Cruise from Los Angeles to Western Mexico on the Carnival Panorama
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
The main cruise ports in the USA are located in Florida. Although in the last decade cruises have also been added from New York, Boston, and other destinations in the eastern USA, and of course in the summer there are many cruises from Seattle to Alaska, specifically from California—the state with the largest population in the USA and one of the most visited states—the variety of cruise options is very limited. Few ships sail quite similar routes and in a fairly limited season. One of the few ships sailing regularly from California most months of the year is the "Carnival Panorama" on 6-8 night itineraries. Most cruises are seven nights and include 3 ports in Western Mexico and three sea days (as detailed below), but there are also 8-night cruises with 4 ports and 6-night cruises with 2 ports.
♦ Recommended tours from Long Beach Port (from Viator):
Carnival Cruise Line:
Carnival's slogan is: "The FUN SHIP." Their ships are colorful in a Las Vegas style and full of activity around the clock. The company is known for the variety of entertainment programs it provides to its passengers, including glittering shows, humorous social games and various competitions, lively deck parties, many bars, clubs, and music. Everything is very interactive and involves active participation from the passengers: karaoke, trivia, various sports competitions, pool games, and more. Carnival ships are mainly suitable for families, young people, and the young at heart.
Did you know? On Carnival ships, every day the steward (who cleans and tidies your room) prepares a different animal from towel folds. When you return to the room, a cute animal is waiting on the bed or hanging in the air.
The Ship and its Facilities:
"Carnival Panorama," weighing 134,000 tons and carrying about 5,000 passengers and 1,450 crew members, is a twin sister (the third and last in the series) to the Carnival VISTA and Carnival Horizon. It was built in 2019. The ship is full of facilities particularly suitable for active, sporty people and fans of action and music.
On the top deck, on the 15th floor, there are two attractive facilities: "Sky Ride" - carts powered by pedals, similar to a bicycle, traveling on an elevated track above the sports deck and also above the sea.
The riders in the carts enjoy, in addition to sporting activity, a spectacular view of the ship and its facilities, and especially of the ocean spread out beneath them, and a successful ropes park suitable for adults but also for sporty children.
On the 14th floor, there is a particularly large and successful sports area called: SportSquare, which includes mini golf, billiards, bowling, ping pong, foosball tables, shooting facilities and others, basketball courts, volleyball, fitness facilities, and of course a jogging track.
For water amusement lovers, the ship has, in addition to three pools (one intended only for those living in Havana rooms, details below) and several jacuzzis, also a water amusement area called: Carnival Waterworks Including 2 long and winding slides inspired by Dr. Seuss, in addition to a large and colorful water amusement area for young children.
An innovation that exists only on this ship (and not on its two sisters): A successful trampoline park (indoor, suitable for all weather) called "Sky Zone" located on the 8th floor, featuring various types of trampolines, some with basketball hoops so you can jump and score; there is also a swinging bridge and a climbing wall over a giant mattress. There are separate hours for children of different ages, and sometimes the place also operates at night accompanied by lights and music. Entry is for a modest additional fee and by prior reservation, and in return, you receive, in addition to an hour of jumping and fun, special thick non-slip socks.
"Dr. Seuss" Complex
For the younger ones in the group, there is a charming complex they won't want to leave: the area is designed and furnished in colorful shades with a fun atmosphere inspired by the famous Dr. Seuss book series. The characters are painted on the walls, and there are also costumed characters walking around and entertaining the children. In this complex, you can spend time with parents, and it also contains all the books from the Dr. Seuss series (in English, of course).
This complex is adjacent to the children's activity area called: Camp Ocean, which is decorated entirely with sea animals and designed in calming blue tones. It is divided into sub-complexes according to age groups, starting from the younger "Penguins," through the "Sharks," and up to the "Stingrays." In this area, children stay under the supervision of counselors without parents and participate in creative activities, music, etc. Parents receive a special phone that stays with them. If the child wants to call one of the parents, the counselor calls the parents immediately. Occasionally, joint activities for parents and children take place, such as dance lessons, scavenger hunts, and the like. All these activities are without extra charge. If you are interested in babysitting services beyond the activity hours, it is for an additional fee. Another paid activity in this complex: Build A Bear.
As on most of the company's ships, the Carnival Panorama also has "Cinema Under the Stars" on the deck with the main pool (12th floor), where the latest movies, rock concerts, and sporting events are screened. In this area, many parties are held with lots of music and dancing, sometimes featuring Dr. Seuss characters.
