Wildcard Adventures
the best adventures will find you!
I wasn’t shopping for another cruise.
I had ignored the email.
I was researching my current offers on my carnival.com account and found a 14-night Mexican Riviera casino offer that stopped me in my tracks.
I’m now planning to sail solo on the Carnival Firenze from Long Beach, California, to the Mexican Riviera this October.
The itinerary includes:
- Cabo San Lucas
- La Paz
- Acapulco
- Manzanillo
- Puerto Vallarta
- Ensenada
The real excitement for me? I’ve never been to La Paz, Acapulco, or Manzanillo.
This trip is exactly what I mean by a Wildcard Adventure.
It wasn’t on my calendar.
It wasn’t part of a big plan.
It showed up because I was paying attention.
Why This Trip Got My Attention
This cruise offer includes casino perks I would likely use anyway, plus 14 nights of meals, entertainment, ocean views, new ports and plenty of sea days.
But the cruise is only part of the story.
The fun is figuring out how all the pieces fit together.
My current plan includes:
- A low-cost Frontier flight from Denver to Los Angeles
- Landline or Groome transportation from Northern Colorado to Denver Airport
- Carnival transfer from LAX to the Port of Long Beach
- Possible $16 GoWild return flight
- Maybe even a Vegas layover on the way home
That’s how I travel.
A little planning.
A little flexibility.
A lot of curiosity.
Check Your Cruise Offers
If you receive casino cruise offers, don’t ignore them.
Not every offer is a good deal, and not every offer is right for every traveler. But sometimes, there’s a real opportunity sitting in your inbox.
Look at:
- Cruise fare
- Taxes and fees
- Gratuities
- Onboard credit
- Casino perks
- Transportation costs
- Flight options
- Travel insurance
- Whether the trip actually fits your lifestyle
The advertised price is only one piece of the puzzle.
Need Help Looking at Your Offer?
If you have a cruise offer, casino offer, airline deal, or travel promo and you’re not sure whether it makes sense, I can help you look at the real cost. Sometimes all it takes is a second set of eyes to turn an offer into an adventure.
I spend a lot of time researching cruise offers, comparing travel options, testing transportation strategies and finding creative ways to make travel more affordable and more fun.
Follow the Adventure
Whether you're an experienced cruiser or someone considering your very first cruise, I'm happy to point you toward resources, answer questions, and help you evaluate your options.
If you're ready to start your Carnival cruise journey, I can put together a cabin quote quickly and help you navigate the process. I’ll be sharing the planning, the numbers, the travel options, the cruise details, and the little surprises along the way.
Because sometimes the best adventures aren’t planned.
They find you.
Vicki
Upcoming Adventures:
🚢 Aug 15-23, 2026
8-Day Panorama Mexican Riviera, Long Beach
🚢 Sep 6-13, 2026
7-Day Panorama Group Cruise, Mexican Riviera, Long Beach
🚢 Oct 19-Nov 2, 2026
14-Day Firenze Mexican Riviera, Long Beach
🚢 Jan 24-31, 2027
7-Day Venezia Eastern Caribbean, Orlando
I LOVE Cruising~
This whole cruise project came to be because I randomly stumbled across a $52 round-trip Frontier flight that lined up perfectly with the December '25 cruise dates. One of those moments where you just kind of blink, refresh the page, and go, “Well… I guess I’m going on a cruise!”
6 Days on Carnival Panorama last December
I’ve been home for awhile now and finally coming up for air after a busy stretch of travel. I recently published a blog post about a fun and surprisingly efficient way I got to the airport from home. It’s part of how I’m rethinking travel logistics to save time, money, and energy, especially when trips stack close together.
I’ll be sharing more about how I plan, test routes, and simplify logistics as I go. For now, I wanted to share this latest post for anyone interested in smarter, more flexible ways to make travel work in Colorado.
What started as a lucky airfare find has now grown into it's own chapter for my Go Wild Locals travel guide. This site will evolve with every cruise/airport moment and every traveler I meet along the way.
