Carnival Panorama

The 2019-built Carnival Panorama cruise ship is the third Vista-class (modified Dream-class) liner in CCL's fleet. Carnival's Vista-class vessels are the fleet's most family-friendly, featuring the company's largest family staterooms and dedicated facilities and amenities. Panorama is Carnival's 27th vessel.

From the same series (Vista-Class sisterships) are the fleetmates Carnival Vista (2016) and Carnival Horizon (2018), as well as the former Costa Cruises' liners Carnival Venezia (2019 as Costa Venezia) and Carnival Firenze (2020 as Costa Firenze) and Adora Cruises' ships Adora Magic City (2023) and Adora TBN (2024).

The vessel (IMO number 9802384) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 374527000) and registered in Colon.

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian). 

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 4000-passenger ship Carnival Panorama offers all Carnival Fun Ship 2.0 details, plus many first-at-sea features, including SkyZone trampoline park (decks 7-8), Skyride (extraordinary peddled roller coaster bike ride); Havana cabins complex (with pool, lounge and its own bar); Family Harbor staterooms; the biggest SportsSquare sports complex; Fun Ship 2.0’s BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Bar and Alchemy Bar; new show programming; Carnival Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness.

With the 3x Vista-class liners (Vista/2016, Horizon/2018, Panorama/2019) were introduced the fleet-firsts "IMAX Theater at Sea" (87-seats cinema/part of Carnival Multiplex), "SkyRide" (outdoor/aerial bicycle ride/suspended 2-track bike course), Havana Staterooms (cabin complex with a swimming pool, sundeck, lounge, lanai balconies).

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Panorama staterooms (1965 total) include 74 Suites, 912 Balcony, 264 Oceanview and 749 Inside, including 35 wheelchair-accessible and 104 "Cloud 9 Spa" cabins, in all 34 grades. Most are sized 185-220-ft2, cabin balconies are sized 35-75 ft2. All Spa staterooms receive exclusive access to private Spa facilities on Panorama Deck and the following amenities: Spa reservations, complimentary use of Thalassotherapy Pool and Thermal Suite, fitness classes and deluxe bath amenities.

Carnival Panorama, like all Vista-class sisterships, has a new cabin category named aft-view extended balcony cabin which is exclusive to vessel's Family Harbor area. Additionally, Carnival Panorama offers 18 tropics-inspired staterooms situated within the well known Havana section. Just like the other 86 staterooms found within Family Harbor, the brand new aft-view extended balcony cabins boast a colorful nautical theme and is situated adjacent to ship's Family Harbor Lounge, which is the ultimate family hangout with large TVs and complimentary snacks and breakfast. Located aft on Decks 6-8-9, the Havana staterooms offer exclusive access to the Havana Deck which has a Cuban-themed bar and swimming pool.

The boat has 14 passenger-accessible decks of which 13 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Carnival Panorama offers two main dining rooms, Horizons, and Reflections. Horizons hosts a small bar suited for pre-dinner drinks. The main dining rooms feature select items from the onboard steakhouse, available for an additional fee. Panorama also has a Lido buffet. Seafood lovers are pampered with the Seafood Shack - brand new to Carnival fleet, New England-inspired casual eatery located on ship's top deck. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating and the menu includes steamed lobster, lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fried clams, crab cakes, and other seafood surprises. Seafood Shack serves lunch and dinner and is priced a la carte starting at $4.

The ship has a Japanese specialty restaurant named Bonsai Teppanyaki. The new dining venue is located within the Bonsai Sushi restaurant on Promenade Deck.

The restaurant offers a menu with authentic Far East dishes. A special feature is the live cooking show performed by its talented chefs operating at custom-built stations located at the center of an 8-seat table. Due to its limited seating, reservations are required. Each meal at Bonsai Teppanyaki starts with a sampling of 5 appetizers (Miso Soup, Pork Belly Yakitori, Spicy Tuna on Rocks). Combo dinners are also offered. Each meal ends on a note courtesy of Chocolate Bento Box and Green Tea Ice Cream. The restaurant is open for lunch (sea days only) and for dinner (every night). Price (cover charge) is per person and covers the entire meal.

The available on all Fun ships Chef's Table is a dining experience that affords a dozen guests to experience multicourse dinner with the master chef, private cocktail reception and a tour of the galley. This dining option usually takes place in a non-traditional venue, like the library or the galley, and can be booked onboard for US$75 per person.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Panorama restaurants and food bars.

