Just returned from the Panorama

[Joebucks]

This was my first cruise back since being on the last cruise on the Sunrise before the shutdown in 2020. Here are a few of the thoughts that came to mind.

 

COVID
- Never heard of any cases or anything related to it. (Although, that didn't mean there weren't any)
- Heard varying capacity numbers. Most were in the ballpark of 2000-2600 which is very low for a Vista class ship. The ship felt very empty at times. Mostly, it was very welcome. At times, you missed the liveliness.
- Mask police were in full force. Especially when walking around, clubs, and shows. It was most enforced by the more higher-ranking employees and those stationed at the entrance of the lido buffet. Otherwise, when you are sitting, it was fairly lax.

 

The ship
- This was my first Vista class ship. Overall, I loved the ship. Very modern. Felt new.
- The Atrium is fine. I do like the old style better. However, it still did the job just the same. The funnel is a pretty cool piece of art. 
- Finally got to try the Skyride. It was very fun! We did it on the last sea day, which was a little chilly outside. We rode it twice with a total wait in line under 5 minutes.
- The Limelight Lounge is my least favorite part of the ship. I hate it so much. The problem is whast it is used for. It is way too small for the comedy shows. Twice it was completely full (on a ship at almost half capacity). It has no bar in it?? It is also not a good nightclub. The old style nightclub had such a better feel to it.
- The food was very good. Came in skeptical after many people made it sound like the food was replaced with banquet tv dinners due to COVID. Didn't have a single complaint with the food. Even the MDR did quite well. Sure bacon was guarded, but it was often available.
- I really liked the heroes tribute sports bar. I am glad this was one venue that was made bigger (unlike the comedy club). It also has a great theme.
- Didn't smell an ounce of smoke in the casino.

 

Will probably post some pics and stuff later. All in all, I am so glad we did this cruise. So many people bailed on it because of the fear and panic we continue to buy into. 
 

[bdever]

Glad you had a great time and sounds like it was safe. I got off the day you got on. It was my second sailing on Panorama since the shut down and both times I felt safe and returned Covid free. Both times I avoided shows & comedy in Limelight and liquid lounges as precautionary measures for my own level of comfort. 

[jakers]

We were on the Panorama in October. The food in the main dining room was excellent in every regard and all the servers were attentive and cheerful. We especially liked the sea day brunch .Smoking was allowed in the Casino and my DW and DD couldn't stand it. So glad that smoking is now banned. We are returning to the ship on the 29th. Thank you for your review.

[mondello]

@Joebucks A little surprised you'd go so far to cruise on Panorama with so many closer choices. We booked Horizon for 12/26 but got bumped to Sunshine. Vista on 3/26 will be our first Vista class ship. This reduced capacity is nice but sometimes we almost miss the crowds. I'll probably regret not booking Mardi Gras before the maddening crowds return.

[sanmarcosman]

2 hours ago, Joebucks said:

The food was very good.

Did you try the carved roast turkey in the Lido Marketplace Friday night? It was excellent, succulent and juicy slices of turkey breast that almost melted in my mouth. Sea Day Brunch in the Vista Dining Room was a don't miss event too.

Edited January 16, 2022 by sanmarcosman

[Illbcruzn4life]

2 hours ago, Joebucks said:

This was my first cruise back since being on the last cruise on the Sunrise before the shutdown in 2020. Here are a few of the thoughts that came to mind.

 

COVID
- Never heard of any cases or anything related to it. (Although, that didn't mean there weren't any)
- Heard varying capacity numbers. Most were in the ballpark of 2000-2600 which is very low for a Vista class ship. The ship felt very empty at times. Mostly, it was very welcome. At times, you missed the liveliness.
- Mask police were in full force. Especially when walking around, clubs, and shows. It was most enforced by the more higher-ranking employees and those stationed at the entrance of the lido buffet. Otherwise, when you are sitting, it was fairly lax.

