Cabo Was Chaos…Day 2 Was Pure Bliss | Carnival Panorama: Pub Crawl, Chillin & an Epic New Year’s Eve
We recently set sail on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas and wanted to share our experience exploring this beautiful Mexican destination. From the moment we spotted our first whale to navigating the busy marina, every moment brought something new. The weather turned out perfect, much better than the rainy conditions we dealt with the week before.
Our day in Cabo took us through several local spots along the marina. We tried different restaurants and bars, tasting margaritas and Mexican food at each stop. The town was lively with other cruise passengers, and we enjoyed comparing the different places we visited while taking in views of the ships docked in the harbor.
Key Takeaways
- We explored multiple restaurants and bars along the Cabo marina, trying different drinks and food at each location
- The weather in Cabo was ideal at around 72-75 degrees with overcast skies that kept things comfortable
- We compared our experiences at different spots, with some places standing out more than others for their food and drink quality
Cruising to Cabo San Lucas
Spotting Our First Whale
We spotted our first whale of the trip while out on the water. You could see the whale spout and the hump breaking through the surface.
We hoped it wouldn’t be our last whale sighting. The moment felt special as we watched the whale move through the ocean.
Getting to Shore
At 9:00, boats started pouring out of the marina. All different sizes and kinds of boats headed toward shore.
We noticed some unusual boats in the mix. One looked like it was made in someone’s garage instead of a factory. It seemed like it was put together from parts of several different boats.
The tender process started at 10:00. Diamond priority boarding meant us and about a thousand other people got to leave at the same time. There was also platinum and other priority levels.
The Liquid Lounge had a long line and was packed. But we didn’t mind because we were on the tender heading to Cabo. We planned to get margaritas and tacos once we arrived.
Ships Docked Today
We could see the ships in port from the marina. Here’s what we spotted:
Ships at Port:
- Carnival Panorama – across the marina
- Norwegian Bliss – a bit further back
Those were the only two ships in port that day. We made it through the initial crowd but knew we still had more to go. We planned to meander through town, stopping for drinks and snacks along the way.
Checking Out the Marina and Nearby Spots
Drinks and Bites Along the Water
We walked through the marina area after getting off the tender around 10:00 in the morning. The weather felt perfect at about 72 to 75 degrees, not too hot or cold. It was overcast but nice.
We stopped at Captain Tony’s first. The place had a good view of the cruise ships in the background, including the Carnival Panorama and Norwegian Bliss.
We ordered drinks and food:
- House margarita
- Horny Girl (Malibu, cranberry, and red bean)
- Mexican Mama
- Chicken quesadilla with guacamole
The chips came with three different salsas. One was a hot spicy salsa, another was a milder birdy salsa, and there was pico de gallo. The portion of chips wasn’t huge, but it worked fine since we planned to stop at multiple places.
What we liked:
- Really flavorful chicken quesadilla
- Good guacamole
- Crispy chips
- They offer tableside guacamole service
A mariachi band walked around and played songs at tables for a fee. The whole experience was really good. We started feeling the drinks pretty quickly even though it was still morning.
Next, we ended up at The Right Joint. The staff clapped when we came in and carried one of us inside. We could still see Captain Tony’s from where we sat since we hadn’t walked very far.
We ordered more margaritas and chips with guacamole and salsa. Most of us got frozen margaritas, including a mango one. The frozen drinks tasted like slushies with alcohol. The non-frozen margarita didn’t have as much flavor as the one at Captain Tony’s. It was missing that orangey taste from the Cointreau.
The guacamole portion looked small at first but turned out to be a good amount. The chips needed a bit more salt. The salsa had a little spice to it.
Our last stop was Cabo Wabo. One of us got a beer and a shot while another got a Bahama Mama.
Walking Through the Strip
We had to walk through what we called the Gauntlet to get around the marina. Vendors lined the streets trying to sell things and get people into their shops and restaurants. We said “no thank you” many times as we walked.
Pelicans filled the area around the water. We saw tons of them near the marina and along the walkway.
The marina had all kinds of boats. Different sizes and types were docked there. Some looked like they were handmade or put together from parts of other boats. One looked like a trailer park houseboat that someone welded together in a garage with friends. We joked that the marina just let anyone bring their boats out.