• Reflections Restaurant (1474-seat, complimentary MDR; the bigger of ship’s two main dining rooms; offers two fixed dinner seatings and open seating Breakfast and Lunch; “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts costs $5 cover charge)
• Horizon’s Restaurant (702-seat; offers formal dining with two fixed dinner seatings and “Anytime Dining” between 5:45-9:30 p.m.)
• Bonsai Sushi Bar (Japanese restaurant), including Bonsai Teppanyaki
• Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ (barbeque and grill restaurant)
• Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse (deck 5/specialty restaurant with “Chef’s Table” dining)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (poolside burger bar)
• Bluelguana Cantina (poolside Mexican fast food bar)
• Lido Marketplace (825-seat self-service buffet restaurant)
• Pizzeria del Capitano (24-hour pizzeria restaurant)
• Seafood Shack (offers indoor and outdoor seating, lobster and shrimp; a la carte priced)
• Cucina del Capitano (Italian Trattoria)
• Ji Ji Asian Kitchen (specialty Asian restaurant)

Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge (deck 4) is the first-at-sea venue dedicated to active and retired US military personnel. The bar lounge features a distinctive decor with the logos of the USA's 5 armed forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), military memorabilia throughout, walls lined with photos and messages themed "America’s Heroes", "Welcome Home" and "Thank You for Your Service". Specialty cocktails are served in custom-made pint glasses. A portion of each beverage sale benefits Operation Homefront (nonprofit organization). The special glasses can also be purchased as souvenirs.

Panorama is Carnival's first ship with "Carnival Kitchen" - a new dining venue (part of Horizons Restaurant / aft on Deck 4) dedicated to CCL's new culinary program with 15+ cooking classes led by the ship's chefs. Carnival Kitchen has max capacity 18 guests and 9 cooking stations, each fitted with granite countertop, sink, cooktop, refrigerator, utensils. The floor is tiled while the ceiling and walls are steel-covered. The room has a dedicated dining area as dinners are part of the classes and price-inclusive (pricing ranges between USD 30-60 per person). Among the dinner-inclusive cooking classes (signature dishes and desserts) are Carnival Classics Workshop, Orient Unknown Class (Asian), Pasta Master Class (Italian), Cake Workshop, and other classes themed on sushi, pizza, pies. Each class is held in four 1-hour or 2-hour sessions and on sea days only. Reservations can be made online (pre-cruise) and on the ship (at any restaurant).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The fun onboard Carnival Panorama starts with SkyRide, industry's first open-air, pedal-powered aerial ride. Riders have to climb onboard a hanging bike and "cycle" their way around the 800ft suspended track, 150 feet above sea level.

If you consider that SkyRide does not provide the needed adrenaline-pumping action, SkyCourse ropes circuit do. Both SkyCourse and SkyRide are part of the SportSquare, which also features an indoor hangout, mini-bowling, The Clubhouse, Ping-Pong, sports video gaming, arcade basketball and more.

The following official YouTube video reviews Carnival's Vista-class vessels as facilities and onboard amenities.

The Panorama cruise ship offers an expanded "Seuss at Sea" kids program with its "Choose Fun WaterWorks" (themed water park). The aquapark has 2 distinctly different waterslides (location Deck 12) - named "Red Fun" (455-ft / 139-m long) and "Blue Fun" (300-ft / 91-m long).

• The "Cat in the Hat" waterslide (named "Kaleid-O-Slide" on Carnival Vista) is an enclosed raft slide with length 137 m (450 ft) and several twists and turns. The slide's entrance is a giant replica of the cat's red-and-white hat. The waterslide is colored in red and white, making it one of the ship's most distinctive features.
• The "Fun Things" waterslide (named after the troublemakers Thing 1 and Thing 2) is an enclosed body slide, it features a polka dot-motif and has a length of 65 m (213 ft).
• Dr. Seuss theme characters decorate the entire waterpark area. Numerous memorable phrases from the Dr. Seuss books are displayed on the clear partitions surrounding the aqua park facility. Dr. Seuss' presence is featured in other parts of Carnival Horizon, including the signature Dr. Seuss Bookville kids play area, also at all themed special events, including Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, Story Time, the Seuss-A-Palooza Parade (promenade event).

