Carnival Cruise Line makes its first visit to the Philippines

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) celebrated its first-ever visit to the Philippines after Carnival Panorama arrived at the Manila South Harbour’s Eva Macapagal Super Terminal on Friday.

Carnival Panorama’s shipboard leaders, captain Luca Lazzarino, chief engineer Stefano Gazzolo, and hotel director Hector Groves, led the commemoration activity along with local dignitaries and representatives of Cruise Administration Services, Inc (CCL’s Manila back office) and Open Sea Crewing Agency, Inc (CCL’s authorised manning agency in the Philippines).

Carnival Panorama’s Manila visit was part of her 25-day Transpacific Carnival Journeys cruise from Singapore to Long Beach, California.

Carnival Journeys are a limited series of special, longer sailings that provide guests with unique travel experiences.

Measuring 1,055 feet in length and with a capacity of 4,000 guests and 1,450 crew members, Carnival Panorama debuted in 2019 and is based in Long Beach, California.

Carnival Panorama departed Manila at 6pm to resume her 25-day Carnival Journey.

She will visit Guam and Hawaii before returning to her Long Beach homeport. 

A voyage through Asia

In August, Carnival Panorama embarked on an 18-day Carnival Journey from Long Beach to Yokohama, Japan, which included stops in Alaska.

After the 18-day Transpacific voyage, Carnival Panorama entered drydock in Singapore for refurbishments.

On 12th October, Carnival Panorama left Singapore to begin her voyage back to Long Beach and visited Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia before arriving in Manila.

A happy homecoming for the crew

Carnival Panorama’s Philippines visit gave guests a quick glimpse of the historic city of Manila and allowed the vessel’s crew members to go ashore and spend some time with their families.

Carnival Panorama also welcomed the families of Filipino crew members, giving them a glimpse of life on board.

Lazzarino said of the historic visit: “We know this visit is a special moment for our Filipino team members, so we wanted their families to see their workplace. This is our first time docking in the Philippines and we prepared lunch on board as a thank you for the warm welcome.”

CCL crew and travel operations team director Igmedio Cariaga added: “Filipino seafarers are among the top three nationalities sailing with the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. Carnival Panorama’s visit is a momentous occasion for CCL’s Filipino shipboard talent and a unique opportunity for them to be with their loved ones. This is why we prepared this homecoming event for them.”