The one where she got on the ship.

Mar 22

“Confessions of a Cruise Skeptic: My First Time Aboard the Carnival Panorama”

Let me start with a confession: I wasn’t sure I was a cruise person. Floating buffet? Vegas-at-sea vibes? A week with strangers doing the Cupid Shuffle on Lido deck? I had doubts. But when your 69-year-old, casino-loving, photography-obsessed aunt Sheryl invites you on a Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Carnival Panorama, you say yes—and pack stretchy pants. (And, you wake up the next day after the edibles wear off and you then still decide in the light of daylight and sobriety that high-you may be onto something.)

Spoiler: I was wrong about cruises.

Here’s the real tea on my first Carnival sailing, from the stargazing balcony moments to unexpected lizard sombrero moments in Cabo.

🛳 All Aboard: A Balcony, a Breeze, and a Bit of Havana Magic

We booked a Havana Premium Aft Extended Balcony Room—a fancy way of saying we had the chillest corner of the ship with VIP pool access and a private outdoor hangout that caught both sunrise and moonlight.

(Aunt Sheryl? Already wrapped in a blanket on the balcony. The woman doesn’t miss a whale sighting.)

🌮 Port Stops: Ensenada, Cabo, and Sea Days

Ensenada: Giant fresh churros the size of my face and a chaotic but charming fish market where a fishmonger posed with a gigantic crab that was likely very tasty.
Cabo San Lucas: Picture-perfect blue water, dramatic rocks, and a photoshoot moment that screamed “midlife travel main character energy.” I also made a pharmacy pit stop for Tretinoin and Latisse—because priorities. But my one regret? Not paying a few pesos to get a photo with the two sombrero-wearing lizards. I will be returning. For the lizards.
Sea days? Made for brunch, poolside people-watching, ship wandering, card games, and unapologetic naps.

Carnival’s vibe? Definitely not subtle. But that’s kinda the point. It was bold, kitschy, full of humanity. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what I needed.

Best moment was when my bathing suit top flew off our balcony and landed onto the balcony below. When the couple in the cabin below found the top, the dude proceeded to try it on and model it for Sheryl and I. I can confidently say, I wore it better. But it made for a hilarious “ship happens,” moment.

🌊 Would I Cruise Again?

Absolutely. In fact—I already am. (MSC in May, and September Norwegian in January and then back again on Carnival with Sheryl in January for her 70th Sailabration.) Turns out this whole “relax and wander” thing works just fine for a theatre director who used to need a spreadsheet to unwind.

So yeah, I still pack a little chaos, a little camera gear, and a lot of curiosity. But now? I pack it for the sea—and let someone else navigate while I find the fun.

Baja Coast Vibes Content Pack Coming Late June 2025!