Embark on an unparalleled culinary adventure aboard the magnificent Carnival Panorama. This state-of-the-art vessel is a paradise for food lovers, boasting an incredible array of dining establishments and delectable options to satisfy every palate. From casual, complimentary eateries that offer quick, delicious bites to upscale specialty restaurants designed for memorable evenings, the Carnival Panorama promises a gastronomic journey as exciting as the cruise itself.

Join us as we explore every restaurant included in your cruise fare and dive into the enticing world of specialty dining, ensuring you’re well-prepared to savor every moment and every meal onboard.

An Extensive Culinary Journey: Dining on the Carnival Panorama

The Carnival Panorama elevates the concept of cruise dining, offering an impressive selection of venues that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you’re craving international flavors, classic comfort food, or a gourmet steakhouse experience, this ship delivers. Understanding your options, managing dietary needs, and knowing how to make reservations will enhance your overall cruise experience significantly.

Essential Dining Information for Your Carnival Panorama Cruise

Navigating Dietary Restrictions at Sea

For many travelers, concerns about dietary restrictions can overshadow the excitement of a cruise. Rest assured, Carnival’s culinary team is meticulously trained to accommodate a wide spectrum of dietary needs, ensuring every guest enjoys a safe, delicious, and worry-free dining experience. Whether you require vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, Indian vegetarian, or low-carb, low-fat, low-sugar, or low-cholesterol options, the chefs are equipped to handle it all with expertise and care.

To facilitate the best possible experience, we highly recommend notifying Carnival about your specific dietary restrictions well in advance of your cruise departure. This crucial step allows the ship to prepare by stocking necessary ingredients and tailoring menu items to your requirements, ensuring a seamless dining journey from day one.

As a vegetarian for over two decades, I can personally attest to the abundance of delicious options available onboard. I’ve never encountered a challenge finding satisfying meals, often discovering an impressive variety of dishes to explore. We’ve also experienced a cruise while strictly adhering to a gluten-free diet, and the accommodations were flawless. The dedicated restaurant staff on the Carnival Panorama are exceptionally trained to manage these needs, ensuring you are wonderfully taken care of.

Kid-Friendly Menus: Delightful Options for Young Cruisers

Carnival Cruise Line proudly hosts more families than any other cruise line, making them experts in catering to younger palates. Even the pickiest eaters will find plenty to love with thoughtfully designed kid-friendly menus that feature universally adored dishes. From classic spaghetti and meatballs and crispy chicken nuggets to juicy hot dogs, creamy mac-n-cheese, and the timeless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, there’s something for everyone.

Beyond the main meals, children (and adults!) can rejoice in the round-the-clock availability of freshly made pizza and delightful soft-serve ice cream, providing endless treats and convenience throughout your vacation.

Flexible Dining: Your Time or Set Times?

One of the key decisions to make before your Carnival Panorama cruise, typically during the online cruise planner stage, is selecting your preferred dinner seating: “Your Time Dining” or “Set Dining Times.” Each option offers a distinct experience tailored to different travel styles.

Choosing a set dining time means you’ll be assigned a specific table and dinner time for the entire duration of your cruise. This option is perfect for those who enjoy consistency and the opportunity to forge new connections, as you’ll often share meals with the same tablemates each evening, building camaraderie throughout the week.

Alternatively, “Your Time Dining” provides ultimate flexibility, allowing you to decide when you’d like to have dinner each night. When you’re ready to dine, simply use the convenient Carnival Hub App to request a table, or head to Deck 5 and check in with the maître d’. This freedom is especially appealing for guests who prefer spontaneity, perhaps adapting their dinner plans based on port activities or onboard events.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. We often opt for “Your Time Dining” because we enjoy sampling the various specialty restaurants and find that our schedule, influenced by port excursions and shipboard entertainment, rarely aligns with a fixed dinner time. This flexibility allows us to fully immerse ourselves in all the Carnival Panorama has to offer without feeling rushed or constrained.

