Carnival Cruise Lines — Attraction in Long Beach

This is our eighth overall cruise and fourth with Carnival. In past sailings we've sailed w/ the Carnival Pride, Spirit, Fantasy and this eight-day tour of the Mexican Riviera was aboard the Panorama.

Pros:

-While we've always been blessed w/ dutiful room stewards, our steward for this trip, a delightful, service-focused and beaming lady named GOOD NIGHT, is the best stew we've ever had! Despite arduous split shifts spent detailing 34 staterooms across two floors, Good Night consistently lavished us w/ radiant smile and cheerful greetings. She nimbly worked around our sometimes bizarre schedules (up as early as 7am on shore excursion days but sleeping in til late AM on sea days) to keep our room pristine. She's truly an exemplary employee and we hope Carnival rewards her!

-Entertainment options run almost as long as the gargantuan ship's nearly 1,100ft length! Casino, ample upscale shopping, Broadway caliber shows, skilled DJs who had the swimming pool throngs buzzing and hopping to the tunes and of course world-class shore excursions.

-Carnival has upgraded its elevator system to a new system where you're assigned one of twelve available 'vators based on which floor number (they run from zero to fifteen) that you pre-select. The result is a vastly streamlined transport system bet floors.

-Did I mention the excursions? We frolicked w/ sea lions and dolphins in sauna-humid Puerto Vallarta, were humbled by a majestic cathedral in Mazatlan (part of a City Highlights tour) and rode camels in the arid, balmy dunes of Cabo San Lucas.

-We opted for a "Deluxe Ocean View" cabin that came configured with two restrooms plus a pullout couch...making it an ideal set up for groups of three or small families. There were only two of us, but we loved not having to jockey over sink space in the mornings!

Cons:

-As this was our first Carnival cruise since 2012, we can attest to just how much the company and industry has changed during the ensuing yrs. Sadly, Carnival now "nickel and dimes" its passengers via the same extortionate fees for internet access, drink packages and even high end dining.

-On past Carnival cruises, my bride and I could literally order rib eye steaks (Yours Truly) and lobster tails (the pretty one) every night in the formal dining room. Nowadays, guests get to choose from a Prix Fixe menu of five generally good, but not upscale appetizers/entrees and desserts nightly. Sample entrees incl. beef short rib, prime rib, Cajun style catfish, pan-fried barramundi et al.

If you want the higher end fare, you must visit one of the many specialty restaurants aboard, each requiring reservations and an up-charge of $24-56/pp.

Also, Carnival's chefs have fallen prey to getting TOO precious and artsy w/ presentation, repeatedly sending out dainty, wee portion sizes that compelled each of us to order multiple appetizers, or even entrees, nightly. Example, my wife's shrimp cocktails were literally comprised of a smear of Cocktail Sauce w/ a trio of small shrimp. Her sole lobster tail was the size of an infant's shoe and she demolished it in three bites. This experienced cruiser pleads w/ Carnival and its competitors to stop sacrificing portion sizes for the sake of presentation!

Pro Tips- To avoid paying $120-plus for the "Bottomless Bubbles" soda program, bring 2-3 12pks of your fave soda (mine is unabashedly Diet Coke!) and store in your stateroom fridge. While Carnival WILL confiscate plastic water bottles, they will permit 12pks of soda.

Also, wanna avert the sticker shock of $180-plus for internet access, PER DEVICE? Do like we did, pre pay for one guest in your party to have internet then simply take turns. The Carnical Hub app allows couples to toggle between devices by logging in w/ the appropriate folio number.

Will we be back aboard Carnival to further our quest up its Loyalty Program tiers? You bet. Do we wish Carnival would restore COCA COLA to its ships (they switched to PEPSI) and ease up on all the nickel + dining valued...

CARNIVAL CRUISE: INSIDER SCOOP

I've traveled on Carnival 5+times on all ships that port in Long Beach.

I've stayed in all cabins on on different levels. Sometimes I plan. Sometimes I do last minute up unto the same day.

I sometimes travel alone, with kiddos, friends or family up to four.

If you're looking to set sail on a Carnival Cruise, let me give you the inside scoop with some underrated tips that will take your trip from comfy to fun.

Carnival can be what you want.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW RIGHT OFF THE BACK?

Speakers no matter the size will be confiscated. 100% through the port. You might get lucky through luggage. If it does get confiscated you cannot retrieve it until 9:30 a.m. on return date.

If you lose your parking ticket, don't fret. It's $96.00

Internet package is a daily rate x's days of your cruise. Otherwise pay $5.00 chat on the app to keep up with friends, cruise guests, and family.

If you have anyone under 21 in your cabin, you can't purchase alcohol all drink package.

Gratuity of 18% is automatically included when you purchase alcohol.

Arrive between 1130-100 PM you can eat lunch on the ship.

