Carnival Sea Days Just Hit Different… Here’s Why | Panorama #CarnivalCruise #CruiseVlog #Cruising

We’re sharing our C-day experience aboard the Carnival Panorama, and it’s been quite a day so far. We started with brunch near the wake, where we spotted two other cruise ships passing by. After that, we headed to the Diamond Party, which didn’t quite meet our expectations this time around. The party felt crowded, the drinks were hard to get, and we only had about an hour before everything wrapped up. We remember past Diamond events where we could meet the captain and ask questions, but this time it felt rushed.

Despite the packed indoor spaces, we found a quiet spot on the back deck to relax. The weather looked overcast, but it was actually pretty nice outside. We’re planning to explore more of the ship today and maybe check out the spa. We also noticed some interesting things about our room near the Havana area, like how regular magnets don’t stick well to the doors. Overall, we’re enjoying the cruise and looking forward to the New Year’s Eve festivities coming up.

Key Takeaways

• We attended a crowded Diamond Party that felt rushed compared to previous cruise experiences
• C-day on the Panorama was busy inside but surprisingly quiet on the outdoor decks
• We’re exploring the ship’s different areas and getting ready for New Year’s Eve celebrations

Our C-Day Experience on Carnival Panorama

What We Saw from Our Wake View Spot

We sat at a nice wake view table during the C-day brunch. The Quantum of the Sea passed us heading back to LA. We also spotted what we believe was the Norwegian Bliss following us since the night before. We had two ships in our wake view at the same time.

The view was not bad at all. We enjoyed our coffee and had a light snack before heading up to the diamond party in about an hour and a half.

Later in the day, we went back to our room and then headed to the top deck. We could see the Havana patio villas below us, but nobody was sitting out there. The wake stretched out behind us with the Norwegian Bliss still following us.

The Weather and Overall Feel

The day was a little overcast. It was not cold and not warm either. It was a little breezy outside.

We noticed white caps on the water. This made it difficult to spot wildlife because every white cap looked like a potential whale or dolphin.

Even though it looked super overcast, it was not cold at all. It was actually quite nice out. We think people were looking outside and deciding to stay inside instead.

We found a spot on the back of the ship in one of our favorite red chairs just above the pool. There was really nobody up there, which surprised us. The atrium was super crowded inside, so we think people were just staying inside because they thought that was the thing to do.

Ships We Spotted

We saw several ships during our C-day:

• Quantum of the Sea – passed us heading back to LA
• Norwegian Bliss – followed us since the night before and was still behind us throughout the day

The Norwegian Bliss kept chasing us throughout C-day. We could see it in the distance as we relaxed on the top deck.

Eating on the Ship

Morning Meal on Embarkation Day

We put our name in for the brunch at 9:55. The system told us to expect a 10 to 20 minute wait. We ended up waiting until 10:42 to get seated, which was much longer than expected.

The wait time wasn’t a big problem. We just wish the system had been more accurate from the start. It’s better to know upfront that the wait will be 40 minutes instead of being told it’s only 10 to 20.

We got a table with a view of the ship’s wake. We watched the Quantum of the Sea pass by on its way back to LA. We also spotted what looked like the Norwegian Bliss following us since the night before.

We had two ships in view while we ate. We enjoyed some coffee and a light meal before heading to the diamond party.

Afternoon Tea Service

No information about tea time was provided in the background material.

BBQ Restaurant Midday Meal

No information about Pig & Anchor Barbecue lunch was provided in the background material.

In-Room Dining and Light Bites

We stopped by our room after the diamond party to drop some things off and pick up other items. Our room number is 8459, and we’re located at the end of the hallway.

The room is right next to the Havana section. There’s a door that separates regular rooms from the Havana suites, but it opens automatically. We noticed the carpet and artwork change once you cross into the Havana hallway.

One thing we learned about our room is that the doors don’t hold regular magnets very well. Our Leo Hoppers magnet wouldn’t stay on the door. The metal needs really strong magnets to hold anything up. Command hooks work better than regular magnets if you want to hang things without leaving marks.

