California Restart Thread - Panorama Departing 8/21/21

jimbri · August 21, 2021

Have a wonderful time.

nlstigger · August 21, 2021

Took a walk from Hotel Maya down to the ship this morning. So happy to be here and see my ship docked and ready to go!

Edited August 21, 2021 by nlstigger

ZipLipZ · August 21, 2021

We will be there on Oct 16th! A little nervous about the bubble stuff (My daughter is 11 so can't get vaccinated), but our entire groups exemptions got approved so that's exciting.

klfhngr · August 21, 2021

I was there early this AM to see her. She looked nice and all of the workers I saw were super happy and excited! As I drove in towards the ship, they were all waiving they're arms and hands! So happy to see them all excited. Those cruising today will be on good hands, have a great time!!

tallnthensome · August 21, 2021

Looks great ! Next Saturday for

me!

esstheman · August 22, 2021

Bon Voyage !!! Anyone who is on this trip, please post the MDR menus, daily Fun Times, etc. Can't wait for my trip next month....

bdever · August 22, 2021

Since people on board right now have gone MIA here is the local Los Angeles news coverage of yesterday’s Restart Inaugural

bdever · August 22, 2021

And from Cary Aria who is playing as a part of a duo in Pig & Anchor:

bdever · August 22, 2021

Live Sail Away:

bdever · August 22, 2021

And Doug Parker’s report!

bdever · August 22, 2021

Although I am not onboard right now I have a good fb friend onboard and she went live yesterday for the sail away party on Lido and streamed pretty much The Who thing. It was really nice to see a lot of passengers wearing masks 😷 while dancing on Lido during sail away! Wow 🤩 Not sure if it’s a California thing or due to lack of social distancing on Lido but I loved seeing all those masks!

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

Ok, finally got some internet straightened out, and about to start posting our experiences onboard. WooHoo, we're finally cruising again, after 18 long months. I didn't really believe we were actually going to be able to go, until we finally pulled away from the dock.

So, here goes with the live (somewhat delayed) review:

Saturday August 21st.

After picking up my brother at Long Beach Airport at 9:00, we proceeded to the port, arriving about 9:45. Our Arrival time was 10:30, however no one at the port entrance asked about it, so we dropped our bags off with the porters (who were very happy to be working again, and greatly appreciated the tips (we tip $2 per bag), parked the car, and walked to the terminal.

There are workers outside who check your boarding pass, and ask if you have your vaccination card, and proof of your negative test. Just a verbal Yes was enough to proceed. Then we went to the terminal doors and were directed to a short line to get inside. If you didn’t have a mask on already, they politely asked you to put one on before going inside.

They had double the number of small round tables they had been using before for this process. Each cabin goes to a separate table, to review all the paperwork. They scanned our boarding passes (which didn’t work and they had to look it up manually – this was to be a theme) They asked for proof of the negative test first, then the vaccination cards and passports. They asked us to review the Health Survey questions and asked us if anything had changed in our answers. After that, they took pics with their scanners and then we moved on to the luggage scanner.

We had brought 3 bottles of wine onboard, and were all in 1 bag. When I loaded it up to the guy manning the conveyor belt, I pointed out the 3 bottles, and the 12 pack of soda, that was it, no real checking of anything inside the bag, it just went right through the scanner. Then we gathered our bags on the other side and we in the terminal finally.

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

We made our way to the back to the Captain’s lounge. The door was open, but no one was inside, and no water available. We ended up sitting in a row of benches just next to the opening. There were a lot of people there already. Also the press was there, both inside the terminal and outside the terminal, since this was the first cruise ship to leave out of California, so a bit later, Christine Duffy popped out of the back, followed by the captain and some other officers, along with other staff members. She greeted people as they came up to her, and posed for some photos if requested.

She ended up making some announcements, asking if everyone was happy to get back to cruising, and letting us know how happy the crew was to have us back onboard. Lots of cheering and clapping. The was a ribbon-cutting ceremony, filmed by the press, to get things started off.

