We recently had the opportunity to experience the Carnival Panorama. It’s Carnival Cruise Line’s newest Vista-class ship, which sailed from Long Beach, California. We were impressed by this vessel’s amenities and activities and sharing our thoughts and review of Carnival Panorama with you.
Carnival vessels are known as “fun ships,” and this one was no different. We hadn’t been on one of the cruise line’s vessels for seven years and wanted to see if any “fun” elements had changed.

Our itinerary was an 8-day itinerary to the Mexican Riviera. While we had done this route previously, we chose this cruise because it had an extra day and port. The standard itinerary included Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán. We also visited La Paz on the Baja California Sur.
Overview Of Carnival Panorama
Carnival Panorama was built for a warm climate. Its innovative Skyride, Skycourse, Waterworks, and Sportsquare encourage guests to head outside for fun.
Boarding the Panorama, we immediately noticed the subdued colors compared to its older ships. We liked the toned-down look of the main dining room, but the newly adapted theater with removable seats and a tiny stage was a miss.
The 25-foot “Dreamscape” in the atrium was a standout feature. The swirling LED screen was so mesmerizing that it caught us in our tracks as we passed many times.
Next to the Dreamscape, the Cherry on Top candy store on the Promenade deck (deck 5) satisfies the sweet tooth.
One of the noticeable new features was the way the elevators worked. We requested an elevator on an outside panel, and it told us which lettered elevator to use. Inside the elevators, there are no buttons to select a floor. We found the new system efficient, although not always faster.
History And Specifications
Carnival Panorama first set sail in December 2019, right before the pandemic. The ship didn’t welcome too many passengers before the shutdown. Even though we traveled with her five years after she launched, she still looked pretty new.
The vessel boasts 15 decks with a good layout and can accommodate up to 4,008 passengers. However, having a restaurant in the middle of the ship that prevented walk-through was a miss.
The vessel offers diverse dining options, including Guy’s Burger Joint and the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. Entertainment venues like the Liquid Lounge and Limelight Lounge provide ample opportunities for onboard fun.
Itinerary and Destinations
Carnival Panorama primarily sails the Mexican Riviera from its home port in Long Beach. We frequently sail out of the port of Los Angeles because it’s less than a 3-hour flight from our home.
We liked that this vessel offered varied sailings from 6 to 8 days instead of the repeated 7-day itinerary. The shortened routes spends two days in Cabo, while the longer itineraries have four port days, including La Paz.
Onboard Entertainment And Activities
We enjoyed various unique activities that kept us entertained at sea. From Broadway-style shows to thrilling water attractions, there’s something for everyone on board.
Pools And Water Features
Carnival Panorama boasts three outdoor pool areas (none inside), ideal for Mexican Riviera cruise itineraries. The Beach Pool on Deck 10 is the largest and most popular, featuring a large LED screen for “Dive-In Movies” at night. We found it busy during the day. So, if you prefer fewer children, plan to visit during off-hours.
The Tides Pool at the aft offers a quieter atmosphere with two whirlpools. For adults, the Serenity retreat on Deck 15 includes two hot tubs. We liked that the Serenity area doesn’t require a fee as on Princess ships.
For guests in Havana staterooms, the Havana area on deck 5 at the aft features a pool and two hot tubs.
WaterWorks, the onboard waterpark, thrills guests with twisting water slides. The Carnival Twister (blue slide) is faster, while the Kaleid-O-Slide (red slide) requires rafts and produces slower speeds. The water isn’t heated, so we recommend waiting for a hot day to try them.
The WaterWorks was probably the best kids’ water park I’ve seen at sea. Its PowerDrencher dumps 300 gallons of water on eager participants, a welcome way to cool off on a hot day.
Shows And Performances
The Liquid Lounge serves as the main theater of Carnival Panorama, hosting nightly productions. The theater is small and spans two decks with a small stage. The stage lacked an elaborate set-up, and the lower level had virtually no slope, making it hard for us short people to see over guests’ heads.
Our favorite Playlist Productions shows were “Rock Revolution” and Celestial Strings. The Rock show featured lots of songs we could sing along to. Celestial Strings production cast, dressed all in white, wowed us with beautiful dances enhanced with violin music.