Follows the complete list of Carnival Panorama lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Family Harbor Lounge (a new, dedicated to families space with 24-hour complimentary dining, concierge and babysitting service, movies, video games, board games by Hasbro)
• Liquid Lounge (1400-seat, 2-level theater lounge located forward on decks 4 and 5) is ship's main show lounge for grand-scale show productions in the evenings, also hosting the “Playlist Productions” and “Hasbro Game Shows”. Here are also presented the cruise company's ever-first "dancing drone" shows featuring modern music and a dedicated performing crew of 12. Carnival's two new shows (based on this new media technology) are named "Rock Revolution" and "Broadway Beats" (both part of the ship's Playlist Productions program). "Rock Revolution" is a concert-type production themed on the Woodstock festival and 1970s fashion styles. Rock Revolution features 3 horn performers, a 3-person rock band (using interactive drum sets), dancing drones (flying throughout the lounge), themed costumes, classic rock songs, modern choreography with high-energy vocals. "Broadway Beats" is NYC-themed production show with the city's best-known landmarks displayed on theater's LED screens (skyline, neighborhoods, street art, etc). Liquid Lounge hosts are three Carnival Panorama ship-exclusive production shows - "Amor Cubano - A Caribbean Dance Romance" (7-piece band mixing contemporary and classic Latin songs), "America Rocks" (rock music-themed tribute show) and "Flick - The Power of Motion Pictures" (movie songs-themed).
• Panorama Atrium (3-deck high midship lounge area with LED screens, live-performances, visual displays; served by 100-seat Panorama Lobby Bar)
• Shopping Arcade (with two Boutique Shops and two Fun Shops); Pixels Photo Gallery & Shop; Dreams Studio; Cherry on Top (candy shop), Effy Fine Jewelry Store
• Panorama Casino (484-seat)
• Limelight Lounge
• Lanai promenade (with 60 outdoor seats, served by Lanai Bar-BQ Bar)
• FunHub (Internet room)
• Shake Spot; Taste Bar; Havana Bar; Clubhouse and Bar; JavaBlue Café
• Ocean Plaza (270-seat lounge served by 50-seat Plaza Cafe)
• Havana Outside (Havana pool area with one swimming pool, two whirlpools, palm trees)
• Thrill Theatre (5D cinema room)
• Circle C (kids club lounge); Club O2 (teens club lounge)
• Warehouse (Video Arcade)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar (poolside Mexican bar)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (also serves the ThirstyFrog Red draught beer)
• (new) Guy's Pig and Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse / Brewhouse is a complimentary open-air restaurant for a variety of BBQ favorites (with shipboard-smoked meats) and house-made craft beers. The menu features pork butt, blue ribbon chicken, sliced smoked beef, Guy Fieri's traditional sides, and gourmet burgers, a variety of BBQ sauces, hot sauce bar. Signature menu items are named Mac Daddy Mac'n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends. The new complimentary eatery is via a partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The other Fun Ship with a brewery is Carnival Vista.
• Tides Pool (with one swimming pool, two Whirlpools, sunbathing area; served by Tides Bar)
• Camp Ocean (formerly known as "Camp Carnival" - youth activities program)
• Dr. Seuss Bookville (family-themed kids room with all Dr. Seuss books available to read; offers games and themed activities)
• Carnival Cloud 9 Spa (wellness complex)
• Carnival WaterWorks (water-playground / outdoor AquaPark) with two waterslides - Red Fun (455-ft / 139-m) and Blue Fun (300-ft / 91-m). "Red Fun" is a raft slide (with 1- and 2-person rafts) and features kaleidoscopic visual effects. "Blue Fun" is an enclosed tube slide.
• Seaside Theater (outdoor cinema with a huge LED screen)
• SportSquare (outdoor sporting area); SkyGreens (mini-golf); Jogging Track
• SkyTrack;
• SkyFitness (outdoors)
• SkyRide (“bicycle ride in the sky”)
• SkyCourse (suspended ropes course)

Serenity is the ship's adults-only retreat (complimentary/free entry for passengers 21+ yo) accessible at any time. This is a forward-location outdoor area/sundeck with 2x Jacuzzies/whirlpools (large-size outdoor hot tubs, cantilevered/infinity pool type, with glass walls), 2x massage huts, cabanas, Fresh Creations (complimentary chopped salad station for made-to-order fresh salads), Spritz Bar/Serenity Bar (waiter-served beverages), and an exclusive sundeck for relaxation, sunbathing and evening dance parties. Both bars and the whirlpools are available between 8 am - 10 pm. Hours may vary depending on cruise itinerary, portdays/seadays, weather.