Special Events for Top-Tier Members

Get-Together Recap

We attended the special loyalty event on sea day, and the captain showed up to say a few words. He wished everyone good weather for the cruise and said happy new year a bit early. The cruise director also spoke briefly before leaving.

The captain and cruise director didn’t stick around to chat with guests like they used to do. They used to walk around and talk to people. We could ask questions about upcoming cruises or other topics. This time, they gave their short speeches and left right away.

We all just ate lunch on our own after they departed.

Member Benefits Program Notes

The loyalty event system is changing. We noticed it’s now based on rewards instead of loyalty tiers like it used to be.

What we experienced:

• Large number of attendees at the luncheon
• Different format than previous events
• Quick speeches from ship staff
• No photo opportunities with the captain

The whole thing felt different from past events we’ve been to. It didn’t have that special feel we were expecting.

Crowded Conditions and Drink Service

The event took place in the Horizon dining room. They packed us all into the middle section, and we sat very close to each other. The smaller of the two dining rooms made everything feel cramped.

Getting drinks was really hard. We only saw one or two drink servers working the whole event. We each only got two drinks during the party.

When we tried to order another drink, staff told us they were closed. But we saw servers bringing drinks to the table right behind us after they said that. The event didn’t even last a full hour before they stopped serving drinks.

The food itself was good. We liked what they served for lunch. But the drink situation was disappointing.

Group Activities and Festivities

Sea day was busy on the ship. The Roper Romp was happening in the atrium with lots of people wearing their signature gear. Another group wore fruit hats because of some kind of dare. One person with a banana hat said he had to wear it for four hours total. He offered to give us the hat when his time was up in two and a half hours.

The atrium was really crowded. Inside spaces were packed with people. We think the overcast weather kept people from going outside, even though it wasn’t cold at all.

We put our name in for the sea day brunch at 9:55 AM. They told us the wait would be 10 to 20 minutes. We didn’t get seated until 10:42 AM, which was way more than 20 minutes. We would have been fine waiting 40 minutes if they had just told us that upfront.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Party Vibes in the Evening

We looked forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve on the ship. The cruise director told us to make sure we picked our spot for the big night. We could choose from several places on the ship.

The Ocean Plaza was one option for the party. The atrium was another place we could go. We could also head up to the Lido deck to ring in the new year.

The cruise director wanted everyone to have the best New Year’s Eve possible. He reminded us to represent wherever we chose to celebrate.

Balloon Drop Event

The ship planned a balloon drop for New Year’s Eve. We needed to pick our location before the celebration started.

Each area would have its own party atmosphere. The atrium stayed pretty crowded on sea days, so we figured it would be packed for New Year’s Eve too.

We had to decide which deck would give us the best experience. The Lido deck offered outdoor space while the indoor areas provided shelter from the weather.

Fun for the Whole Family

The ship offered activities for families throughout the day. We saw lots of people gathered in the atrium during our sea day.

Different groups wore matching outfits and accessories. Some people wore fruit hats as part of a dare. One person with a banana hat said he had to wear it for at least four hours.

The Roper Romp was happening too. We saw several Ropers down in the atrium area. It was a lot of fun to watch all the activity.

We really enjoyed seeing everyone participate in the group activities. The Roper Romps were always entertaining on our cruises.

Exploring the Havana Section

Havana Rooms and Hallways

We came out of our room and walked to the end of the hall. We’re staying in room 8459. There’s a door that looks like it blocks off the Havana suites area, but it just opens for you automatically.

Once you walk through, you’re in the Havana hallway. The carpet is different from the regular rooms. The art on the walls changes too. You can see the Havana-themed artwork along the walls.

The Havana rooms are down this hallway. At the end, there are some interior rooms. We also found a stairwell that was completely open.

Important note about magnets: The doors in this area don’t hold magnets well. Our regular Leo Hoppers magnet slipped right off. You need really strong magnets to make them stick. Command hooks work better if you want to hang things on your door. Just don’t use anything that leaves marks like crazy glue.

Back Pool Area and Deck

We went to the back of the ship and sat in the red chairs above the aft pool. This is one of our favorite spots. The pool was right below us.