On alternate nights, the theater features family-friendly game shows. These included Deal or No Deal game show, Family Feud Live, and Love & Marriage Show.
For comedy lovers, the Limelight Lounge hosts family-friendly and adults-only stand-up acts. The intimate atmosphere and variety of comedians rotating throughout our cruise attracted a crowd daily.
Live music can be found in various venues around the ship. The Piano Bar 88 offers sing-along fun, while the atrium hosts acoustic performances. The violinists were outstanding.
Casino And Games
The casino on Deck 4 provides plenty of gaming action with table games, slot machines, and tournaments. We aren’t gamblers, but we always found it busy (and smokey) when we walked through. Luckily, there is a smaller, smoke-free casino.
Table games include blackjack, roulette, and craps. Poker enthusiasts can participate in Texas Hold ’em tournaments throughout the cruise.
For non-gamblers, the ship offers other gaming options. The Havana Bar hosts trivia contests and game shows. We also enjoyed the giant chess set on the pool deck.
Fitness And Wellness Facilities
The Cloud 9 Spa spans two decks, offering various massages, facials, and other treatments. The thermal suite was particularly lovely with its thalassotherapy pool and steam rooms.
During our cruise, thermal suite passes cost USD 299 per couple or USD 199 for a solo guest. We could also buy a day pass for USD 69, which could only be used on a port day.
My husband frequently used the fitness center, which is well-equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and strength training equipment. Daily fitness classes include yoga, Pilates, and spinning for an additional fee.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy the SkyRide, a pedal-powered sky track. The Skycourse provides an adrenaline rush, while mini-golf and basketball courts offer more laid-back options.
The SkyRide and rope course are complimentary and were busy on sea days. We tried both on embarkation day, and there was no wait. We enjoyed the SkyRide bike course and loved the aerial views from its elevated course. So, we rode it multiple times when it wasn’t busy.
If you want to take photos or videos on the ride, the only acceptable cameras are head-mounted or chest-mounted GoPro or Meta glasses.
Kids And Teens Clubs
Camp Ocean’s colorful space features arts and crafts, video games, and supervised activities. Turtles catered to 0-1, Penguins 2-5, Stingrays 6-8, Sharks 9-11, Circle “C” for 12-14, and Club 02 15-17.
There was an option to attend a build-a-bear workshop for an extra fee. We saw a few children carrying around their “Carnival” bear which we thought were cute.
Circle “C” provides a cool hangout for 12–14-year-olds with video games, dance parties, and outdoor activities. Teens aged 15-17 have their own space in Club O2. Teens can enjoy the dance floor, movies, scavenger hunts, and karaoke nights in this supervised yet relaxed environment.
The Sky Zone is a trampoline-based activity for three age groups. This activity incurs a fee and starts at USD 6.
We loved the Dr. Seuss Bookville, which offers a whimsical reading area for younger kids. Family-friendly events like the Seuss-a-palooza Parade bring storybook characters to life.
The Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast was well attended and a fun event for all.
Accommodations On Board
Carnival Panorama offers a variety of comfortable rooms to suit different preferences and budgets. We cruised with three and decided to book two interior rooms and pay the single supplement. Surprisingly, the solo room cost us more than the same double occupancy room.
For the interior, our room was spacious compared to competitor lines. While the room lacked a couch, it had a desk area, sufficient storage, and a standard cruise bathroom.
We noted that there were no USB ports on the bedside tables or on the lamps. A big miss in design for a newer ship. The bathroom also had a shower curtain instead of a glass door and a cooler instead of a bar fridge.
The cabin types include interior, ocean view, balcony, and suite categories. Havana category staterooms give access to the exclusive “Havana” area. The popular Havana Cabanas have a private deck with loungers and a swing chair.
The harbor family staterooms gave access to the harbor area.
For those seeking extra luxury, Carnival Panorama’s suites offer more space and amenities. The ship boasts six Cloud 9 Spa Suites, providing enhanced relaxation and spa perks.