 

The ship
- This was my first Vista class ship. Overall, I loved the ship. Very modern. Felt new.
- The Atrium is fine. I do like the old style better. However, it still did the job just the same. The funnel is a pretty cool piece of art. 
- Finally got to try the Skyride. It was very fun! We did it on the last sea day, which was a little chilly outside. We rode it twice with a total wait in line under 5 minutes.
- The Limelight Lounge is my least favorite part of the ship. I hate it so much. The problem is whast it is used for. It is way too small for the comedy shows. Twice it was completely full (on a ship at almost half capacity). It has no bar in it?? It is also not a good nightclub. The old style nightclub had such a better feel to it.
- The food was very good. Came in skeptical after many people made it sound like the food was replaced with banquet tv dinners due to COVID. Didn't have a single complaint with the food. Even the MDR did quite well. Sure bacon was guarded, but it was often available.
- I really liked the heroes tribute sports bar. I am glad this was one venue that was made bigger (unlike the comedy club). It also has a great theme.
- Didn't smell an ounce of smoke in the casino.

 

Will probably post some pics and stuff later. All in all, I am so glad we did this cruise. So many people bailed on it because of the fear and panic we continue to buy into. 
 

 

Thanks for the quick review. Did you run into dcsham?

[Joebucks]

8 hours ago, mondello said:

@Joebucks A little surprised you'd go so far to cruise on Panorama with so many closer choices. We booked Horizon for 12/26 but got bumped to Sunshine. Vista on 3/26 will be our first Vista class ship. This reduced capacity is nice but sometimes we almost miss the crowds. I'll probably regret not booking Mardi Gras before the maddening crowds return.

 

This was my first cruise out of Long Beach. I had been interested in this itinerary for a while. The price was outstanding. Combined with it being the fairly new Panorama. I just had to do it. For reasons you mention, and more, it is not going to be my favorite cruise port. Florida is the best port.

 

7 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

Did you try the carved roast turkey in the Lido Marketplace Friday night? It was excellent, succulent and juicy slices of turkey breast that almost melted in my mouth. Sea Day Brunch in the Vista Dining Room was a don't miss event too.

 

I did not. I wish I did. The meats on the carving station looked quite good each day.

 

7 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

 

Thanks for the quick review. Did you run into dcsham?

 

I did not

Edited January 16, 2022 by Joebucks

[mistyinca]

8 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

Did you try the carved roast turkey in the Lido Marketplace Friday night? It was excellent, succulent and juicy slices of turkey breast that almost melted in my mouth. Sea Day Brunch in the Vista Dining Room was a don't miss event too.

Last we went, we missed this. Each cruise, this is my favorite line up they do in the buffet.

[2wheelin]

Do you know if there was an embarkation day happy hour in any of the bars?

[farjar]

 

11 hours ago, Joebucks said:

This was my first cruise back since being on the last cruise on the Sunrise before the shutdown in 2020. Here are a few of the thoughts that came to mind.

 

COVID
- Never heard of any cases or anything related to it. (Although, that didn't mean there weren't any)
- Heard varying capacity numbers. Most were in the ballpark of 2000-2600 which is very low for a Vista class ship. The ship felt very empty at times. Mostly, it was very welcome. At times, you missed the liveliness.
- Mask police were in full force. Especially when walking around, clubs, and shows. It was most enforced by the more higher-ranking employees and those stationed at the entrance of the lido buffet. Otherwise, when you are sitting, it was fairly lax.

 

The ship
- This was my first Vista class ship. Overall, I loved the ship. Very modern. Felt new.
- The Atrium is fine. I do like the old style better. However, it still did the job just the same. The funnel is a pretty cool piece of art. 
- Finally got to try the Skyride. It was very fun! We did it on the last sea day, which was a little chilly outside. We rode it twice with a total wait in line under 5 minutes.
- The Limelight Lounge is my least favorite part of the ship. I hate it so much. The problem is whast it is used for. It is way too small for the comedy shows. Twice it was completely full (on a ship at almost half capacity). It has no bar in it?? It is also not a good nightclub. The old style nightclub had such a better feel to it.
- The food was very good. Came in skeptical after many people made it sound like the food was replaced with banquet tv dinners due to COVID. Didn't have a single complaint with the food. Even the MDR did quite well. Sure bacon was guarded, but it was often available.
- I really liked the heroes tribute sports bar. I am glad this was one venue that was made bigger (unlike the comedy club). It also has a great theme.
- Didn't smell an ounce of smoke in the casino.

 

Will probably post some pics and stuff later. All in all, I am so glad we did this cruise. So many people bailed on it because of the fear and panic we continue to buy into. 
 

We will be getting on the Panorama this Sat. 1/22.  It will be out first cruise out of Long Beach.  How did embarkation go?  Anything we should know?  Our boarding time is 1:30-2:00.  Will they take you an hour or so early?  Thanks.