It was a sea day and hardly anyone was up there. The weather looked overcast, but it wasn’t cold at all. It was actually quite nice outside. We think people stayed inside because they looked outside and thought the weather was bad.

The atrium inside was packed with people. We had the back area mostly to ourselves. We could see the Norwegian Bliss still following behind us in the distance. There were white caps on the water from the waves.

Getting Wristbands and What to Know

We noticed some folks walking around with fruit hats. One man with a banana hat told us it was part of a dare. They all had to wear the hats for at least four hours.

The doors that separate the regular rooms from the Havana section aren’t very magnetic. If you plan to use door decorations, bring command hooks or strong magnets. Regular low-power magnets won’t stick. The magnetic strips on these doors are different from other ships we’ve been on.

Activities and Entertainment on the Ship

Group Gatherings Throughout the Cruise

We saw a lot of different events happening as we walked around the ship. The Roper Romp was going on in the atrium during our sea day. Several people were down there wearing their Roper gear and having a good time.

There were also other guests wearing fruit hats. We talked to one person with a banana hat who told us it was part of a dare. He and his friends had to wear the hats for at least four hours.

The ship makes announcements about every 10 minutes. We had forgotten about that from our previous Carnival cruises. Even with all the announcements, we really enjoy the Roper Romps and the energy they bring to sea days.

Special Passenger Customs

The ship had groups of passengers with their own traditions. The Roper Romp brought many people together in the atrium wearing matching outfits. They created a fun atmosphere during the sea day.

We also saw the fruit hat group. One guest explained they were completing a dare that required wearing the hats for four hours. These kinds of traditions add to the social feel of the cruise.

Meeting the Captain and Staff

We attended the diamond party where the Captain and Cruise Director came to speak to us. The Captain greeted us and thanked us for our loyalty and support. He wished us amazing weather during the cruise.

He also wished us a happy new year since it was a bit early. The Captain spoke a few words in Italian before leaving.

The Captain’s visit was different from past parties. He didn’t stay to mingle with guests or take pictures. He said his words and then left. The Cruise Director also spoke briefly about New Year’s Eve festivities.

The Cruise Director told us to represent wherever we’d be celebrating, whether at the Ocean Plaza, the atrium, or up on the Lido deck. He mentioned going up to the Lido for Legend of Lido. He wished everyone a happy birthday to “Theo” and thanked him for a jacket before leaving.

In past diamond parties, we remember the Captain and officers walking around to different tables. They would introduce themselves and talk with guests. We could ask questions about upcoming cruises or other topics. This time felt more like a quick appearance and goodbye.

Music and Shows

The Cruise Director mentioned the Legend of Lido event happening up on the Lido deck. There were different entertainment options scheduled for New Year’s Eve in multiple locations around the ship.

The Ocean Plaza and atrium were mentioned as venues for festivities. We could choose where we wanted to celebrate based on our preferences.

Drinks and Bar Experiences

Specialty Drink Options

At the Diamond party, getting drinks turned out to be harder than we expected. There were only one or two drink servers working the event. We each managed to get just two drinks during the whole party.

When we tried to order another round, the staff told us they were closing down the bar. This happened even though the party hadn’t been going for a full hour yet. We saw servers bringing drinks to the table behind us right after they said the bar was closed.

The limited drink service was disappointing compared to other Diamond parties we’ve attended. The quick closure of the bar meant we didn’t get as much time to enjoy the beverage selection as we would have liked.

Unique Spirits Selection

We didn’t get much information about special whiskey or spirits options during this sailing. The Diamond party focused more on getting everyone served quickly rather than showcasing premium drink selections.

The event felt rushed overall. We would have appreciated more time to explore different drink options and ask questions about what was available.

Beverage Service Recommendations

Based on what we experienced, here are some things to keep in mind:

Diamond Party Service

• Arrive early to the party
• Order your drinks right away
• Don’t wait to get a second drink
• The bar may close before the full hour is up

General Tips

• Walk around to find drink servers if they’re not coming to you
• In crowded areas like the atrium on sea days, bar service can be slow
• Consider going to less crowded deck areas where servers might be more available

We spent time in our favorite red chairs above the pool later in the day. Even though it was overcast, we hoped a drink server would come by. The upper deck areas sometimes have better service because fewer people think to go there when the weather looks gray.