Dining And Bars
Carnival Panorama offers diverse culinary options and drinking establishments to suit every taste and occasion. Choices included casual eateries, room services, and upscale dining experiences.
Inclusive Dining Venues
The Vista and Horizon Restaurants serve as the main dining options on Carnival Panorama. These elegant venues offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner with rotating menus featuring classic favorites and innovative dishes.
The Vista Restaurant had a new look, with subtle, neutral tones, which we favored over their colorful ships. I still remember the Carnival Miracle restaurant ceiling with purple grape vines trailing above us. We don’t miss that “wild” décor.
Guests can request a table on the app for anytime dining, and it gives an approximate wait time. We liked this feature a lot. When our table was ready, we’d receive a message with the table number, which they held for 15 minutes.
The Lido Marketplace buffet provides a more casual setting with multiple stations offering international cuisines, salads, and desserts. We found the selections limited, with repeated dishes in many sections.
Guy’s Burger Joint, a popular poolside spot, serves delicious hand-crafted burgers and seasoned fries. Gluten-free burgers are available here. As the name suggests, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que serves barbecue and smokehouse dishes.
For pizza lovers, Pizzeria del Capitano offers made-to-order pies 24 hours a day.
Specialty Dining
Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse tops our list of specialty restaurants, featuring premium cuts of beef and an upscale ambiance. Reservations and an additional fee are required.
JiJi Asian Kitchen delivers pan-Asian flavors in a family-style setting. We enjoyed the variety of dishes from different regions.
Bonsai Teppanyaki offers an interactive dining experience with skilled chefs preparing meals on hibachi grills. The Chef’s Table provides an exclusive multi-course dinner with wine pairings in a private dining room.
Cucina del Capitano serves Italian favorites in a charming setting reminiscent of an Italian farmhouse.
While not a specialty restaurant, the Seafood Shack on deck 10 aft offers seafood for a fee. I was surprised we had to pay for simple dishes like clam chowder and fish and chips.
Bars And Lounges
The Alchemy Bar stands out with its skilled mixologists crafting custom cocktails based on guests’ preferences. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink or nightcap.
RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, located poolside, offers tropical cocktails and a lively atmosphere. We found these spots hustling during our warm Mexican Riviera itinerary. Drinks didn’t vary much from one bar to the next, accept the Alchemy Bar which had unique drinks.
Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse combines craft beers brewed onboard with delicious barbecue. It’s a new idea to have a brewery onboard a cruise ship and a welcome addition for those who like craft beers. They even offered a brewery tour (for a fee), with beer tasting.
Piano Bar 88 provides entertainment with sing-along favorites, while the Liquid Lounge transforms from a theater into a nightclub after dark.
Connectivity And Internet Access
Carnival Panorama offers three internet packages to keep guests connected at sea. Carnival’s HUB app is free to use onboard, offering convenient access to daily schedules and onboard bookings. However, if you want to “chat” with family or friends onboard, the fee is USD 5 per person.
Since we don’t feel the need to be connected at sea, we forgo the cruise line Wi-Fi and purchase an eSim for land instead. Brian purchased our usual Airalo eSim, and his 5 GB plan cost less than a single day on the cruise ship.
I tested a GigSky eSIM, which can work on land and at sea. It’s more expensive than a land-based eSim but much more affordable than cruise ships’ Wi-Fi plans. It worked well both at sea and on land.
Carnival Panorama Review Conclusion
Areas that needed improvement include food selection and quality, and the addition of USBs by the bed. Communication with guests was also lacking. We changed time zones and guests were only notified with an announcement. Since some guests missed the announcement, which could have caused them to miss the ship.
On disembarkation day, no anouncements were made over the PA system telling guests which numbers were called. Carnival told us to use the app for our notification. This meant, we never knew where they were in the disembarkation process.
Overall, we had a great time on the Panorama and liked the ship’s deck plan and central atrium. Other things we liked included the new elevator system, SkyRide, Skycourse, and the 8-day itinerary including La Paz.
Karen Hosier, a military brat, grew up traveling the world. She lived in many countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Later in life, she discovered cruising and shares her love of being on the ocean and exploring faraway lands. Follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.