[sanmarcosman]

1 hour ago, farjar said:

  Will they take you an hour or so early?  Thanks.

With Joe's OK I'll answer part of this. They will not. The shoreside staff in Long Beach are well trained in the protocols and check in procedures Carnival requires. Your boarding passes with your arrival time printed on them will be carefully checked before you are permitted to enter the dome at the terminal where the check in process takes place. Carnival Panorama has a great crew. You are in for a treat.

[mondello]

@sanmarcosman Good to hear about the check-in at Long Beach, wish it was the same at all terminals. Assigned times mean little to some people.

 

Loved your picture of the roast turkey. I saw them carving one on Sunshine 12/26 cruise and it ended up looking better than anything we had in the MDR. They also carved a nice looking beef roast another day.

[drjpreston]

Just of Panorama as well.  Arrived at port about 11 am. Walked right up to check in, then to Platinum holding room.  At 12pm they began to call zones.  We were zone 3A.  We on board by 12:15.  Could not get into room until 1:30.  When we got to room luggage arrived about two hours later.  Earlier than usual.  Room steward showed up about same time as luggage. In the past we have always met steward when we first got to room.  He explained he would only be making up room once a day.  We had choice morning or evening.  We chose morning and asked if he could come between 9 and 10.  He did every day and did a great job just as normal.  Activities never seemed crowed for us.  Always found seats and could find space between us and others. They even appeared to try to set people with as much distance as possible apart in MDR.  WE felt food was much better than in the past.  Soup was always hot.  Portions seemed larger than in past.  Lobsters small but had some flavor on this trip beyond the butter you dip them in (may have been our imagination LOL). There are some things that I miss that are just changes that are gone with time.   MDR staff are over worked so they don’t have the time to pamper you as they once did.  They work hard but just don’t have the time.  Ours served 22 people each night.  Even small things like table clothes are things of the past.  No mints on the pillows at night.  On the other side. The multiple options to eat was great. The Adult Serenity Deck was a slice of heaven that we enjoyed.  It was free.  Princess offers this but they charge.   

Edited January 16, 2022 by drjpreston

[cmichael1221]

5 hours ago, drjpreston said:

Just of Panorama as well.  Arrived at port about 11 am. Walked right up to check in, then to Platinum holding room.  At 12pm they began to call zones.  We were zone 3A.  We on board by 12:15.  Could not get into room until 1:30.  When we got to room luggage arrived about two hours later.  Earlier than usual.  Room steward showed up about same time as luggage. In the past we have always met steward when we first got to room.  He explained he would only be making up room once a day.  We had choice morning or evening.  We chose morning and asked if he could come between 9 and 10.  He did every day and did a great job just as normal.  Activities never seemed crowed for us.  Always found seats and could find space between us and others. They even appeared to try to set people with as much distance as possible apart in MDR.  WE felt food was much better than in the past.  Soup was always hot.  Portions seemed larger than in past.  Lobsters small but had some flavor on this trip beyond the butter you dip them in (may have been our imagination LOL). There are some things that I miss that are just changes that are gone with time.   MDR staff are over worked so they don’t have the time to pamper you as they once did.  They work hard but just don’t have the time.  Ours served 22 people each night.  Even small things like table clothes are things of the past.  No mints on the pillows at night.  On the other side. The multiple options to eat was great. The Adult Serenity Deck was a slice of heaven that we enjoyed.  It was free.  Princess offers this but they charge.   

Was the platinum/diamond/VIP room actually open?  I didn't think they were at an port right now.  Only suite guests were allowed at Port Canaveral a couple of months ago.

[drjpreston]

1 minute ago, cmichael1221 said:

Was the platinum/diamond/VIP room actually open?  I didn't think they were at an port right now.  Only suite guests were allowed at Port Canaveral a couple of months ago.

yes.  We were directed to it after check in. No perks inside other than a nice place to set and our own RR. 

[cmichael1221]

10 hours ago, drjpreston said:

yes.  We were directed to it after check in. No perks inside other than a nice place to set and our own RR. 

Okay cool -  a place to relax is enough at this point.  Thank you!

[travelplus]

Looking forward to my Panorama trip next month. They just flipped flopped the itinerary and all my pre purchased Shore Excursions do not line up. I am sure it will be fixed.