Serenity Deck is furnished with hammocks, premium wicker chaise lounges and clamshell chairs (plush seating, teal cushions), shaded seating areas with double loungers and plush wicker sofas, live trees for decoration. At regular bar prices, Serenity Bar's menu offers drinks and refreshments (cocktails, beer/buckets, wine by the glass, frozens, smoothies, shakes, sodas).

The current list of draft beers brewed on the ship includes ThirstyFrog Red (clean and light), ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin' IPA (floral flavor, with passion fruit and citrus overtones), ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat (unfiltered lager with banana aroma and spices), FriskyFrog Java Stout (with hints of coffee), ParchedPig West Coast IPA (West Coast IPA/India Pale Ale, citrus and pine aroma), ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale (toasted caramel/biscuit flavored), Miami Guava (primary ingredient is pink guava), ParchedPig Farmhouse Ale (dry beer), ParchedPig Smoked Porter (in-house smoked malt, hickory smoke, molasses), ParchedPig Beach Lager (golden ale available both on tap and in cans/when served in bars/dining venues), Carnival Birthday Beer (golden ale introduced in 2022 for the company's 50th Anniversary).

Sky Zone Park

Instead IMAX Theater, Carnival Panorama has SkyZone. IMAX Theater was introduced on Carnival Vista as the first ever IMAX at sea. It features 3-deck high screen for first-run movies, shown at the same time as mainstream releases. On Deck 7 is IMAX Theater's lower level (1 of 2).

SkyZone is a 2-decks high indoor trampoline park (also first at sea) via a partnership with Sky Zone. Sky Zone (2004-founded) is a Los Angeles-based chain of indoor family centers located in USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, India, UK, UAE, among others. Some Sky Zone parks have rock climbing and warped walls, even a laser tag course. Sky Zone attractions include connected trampolines, pits filled with foam blocks, trampoline-based dodgeball. A standard land-based Sky Zone park consists of several courts with main trampolines placed horizontally and surrounded by trampolines placed at angles (thus serving as court's walls). The courts are mainly used for bouncing and jumping, but also for games of dodgeball and basketball.

Carnival Panorama's SkyZone Park is sized 280 m2 / 3000 ft2) and consists of one 12-lane trampoline court (also used for playing dodgeball and basketball), a separate challenge zone (fitted with a rock-climbing wall, balance beam, Tug of War, Skyladder climbing apparatus), seating area. Basketball goals are above the trampolines, permitting cruise passengers to bounce and slam-dunk shots into them. Ship's SkyZone park is also used for family-themed events, including night-time blacklight glow parties, birthday parties, toddler time sessions (stacking oversized soft blocks), fun fitness activities. SkyZone is at additional cost and has a weight limit of 136 kg (300 pounds).

Itineraries

Carnival Panorama itinerary program is based on roundtrip departures from homeport Long Beach (Los Angeles CA). The ship's year-round Pacific Mexico deployment was announced on February 10, 2018, making it the first newbuild "Fun Ship" based in California / West Coast USA in 20 years. The news was announced officially during the re-opening of Carnival's Long Beach Cruise Terminal.

From Long Beach, the ship operates on 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises (Saturday departures) to call ports Cabo San Lucas (Baja California), Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta.

In 2025-2026, Carnival Panorama has scheduled roundtrips to Mexico from Long Beach, including a 6-day Baja California itinerary (departures on Saturdays, visits Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas/overnight) and an 8-day Mexican Riviera itinerary (departures on Sundays, visits Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta).

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6272) has volume 133868 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 11963 tons, max draught 8,6 m. The powerplant is based on 5x MAN marine diesel engines (4-stroke, common-rail injection/2x 14V48/60CR plus 3x 8L48/60CR) with combined output 62,4 MW (83680 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on two ABB Azipod thrusters with combined output 33 MW (44250 hp). The registered shipowner is CARNIVAL HOLDINGS BERMUDA LTD while the registered manager is CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE.

By gross tonnage/volume, VISTA-class ships are currently the largest in Carnival's fleet. They also feature several fleet-first facilities, including Multiplex media entertainment complex (5D Thrill cinema), SkyRide (roller coaster with multiple riding bicycles on 2 paralleled tracks), larger SportsSquare complex, Havana Outside complex (pool, jacuzzies, bar, new Havana cruise accommodations), Family Harbor staterooms (with its own family-themed lounge /24-hour dining, concierge, babysitting, entertainment).

Among ship's interior design features is the Dreamscape" - Atrium-located LED sculpture created by kids hospitalized in St Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis TN USA). The 3-deck high artwork was designed by the company Techno Media and consists of 33 different creations, The sculpture's centerpiece has over 2000 flexible LED (custom-made) tiles. This funnel-shaped central part has a height of 24 ft (7,3 m). The artwork is rotating, with patterns based on daytime, cruise port of call or special occasion.

