After 3 Carnival Panorama cruises, I’m confident there’s no greater value

Over the years, as a regular cruiser, I’ve stayed in a range of cabin types, from mini-suites to internal rooms on the lower decks. I’ve done so on ships from Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess, among others.

But I continue to return to the Carnival Panorama.

My spouse and I have sailed on the Panorama twice, and we have another trip scheduled for later this year. I recently embarked on a cruise with a friend, but instead of sharing a stateroom, I reserved a cabin for one person only.

While sharing a room and splitting the cost with another traveler is typically the best way to save money on a cruise, I knew that wasn’t the case with the Carnival Panorama because the prices were low enough for me to afford on my own, and Carnival does not charge a single supplement fee like most cruise lines do.

Here are the reasons why only the Carnival Panorama should be considered by budget-conscious or single cruisers.

On a seven-night Carnival Panorama voyage to Mexico, I spent only $437 for a private inside stateroom. This price includes lodging, entertainment, food, and beverages such as water, juice, and tea.

My single cabin contained a single twin-size bed.

Lori A. May

As a result of my past trips, I’ve determined that the interior rooms provide the exact amount of space I require at the most affordable price.

Before taxes, my friend and I both paid $304 on our individual inside cabins. After taxes and port fees, the total cost of the cruise was $437. We also pre-paid $97.93 worth of gratuities for the week.

Excluding speciality restaurants, the meal included unlimited dining, live entertainment, and activities such as trivia, dance parties, waterslides, mini putt, and ropes courses. Not included in the price were alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, or port excursion activities.

On this voyage, we also added a $40 per person, two-day spa pass in order to have access to hot sauna cabins and a large spa tub.

For this specific voyage, I reserved my berth seven weeks in advance; nevertheless, it is possible to discover fantastic deals with less forethought.

Importantly, I was not required to pay a single supplement on Carnival.

A bright day aboard the Carnival Panorama.

Lori A. May

Due to the fact that my companion and I both desired our own cabin, I assumed I would be required to pay the solo charge, which is customary on cruise lines when a passenger chooses not to share a room.

According to the LA Times, this is because most cruise staterooms are designed to accommodate at least two people, and the single charge helps the cruise line make up for revenue they would have earned had there been a second person in the room.

However, I’ve never paid such a price on Carnival. According to my research on Carnival’s website, if we had shared a cabin, we would have saved approximately $50 per person for the week. And because we both enjoyed the concept of having our own private quarters as adults, we each reserved our own room.

Each of us had a roomy cabin with ample storage space to maximize space.

My friend’s cabin mirrored mine and made excellent use of the limited space.

Lori A. May

My companion and I both booked interior standard cabins on the Carnival Panorama, and our cabins were similar.

Each cabin was 185 square feet and contained a single bed for a single passenger. The absence of two beds, as I am accustomed to finding on cruise ship staterooms, gave the impression of a much larger space. I never felt cramped.

In addition to a comfortable bed, my room also included a desk and chair, a full closet, and a small refrigerator. Additionally, there was ample storage in the closet and a separate shelving unit, allowing me to maximize my space by storing my items.

In addition, I got a full bathroom with cabinets for amenities and a substantial supply of towels.

My cabin was on the third floor, whereas my friend’s was on the second. We could have paid more for a great location closer to the pool deck, but the proximity of the elevators and proximity to the pool parties allowed me to save money.

I spent little time in my room since I was more interested in having fun outdoors, touring the ship, playing games, and attending deck parties.

Another view of my Carnival Panorama cabin.

Lori A. May

I had plenty space in my room, but I rarely spent time there outside of naps and sleep. There were too many scheduled programs and ship amenities for me to remain in my room.

Our favorite morning activity was participating in free trivia games. My friend led our team to victory and is now the proud possessor of a “ship on a stick” trophy and a whale-tale medal.

From trivia to dancing lessons, karaoke to mini putt, there were more free events than we could reasonably partake in.

Our ship also visited places that I would expect to see on a much more expensive tour.

In Mexico, enjoying a port break and a drink.