Take a few of the yellow plastic cups to you room to organize your make-up.

WHAT ARE  PACKING ESSENTIALS I WOULDN'T THINK OF?

5 Swivel metal hooks at 50 lb ( the walls in the cabin are metal, gives you extra space)

Cruise ship power surge. The rectangle one, not the flat one against the wall.

Ziploc bags. Keep your extra late night snacks/food fresh and covered.

Covered Sealed Tumbler. For water, coffee, ice etc.

Pack 4 laundry pods.

Sea salt, Traders Joe's chili lime, and straws.

I IIKE TO DRESS FOR THE PARTY, WHAT ARE THE THEMES?

Elegant, 80's, White party

SHOULD I PAY EXTRA FOR THE RESTAURANTS?

Absolutely. After my 2nd cruise, I don't eat in the buffet except for the omelette. It's subpar at best.

For family size of 5 or more it's definitely more convenient.

Sunrise Restaurant is service at no cost and serves good food for breakfast and/or lunch.

Steakhouse and Italian are always on my dinner itinerary. And highly recommended.

For one low price you get appetizer, entree, dessert and dining without mayhem.

For lunch, you're good with Shaq's chicken or the barbecue.

Sushi is worth it without disappointment for lunch, dinner or late night. Range $10-30.

NEED TO CONSIDER

If you travel during the Superbowl weekend it will be 50-75% African American passengers and Carnivals service etiquette declines 50%. And  some folks just have bad social acumen. And Carnival should be shamed for their lackluster customer service.

It's a paradox.

ARE THE EXCURSIONS WORTH IT?

Yes. And may be overpriced. Choose wisely and you'll be fine.

If you're at Catalina Island---

Do the DIY golf cart tour about $75.00 for the hour and the Mini 18 hole golf course approx. $25 pp, way way way cool and fun. Walking distance from the ship. At least do one.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO ON THE SHIP?

It's floating entertainment and relaxation.

Do all the activities even if you don't think you're interested. You'll be interestingly surprised of the fun and laughter.

Don't sleep on the Piano Bar and Love and Marriage show.

LAST HOT TIPS:

*Photos can add up quickly. Starting at $25-450.00 *All kids LOVE the kids clubs and activities. From age 2-17. *Workout each day, you're worth it. *Wash/dry clothes @3.50

"Enjoy...

I just came off of a cruise with my mother, the mother of my child, my daughter and a few other family members on the carnival panorama on Aug 2nd 2025 and it was one of the worst experiences I have ever had on a cruise. For starters my mother had to have a scooter due to a knee injury and it was hell getting around the boat with her. People were so inconsiderate of her and many others that needed assistance and the staff were barely around to help as well. The destination elevators created a nightmare, especially when it came to dinner and you had to check in between the 3rd and 4th floor. You never know which floor you would have to dine on and if you were on the wrong floor you had to fight with the nightmare elevators to get to the next floor. It was especially hard with my mother being on the scooter. There was also 2 incidents when my mother decided to get off of the boat with her scooter and almost fell due to the incline of the ramp getting off and the peak of the incline got caught under her scooter. The person that was there to assist her just watched and told her to "rock back and forth and she will make it". Luckily I was there to help. This also happened again returning to the ship with yet another attendant there and the just watched and said "you got it". After that my mother was 2 scared to get off again. The ship smelled like sewage the entire time we were there throughout the entire boat and it was very unpleasant. Some of the staff at Guys burger joint was extremely rude to my mother and my 7 year old daughter. My daughter has several allergies so we have to ask a few questions before we can get her food and they weren't accommodating at all with very snappy remarks nasty attitude. We also had problems in the main dining rooms and the steak house with trying to communicate her allergies to the staff. They kept throwing our questions and concerns off to the next person which has us worried and made our dining experience very long and unpleasant. At the steak dinner the steaks were not cooked well at all and there were even used utensils under or table which included a knife right where my daughter was sitting. It was hard to reach so I informed the waitress and her response was "we will get it later" and walked away. I retrieved it myself but felt that a detail like used utensils especially sharp ones should be payed better attention. The staff at the buffet were rude when it came to asking about certain foods only because of concerns for my daughter allergies, i was completely dismissed multiple times. The staff at the taco bar were rude, in most places it had me scared to feed my daughter due to the lack of concern when it came to making sure her food was safe to eat. The main dining hall eventually got it together and thank God because my daughter was afraid to eat unless she was there. Bar staff was rude, the people that came around the boat to take drink orders were very nice and were much appreciated because alot of people didn't want to go to the bar to deal with the attitudes of some of the bartenders. The highlight of my cruise was my room attendant Joseph. He was very accommodating and pleasant. He was very attentive and detail oriented and was the only saving grace on the entire trip. Safe to say that unless I get a trip for free I will never cruise with Carnival...