We watched boats pouring out of the marina all morning. People were heading out on different water tours and activities. The crowd kept moving through the area even as we sat at the restaurants.
Making Connections at the Bars
At Captain Tony’s, we sat and enjoyed our food while watching other groups around us. The mariachi band went from table to table playing for different people. It created a fun atmosphere where everyone was enjoying themselves.
One person we were with became fast friends with Primo at The Right Joint. He carried her into the restaurant and they took a picture together on the phone. The staff made us feel welcome right away by clapping when we arrived.
The restaurants along the marina weren’t too crowded compared to each other. Captain Tony’s had more people than The Right Joint when we visited. This gave us a chance to relax and enjoy the drinks without feeling rushed.
We tried different drinks at each spot to see what we liked best. Some of us preferred the regular margaritas while others liked the frozen ones. Trying new things and comparing them became part of the fun as we moved from place to place.
Exploring Drinks and Eats
Signature Drinks and Mixed Beverages
We started our drink adventure at Captain Tony’s around noon local time. The first round included a house margarita, a drink called the horny girl (made with Malibu, cranberry, and red bean), and a margarita with a rim.
The house margarita had a nice orangey taste, like it had Cointreau in it. We really enjoyed that flavor. The drinks were strong enough that we felt them after just a quarter of the way through.
At our second stop, The Wright Joint, we tried frozen margaritas. Most of us got the frozen version, including a mango margarita. The frozen drinks tasted like slushies with alcohol or slurpees with booze. They weren’t bad, just different from what we expected.
We preferred the margaritas at Captain Tony’s over The Wright Joint. The ones at Tony’s had better flavor and weren’t as slushy.
Later at Cabo Wabo, we switched things up. One of us got a beer and a shot, while another ordered a Bahama Mama.
Snacks and Regional Food
We ordered a chicken quesadilla with guacamole in the middle at Captain Tony’s. It came with chips, salsa, and pico de gallo. They also served a hot spicy salsa that was really good but packed some heat. There was another salsa that wasn’t as hot but also wasn’t as flavorful.
The chips were really crispy and tasty. We didn’t get a huge portion of chips with the first serving, but that was okay since we planned to eat at multiple places. When we asked for more chips, they brought us just one more chip.
Captain Tony’s Quesadilla:
- Really flavorful
- Great guacamole
- Crispy chips
- Would order again
At The Wright Joint, we got chips with guacamole, salsa, and pico de gallo. They gave us a good amount of guacamole and more chips than we got at Tony’s. The guac could have used a little more salt. The salsa had a little spice to it but wasn’t too hot.
Different Restaurant Stops
Captain Tony’s was our first stop. The place was busy and had a good atmosphere. They had a mariachi band that would come to your table and play a song for a fee. The whole experience felt authentic and fun.
The food quality was really good. We especially liked the chicken quesadilla and would get it again. They offer tableside guacamole, which we didn’t try this time but want to order next visit.
The Wright Joint was much emptier than Captain Tony’s. When we walked in, everyone clapped for us. The staff seemed friendly and welcoming.
The drinks here weren’t as strong or flavorful as Captain Tony’s. The frozen margaritas tasted more like slushies. The food portions were decent, especially the amount of guacamole they gave us.
Cabo Wabo was our third stop. We went there because one of us wanted to check it out from a previous visit years ago.
The weather during our visit was perfect. It felt like about 72 to 75 degrees. Not too hot, not too cold. This was much better than the rainy weather we had the week before.
Tender Boat Adventures
Memorable Moments on the Water
We spotted our first whale of the trip from the tender boat. We could see the whale spout and its hump breaking the surface of the water.
The variety of tender boats heading to shore caught our attention. We saw boats of all different sizes and types. One boat looked like it was built in someone’s garage rather than in a factory. We joked that it seemed like someone and their friends who knew how to weld put together parts from different boats they found.
Diamond Priority Boarding
We had diamond priority status, which meant we were part of the first group to board the tenders. Even with priority boarding, we were with about a thousand other guests heading to shore. The liquid lounge had a long line and was packed with people waiting to board.