Finally, about 11:30 or so they announced that Suite passengers could begin boarding. They did turn some people away who joined the line but weren’t in suites. After that, they called boarding group A01 (DH and I) to board. My brother had the same Arrival Appt (10:30-11:00) but was in group A04, so he waited a bit. When we finally got upstairs, to the final check-point, we again had trouble with scanning our boarding passes. Not sure if it was trouble with the scanners, or our barcode didn’t have good enough resolution. Oh, well, first world problems. After a bit, we were finally onboard, going into the ship on Deck 4 at the casino.

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

There were ships crew, cheering and music playing. Basically, a long ‘conga-line’ snaking thought the casino, around to the atrium. I ended up dancing my way through it. They were excited, we were excited, it felt great to finally be onboard.

We went directly to our room back in the Havana area, to drop off our bags. Our room was ready (I expected so, since there was no prior cruise to turn the cabins over for. We got settled, in and I went exploring a bit. I found on Deck 5, at the end of the corridor of cabins, there IS a door that leads directly to the back of the Havana bar area. It doesn’t show it on the maps, but it is there. Also a staircases leading down from Deck 6 is there. I grabbed a drink from the bar, and went back to the cabin, and our luggage was already there. We were ready to go.

We went and did our e-muster, which took really about 2-3 minutes. Once our cards were scanned, and we saw the life-jacket demonstration, we were finished and on our way. We make our way to Pig & Anchor for lunch buffet, outside on Port side of deck 5. The buffet was basically empty, so we went through the line, pointing to what we wanted while they dished it up for us. The BBQ chicken was great, as was the pulled pork, and coleslaw & beans. DH had the Beef & sausage and liked it also.

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

We had some issues with the cards not working properly. My brother (solo) had Cheers, but it wasn’t activated, so the bar directed him to Guest Services. Since I’m platinum, I went with him, so we could use the special line, and I managed to get myself ‘moved’ into his cabin so I could also avail myself with the Cheers program. We thought it was all fixed, so made our way back to deck 5, back to the Havana bar again, and the cards still didn’t work. Sigh, back to Guest services forward on 3 to try again. The P&D line was a bit longer this time. It seems like the computers had lots of issues for this first cruise. After a while, someone else helped us, and finally got it straightened out, and off we went, again.

DH went and checked out the hot-tub in Havana area. It was nice. Our wristbands were yellow, but there were other passengers back there with blue wristbands, and others without any bands at all. I wondered if the crew was more lenient on the first day, to allow others to see what the area is, to entice them to book Havana cabins the next time? We’ll investigate that more later.

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

I decided to ask about the Carnival Kitchen classes. I had seen a schedule posted for Horizon and/or Mardi Gras, but didn’t see anything posted onboard or in the Hub App about it. I checked at the Excursions desk. They didn’t know, but directed us to go Guest Services. Third time that day, and the line was even longer, but I spied an office standing nearby so I asked him about it. He called someone to check, and then directed us to go to the Dining Inquiries desk located next to Java Blue coffee shop on Deck 5. There were some lovely ladies at a desk just next to the coffee shop handing dining inquiries, reservations, etc. There was nothing in writing to look at, but she read to us what was offered each day. Mostly it was the dinner options but finally found the pasta class and pizza class, that we signed up for. I’ll have to check my notes for when they are, I believe they are 11:30-1:30 on Tue & Wed. I don’t yet see them in my planner.

I did see the 1-page daily activities list available for pick up both in the Coffee shop on deck 5 and the Atrium bar on deck 3. I did NOT see them at Guest Services. I have photos of lots of this stuff, but need to get them together on this laptop to post them. I will scan the 1-page sheets, but i don't know how helpful they will be, since this cruise they reversed the ports from normal, so YMMV.

Edited August 22, 2021 by Wanna_Cruize

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

**This is showing up as "hidden", not sure why, but I'll try and repost**

Dinner at Cucina del Capitano
Bought online prior to cruise, but did not appear in Hub app (unlike Teppanyaki reservation). Tried going back to Dining inquiries desk (next to Java Blue) but ladies were gone. Called number on sign (Steakhouse) and they couldn’t find the reservation. Re-booked us again for 6:30 that evening.

Went to restaurant but early, so went to Alchemy to wait. Bar was full, but found table nearby with seats, and a server came to help us. My brother had Pain Remedy and I had the 40 is the new 20. Very good.