In the main space of the ship, which spans several floors from the 3rd floor up, there is a beautiful bar with a giant mushroom that is a TV screen with lighting and spectacular alternating animation several times a day. Another giant "mushroom" with similar effects is located in the middle of the large casino.
The ship has a large selection of bars and clubs, and many areas with music and musicians. Particularly successful is the Piano Bar on the 5th floor, which hosts several musicians every day from whom you can request they play your favorite songs.
Cabins on the Ship:
As on all ships, there are interior rooms, rooms with a window (which does not open), and with balconies (with a sea view), some with connecting doors (very important when children are small). But on the "Panorama," similar to the rest of the series' ships, there are also two series of special rooms: The "Family Harbor" complex located on the 2nd floor, which includes a dedicated area for families with a lounge open 24 hours a day, offering free breakfast, drinks, and snacks during the day (including a high-quality coffee machine and ice cream machine) and a variety of games for the whole family.
Another unique category is the Havana suites and rooms, designed with a particularly colorful and happy design in a Cuban atmosphere. Havana Cabanas suites have a private patio that also includes a relaxing hammock. The complex is located on the 5th floor and includes a unique area only for those living there with a pool, jacuzzi, and a separate deck with colorful chairs. Nearby is a club with a bar which is also in a Cuban atmosphere, special for all people on the ship.
In addition to the two main dining rooms: Vista, which has two floors (on levels 3 and 4), and Horizon on the 3rd floor, there are many other options without extra charge, such as: "Guy's Burger Joint" specializing in burgers, the Mexican "BlueIguana Cantina," the American "Seaside BBQ," the Mongolian Wok restaurant (for lunch only), a pasta bar (also only at lunch), "Pizzeria del Capitano," and more. There are also several restaurants for an additional fee: Asian, Italian, a high-quality steakhouse, sushi, and a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant. It is advisable to book places for them before the cruise.
Important Tip regarding Communication:
Carnival has an app called Carnival Hub where all programs and relevant information are listed, and through which you also connect to the paid internet you purchase. Through this app, you can communicate with other passengers on the ship. This is especially important when an extended family or several couples of friends are traveling. You can connect to the messaging service for a few dollars and correspond with whoever you want. The service is active and suitable even for those who do not purchase internet.
Cruise Itinerary:
The starting point of the cruise is Long Beach Port, in south Los Angeles (about a half-hour drive south of LAX airport, if there is no traffic). The cruise pier is adjacent to a historical passenger ship that has become a hotel, restaurant, and museum: the "Queen Mary." It is worthwhile to visit it on the morning of boarding the ship (tour must be booked in advance). The passenger terminal is located in a white building with a giant dome that was formerly an aviation museum with Howard Hughes' famous airplane.
Recommended tours from Long Beach Port (from Viator):
The cruise includes two sea days to enjoy the ship and its facilities, followed by three ports in Western Mexico, all in popular resort cities with plenty of beaches, and finally a last sea day before returning to Long Beach.
Cruise destinations in Mexico, in order of arrival:
♦ Puerto Vallarta
The southernmost city on the cruise route. It is a popular resort city full of beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, and a variety of water sports and vacation options. It has a long and beautiful promenade along the sea called Malecón with lots of statues and human statues (people dressing up as statues), a fisherman's pier, sandcastles, and of course plenty of stalls selling souvenirs.
In the city center near the beach is a large church, a cute artist quarter, a market, and a tequila production factory that you can visit. A popular district in the city is called: Zona Romántica, and it is full of shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars. Adjacent to it are the busiest beaches. The city is known for the many famous people who have lived in vacation homes there over the years and for the many movies and TV series filmed there. Particularly popular in the city: Elizabeth Taylor.
It is recommended to take a private driver by prior arrangement, tour the city center, the market, and along the promenade, and finish at one of the beautiful beaches for a few hours. The most central and popular beach is Los Muertos Beach. If you want a quieter and more pastoral beach, it is recommended to go south about fifteen minutes and relax at Playa Las Gemelas.
Recommended company for a private tour, which can be booked through the Viator website: 1to 6 Passengers Vallarta Private City Tour If looking for more action: Puerto Vallarta Original Canopy Tour, Ziplining, Tequila and Speed Boat Ride – A successful 5-hour tour including a ropes park with ziplining between treetops, tequila tasting, and a fast powerboat ride. If you prefer maritime activity: a successful 4-hour private tour including sailing, snorkeling, and beach time:
Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Snorkel & Beach Private Boat Tour It's worth dedicating a short hour also to the lively and colorful open shopping center adjacent to the pier, which is full of shops, stalls, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. It's nice to take a tour of the small chocolate factory located there behind a large chocolate shop.