We left on the tender around 10:00 AM ship time and headed to Cabo. We planned to get margaritas and tacos once we arrived.
Spotting Animals
We saw many pelicans around the marina area. There were tons of pelicans gathered near the water. A sea lion didn’t make it that far back, but the pelicans were everywhere we looked.
The weather was perfect for watching wildlife. It looked overcast but the temperature felt great. We guessed it was around 72 to 75 degrees.
What We Did in Port
We made it through the gauntlet of vendors when we got off the tender. We could see both the Carnival Panorama and the Norwegian Bliss from the marina. These were the only two ships in port that day.
Our Bar Stops
| Location | What We Ordered | Our Thoughts |
|---|---|---|
| Captain Tony’s | Margaritas, chicken quesadilla, chips and salsa | Really good food and drinks |
| The Right Joint | Frozen and regular margaritas, chips with guac | Drinks weren’t as good as Captain Tony’s |
| Cabo Wabo | Beer and shots, Bahama Mama | Rose wanted to check it out |
We did a pub crawl through Cabo and stopped at several places. At Captain Tony’s, we ordered house margaritas, a horny girl drink with Malibu, and a Bahama Mama. We split a chicken quesadilla that came with guacamole in the middle.
The quesadilla was really flavorful and yummy. Rose remembered the chips from when she was younger and visited this place years ago. She remembered they were really crispy and nice.
Captain Tony’s had a mariachi band that would come to your table and play a song for a fee. We watched them perform for other guests at nearby tables.
Tips for Visiting
- Try the tableside guacamole at Captain Tony’s
- Start drinking slowly since it’s a long day
- The chips came with pico de gallo and a hot spicy salsa
We walked down the marina and ended up at The Right Joint. They clapped for us when we came in. Some of us got frozen margaritas while others got regular ones. The frozen ones tasted like slushies with alcohol.
The margarita at The Right Joint wasn’t as good as the one at Captain Tony’s. The one at Captain Tony’s had an orangey taste with contreau in it. The Right Joint was less crowded than Captain Tony’s, but that’s what happens when you try different places during a pub crawl.
We felt the drinks quickly. We were only a quarter of the way through our first margaritas and already felt them. It was officially noon local time when we started drinking.
On the Carnival Panorama
Daily Life and Fun on the Ship
We saw our first whale of the trip when we spotted a spout and a hump in the water. It was exciting to catch this view from the ship.
When it was time to get off at Cabo, we joined the crowd heading to shore. The ship called it “diamond priority” but it felt like us and a thousand of our closest friends all leaving at once. The Liquid Lounge had a long line and was packed before we left.
We took the tender boat over to Cabo to get margaritas and tacos. The ride went well and we were ready to explore the port.
Food and Drinks on the Ship
We didn’t eat much on the ship before heading to Cabo. The focus was on getting to shore for the day.
Once we got to Cabo, we walked through the marina and could see our ship, the Carnival Panorama, across the water. The Norwegian Bliss was also in port that day.
Unwinding and Taking it Easy
The weather in Cabo was perfect. It looked dreary and overcast but it felt great outside. We guessed it was around 72 to 75 degrees. It wasn’t too hot or too cold.
After a week of pouring rain, we were happy to have such nice weather. The conditions made it easy to relax and enjoy our time off the ship.
We spent the day doing a pub crawl through Cabo. We stopped at Captain Tony’s first and ordered margaritas. One of us got a house margarita, another got a drink called a horny girl with Malibu and cranberry, and someone else got a margarita with a Tajin rim.
Our order at Captain Tony’s:
- Chicken quesadilla
- Chips and salsa
- Pico de gallo
- Hot spicy salsa
The quesadilla came with guacamole in the middle and it looked really good. We asked for more chips and only got one more chip, which made us laugh. The food was flavorful and the chips were really crispy.
One of us remembered coming to Captain Tony’s years ago and eating those same crispy chips. The guacamole was really good too. They do tableside guacamole which we didn’t try this time but want to next time.
After Captain Tony’s, we moved on to another spot called The Wright Joint. We hadn’t walked very far from the first place. They clapped when we came in and we ordered more margaritas, chips, guac, and salsa.