Lori A. May

Our voyage departed from the Port of Long Beach, California, in late April and sailed to the Mexican Riviera, a destination the Panorama visits year-round. Our days would consist of excursions to sunny locales such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas.

With this plan in mind, my companion and I thought $437 for individual cabins was a fantastic price. When I can do this sailing again as a solo traveler, I am already making plans.

To maintain our budget, we focused on the ship’s complimentary meals and beverages.

I ate one of the free hamburgers.

Lori A. May

I loved the huge variety of food options included in our cruise price.

Blue Iguana Cantina, the Lido Marketplace buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, The Carnival Deli, The Captain’s Pasta Bar, Guy Fieri’s barbecue restaurant and his burger bar, and, of course, the main dining room.

My favorite restaurant was Guy’s Burger Joint. I especially enjoyed being able to customize the amount of toppings on my burger.

Also frequented was Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, where dinner costs extra but lunch on sea days is complimentary.

Guy Fieri has a free lunchtime barbecue restaurant on the Panorama.

Lori A. May

Guy Fieri’s Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse is a specialized restaurant with a cover charge, but on sea days, it offers a free selection of barbecue favorites for lunch. On the menu are beef brisket, pulled pork, sausage, beans, potato salad, and macaroni and cheese.

The nightly specialty upcharge selections at the Smokehouse are priced à la carte, so a guest could spend anywhere from $10 and $30 for appetizers and entrées.

Our free lunch option was a terrific way to try Fieri’s favorite dishes for free, as we were able to select as much or as little as we desired, all of which was served by the Smokehouse staff.

At one specialized restaurant, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, we splurged on surf and turf.

The cover costs at specialty restaurants are typically inexpensive.

Lori A. May

Panorama offers a variety of speciality restaurants for an additional flat price, such as the $35 per person Bonsai Teppanyaki and the $18 per person Cucina del Capitano.

While we focused on complimentary eating during our cruise, we opted to have a special night out at Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse near the end of our trip. We indulged on surf and turf, an extraordinary wine selection, limitless appetizers, sides, and dessert. The steakhouse is $38 per person, but I believe the additional cost is justified by the exceptional food and service.

My friend pre-bought an unlimited beverage plan for $55 per day, whereas I ordered drinks à la carte.

I purchased beverages individually to save money.

Lori A. May

My friend pre-purchased the $55 per day Cheers! package, which included an endless supply of alcoholic beverages. That meant she spent $385 every week on any beverage she desired, day or night.

Since I consume more coffee than cocktails, I did not purchase the package and instead paid per item. My favorite cocktail cost me $12, which was reasonable for a refreshing beverage. I only purchased three alcoholic beverages over the week, so I spent less than $50 on the occasional cocktail.

I also spent about $100 at Java Blue Café on specialty lattes, Americanos, frappes, and mochas. If I had relied entirely on the free coffee in the buffet, I would have spent nothing.

The hot pool and saunas were well worth the additional $40 for our spa tickets, in my opinion.

To save money, I opted for a spa pass instead of a treatment.

Lori A. May

While we attempted to maximize our enjoyment onboard the ship and elsewhere, we also sought out calmer periods to recuperate.

I believed that Carnival’s Cloud 9 Spa was an excellent location for this, and a two-day pass for unlimited use of the thermal pool and different sauna amenities cost only $40.

Massages and spa services were also available, with prices beginning at approximately $105, but we found the saunas and hot tub to be more than adequate. In addition, the pass permitted unlimited daytime and nighttime access, allowing us to spa in the morning and evening after a day in port.

In addition to the spa, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat had a secluded relax zone for adults.

The adults-only deck was available at no cost.

Lori A. May

Outside of the spa, we discovered an adults-only sundeck with free daytime use of quiet zones, hot tubs, daybeds, and cabanas. This was a pleasant surprise when we wanted to enjoy a beautiful day without getting involved in the pool deck party.

In my experience, cruise lines such as Princess and Norwegian charge at least $20 for a few hours of use of a comparable facility.