♦ Mazatlán
Another touristy coastal city known for its historical center and its long "Malecón" beach promenade, considered one of the longest in the world at 8.5 km, offering impressive views of the ocean, cliffs, many statues, and historical monuments.
The city is full of ups and downs, and the most popular way to tour it is in a small electric cart called a Pulmonia. It is recommended to take a tour of about two hours in such a cart that stops at all the impressive observation points and "must-see destinations" like a cliff from which locals jump into the sea between rocks.
The church in the city center and the adjacent park, cannons on a hilltop with an impressive view and a sign with the city's name, and more. At the entrance to the port, there are dozens of carts waiting for cruise ship passengers, and a tour can be arranged with one of them. It is successful to start the tour at the port and finish after about two hours at a beach in the hotel area along the coast called: Golden Zone. The beaches are long with showers, sun loungers, and umbrellas.
Such a tour can be booked in advance on a reliable site: Mazatlan: City Tour in a Traditional "Pulmonia" Open-Air Car
Another successful option (must be booked in advance): a two-hour Segway tour: Old Town Mazatlan Segway Tour If you prefer to spend more time at a beautiful beach, it is recommended to sail to Stone Island, whose name in Spanish is: Isla de las Piedras, which can be reached by small boats from several points on the promenade or from one of the beaches. On the rocky island there is a beautiful beach, a restaurant, and a variety of active vacation options such as horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, "bananas," and more. A successful tour to the island: Stone Island Beach Getaway lasts 6 hours and includes a round-trip boat ride to the island, two active holiday activities, lunch, and free drinks.
Booking guided tours in Mazatlán from GetYourGuide.com:
♦ Cabo San Lucas
This is the southernmost city in "Baja California" and is considered the most visited city in Western Mexico and the second most popular resort city in all of Mexico (after Cancun).
The ships stand at anchor, and you reach the cruise port via a short boat ride of a few minutes in small boats (called "tenders"). The most successful, photogenic, and popular attraction in "Cabo" are the rocks scattered near the port (you can see them well from the ship's deck), including an arch-shaped rock named: Paseo al Arco, and between them photogenic beaches, including the famous "Lovers Beach."
It is recommended to sail by boat from the cruise pier to the rocks on a guided tour that includes explanations in a glass-bottom boat. During the sail, you see a variety of fish, seals, and in the right season (mainly in winter and spring), also whales. The duration of the very photogenic sail is about 50 minutes. You can ask to get off at one of the nearby beaches. Particularly recommended: "Milky" Beach or the adjacent "Corazon" Beach, where you can rent umbrellas and chairs; they have organized restrooms and a successful beach with clear water, pleasant sand, and a view of the ship and the rocks in the background.
From the beach, you can return later to the pier either by taxi (less than a ten-minute drive) or by water taxi (five-minute sail). You don't have to book the boat ride in advance. You can get off at the pier and find plenty of people selling these tours. If you want a more unique sail, in a completely transparent boat or in a kayak, or a sail that also includes snorkeling or diving (this is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling fans), it is recommended to book a tour in advance. Successful tours from reliable companies, which can be easily canceled and you can pay only a few days before arrival: Tours in Cabo, Paseo al Arco and Fin de la Tierra in the only Clear Boat - a 40-50 minute sail in a boat that is completely transparent. Los Cabos Arch and Playa del Amor Tour by Glass Bottom Kayak - a sail of about three hours in a kayak with a transparent bottom and snorkeling among a variety of colorful fish between the rocks.
Popular land activities (it is recommended to book in advance from a serious company and not "freelancers" on the beach):
Best ATV Cabo Adventure, Desert & Beach Ride whit Tequila Tasting
– A 2-3 hour guided ATV tour along the beaches and in the desert.
Or: Cabo white sand horseback adventure - a guided horseback ride of about two hours on the beaches and in a desert full of cacti.
For those looking for a less challenging land activity, it is recommended to take a taxi from the pier to a glass blowing factory named: Cactus Blown Glass Factory located less than a ten-minute drive from the port, where successful demonstrations of glass blowing are held (free of charge). The place also has a large and impressive shop.
Information and tips about: Selecting the right cruise for you