Dr. Ashkir’s LIVE super secret cruise to the Mexican Riveria on the Carnival Panorama April 15-22, 2023

[ashkir]

I’m back and it’s time to go back to the Carnival Panorama. Last time I didn’t have a good experience with the Panorama and I’m determined to give this ship a new chance. Also, it’s a secret I’m on this ship. So don’t tell anyone? It’s between me and the entire world right now… except for my sister. 
 

Would you like to join me on my week vacation to the Mexican Riveria? Well, hop on board for our virtual trip together! Well then… Welcome to Ashkir’s super secret live thread for the Carnival Panorama April 15 to 22nd cruise. 
 

So anyways my sister is getting married in Cabo San Lucas. My dad made some arrangements for her to be married there. She wanted to do it there and take this cruise. But, as her favorite brother, my dad told her I couldn’t make it. So shhh!!! Don’t blow the secret 😂. We’re gonna see how long it takes her to find me on the ship. If she does! 
 

Now where to start? Our car was making funny noises and we took it to Firestone. So we decided to buy a new car last night and we’re driving it down to Long Beach right now. 
 

here’s our new car, a Mazda CX-5

 

We put our little beagle in it last night so she can get used to it. We took her to the park to give her a good day before she gets sad and we leave. Look at all this room she gets to herself!!

 

So, Dear Reader, since my last review you should know I was a doctorate student. I spent my entire days in Alaska and Mexico last time in the library studying. This time no studying. 
 

I graduated. I AM A DOCTOR NOW! Just not the kind that helps people. I finished my last IRB and study. I successfully graduated and have my Doctorate. I did a business doctorate in Healthcare Administration. So this is a bit of a celebration of that too. This is my first real trip since then. 
 

In addition I had my 3 year heart transplant check up recently. All good! No rejection! I will as able to get back on an effective diet and I’m down 28 lbs in 3 months with the help of my doctors. I don’t have to take heavy steroids anymore so yay! 
 

Also, it is absolutely gorgeous in California right now. You’ve all heard of our crazy snowfall and rain. This means the dry mountains and deserts are having super blooms of wildflowers. It’s hard to see but check out these photos. These mountains are normally brown. Brown is the natural state. It’s rarely ever green. There’s so many flowers. If you look closely you can see our state flower the orange poppy. 
 

For visitors to California please remember, don’t pick the poppies! They’re illegal to pick! It’s hard to see the flowers here because we’re driving. When we get back we’re gonna stop to see them. Stay tuned for that after our trip! I’ll try to snap more pictures on our way up. 
 

 

 

We did get some extra sleep today. We got a text last night and and email. Embarkation pushed back one hour. So we took our time this morning and took the dog on a walk on our way out. 

Also, on our way we got to see Pyramid Lake. This is a California reservoir in the grapevine. This lake gets super low, and is vitally important to the California Aqueduct system. This lake also helps us in wildfire season as well. Next to it is a wonderful water museum I recommend if you ever have the chance. 
 

stay tuned for more updates!! 

Edited April 15, 2023 by ashkir

[ashkir]

More wildflower photos. Not great because we’re on the road driving but you can see them!!

 

[ashkir]

We passed Six Flags! That means we’re an hour away!

 

Did you know that Six Flags meaning behind the name, is actually about Texas? It’s the six flags of the six countries that once controlled Texas. It’s “Six Flags” over Texas!

1 - The Kingdom of Spain 🇪🇸 

2 - The Kingdom of France 🇫🇷 

3 - The Republic of Mexico 🇲🇽 

4 - The Republic of Texas 

5 - The Confederate States of America

6 - The United States of America 🇺🇸 

[lennythenose]

10 minutes ago, ashkir said:

We passed Six Flags! That means we’re an hour away!

 

Did you know that Six Flags meaning behind the name, is actually about Texas? It’s the six flags of the six countries that once controlled Texas. It’s “Six Flags” over Texas!

1 - The Kingdom of Spain 🇪🇸 

2 - The Kingdom of France 🇫🇷 

3 - The Republic of Mexico 🇲🇽 

4 - The Republic of Texas 

5 - The Confederate States of America

6 - The United States of America 🇺🇸 

Yes!!!  And the original Six Flags park in Arlington, TX had each of those sections. Even the rides and shows were themed. Now that is all but gone…it’s just another park with rides. 

Edited April 15, 2023 by lennythenose

[deelightfull]

Bakersfield!  Proud BHS Graduate, class of '94.  We now live in Riverside, so close-ish.  

We were on the Panorama last December and had a great (but crowded) time.  I look forward to following your trip.

[ashkir]

26 minutes ago, deelightfull said:

Bakersfield!  Proud BHS Graduate, class of '94.  We now live in Riverside, so close-ish.  

We were on the Panorama last December and had a great (but crowded) time.  I look forward to following your trip.

I love this! I moved to Bakersfield in 2009 from Visalia. I lived in New Mexico for a while as well. 
 

I recently got promoted to director at a company in Bakersfield so it’s definitely home now. I hope riverside is treating you well! 

[ashkir]

We arrived at the Port of Long Beach. According to our Facebook group it seems like a lot of people came an hour early etc and just congested the port. 
 

people are being aggressive and zig zagging and trying to cut into the parking garage lines. Making it worse. 
 

GPS said it’s take 25 minutes to get to the garage a half mile away. 

[ashkir]

Update! It’s now 11:15am California time (PST). The earliest onboarding time I believe was 10:30am. We were delayed by 1 hour to 11:30am. 
 

They haven’t checked anyone in. they’re still disembarking.  Sounds like the panorama is still having some propulsion issues on the way home. Hopefully her dry dock later this year can fix it!

