Carnival Panaroma/Long Beach - Not Popular?

[K_e_short]

Now that it looks like Canadians can travel out of the country without quarantining for 14 days I am looking at booking a cruise for Christmas.

 

Specifically the December 18th cruise out of Long Beach on the Panaroma.

 

There are ALOT of rooms available and using my Casino deal I can get some very good cabins (Spa/Premium, Family Harbour BALCONIES) for free.

 

Why is there so much availibility? Is it because it's California and not Florida? Is it because it goes to Mexico? Is it because it's right before Christmas (arrives back on Christmas Eve).

 

The answers won't affect whether I book or not but I'm more curious.

 

I have looked at other cruises and the current deals disappeaar pretty quickly on the newer ships (Mardis Gras/Horizon/Magic).

 

Thanks

 

[TNcruising02]

My husband and I cruised on the Panorama in December 2019.  Unlike the warm blue water in the Caribbean in the winter, the water in that area of Mexico is colder and not as blue.  The weather is a bit colder too in December.  Other than that, we had a great cruise.  If you choose this cruise, I highly recommend the excursion Rhythm of the Nights.

When we sailed back in Dec 2019, the ship seemed full.  It was the Panorama's first seven day cruise.

Edited June 15, 2021 by TNcruising02

[sanmarcosman]

We sailed the first week of February 2020 on the Panorama and the ship was packed to the gills with happy guests. The weather was nice at all ports and seas calm. I suspect it's the timing just before the 25th of December.

[bdever]

It’s not due to popularity. The fact that Corporate has scheduled Panorama as the 8th ship in the fleet on the restart & California as the 4th restart state speaks volumes $$$$$. It’s colder this time of year along the Pacific (says the California girl born, raised 🤣) and maybe that has something to do with it. I will say this much, I’m booked for 12/31/21 and the Havana cabins been sold out for WEEKS. 

[BlerkOne]

The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is slow. People still digesting Turkey and saving for Christmas. Same is true just after New Years Day. People are still broke from Christmas.

 

The Pacific is cooler than the Atlantic and can be bumpier.

 

Sitting in the casino you might not notice a difference 

[Moviela]

Christmas week sees a definite quieting in the lodging industry, and cruise ships also turn fewer people away that week. In my own business, many films are released at the end of the year, because kids are out of school, and it is necessary to release for a week before years' end to qualify for the Oscars. On the production side nothing much happens between the second week of 'December, and through the new year. 

[ladychater]

I'm on the Panorama on 11/27...I hope. Can't wait to see some Carnival ships pulling out of US ports as I'm fearful of us getting cancelled (again). Maybe your ship has lots of space because folks are worried about California shutting down again?  We were the first state to close and one of the last to reopen.

 

[amcankid]

My own thoughts are simply that it’s the week before Christmas and does not include Christmas.

In other words, if you want to get away for Christmas, you want Christmas to be part of the get away.

Other wise you’ve just lost the last week before Christmas with all your last minute shopping (presents and food for get togethers).

If you’re not concerned about the timing of the cruise, relax and enjoy a beautiful ship with less numbers of people than usual!!

[IntrepidFromDC]

The west coast of Mexico is more unspoiled, but have you ever swam in the Pacific Ocean?  Compared to crystal clear water with beautifully colored fish in the Caribbean?  Oh, and the water is between refreshing and warm, unlike the frigid Pacific.  I've been wanting to take my daughter on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas (I was there before she was born) but I miss swimming in warm ocean water sooooo much.

[pc_load_letter]

2 hours ago, bdever said:

It’s not due to popularity. The fact that Corporate has scheduled Panorama as the 8th ship in the fleet on the restart & California as the 4th restart state speaks volumes $$$$$. 

 

This ^^^

 

It's a beautiful ship and the Mexican Riviera is fun but CA as a whole is really a question mark right now. By August (or later), who knows. We're set to "open" fully tomorrow but our vax rates are plummiting and thousands of vaccines going in the trash with the latino and african american community getting vaxed at rates of 1 out of 10.

 

Disneyland (not world) is supposed to go mask free tomorrow and the state is giving away a dozen trips plus $2000 to people who have received vaxs. They're spinning it as a way to bring tourism dollars back to CA. We still have the worse unemployment in the nation with only HI worse.

 

I am hopeful but you never can tell with this state.

Edited June 15, 2021 by pc_load_letter
grammer

[bdever]

1 hour ago, amcankid said:

My own thoughts are simply that it’s the week before Christmas and does not include Christmas.

In other words, if you want to get away for Christmas, you want Christmas to be part of the get away.

Other wise you’ve just lost the last week before Christmas with all your last minute shopping (presents and food for get togethers).

If you’re not concerned about the timing of the cruise, relax and enjoy a beautiful ship with less numbers of people than usual!!