Complimentary Culinary Delights: Restaurants Included in Your Cruise Fare

One of the many joys of a Carnival Panorama cruise is the vast selection of dining venues included in the base cost of your fare. These restaurants offer exceptional quality and variety without any additional fees, unless you choose to purchase specialty beverages like cocktails, wine, or beer. Prepare to indulge in a world of flavors, all part of your unforgettable cruise experience.

Blue Iguana Cantina

Located conveniently on the Lido Deck, just steps from the main pool, the Blue Iguana Cantina is a vibrant and flavorful spot open daily for both breakfast and lunch. It’s one of our absolute favorite places to kickstart a cruise day with an energetic Mexican-inspired meal.

For breakfast, guests can craft their own custom breakfast burritos, choosing from Mexican-style scrambled eggs or classic eggs, alongside chicken sausage, savory ham, and a plethora of fresh toppings. The breakfast burritos are truly exceptional! Additionally, you can enjoy delicious arepas and a flavorful huevos rancheros, prepared with chicken.

Blue Iguana Cantina offers a fantastic option for a quick, freshly made breakfast, especially if you’re heading out for a port excursion and prefer to skip a sit-down meal.

Lunch brings a build-your-own burrito or taco experience, featuring chipotle-rubbed chicken, tender ancho roast pork, and perfectly seasoned battered fish. Complement your creation with cilantro-lime rice, hearty black beans, roasted corn, charred green peppers, and much more. The extensive salsa bar allows you to personalize your meal with a variety of fresh, zesty toppings.

During our Carnival Panorama cruise, the giant taco shells available at lunch were a highlight, making for incredible taco salads. This spot quickly became one of our go-to lunch destinations for its freshness and vibrant flavors.

Carnival Deli

Open daily for both lunch and dinner, the Carnival Deli is a reliable choice for satisfying comfort food. This casual eatery offers a tempting selection of hot and cold sandwiches, alongside classic hot dogs, creamy Potato and Egg Salad, and your choice of regular or truffle fries.

Sandwich options abound, including Buffalo Chicken, Grilled Ham and Cheese, hearty Reubens, a classic BLT, fresh Tomato & Mozzarella, a flavorful Southwest Chicken Wrap, and a delicious Falafel Wrap. Don’t leave without trying the salted chocolate chip cookies, baked fresh daily, and be sure to explore the gourmet sauces available, such as the rich truffle aioli and zesty sriracha mayo.

Cucina Del Capitano – Complimentary Captain’s Pasta Bar (Lunch)

During lunch hours, the elegant Cucina Del Capitano transforms into a complimentary Captain’s Pasta Bar, offering a delightful and customizable Italian meal. This provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the restaurant’s charming ambiance and sample its offerings before deciding if you’d like to enjoy a full dinner there (which has an additional fee).

Guests are provided with a menu pad to personalize their pasta bowl, selecting from pasta choices such as Linguine, Penne, and Farfalle. Sauce options include a delicate white clam sauce, fresh Pomodoro (tomato basil), hearty Bolognese (meat sauce), creamy Alfredo, and a simple butter sauce. You can further enhance your creation with additional options like grilled chicken strips, savory Italian sausage, succulent garlic shrimp, cherry tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, spinach, and arugula.

Alongside your custom pasta, enjoy a crisp Caesar salad and freshly baked bread. If you prefer a classic, their meat lasagna is a comforting and delicious alternative.

Be advised that the Captain’s Pasta Bar can become incredibly popular, especially towards the end of the cruise when word spreads about its deliciousness. Arriving early is always a good strategy!

The Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room offers a classic cruise dining experience, providing guests with the choice between a set dining time each evening or the flexible anytime dining option. With anytime dining, you have the freedom to enjoy dinner whenever it suits your schedule, eliminating the need to adhere to a strict arrival time.