 

I feel bad for the hotel staff. Today must be so stressful for them. I’ll tip extra for sure. 

 

Edited April 15, 2023 by ashkir

[mkcurran]

Congratulations for just about everything in your life! 🤷🏽‍♀️😁

I'll be watching your review closely as I get on the ship when you depart next week.

[ashkir]

It took over an hour to get into the parking garage. They were still disembarking until noon. 3-4 hours behind. I feel so bad for the staff. Embarkation times delayed by 2 hours not one. 
 

Very few employees right now. They probably got timed out for maximum shift. 
 

One of the lanes to the parking garage are closed. in the actual garage most entrances are closed. Good portions were also people leaving. 
 

 

good news we’re in the ship! We had faster to the fun. The lines outside are very disorganized and no clear check in times. 
 

we were able to go where the special access area is because of our faster to the fun and cut straight through due to priority. 
 

we had a nice salad for lunch. 

 

here’s a photo of the port today. 

[ashkir]

53 minutes ago, mkcurran said:

Congratulations for just about everything in your life! 🤷🏽‍♀️😁

I'll be watching your review closely as I get on the ship when you depart next week.

Thank you!! I hope we have a blast and so do you!!! 

[ashkir]

Didn’t get a good picture. But we got treated to a military formation. They flew over twice. Pretty sure it’s for the Grand Prix today. 

[ashkir]

So bad news… my parents didn’t make it! Stepmom lost her passport on the way and they couldn’t find it. 😭 wedding in Cabo is off now. 
 

so it’s now a regular relaxation vacation. Good thing I bought the 7 day thermal spa pass. 
 

also we got an inside cabin. These dates were chosen by my sister. So options weren’t good. Especially since I’m paying $6000 for our 25 day October cruise. So I booked an inside cabin for $1500 and got $500 on board credit. 
 

this is the smallest cabin I’ve been in so far. No couch, limited closet space just one closet. But, it’s in a great location hidden by the elevator. We really like it so far. It’s nice and quiet for us. I brought a mood light that comes up when the sun is up. 

[ashkir]

Good news. She has another form of ID so she’s on board. Yay!!!!

[Rulers Mom]

Congratulations Dr Ashkir! Looking forward to following you, seeing your sister’s surprise, and so glad your step-mom was able to board.  ❤️

[pinto18]

We are on the ship with you! Getting into the garage was stressfulllll but all good .

[atticusthegreat]

wow, what a roller coaster so far! I am here for it! 

[mkcurran]

2 hours ago, ashkir said:

Good news. She has another form of ID so she’s on board. Yay!!!!

Yay!

[LincolnLog]

3 hours ago, ashkir said:

So bad news… my parents didn’t make it! Stepmom lost her passport on the way and they couldn’t find it. 😭 wedding in Cabo is off now. 
 

so it’s now a regular relaxation vacation. Good thing I bought the 7 day thermal spa pass. 
 

also we got an inside cabin. These dates were chosen by my sister. So options weren’t good. Especially since I’m paying $6000 for our 25 day October cruise. So I booked an inside cabin for $1500 and got $500 on board credit. 
 

 

 

 

Do you mind if I ask….how did you get $500 onboard credit? I never get any onboard credit! 

[ashkir]

47 minutes ago, LincolnLog said:

 

 

Do you mind if I ask….how did you get $500 onboard credit? I never get any onboard credit! 

Hey there! When booking there was a promotion. The cabin cost $20 more but it gave me $500 on board credit. So I paid the $20 extra for the higher cost promotion. 

[ashkir]

We made it to our thermal spa. We love it. It was packed but we ate dinner and came back and now it’s almost empty. We went into the Hammans room with our scrub, tried out the aroma room. After we spent a good half hour in the hydrotherapy heated pool. 
 

I’m enjoying the stone heated things whatever they’re called. I’m a seal now. This is my life now. 

[ashkir]

Let’s talk spa services. 
 

I love the facials and the massages on the ship. Especially a good massage after a heavy excursion that drains your energy. 
 

There’s five primary discount ways. 
1) presale. - I recommend skip this. Except for thermal pass, best price. 
2) the tour - it’s only good if you want the more expensive treatments. But I recommend waiting. 
3) raffle / spa manager special - this is only good if you want the package they’re offering not for everybody 

4) massage taster — close to full price from experience 

5) Pamper Fun Party / Ladies Pamper Party — this is excellent and the one to not miss. The prices are usually knocked down significantly. I usually can get a massage for 75 minutes for $100 and a facial for $100. This is the BEST price I’ve found. But not a lot attend this. 

[ashkir]

We went and enjoyed the thermal spa for a good two hours until it closed at 10pm. 
 

we went to the deli. It was nice. They’re oven roasted sandwiches no butter etc. good for a healthy snack at night. 

 

we went back to our room our hidden room we love. We found a new friend 

 

[pe4all]

Following your adventures!  Congrats on everything - becoming a doctor, heart transplant news.  Hope you have a wonderful time.

[ashkir]

Goooooood morning!

 

we slept in rather late today until 9:40am. That’s not normal for me as usually my beagle wakes me up around 6am like clockwork do she can go out. I’m usually an early morning person. We went to her at just after 10:00pm when the thermal spa closed and we got a quick bite. So this was strange. 
 

But it felt good. The bed is very comfortable. So are the pillows. Our room is so quiet even if it’s next to an elevator we can’t hear it. I’m partially deaf but my friend that’s with me is very good at hearing and he can’t hear it. 
 

we’re in an interior called 8336.