Stopped into the Steakhouse restaurant to see the bar area. It does exist, and a lovely bartender answered some questions for me. Got the link to the menu. Has some wines there that are not available elsewhere on the ship, plus a lot of whiskeys and bourbons.

Back to Cucina del Capitano at 6:30 for our reservations. Only three groups inside, including us. One group was just finishing up. We decided beforehand to all order different items so we could try them out.

One word here of caution. I had originally booked Cucina del Capitano the first night to take advantage of the free bottle of swine. However, when they came to take our drink order, and we inquired about it, the girl was unsure so a bit later the manager came to or table to tell us, unfortunately that it was no longer offered. That was a bummer. I’ll have to stop by the Steakhouse and inquire about that.

Food was a bit uneven. For appetizers, we sampled Nonna’s Meatballs, Arugula Salad, and Minestrone Soup plus Caesar salad. They brought bread loaf to the table that was very nice.

Entries we had the tomahawk stead, the short rib, and the Captain’s special, which on this ship is Trofi E Verde-Mare Maria. It has trofi pasta, basil pesto sauce, with shrimp, green beans, potatoes, white wine, butter & parmesan cheese. It was OK. The short rib was good, and the port chop also was very flavorful. For side dishes we ordered the fingerling potatoes, the roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower, and the Gnocchi Alla Romana. We are big gnocchi fans, but this was NOT gnocchi. It was a polenta cake, fried to be a bit crispy. There was no polenta on the menu, so it wasn’t that they brought us the wrong thing. That being said, there were some potato gnocchi-like items in the captain’s special.

Ordered a bottle of sparkling water, San Pellegrino, and it was a large bottle for the table, that was covered by Cheers.

For dessert we ordered one each of the available deserts. Apple in pie crust with caramel ice cream, polenta pound cake with lemon sorbet, and chocolate cake with coffee gelato. All good, but we decided the apple was the best.

Edited August 23, 2021 by Wanna_Cruize
clarity, etc.

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

Last note for the first night. My brother’s card stopped working for his door, and I tried my card, since I was officially in that room now, but neither card worked. We again had to go to Guest services to try and get that sorted out. I think we are on our 3rd or 4th folio number at this point, but finally he was able to get back into his room, and his luggage had arrived. We said good night, and DH went to sleep, as he didn’t get much sleep the night before (too excited). I stopped by the Comedy show about 10 or so to catch the tail end of the show. Seats were still available, but it took a while to get a server, and I got my drink after the show was over. They kicked everyone out of the lounge after that show, because the crew had to disinfect it, and they were turning the Limelight lounge into the Night club, to reopen around 11. The late night comedy show would move to the main lounge for the 11:30 show. A quick stop by Havana bar to hear some of the latin band playing, and I decided to call it a night.

Mywh82work · August 22, 2021

Wanna_Cruize

Did you have everything printed out (vax, test)? Or will Carnival accept images from your phone work?

thanks

Wanna_Cruize · August 22, 2021

Misc. notes.

Liquor store was not fully stocked. Lots of smokes available, but no Hennessy White, which was a bummer. They are supposed to have it, but weren't able to obtain it yet. Not sure if it is a production issue, or what. No price list available, they were just loading prices into the computer. Not a huge selection of Rums or Vodkas, as we're used to seeing.

Verified no bar in the Casino, but the Hero's bar is just next door. No separate non-smoking casino that I've found yet.

Two outlets at the desk, two USB ports also, and one International outlet. No outlets as far as I can see next to the bed at the nightstands, and no USB in the nightstand lamps either. Lifejackets are stored under the bed, instead of a high shelf in the closet. Still a 3-bay closet, one with shelves & the safe Mini-fridge in the room, behind a wooden door.

Wanna_Cruize · August 23, 2021

5 minutes ago, Mywh82work said:

Wanna_Cruize

Did you have everything printed out (vax, test)? Or will Carnival accept images from your phone work?

thanks

We had everything printed out. I wouldn't trust a phone image, they scrutinized it pretty well.

Wanna_Cruize · August 23, 2021