The menu in the Main Dining Room thoughtfully changes nightly, offering fresh culinary delights throughout your voyage. You can easily preview each day’s menu by checking the displays outside the dining room or, more conveniently, through the Carnival Hub App. This allows you to plan your evenings and decide whether you prefer the Main Dining Room or one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.

Remember to consult your cruise card to identify which specific dining room you are assigned to, as the Panorama often features multiple main dining areas. Beyond dinner, the Main Dining Room also hosts charming tea times and leisurely sea day brunches, adding to its versatile offerings.

Dinner in the Main Dining Room is a multi-course affair, typically including an appetizer, a main dish, various side dishes, and a decadent dessert. The extensive menu is designed to cater to a wide array of tastes and preferences. A delightful feature we particularly appreciate is that on port days, the menu often incorporates a special cocktail (available for an additional charge), an appetizer, and a main entrée inspired by the culture and cuisine of the port you visited that day, adding a unique regional flavor to your evening meal.

Fresh Creations

For a refreshing and healthy lunch option, head to the Serenity Deck on sea days between 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM to discover Fresh Creations. This exclusive venue is reserved for guests aged 21 and over, offering a serene escape to enjoy made-to-order, hand-tossed salads.

With an abundance of fresh ingredients and dressing options, you can customize an epic salad bowl to your exact liking. The portions are generous, ensuring a satisfying and wholesome meal that perfectly complements a relaxing sea day.

Guy’s Burger Joint

Located on the bustling Lido Deck, Guy’s Burger Joint is a perennial favorite, serving up mouthwatering, made-to-order hamburgers daily for lunch. This popular eatery, a collaboration with celebrity chef Guy Fieri, is renowned for its juicy patties and irresistible toppings. While you might encounter a small line, don’t be deterred; the efficient team at Guy’s knows how to move diners through quickly without compromising on quality.

Customize your burger masterpiece with “super melty cheese,” crispy “rojo rings” (spicy onion rings), and the legendary “Donkey Sauce.” The extensive toppings bar is a highlight, featuring everything imaginable to perfect your Guy’s burger creation, from pickles and onions to a variety of sauces. For those with specific dietary needs, veggie burgers and gluten-free buns are readily available upon request, ensuring everyone can enjoy this iconic cruise experience.

Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse – Complimentary Lunch Offerings

During lunchtime, guests can savor the authentic flavors of Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse, enjoying its delectable barbecue and a variety of hearty sides, all included in your cruise fare. This casual spot is a haven for barbecue enthusiasts, offering expertly smoked meats that are tender and packed with flavor.

The lunch menu proudly features:

• Championship Pork Butt: Bone-in pork butt, dry-rubbed, slow-smoked to perfection, and pulled until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
• Blue Ribbon Chicken: Chicken that’s dry-rubbed and grilled, delivering a smoky, savory taste.
• Smoked Beef: Beef cooked low and slow, then thinly sliced for maximum tenderness and flavor.
• Smoked Andouille Sausage: A flavorful and spicy sausage, perfect for a kick.

Accompany your choice of meat with classic, satisfying sides:

• Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese: A rich and creamy mac and cheese that lives up to its name.
• Scratch-made Slaw: A refreshing, tangy slaw that perfectly complements the rich meats.
• Old Skool Potato Salad: A traditional, comforting potato salad.
• Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey: Southern-style collard greens, slow-cooked with smoked turkey for depth of flavor.
• Molasses Baked Beans: Lightly smoked and enhanced with bacon and burnt ends for a truly irresistible taste.

Lido’s Marketplace

The Lido Marketplace buffet is the central hub for casual dining on the Carnival Panorama, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a sprawling venue designed to offer a vast selection of dishes, with daily selections that frequently change to keep things exciting. Guests can explore various stations featuring fresh salads, a dedicated pasta bar, an authentic Asian station, and an absolutely epic dessert spread.