Whether you're:
- A Go Wild Traveler
- A first-time cruiser
- A Denver-to-Coast adventurer (like I am)
- OR someone ready for a getaway…
You’re welcome to come along!
I’ll keep this page updated with:
- Latest trip, latest rates, typical inside cabins could be less than you think!
- Don't forget taxes, fees and gratuities
- Packing Hacks & Travel Tips
- Pre-cruise meetup info
See if Carnival has something for you!
Carnival Panorama
Quick Ship Facts:
- Launched: 2019
- Capacity: 4,008 guests
- Tonnage: ~133,500
- Length: 1,055 ft
- Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
- Vibe: Warm, modern, and packed with fun
Traveler Favorites:
- WaterWorks Waterpark
- SkyRide + ropes course
- Havana Pool & Cabanas
- Guy’s Burger Joint
- Big, beautiful spa + gym
⚓ Embarkation: Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Address: 231 Windsor Way, Long Beach, CA
Parking: ~$23/day (if you’re driving)
Terminal Landmark: Right next to the Queen Mary
What to Expect:
- Spacious, efficient terminal
- Luggage drop-off curbside
- Security + check-in flow similar to an airport but easier
- Outdoor waiting areas for early arrivals
✈️ Flying in to Long Beach / LAX
LAX (Most Flexible)
- Best flight availability
- Often cheapest
- ~22 miles from port
- Rideshare/Taxi/Carnival Shuttle: 25–35 mins
- Public transit: ~70–120 mins (multi-transfer)
LGB (Closest-No Frontier, so no Go Wild)
- Smaller & easier to navigate
- ~6 miles from port
- Rideshare/Shuttle: 10–20 mins
- Fewer flights but super convenient
📍 Getting to the Ship
From LAX:
- Uber/Lyft/Taxi: $35–$85, I've seen as high as $120 during rush time.
- Carnival Shuttle (shared): $35 PP
- Public Transportation - Bus/Train $1.75
From LGB:
- Uber/Lyft/Taxi: $15–$25
- Carnival Shuttle (shared): $31 PP
- Public Transportation - Bus/Train $1.75
From Boutique Hotels:
Many offer:
- Port shuttles
- Luggage help
- Early cruise check-in
Vicki’s Pro Tip:
“If you’re flying Frontier GoWild, always check LAX - pricing surprises happen and when you find them, book them.”
🧳 Packing & What You Can Bring on Carnival
Allowed:
- 1 bottle of wine or champagne (750ml) per adult
- 12-pack of soda per person
- Sealed snacks
- Small fan, magnets, nightlight
- Carry-on backpacks + personal bags
Provide a small packing checklist for your roomie & friends:
- Passport/ID
- Cruise documents
- Medications
- Formal night outfit (optional)
- Chargers
- Sunscreen
- Cash for tips, at port and casino
💺Inside Cabins are OK and Why I Like Them!
Good for sleeping
Cool + dark
Great for early risers and budget-happy travelers
It gets you on the ship!
For best pricing:
- Let Carnival Assign Your Cabin
- You can upgrade later if a “Last Minute Upgrade Offer” appears
I truly love sailing out of Long Beach, it’s easy, friendly, and full of budget-friendly cruise dates over the next few months. One of the January '26 weeks had balcony cabins under $500 on the Carnival Firenze, which is wild in the best way. If you’d like updates on deals and future travel plans, feel free to subscribe. This adventure is just getting started, and it would be fun to have you along for the ride.
⭐ Travel Insurance Reminder
When you’re traveling outside the U.S., it’s important to know that your regular health benefits may be limited or not covered at all. That’s why I always recommend having travel insurance. I personally use Allianz and, as a frequent traveler, I carry an annual plan for peace of mind.
When you book your cruise, you’ll also have the option to add travel insurance directly through Carnival. One way or another, I highly recommend being covered before you sail. If you’d like a quote or help comparing options, feel free to reach out.
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🌍 Also join our community in the Go Wild Locals Facebook group, be the first to know about our next adventures. You’ll find ideas, inspiration, and real tips for making travel easier.
I can’t wait to hear about your adventures and where you want to go next!
– Vicki C
See you around...