The margaritas at The Wright Joint were frozen. Most of us liked them but one of us thought they tasted like a slushie or slurpee with alcohol. We agreed that Captain Tony’s had better margaritas because theirs had an orange taste with Cointreau in it.
We got a healthy portion of guacamole at The Wright Joint. It looked like a small amount at first but turned out to be a lot. The salsa was a little spicy but not too bad.
Our last stop was Cabo Wabo. One of us got a beer and a shot while another got a Bahama Mama.
New Year’s Eve on the Ship
Neon Lights and Retro Music
The ship threw a glow party with an 80s theme for New Year’s Eve. Everyone came out ready to celebrate.
The atmosphere was electric as passengers gathered for the festivities. We saw people dressed up in retro outfits and neon accessories.
The party had all the classic elements of an 80s celebration. Music from that era played while we danced and enjoyed the night.
Ringing in the New Year
As midnight approached, we all gathered together for the big moment. The countdown to 2026 brought everyone on deck.
We watched as the clock ticked closer to midnight. The energy built up as passengers prepared to welcome the new year.
When the clock struck twelve, we cheered and celebrated together. It marked the official start of 2026 aboard the ship.
Party Decorations and Mood
The ship was decked out for the occasion. Decorations filled the spaces where we gathered.
Party Features:
- Themed lighting throughout the venue
- Special music selections
- Coordinated celebrations
- Passenger participation
The crew worked hard to create a memorable experience. Everything felt special as we celebrated this milestone together.
We enjoyed the company of fellow passengers during the festivities. The whole event brought people together in a fun way.
The celebration went on into the early hours of the morning. We made memories that would last long after the cruise ended.
Day Two in Cabo: A Relaxing Ship Day
Morning Meal with Ocean Views
We woke up on our second day and the ship was still at sea. Around 9:00 in the morning, we spotted our first whale of the trip. We could see the whale spout and its hump breaking through the water.
The marina was busy with boats heading out. We noticed all kinds of different vessels in the water. Some looked professionally made while others seemed like they were put together from spare parts.
By 10:00, we joined the group of diamond priority guests heading off the ship. The liquid lounge had a long line and was packed with people. We didn’t mind though because we were on our way to Cabo for margaritas and tacos.
Quiet Time by the Pool
We made it through what felt like a gauntlet of vendors when we arrived. We could see the Carnival Panorama across the marina and the Norwegian Bliss a bit further back. Those were the only two ships in port that day.
The weather was perfect. It wasn’t too hot or too cold. We guessed it was around 72 to 75 degrees. The sky looked overcast but the temperature felt great.
We stopped at Captain Tony’s near the marina. There were tons of pelicans around the area. We ordered drinks and decided to split a chicken quesadilla with chips and salsa.
What We Ordered:
- House margarita
- Horny Girl (Malibu, cranberry, and red bean)
- Chicken quesadilla with guacamole
- Chips with salsa and pico de gallo
The chips came with two types of salsa. One was a hot spicy salsa that tasted good but had a kick to it. The other was a milder birdie salsa. We didn’t get a lot of chips at first, but that was okay since we planned to visit multiple spots.
Ship Activities and Entertainment
At Captain Tony’s, a mariachi band came to tables and played songs for guests. We watched them perform for other people nearby.
The chicken quesadilla was really flavorful and yummy. The chips were crispy and nice. The guacamole in the middle of the quesadilla was really good. They offered tableside guacamole service that we wanted to try next time.
We were only about a quarter of the way through our first margarita and already started feeling it. We wanted to pace ourselves since it was still early in the day.
After Captain Tony’s, we moved to another spot called The Right Joint. We hadn’t walked very far from the first place. When we walked in, everyone clapped for us. We ordered more chips, guacamole, salsa, and margaritas.
Comparing the Two Places:
| Feature | Captain Tony’s | The Right Joint |
|---|---|---|
| Margarita Style | On the rocks with orange flavor | Frozen, like a slushie |
| Chip Portion | Smaller amount | Better portion |
| Overall Taste | Better margarita | Good but not as flavorful |
Most of us got frozen margaritas at The Right Joint. Some of us really liked them but others thought they tasted too much like a slurpee with alcohol. The mango margarita was really good. The guacamole came in what looked like a small amount but turned out to be a lot.