Spotting Marine Life and Ocean Scenery

Seeing Dolphins and Whales

The ocean had white caps on the water. This made it tough to spot wildlife. Every white cap looked like it could be a whale or dolphin.

We were hoping to see some marine animals during our time on deck. The conditions weren’t perfect for wildlife viewing though.

How Weather Affects What You Can See

The day was a little overcast. It wasn’t cold or warm. There was a slight breeze in the air.

The overcast conditions seemed to keep most people inside. The top deck was nearly empty even though it was a sea day. It actually felt quite nice outside despite how it looked.

Weather Conditions:

• Overcast skies
• Breezy but comfortable
• Not cold at all

We could see the Norwegian Bliss still following behind us. The wake from our ship stretched out across the water. Nobody was sitting out on the Havana patio villas because of the weather.

Running in the Morning and Time on the Deck

We spent time in our favorite spot on the back of the ship. We sat in the red chairs just above the aft pool. The pool area was right below us.

The atrium inside was packed with people. We think everyone stayed inside because they looked outside and decided not to go out. But we found the outdoor conditions to be pleasant.

We were waiting for a drink server to come by. The deck was surprisingly quiet for a sea day. Most passengers seemed to think they should stay inside based on the overcast skies.

Tips for Future Carnival Panorama Cruisers

Restaurant Timing and Service Levels

We noticed some issues with wait times at the dining venues. When we put our name in for the sea day brunch at 9:55, they told us it would be 10 to 20 minutes. We didn’t get seated until 10:42, which was way more than what they said.

Our advice is simple. Don’t expect the time they give you to be accurate. If they say 15 minutes, plan for 40 or more.

We used to debate when to put our name in because the tables would be ready so fast. In the past, they’d say 15 to 20 minutes and then call us in just 5 minutes. That’s not the case anymore on this ship.

The staffing seemed light at several venues. At the diamond party, we only saw one or two drink servers for the whole room. We each only got two drinks during the event. When we tried to order another one, they said they were closed. But we saw servers bringing drinks to the table right behind us after that.

Havana Area Access and Room Features

Our room was 8459, and we were at the very end of the hallway. There’s a door that looks like it blocks access to the Havana suites area. But it just opens for you when you walk up to it.

Once you go through, you’re in the Havana hallway. You can tell because the carpet changes from the regular design to the Havana style. The artwork on the walls also changes to Havana themed pieces.

The doors in this area are different than regular cruise ship doors. Regular low power magnets won’t stick to them. Our standard cruise magnets slipped right off. You need really strong magnets or command hooks to hang anything. Don’t use anything that will leave marks like crazy glue.

What Diamond Status Gets You Now

The diamond party was not what we expected based on past cruises. They held it in the Horizon dining room, which is the smaller one. Everyone was crammed together in the middle section.

Here’s what happened at the party:

• The captain came in and said a few words
• The cruise director spoke briefly
• Both of them left quickly
• No mingling with guests
• No photo opportunities
• Less than one hour of service

The food was good, but getting drinks was hard. They closed drink service before the hour was even up. In the past, the captain and cruise director would walk around and talk to people. You could ask questions about upcoming sailings or just chat with them. That didn’t happen this time.

We’re not trying to complain about free stuff. We’re just comparing it to previous diamond parties we’ve attended. The experience felt rushed and less special than before.

What to Bring for Mexican Riviera Sailings

The weather on sea days can look worse than it actually is. It was overcast and breezy when we were out, but it wasn’t cold at all. The white caps on the water made it hard to spot whales or dolphins though.

Most people stayed inside because they looked outside and thought it was bad weather. The atrium and indoor areas were super crowded. But up on the top deck in the red chairs above the pool, there was almost nobody.

Don’t let overcast skies keep you inside. It can still be really nice outside even when it looks gray. Pack layers so you can adjust based on the actual temperature, not just how it looks.