Panorama: 3rd Sea Day
Good Morning! I went out for a walk this morning and I just don’t have words for this. This is at 5:45 am just outside of the deck 11 cabins. I walk out he says “oh sorry man.” I said “It’s not bothering me. It may be bothering the people sleeping in there though.” He goes right back to it. Its a handful of people who seem like they’ve been up all night drinking.
I had to breakout the jacket again. It’s in the 50’s and windy. I’ve cruised out of New Orleans, Galveston, and Fort Lauderdale this time of year. None of them are like this. The first and last sea days it’s pretty cool outside.
The front portion of the decks are closed due to the high winds. I’m catching the sunrise from the water works area.
This is where you can find the ship’s coin.
The coffee shop line is 9 deep this morning.
It looks windy outside. There’s a lady out there with a hoodie on. I’m just going to stay right here in Ocean Plaza for now and finish my coffee.
Here is the alcohol list for the bottles you purchase in the fun shops and take home at the end of the cruise.
I”m back at the coffee shop for another mocha. The line is only three deep this time.
This guy on his laptop at Bonsai Sushi has been there working every morning. It’s too bad he has to work so much on vacation.
They have a 2 for $20 T-Shirt sale going on. I was going to get one of the Panorama Inaugural Season shirts but they only have it in size medium.
They have some more expensive Inaugural shirts in the gift shop but for some reason they are all long sleeve t-shirts or hoodies. I won’t get a lot of use out of those where I live and it’s rare that I need long sleeves on a cruise so I’m going to pass on those.
The deck 4 dining room doors are closed right now so you have to go in deck 3 for brunch. This is what the line looks like five minutes after opening.
I’m not falling for the coffee trick again. If you read my Magic blog you know what I’m talking about. While the guy is pouring the coffee everyone in line behind you moves in front of you–Not this time.
It was a struggle to get a decent table this morning. I told them I wanted a private table that wasn’t next to anyone. She gives me a table in between two other tables. I tell them I don’t want anyone next to me. They move me over one to the end. I ask if they’re going to put anyone in the table next to me. She says “definitely.” I say that’s not what I want. Finally they move me to a good table.
I got the skillet cake with hash browns and ham.
After breakfast I head to the Atrium bar in search of a bloody mary.
This bartender at the atrium bar. It’ not the good one. It’s not the bad one. I guess one I just forgot about. She must’ve served me before because I said “can I get a Bloody Mary but…She says “no lime, no lemon, no olives, spicy.”
Nailed it!
That one was good so I went for another.
I need something sweet to offset all of that spicy so I ordered up a fun ship next.
The Carnival Kitchen is a new area Carnival is testing out on this ship with various cooking classes. I would like to get pictures of the inside but it seems impossible without being in a class. So much that I’ve nicknamed it PanArea 51. I have only seen the doors open once and they had it roped off and a person with a clipboard guarding the hallway.
We are 296 nautical miles from Long Beach and the Royal Princess is along side of us.
I’m heading to my room to get started on the packing.
I pretty much packed up everything I’m not going to need tonight or tomorrow morning. I have a taste for a Cantina burger off of the sea day brunch menu so I’m going to head back down to the dining room for one.
I see daylight in PanArea 51!
Yes! It’s open and unguarded. I’m quietly inching towards the door hoping not to be detected.
I make it to the door and all you can see is a bunch of kids sitting around a table coloring or something. The actual Carnival Kitchen must be further back in there.
So to get to the Carnival Kitchen you have to get around the security guard, past the sign, through the locked door and daycare center. That’s as much as I know so far.
I’m heading up to the Tides Bar on Lido deck for a Pina Colada.
I always like to watch the ice carving. There are really cold winds blowing out here right now.
After ice carving I tried to get a gelato but they said it will be ready in ten minutes. I heard that twice yesterday. I’m thinking the machine isn’t working properly.
Today they have the chocolate extravaganza.
This is a chocolate windmill cake. I picked it because it’s what the kid in front of me got and she looked like she knows her way around chocolate cakes.
This is what they’re having in the buffet.
The gelato is up and running. Today is the last day so I’m trying both. This is raspberry and hazelnut.
The cruise director has a Q&A going on in the main lounge. I stopped by the atrium bar to grab a bloody mary.
We actually have two cruise directors for this Q&A since Matt Mitchem is here getting his early turnover.
They showed some pictures. This is CD Emma getting married to her Husband Mike Pack who is also a cruise director with Carnival.
This is Emma and Mike with Matt Mitchem.
I am going to go ahead and get ready for dinner because I want to be at the Alchemy bar when it opens at 4pm. The Platinum/Diamond party is at 5pm and I have a 5:30 dinner reservation at the Teppanyaki.
I left a thank you card and additional tip for my room steward, Jolly.
You have got to be kidding me. I got down to Alchemy right at opening and the bar is already full. There is some seat saving going on. One seat being saved by a book and another by a jacket.
I walked down to the Ocean Plaza bar and got one of these Matte Black beers I wanted to try earlier in the week but the bar I was at ran out. I’m guessing this replaced the sea cow. It can’t be from the local craft selection because it’s from Florida.
It’s time for the Platinum/Diamond party. I’ll make an appearance but I can’t stay long,
Hotel Director: Hey Greg you change your shirt again
Me: wink Platinum laundry
I’ve got my favorite seat and a beer. We’ve got some entertainment on stage. A lot of people are eating sushi. People keep coming around and offering me small food. This is great but I’m about to have to leave and get to the Teppanyaki.
The cruise director comes up and says a few words. Then they show a video featuring all of the carnival ships. It’s time for me to go to dinner at the Teppanyaki.
Spicy tuna on the rocks.
Kirin Beer
Pork belly, firecracker, and seaweed salad.
We are at a different table with a different chef than last time I was in here.
Salad
Fried rice
Shrimp
Soup
Vegetables
I went with the steak and lobster combo this time. I got my steak and now he’s cooking up the lobster.
Dessert box
The violin trio is back in the atrium.
I stopped by the room but Jolly hasn’t come yet.
The lip synch battle is happening in the main lounge.
This part always kills. If you haven’t seen it yet and want to be surprised on the ship, don’t watch this video. This is how all of the ones I’ve seen end.
I always leave that before they announce the winner because there’s a comedy show in 30 minutes and as soon as this show ends, the comedy club is going to be packed.
They have a duo in the atrium now.
Still some room left but the people from that show haven’t arrived yet,
Comfortable?
When the that comedy show let out I counted 40 people in line for the next show. I came back 15 minutes before the start of the show and was able to get a seat.
They have a late night comedy showcase in the main lounge tonight.
This is a new one. Normally I just get a simple heart on the last night.
Tomorrow is supposed to be debarkation day. It won’t be though. Tomorrow we’re going to have a Covid-19 scare. I already posted that blog entry. In case you missed it you can read it here: Panorama: Coronavirus day