The salsa at The Right Joint was a little spicy. The guacamole could have used a bit more salt. The restaurant was emptier compared to Captain Tony’s.
We ended up at Cabo Wabo later. One of us got a beer and a shot while another got a Bahama Mama. We made our way back through the road that spelled Cabo backwards.
Special Experiences and Lasting Impressions
Our day started with an exciting moment when we spotted our first whale. We could see the spout and hump of the whale as it surfaced. We hoped it wouldn’t be our last sighting of the trip.
As we headed out, we noticed some unusual boats in the marina. One boat looked like it was handmade in someone’s garage. We joked that it seemed like someone and their buddies just welded together parts from different boats they found. The variety of boats was wild, with all different sizes and types heading out at the same time.
Getting to Cabo
The process of getting off the ship was chaotic. Even with our diamond priority status, we were among about a thousand other guests trying to get to Cabo. The liquid lounge had a long line and was packed. But we didn’t care because we were on the tender heading to Cabo to get margaritas and tacos.
We arrived at the marina around 10:00 AM ship time, which was actually noon local time. We could see the Carnival Panorama across the marina and the Norwegian Bliss further back. Those were the only two ships in port that day.
Walking Through Town
We had to make our way through what we called “the Gauntlet.” Vendors lined the streets trying to sell us things. We lost count of how many times we said no thank you as we walked through.
The weather was absolutely perfect. It looked overcast and dreary, but the temperature was amazing. We guessed it was around 72 to 75 degrees. This was especially nice after the pouring rain we had the week before.
First Stop
We ended up at Captain Tony’s, a restaurant right on the marina. The name caught our attention, especially the sign that said “You hook it, we cook it.” Rose remembered coming here years ago when she was younger. She specifically remembered the chips being really crispy and good.
We ordered drinks at noon local time:
- Christina got a “horny girl” with Malibu and cranberry
- Rose got a house margarita with a salted rim
- Alison got a “Mexican Mama” (like a Bahama Mama but the Cabo edition)
- One of us got a traditional margarita
We shared a chicken quesadilla and chips with salsa. The chips came with pico de gallo and a hot spicy salsa. There was also a red salsa that wasn’t as hot but also wasn’t as good. The portion of chips was small, but since we planned to do a pub crawl through Cabo, it worked out fine.
The chicken quesadilla came with guacamole in the middle and looked amazing. We asked for more chips and they brought us exactly one more chip. We had to laugh about that. The food was really flavorful and yummy. Rose loved the crispy chips.
Entertainment at Captain Tony’s
A mariachi band came right to tables and played songs for guests for a fee. We watched them perform for other diners while we ate. They offer tableside guacamole, which we didn’t try this time but planned to do next visit.
One of us was already feeling the effects of the margarita after just a quarter of it was gone. We realized we needed to pace ourselves since it was only 11:00 AM ship time.
Second Stop
As we walked down the marina, someone named Primo carried Rose into a new restaurant called “The Right Joint.” The whole restaurant clapped for us when we came in. We ordered chips, guacamole, salsa, and margaritas.
We hadn’t made it very far from Captain Tony’s at all. In fact, we could still see it from where we were sitting. Someone made a comment about “el gordo” when one of us sat down, which means “fat” in Spanish.
The others got frozen margaritas while one of us got a regular one. The frozen ones tasted like slushies or slurpees with alcohol. They were really good according to those who ordered them. The regular margarita wasn’t as good as the one from Captain Tony’s. It didn’t have that orangey taste from the Cointreau that we liked.
The chips came with a healthy portion of guacamole, pico de gallo for Christina, and salsa for the rest of us. There were more chips than at Tony’s. Rose said the guacamole could use a little bit of salt. The salsa was a little spicy.
The Right Joint was pretty empty compared to Captain Tony’s. But that’s what a pub crawl is all about – trying different places where some are hits and some aren’t.
Final Stop
We made our way back to Cabo Wabo. We ordered more drinks – some of us got beer and shots, while others stuck with cocktails like the Bahama Mama. Not everyone likes shots, so drink choices varied.