Be sure to wander through all the sections of the buffet, as offerings are spread out and you might discover hidden gems! We particularly love stopping by in the afternoon for a quick, sweet treat – the freshly baked cookies are always a delightful idea, perfect for a little indulgence between meals.

Mongolian Wok

Located within JiJi’s Asian Kitchen during lunch service, the Mongolian Wok offers an interactive and customizable dining experience. Here, you become the chef, choosing your preferred noodles, an assortment of fresh vegetables, your protein of choice, and a flavorful sauce to be expertly stir-fried before your eyes.

For vegan or vegetarian guests, I highly recommend making your dietary preference explicitly clear on your order form, perhaps even writing it in bold letters across the top. During one visit, despite ordering only vegetables, a small piece of beef was mistakenly included in my dish. While likely unintentional, being extra clear can prevent such occurrences, ensuring a truly meat-free meal.

Start your meal with options like fried wontons served with sweet chili dip or an Asian Spring Salad.

Protein choices include Chicken, Beef, Pork, Calamari, Mussels, and Clams.

Vegetable options are extensive: Onions, Carrots, Mushrooms, Bok Choy, Chinese Cabbage, Corn Kernels, Green Peas, Green Beans, Zucchini, Green and Red Peppers, Cauliflower, Bamboo Shoots, Snow Peas, and Broccoli.

Noodle selections range from Lo Mein to Cellophane or Rice Noodles.

Sauce options include Szechuan, Thai BBQ, Black Bean, and Soy.

Beer and wine are also available for an additional cost to complement your meal.

Be aware that the Mongolian Wok can become incredibly popular, especially towards the end of the cruise. We strongly suggest visiting earlier in the week to avoid longer waits. On a 7-day Mexican Cruise, we observed a waitlist on Friday and Saturday due to its immense popularity, so plan accordingly!

Pizzeria Del Capitano

There’s something uniquely satisfying about enjoying fresh, hot pizza by the sea, and Pizzeria Del Capitano delivers this joy 24 hours a day! I must admit, we’ve even enjoyed their pizza for breakfast, and it’s absolutely fantastic at any time.

This convenient pizzeria offers five delicious types of pizzas:

• Margherita: A classic combination of Tomato Sauce, fresh Basil, and Mozzarella.
• Funghi: Featuring Tomato Sauce, Mushrooms, and Fresh Mozzarella.
• Pepperoni: The ever-popular choice with Tomato Sauce, Pepperoni, and Fresh Mozzarella.
• Quattro Formaggi: A rich blend of Roasted Garlic, Gorgonzola, Provolone, Parmesan, and Fresh Mozzarella.
• Proscuitto: Topped with Roasted Garlic, Arugula, Prosciutto, and Fresh Mozzarella.

For guests with dietary sensitivities, gluten-free pizza options are available upon request, ensuring everyone can indulge in a slice of paradise.

Room Service

Carnival Panorama’s room service offers a blend of complimentary items and a selection of options available for a small fee, providing the ultimate convenience. There’s nothing quite like the luxury of ordering room service and enjoying a quiet meal or snack on your private balcony. It feels incredibly decadent to have freshly baked cookies and a glass of cold milk delivered directly to your cabin. We often indulge in this simple pleasure, curling up in bed with a movie and our sweet treats.

For those late-night cravings, a dedicated menu is available after 10 PM, with items incurring a modest charge.

Sea Day Brunch

On sea days, from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, guests can indulge in the Carnival Panorama’s delightful Sea Day Brunch. This is the perfect opportunity to sleep in, relax, and then head down to the Main Dining Room for a truly exceptional brunch experience. The recently updated brunch menu is so enticing, you might find it hard to choose just one or two items. Don’t worry – you can always share a plate or even return for another round!