Ah!!!!! Winner winner chicken dinner! K_e_short, here is your answer. My bad, I did not realize your sail date didn’t include Christmas. Most families that do book this time of year use cruise funds as a “gift” for the fam bam. The cruise after yours is the packed one. Also I didn’t realize it until looking at the Carnival site but there are 3 ships sailing out of Long Beach for December 😳😳🤯 2 of which are “new” and all three different classes of ship. This is the first time in the history of Carnival I believe where such variety is being offered which is going to spread the passenger demand out more! 

[bdever]

1 minute ago, pc_load_letter said:

 

This ^^^

 

It's a beautiful ship and the Mexican Riviera is fun but CA as a whole is really a question mark right now. By August (or later), who knows. We're set to "open" fully tomorrow but our vax rates are plummiting with thousands of vaccines going in the trash with the latino and african american community getting vaxed at rates of 1 out of 10.

 

Disneyland (not world) is supposed to go mask free tomorrow and the state is giving away a dozen trips plus $2000 to people who have received vaxs. They're spinning it as a way to bring tourism dollars back to CA. We still have the worse unemployment in the nation with only HI worse.

 

I am hopeful but you never can tell with this state.

I heard Disneyland requiring masks for all guests indoors and outdoors. Since they will not be asking for proof of vaccination.

[pc_load_letter]

2 minutes ago, bdever said:

I heard Disneyland requiring masks for all guests indoors and outdoors. Since they will not be asking for proof of vaccination.

https://www.10news.com/lifestyle/exploring-san-diego/disneyland-resort-allowing-fully-vaccinated-guests-to-shed-masks-starting-june-15

 

They are going by the honor system for vax status

[bdever]

4 minutes ago, pc_load_letter said:

https://www.10news.com/lifestyle/exploring-san-diego/disneyland-resort-allowing-fully-vaccinated-guests-to-shed-masks-starting-june-15

 

They are going by the honor system for vax status

Ugh, thanks PC Load Letter 👍looks like I’ll be avoiding Disneyland for a long time. The good old honor system… nope 👎 I’ll just wait for the next amusement park outbreak to shut down the state again.

Edited June 15, 2021 by bdever
It’s PC Load Letter not PV Loader

[pc_load_letter]

1 minute ago, bdever said:

Ugh, thanks PC Loader 👍looks like I’ll be avoiding Disneyland for a long time. The good old honor system… nope 👎 I’ll just wait for the next amusement park outbreak to shut down the state again.

 

Might be off topic but does anyone know how Celebrity checked vax status for their recent cruise?

[firefly333]

You can see in my signature I plan on cruising the week before christmas this year and next. Prices are good and I'll be home to spend Christmas day with my family who doesnt cruise. I will enjoy the Christmas atmosphere of the ship, but solo it's better to be home for christmas. My family none like cruising except me. Some of us like to cruise just before Christmas. 

[Dunk]

When talking about Mexican Riviera cruises, I'm not sure why people say that the Pacific is rougher than the Atlantic. I have been on at least a dozen Mexican Riviera cruises, and have never felt any movement at all. I agree that if you're crossing the Pacific, that might be true, but unlike a Caribbean cruise from Florida there's no crossing of a big current like the Gulf Stream that I'm aware of. I've always found Caribbean cruises bumpier. Your mileage may vary. 

[SNJCruisers]

4 hours ago, pc_load_letter said:

They are going by the honor system for vax status

And multitudes of posters on these boards were hoping that Carnival was going to do the same. 🤣

[K_e_short]

Thank you for all those responses. I am always impressed with the knowledgable answers in here.

 

Weather is colder.. good to know. I'm in Ottawa and it sometimes gets to -22 F in the winter. so anything warmer then that is worth it 🙂

 

I have been following Disneyland and opening in California.

 

The comment about how it's the 8th ship to start is a valid point. Hopefully they will solve any issues before they get to the Panaroma.

 

In regards to it be right before Christmas my mom would be very upset if we were not home for Christmas which is why we aren't picking a "Christmas" cruise.

 

School is over on the 17th, so the plan would be to fly out and cruise the 18th to 24th. fly home and be home for Christmas.

 

So based on all that feedback I think I've made a good choice with that cruise as I get a good deal, it's an awesome ship, and might be a bit quieter 🙂

 

Oh and I'll be suntanning by the waterpark during the day, casino at night 🙂

 

 

[mondello]

1 minute ago, K_e_short said:

Thank you for all those responses. I am always impressed with the knowledgable answers in here.

 

Weather is colder.. good to know. I'm in Ottawa and it sometimes gets to -22 F in the winter. so anything warmer then that is worth it 🙂

 

I have been following Disneyland and opening in California.

 

The comment about how it's the 8th ship to start is a valid point. Hopefully they will solve any issues before they get to the Panaroma.

 

In regards to it be right before Christmas my mom would be very upset if we were not home for Christmas which is why we aren't picking a "Christmas" cruise.