A sports deck with foosball, basketball, an outdoor workout zone, corn hole, mini golf, table tennis, and yoga stretch sessions are also provided.

There were numerous free games and activities on the sports deck.

Lori A. May

My companion and I are definitely not that athletic, but I loved seeing all the free outdoor activities available to groups.

The basketball court appeared to be particularly popular in the afternoons, while the mini golf course was utilized by families around the clock.

The fact that the ropes course and SkyRide, a suspended cycling ride, are free always surprises me.

SkyRide and the ropes course are my two favorite activities on the Panorama.

She is Lori A. May

I have challenged myself to the free ropes course on previous voyages. It’s daunting at first, but I believe it becomes easier as confidence grows. Especially when I observe 10-year-olds past me at a significantly faster speed.

The ropes course offers sturdy platforms for traversing from one location to the next via various rope obstacles. Guests utilize the ropes to maintain their balance while viewing the ocean from the elevated course. It’s free and open to all ages.

SkyRide, a cycle ride hanging high above the top deck for a workout with breathtaking ocean views, is also complimentary. Guests cycle themselves around the course at their own leisure.

I’m always a little surprised that this is a free activity on Panorama, as it seems like it would be charged separately, especially considering that passengers can ride this ride as many times as they like.

The water slides and pools are my preferred way to spend a day at sea on Panorama.

I never pass up a chance to ride the water slide.

She is Lori A. May

Every time I’ve sailed on Carnival Panorama, the water slides have been my favorite afternoon activity. I believe they are kid-friendly, yet have just enough excitement element to have adults clamoring for another go. It is followed by a dip in the pool, which is my definition of a perfect day at sea.

When I only want to swim in the pool, the mid-ship pool deck can be crowded with deck chairs claimed early in the morning, in my experience. However, there is typically ample space in the pool for me to take a swim.

The smaller pool on the back deck is also an option, as there are fewer deck chairs and fewer people use it. This is acceptable, as I like to spend my pool time really swimming.

I eagerly anticipate dark, when numerous free live music venues and entertainment places open their doors.

I eagerly anticipate the ’80s deck party on every voyage.

She is Lori A. May

I anticipate the ’80s deck party that has occurred on every Carnival trip I’ve ever done. The DJ plays vintage pop and rock, and nearly everyone dresses in 1980s attire, so I always pack accordingly for my vacation.

Panorama also offers numerous venues for live music. The Havana Bar is among my faves for Latin music and karaoke competitions.

In addition, the ship’s main stage often hosts three production shows that feature rock, blues, soul, and a few Broadway classics. These presentations are free and do not require tickets or seat reservations.

The Atrium Bar is also a great place to catch featured artists, such as rock violinists, every day and night.

Throughout our voyage, I enjoyed nearly every location that Panorama has to offer, but I always end up at Alchemy Bar in the evenings. It’s where I believe the best cocktails are served, and it’s a great place to meet new acquaintances.

For more tranquil evenings, I prefer watching free Dive-In Movies on the poolside big screen.

I turn to Dive-In Movies for a relaxing evening.

She is Lori A. May

When I’m not watching a show or listening to music while sipping a beverage at sea, I watch Dive-In Movies. On the large screen over the pool, under the stars, we watched new feature films. This program does not require tickets or reserved seating and is another free activity.

Carnival Cruises emphasize enjoyment. I honestly believed that we had excellent service and a never-ending list of activities. And I cannot believe we were able to complete everything for such a minimal cost.

I believe that Carnival Cruise ships are appropriately referred to as “fun ships.”

She is Lori A. May

My companion and I noticed throughout the week on how attentive and friendly the Panorama crew was. At every turn, we were greeted with a wave, a pleasant greeting, or the inquiry, “Do you need anything?”

As a solo traveler on a budget, I discovered that the Panorama made it simple to maximize the fun. Even though Panorama sails the same itinerary around the Mexican Riviera during the whole year, I never tire of this cruise. This year, my spouse and I have already scheduled another Panorama trip, and I can’t wait to sail with a companion — or by myself — on what has become my favorite budget-friendly cruise.