Menu items not to miss include:

• Skillet Cake: These ricotta pancakes are wonderfully sweet yet filling, served with house-made marshmallows, whipped ricotta, and a vanilla crumble. Pure deliciousness!
• Eggs Benedict: Available with your choice of savory ham or delicate salmon.
• Aft Deck Burger: A gourmet burger featuring smoked brisket, Quattro Formaggio, house-made pickles, crispy batter-fried onion crisps, and a rich black pepper barbecue sauce.
• Banana Cream Pie: You’re on a cruise, so go ahead and splurge a little on this classic dessert.

Swirls

A true cruise classic, Swirls is conveniently located on the Lido Deck and offers soft-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt 24 hours a day. Indulge in classic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry, anytime the craving strikes.

Tea Time

On sea days, do not miss the enchanting Tea Time hosted in the Vista Dining Room. This elegant and decadent experience transports you to a bygone era, featuring hot teas, an impressive array of epic cakes and pastries, alongside delicate tea sandwiches. It’s a delightful mid-afternoon treat that offers a touch of sophistication.

During our Tea Time experience, the dessert cart was laden with tempting options including rich chocolate cake, zesty lemon cake, classic scones served with cream and strawberries, fresh fruit tarts, mini peach cobblers, and dainty mini chocolate macarons. Additionally, trays circulated with refreshing cucumber sandwiches and savory salmon sandwiches.

A helpful tip: I highly recommend arriving right at the beginning of Tea Time. We arrived midway through and felt a little rushed, as the staff didn’t offer additional tea or treats after the initial serving. Being there from the start would likely ensure a more relaxed and fulfilling experience.

Elevated Experiences: Specialty Restaurants on the Carnival Panorama (Additional Fee)

For those seeking an elevated dining experience or a taste of something truly unique, the Carnival Panorama offers a superb selection of specialty restaurants. These venues provide exceptional cuisine, enhanced ambiance, and personalized service, each available for an additional fee. While they come with an extra cost, they often represent excellent value for a premium meal at sea, promising memorable culinary moments.

Alchemy Bar Snacks

Enhance your craft cocktail experience at the sophisticated Alchemy Bar with a selection of gourmet snacks, now available to complement your drink. These specially curated bites are designed to pair perfectly with the bar’s unique libations.

Snack choices include (each priced at $4):

• Oyster: Served with mignonette, roasted berries, and pickled scallion.
• Ahi Poke: Featuring whipped avocado, sesame, koshihikari rice, and ponzu wakame.
• Crispy Shrimp: Delightful crispy fried sweet shrimp accompanied by sriracha aioli and chives dressing.
• Smoked Brisket Slider: Served with savory parmesan truffle fries.

While enjoying these delectable snacks, you can’t go wrong with ordering one of the Alchemy Bar’s signature cocktails, such as the invigorating Quick Fix Cocktail, the sophisticated Forty is the New 20, the refreshing Restorative Basil Drop, or the classic Caribbean Manhattan.

Bonsai Sushi

Bonsai Sushi provides a serene and authentic Japanese dining experience, offering a diverse menu that caters to all sushi lovers. Guests can choose from a wide array of appetizers, traditional soups and salads, individual pieces of sushi and sashimi, expertly crafted rolls, convenient bento boxes, and delightful Japanese-inspired desserts.

Prices are à la carte, ranging from an affordable $1.50 per piece of sushi to comprehensive “ship for 2” platters priced at $22, offering excellent value for a shared meal. To complement your dining experience, Bonsai Sushi features a selection of Japanese beers, premium sake, and fine wines.

Don’t miss the unique dessert options, which include delicate Green Tea Cupcakes and a refreshing Yuzu Custard, providing a sweet conclusion to your meal.

Bonsai Teppanyaki

Cost: $32 per person, plus tax, gratuity, and any additional beverages.

View Menu

Bonsai Teppanyaki offers an unforgettable, interactive dining experience that you’ll want to book as soon as you plan your cruise, or even before you embark! This highly sought-after restaurant features three dinner seatings daily, and on sea days, an additional two lunch seatings are available.