Construction works started on July 7, 2017, with the steel-cutting ceremony. On January 10, 2018, was vessel's keel-laying ceremony held at Marghera shipyard (near Venice Italy), with which officially started the construction process. The vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) on December 6, 2018. The ceremony's godmother was Antonella Cazzin (Marghera shipyard employee). The important event was attended by Ben Clement (Carnival's Senior VP), Marco Scaramuccia (ship's Project Manager) and Antonio Quintano (Marghera shipyard's Director).

Liner's year-round Pacific Mexico deployment was announced on February 10, 2018, making it the first newbuild Fun Ship based in California since 1998. The news was announced officially during the re-opening of Carnival's Long Beach Cruise Terminal.

Ships Captain is Carlo Queirolo (33-year-old Italian / as of 2018) who was first employed by Carnival as a deck cadet in 1985 on the Festivale ship (1961-built as RMS Transvaal Castle). He became Captain in 1996, since then has served on the ships Elation, Paradise, Glory, and Dream. Ship's Chief Engineer is Nunzio Priolo: (from Sicily), employed by Carnival in 1980 (as Third Officer) and promoted to Chief Engineer in 2004 (on Carnival Miracle). Ship's Hotel Director is Damir Mrsic: (Croatian) - with Carnival since 1993, promoted to Hotel Director in 2009 and previously working on the ships Legend, Freedom and Splendor.

The new Carnival cruise liner Panorama (fleet's 27th vessel) was officially delivered on October 29, 2019. The ceremony was attended by Paola De Micheli (Italy's Minister of Infrastructures and Transport), Christine Duffy (Carnival Cruise Line's President), Giampiero Massolo (Fincantieri's Chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO). Following the delivery, vessel's MMSI number (flag-state) was changed from 247392300 (Italy) to 374527000 (Panama).

On November 1, the ship left Europe (Marghera Shipyard) on a Transatlantic repositioning crossing to LA (around South America - passing Cape Horn (Tierra del Fuego Archipelago, Chile), with the maiden voyage planned for December 11 from Long Beach CA.

Panorama's Godmother is Vanna White (1957-born as Vanna Marie Rosich) - a US TV personality and actress, best-known as the hostess (since 1982) of Wheel of Fortune (NBC nightly game show, first aired in 1975). The liner's christening ceremony was held on December 10, 2019, in Port Long Beach. The special event was attended by Christine Duffy (CCL's President) and the celebrity chefs Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse and Rudi Sodamin.

Carnival Panorama refurbishments review (2023-2024)

Carnival Panorama's first drydock was in 2023 (December 2-23) conducted at Vigor Shipyard in Portland Oregon USA.

Due to propulsion system/machinery issues, CCL canceled six Mexican Riviera cruises (scheduled departures from Long Beach/Los Angeles on Nov 11-18-26, Dec 2-9-16) to allow the drydocking. To fix the issue, Carnival Panorama entered drydock at Vigor Shipyard on December 2nd. The project also included a complete technical overhaul.

Curiously, due to Columbia River's air draft/bridge restrictions (in Portland OR), before the drydocking, the ship remained docked in Victoria BC Canada (November 21-26) where most of its funnel/smokestack was removed.

Another major drydock refurbishment project was conducted in 2024 (September 9-October 12) in Singapore (by Keppel Shipyard Ltd). The drydocking was mainly for routine maintenance, safety inspections/classification works, technical overhauls, general renovations/overall upkeep, hull cleaning/repainting (including CCL's new livery). Interior changes included adding a Non-Smoking Casino (near the Casino's main gaming area/deck 4), an Effy Fine Jewelry Store, refreshing the Carnival Adventures Shop (deck 3), a new Dreams Studio (deck 5/allowing booking personalized professional photo shoots with the ship’s photographers), a new Mini-Golf area (deck 12).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2019-2020

Bookings on Carnival Panorama were opened on March 21, 2018. The "Inaugural Cruise" was offered as a special voyage (3-day mini cruise) from Long Beach to Ensenada Mexico (December 11-14, 2019). Next tables show the ship's maiden voyages as call ports times as prices per person (USD, based on double occupancy Inside Cabin fares).

3-day Inaugural Cruise - prices started from USD 275 pp.

7-day inaugural Mexican Riviera cruise - from USD 680 pp

Godspeed!