 

School is over on the 17th, so the plan would be to fly out and cruise the 18th to 24th. fly home and be home for Christmas.

 

So based on all that feedback I think I've made a good choice with that cruise as I get a good deal, it's an awesome ship, and might be a bit quieter 🙂

 

Oh and I'll be suntanning by the waterpark during the day, casino at night 🙂

 

 

Doesn't it snow in Ottawa for Christmas? Hope your return isn't the sequel to, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

[K_e_short]

10 minutes ago, mondello said:

Doesn't it snow in Ottawa for Christmas? Hope your return isn't the sequel to, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

 

Some years we get very little snow. Last Christmas we had a green Christmas.

Two years ago we had 115 inches fall throughout the winter. (No that is not a typo). The snow covered my BBQ.

 

My son (14 years old) and I are awesome travellers so being stranded places would just be in adventure.

 

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, K_e_short said:

Thank you for all those responses. I am always impressed with the knowledgable answers in here.

 

Weather is colder.. good to know. I'm in Ottawa and it sometimes gets to -22 F in the winter. so anything warmer then that is worth it 🙂

 

I have been following Disneyland and opening in California.

 

The comment about how it's the 8th ship to start is a valid point. Hopefully they will solve any issues before they get to the Panaroma.

 

In regards to it be right before Christmas my mom would be very upset if we were not home for Christmas which is why we aren't picking a "Christmas" cruise.

 

School is over on the 17th, so the plan would be to fly out and cruise the 18th to 24th. fly home and be home for Christmas.

 

So based on all that feedback I think I've made a good choice with that cruise as I get a good deal, it's an awesome ship, and might be a bit quieter 🙂

 

Oh and I'll be suntanning by the waterpark during the day, casino at night 🙂

 

 

If at all possible, try to get a cabin in the Havana area, assuming that no one is under 12 in your family.

[Roscoe13]

2 hours ago, K_e_short said:

Thank you for all those responses. I am always impressed with the knowledgable answers in here.

 

Weather is colder.. good to know. I'm in Ottawa and it sometimes gets to -22 F in the winter. so anything warmer then that is worth it 🙂

 

I have been following Disneyland and opening in California.

 

The comment about how it's the 8th ship to start is a valid point. Hopefully they will solve any issues before they get to the Panaroma.

 

In regards to it be right before Christmas my mom would be very upset if we were not home for Christmas which is why we aren't picking a "Christmas" cruise.

 

School is over on the 17th, so the plan would be to fly out and cruise the 18th to 24th. fly home and be home for Christmas.

 

So based on all that feedback I think I've made a good choice with that cruise as I get a good deal, it's an awesome ship, and might be a bit quieter 🙂

 

Oh and I'll be suntanning by the waterpark during the day, casino at night 🙂

 

 

IMO, another reason for this particular cruise being lightly sold so far is that airfare during Christmas seems to be notoriously high!

[kdr69]

11 hours ago, K_e_short said:

Now that it looks like Canadians can travel out of the country without quarantining for 14 days I am looking at booking a cruise for Christmas.

 

Specifically the December 18th cruise out of Long Beach on the Panaroma.

 

There are ALOT of rooms available and using my Casino deal I can get some very good cabins (Spa/Premium, Family Harbour BALCONIES) for free.

 

Why is there so much availibility? Is it because it's California and not Florida? Is it because it goes to Mexico? Is it because it's right before Christmas (arrives back on Christmas Eve).

 

The answers won't affect whether I book or not but I'm more curious.

 

I have looked at other cruises and the current deals disappeaar pretty quickly on the newer ships (Mardis Gras/Horizon/Magic).

 

Thanks

 

Have been on Panorama twice and have another cruise booked on her for March 2022 anniversary cruise.  Love the Ship and the itinerary.  Plan to book her many more times as Airfare is inexpensive for me vs flying out to Florida or Texas.  Not sure about the availability but being as shes a new ship i dont think its anything to do with the Ship itself.

[kdr69]

8 hours ago, Dunk said:

When talking about Mexican Riviera cruises, I'm not sure why people say that the Pacific is rougher than the Atlantic. I have been on at least a dozen Mexican Riviera cruises, and have never felt any movement at all. I agree that if you're crossing the Pacific, that might be true, but unlike a Caribbean cruise from Florida there's no crossing of a big current like the Gulf Stream that I'm aware of. I've always found Caribbean cruises bumpier. Your mileage may vary. 

If your sailing North past LA towards San Francisco/Seattle then it can be quite rough the further north you go because of the Northern Currents. As long as your not sailing past LA Its not an issue.  Our Cruise out of SF was great leaving but two days before hitting SF on the return most everyone was in their cabins and majority of areas were closed due to extremely rough weather and swells.  The advice I got after that was to always sail south from SF or Seattle never North to SF or Seattle lol.