We were fortunate enough to secure a seating on the very first night of our cruise by simply walking up and inquiring about availability. The full dinner experience spans approximately 90 minutes and includes an incredible amount of food, all while being entertained by the chef’s cheeky humor and lively songs.

Our table was filled with laughter and delight throughout the meal, enjoying both the engaging performance and the fantastic cuisine. Even the youngest diners, aged 4 and 6 at our table, were captivated and thoroughly enjoyed their meals, thanks to the chef’s ability to keep them entertained.

As a vegetarian, I initially had reservations about dining at a Teppanyaki restaurant, which is typically known for its meat-centric cooking. I had even opted not to try it on the Carnival Horizon due to uncertainty. However, I can confidently say that the chef at Bonsai Teppanyaki went above and beyond to ensure the vegetarian items were prepared completely separate from any meat. My tofu and grilled vegetables were cooked and served meticulously before any meat touched the grill. The team did an outstanding job of crafting a delicious vegetarian meal that I would happily enjoy again.

Carnival Kitchen

Carnival Kitchen offers a unique, hands-on opportunity to delve into the culinary arts, taking cooking classes directly from the ship’s talented chefs and expert bartenders. These engaging classes span a wide range of topics, from crafting delectable appetizers and mastering holiday recipes to perfecting the art of fine dining.

Classes at Carnival Kitchen start at $39 per guest, with prices varying depending on the complexity and duration of the chosen class. We enthusiastically participated in the Elegant Affairs Spanish Dinner Class, which proved to be an amazing experience. Carnival has designed a dedicated, state-of-the-art area onboard specifically for these classes, providing an exceptional learning environment.

Each couple is assigned a private workstation, complete with a cooktop, ample counter space, and a clear view of the chef instructor. During our class, we prepared four or five exquisite dishes, culminating in a communal dinner where we enjoyed the fruits of our labor together as a group.

I am incredibly excited to share some of the recipes we learned to create. Having several chefs circulate throughout the kitchen as we cooked was invaluable. I was able to ask specific questions about cooking shrimp that I had always wondered about, receiving personalized, hands-on tips tailored to my experience level. I was so impressed with the entire experience that I would absolutely book more of these classes on our next Carnival Panorama cruise.

Cucina Del Capitano – Dinner

Cost: $15 per diner (Adults)
Kids Menu: $5

Cucina Del Capitano, Carnival’s beloved Italian specialty restaurant, pays homage to the rich Italian heritage of many of Carnival’s ship captains. The restaurant’s walls are adorned with charming photographs chronicling the captains’ lives from childhood, creating a warm and authentic ambiance.

If you have a passion for authentic Italian cuisine, you are guaranteed to fall in love with Cucina Del Capitano. This restaurant stands out as one of my absolute favorites across all Carnival Cruise ships. I must confess, on several cruises, I’ve indulged in its delights multiple times – it truly is that good!

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse

Adults: $38
Kids: $12

Indulge in an exquisite fine dining steakhouse experience at sea at Fahrenheit 555. This elegant restaurant offers premium cuts of meat, perfectly prepared, accompanied by an array of delicious side dishes and fresh salads. Complement your meal with a selection from their extensive and impressive wine list, curated to enhance every flavor.

Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse is consistently one of the most popular dining venues onboard, so it is highly recommended to secure your reservations well in advance to avoid disappointment and ensure you don’t miss out on this exceptional culinary treat.

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast

Cost: $6 per guest

Fans of Dr. Seuss are in for a whimsical and unforgettable start to their day with the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast! This vibrant, themed meal is a delight for all ages, offering a playful twist on breakfast classics in an immersive environment.

Guests will have fantastic opportunities for character photos with beloved Dr. Seuss friends like Sam I Am, the iconic Cat in the Hat, and many more. It’s truly a breakfast not to be missed! How can you possibly go wrong with a menu featuring Green Eggs & Ham, Scrambled Super-Dee Dooper-dee-Booper Special de luxe a-la Peter T Hooper Omelets, Horton’s Cereal-Crusted French Toast, and hearty Fox in Socks Steak and Eggs, among other fantastical dishes?

Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse & Brewery – Dinner

Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse & Brewery offers an authentic barbecue dining experience for dinner, complete with an onsite brewery. Indulge in classic barbecue favorites including succulent smoked ribs, tender brisket, and perfectly dry-rubbed chicken, all prepared with Guy Fieri’s signature flair.

Menu Items Not to Miss:

• Trash Can Nachos: A truly iconic dish featuring pulled pork piled high on house-made tortilla chips, drizzled with Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce, fresh pico de gallo, spicy jalapeños, black beans, and a generous topping of SMC (super melty cheese). For vegetarians, these can be customized with the pulled pork served on the side.
• Pig & Anchor Melt: A hearty sandwich packed with pulled pork, thinly sliced brisket, double pork belly bacon, smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, homemade pickles, and the indispensable Donkey Sauce.
• Mac Daddy Mac and Cheese: A rich and creamy take on a classic, a must-try side.
• Sweet Potato Bourbon Mash: While incredibly delicious, I was slightly disappointed by the portion size – there just wasn’t enough in the bowl! This sweet potato mash is so good, I could easily have enjoyed three or four servings.
• Banana Cream Pie and the Apple Cobbler: Don’t skip these delightful, comforting desserts.

Java Blue Café

The Java Blue Café is the Carnival Panorama’s dedicated coffee shop and specialty shake spot, offering a wide range of premium beverages and delightful desserts. Here, you can find your favorite coffee and tea drinks, along with an impressive selection of epic sweet treats.

For those seeking an extra kick, the café also serves spiked coffees and indulgent Ghirardelli blended frappes. The signature dessert of the Java Blue Café is the exquisite Blue Velvet Cake, a must-try for cake enthusiasts.

Make sure to try the Spirit of Kentucky Spiked Milkshake – a bourbon milkshake that is incredibly delicious and a unique treat!

New to the Carnival Panorama, the Java Blue Café now features huge cupcakes, elegant Bundt cakes, and freshly made doughnuts. However, it’s worth noting that the cupcakes may not be as sweet as you might expect if you’re accustomed to typical American flavors. We tried the Dulce de Leche cupcake and found that while the caramel inside was good, the frosting lacked a strong flavor. We likely wouldn’t order it again.

The Smores Honey Graham Cupcake, topped with house-made marshmallows on a rich chocolate cupcake, was quite good, but again, definitely not as sweet as you’d find in a specialty cupcake shop in the US.

During an evening visit, the barista surprised us with amazing coffee art, crafting this super cute flower design on our latte – it was such a fun and unexpected touch!

JiJi’s Asian Kitchen

Cost: $15 per person
Kids 11 and Under: $5

JiJi’s Asian Kitchen invites guests on a sophisticated culinary journey across Asia, open for dinner nightly. This specialty restaurant offers a delightful fusion of diverse cuisines, blending flavors from Chinese, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Philippine, Singaporean, and Indonesian traditions into a unique dining experience.

Menu Items Not to Miss:

• Slow Braised Pork Belly: A rich dish featuring caramel chili sauce with black vinegar, brightened by pomelo citrus fruit, Chinese chives with gorgonzola, and spiced purple onions.
• Bo Kho: Slow-Braised Wagyu Beef Short Rib: A tender and flavorful dish served with watermelon radish, burdock root, innovative wasabi pearls, and crisp potatoes.
• Kung Pao Chicken: A classic with a kick, prepared with fragrant Sichuan peppercorns, heavenly facing chilies, and crunchy cashews.
• Rose Crème Brulee with Ginger Cream: A delicate and aromatic dessert, offering a unique twist on a classic.
• Fried Wonton: A sweet and refreshing end to the meal, featuring wrapped lychee fruit with tapioca pearls and coconut milk.

