hopefully I’m wrong. 
 

Also, how is the Midnight Project band?

 

How was the bracelet situation in Havana pool area today on first sea day? Still different colors/no bracelet peep?

 

Is slip & sip required in some venues such as comedy club?

 

Havana Bar- are people dancing with masks on or off? Is masked while dancing being enforced in Havana?

 

I saw that the Elemis Spa body wash & shampoo are not being offered in Havana showers on MG. Are they still stocking Elemis body wash & shampoo in Havana or did they do away with that too?

 

Thanks!

 

 

@Wanna_Cruize can you please advise?

[Wanna_Cruize]

12 hours ago, bdever said:

 

@Wanna_Cruize can you please advise?

Did not see any slippers in the closet when we arrived, just the two robes. I'll have to ask Islan about them. As far as the access from the Havana hallway on the starboard side, it isn't as clear from the Havana bar side, so I'll try the other corridor later today.

 

Today is Puerto Vallarta day, and Lee just made an annoucement about 10 minutes ago that due to circumstances beyond their control, our arrival in port will be later than expected. We won't be alongside the pier until 8:30, however the port time has been extended by an hour to 8:30. Everyone on carnival-branded tours that were to leave between 8am & 9am, your tours will depart 1 hour later. All other Carnival adventures remain unaffected. 

 

Then, almost immediately after, he corrected the time of arrival in PV to be 9am. 

Now be arriving into PV later than anticipated. Our port times have been extended to be sure you have time to enjoy. 9am and our time to back on board at 8pm. 

 

The pirate ship was in the bay, and fired off its cannons in welcome, and our Captain blew the horn several times. We're being escorted into the bay by some military ships also. 

 

Safety advisory by US Embassy for crime. Remain vigilant, especially in evenings & early mornings. Be aware of your surroundings, and avoid carrying large amounts of money or wearing expensive jewelry. Remain in the main tourist areas or participating in an organized tour. Lee said while this sounds alarming, it is no different that what might be expected in a large city back home in the US.

 

Mexican health department is monitoring situation ashore are requiring all guests, vax'd or not, to wear masks both indoors and outdoors, except when eating, drinking and swimming. Also recommend physically distancing yourselves 6 feet from others not in your group. No taking food or beverages ashore, so please finish your breakfast before going ashore. 

[klfhngr]

15 hours ago, Wanna_Cruize said:

Lobster was served on the first Sea Day which is the first Cruise elegant night also (night 2) - I don't see lobster on the 2nd cruise elegant night, (Thursday) which for us on this revamped port stops is Cabo. 

Thank you!!! You Rock (Lobster)!

[Wanna_Cruize]

The mixologists in Alchemy last night were Tuana & Zoran. 

 

Had a little bit of a hard time tracking down our Platinum gifts. Went to Pixels and asked someone at the desk about picking them up there. They directed me to Guest Services (yet again). Later I stopped in there to ask, and they apologized for the miscommunication. She called down to Pixels, got the name of someone there, and said they would make sure all the photographers helping guests down there are aware of the situation. Order chocolate delight from Room Service, water & drink from any bar, etc. Gift was the luggage tag, as expected, however the Ship's pin was actually an inaugural Panorama pin set (4 pins). I'll post a pic of that later. 

 

There was a surprise in our cabin last night, a box that said "Back In The Game". Inside there was a baseball-style cap, a tote bag, two masks and a souvenir poker-style chip. Pretty cool. 

[Wanna_Cruize]

Lots of dignitaries and people at the port for our arrival. Large Mariachi band playing, lots of pomp and circumstance. Note we are on Ship's time, which is 1 hour ahead of normal  pacific time at port. (so Mountain Time). Puerto Vallarta, however is on Central time, so they are officially  1 hour ahead of Ship's time. But as the CD kept telling everyone, stay on Ship's time, and all announcements were in Ship-time. We will move our clocks back after we leave Cabo on Thursday. 

[bdever]

@Wanna_Cruize 

Also, how is the Midnight Project band?

 

How was the bracelet situation in Havana pool area today on first sea day? Still different colors/no bracelet peep?

 

Is slip & sip required in some venues such as comedy club?

 

Havana Bar- are people dancing with masks on or off? Is masked while dancing being enforced in Havana?

 

I saw that the Elemis Spa body wash & shampoo are not being offered in Havana showers on MG. Are they still stocking Elemis body wash & shampoo in Havana or did they do away with that too?

 

Thanks!