Pizza Delivery

Delivery Fee: $5.00

For ultimate convenience and indulgence, the Carnival Panorama offers pizza delivery directly to you, anywhere on the ship! Simply order your favorite freshly made pizza from Pizzeria del Capitano through the Carnival Hub App, and it will be delivered right to your location.

Imagine these scenarios:

• Relaxing in a prime deck chair and don’t want to lose your spot? = Pizza delivery!
• Comfortably settled in bed, engrossed in a movie, and don’t wish to move? = Pizza delivery!
• Enjoying a good book in a cozy chair on Deck 5? = Pizza delivery!

There are countless reasons to have a delicious, hot pizza brought directly to you onboard. Plus, you’re on vacation, and that’s perhaps the best reason of all to treat yourself!

Seafood Shack

The Seafood Shack is a casual, à la carte dining venue open for both lunch and dinner, offering a fresh taste of the ocean. The menu features classic coastal favorites, from rich New England Clam Chowder served in a crusty bread bowl to succulent lobster rolls and delectable crab cake sliders.

For those who desire something truly special, you can purchase fresh fish at market prices and have Carnival’s talented chefs prepare it to your specifications. We’ve heard wonderful reviews about both the clam chowder in a bread bowl and the flavorful lobster rolls, making this a popular stop for seafood aficionados.

The Chef’s Table

Adults: $75 – $95

The Chef’s Table offers an exclusive, intimate, and highly sought-after dining experience, providing a unique insight into the ship’s culinary operations. This exceptional evening includes a full-service, multi-course dinner paired with a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the ship’s galley.

With seating limited to only 14 guests each night, The Chef’s Table ensures a personalized and unforgettable experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our Chef’s Table journey, finding it amazing to witness the intricate workings of the ship’s kitchen while savoring fantastic dishes that are exclusively prepared for this dinner.

The Carnival Panorama features a brand new Chef’s Table menu, so even if you’ve experienced this culinary event on another Carnival ship, you can look forward to a fresh selection of innovative dishes to try again.

Enhance Your Culinary Journey: Practical Tips & Resources

While the Carnival Panorama offers an incredible array of dining options, a smooth and enjoyable experience often comes down to a few practical considerations. Since many of us don’t typically indulge in three-plus restaurant meals every day at home, these simple additions can significantly enhance your cruise comfort.

• Tide Pen: For those inevitable small spills or unexpected stains during your culinary adventures, a Tide pen is a lifesaver. You won’t want to spend precious cruise time doing laundry, and a quick pre-treatment can keep your clothes looking fresh until you return home.
• Heartburn Relief (e.g., Pepcid): Our stomachs sometimes remind us that continuously enjoying rich, indulgent restaurant meals for a week is a departure from our usual routine. Having Pepcid or another form of heartburn relief on hand can make a big difference, ensuring your evenings remain pleasant.
• Insulated Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is key, especially under the sun. An insulated water bottle is a great way to not only encourage regular water intake but also saves you time and energy from constantly seeking new glasses while relaxing on the pool deck or exploring the ship.
• Tervis Mug: I always pack a Tervis Mug for our cruises. Its insulating properties make it versatile for keeping both hot tea warm and iced tea cold throughout the day.

Additional Cruise Planning Resources

To help you further prepare for your perfect cruise vacation, explore these helpful guides:

• What not to pack on your cruise
• What you need to know about the Carnival Hub App
• Ways to help St. Jude on your cruise
• Cabo San Lucas Cruise Guide
• Cabo San Lucas Whale Watching Excursion
• Puerto Vallarta by Cruise Guide
• Sail and Snorkel Excursion – Cabo
• Give Back with Purpose Excursion – Puerto Vallarta
• Mexican Wines Excursion – Ensenada

We partnered with Carnival for this cruise. All opinions expressed are our own.