I totally second the use the camera in portrait mode when doing panorama stitched images.
Also for marking the start and end of panoramas, I take a shot before and after with the lens cap on so I know where they start and stop. My Nikon also allows me to record notes so I am often seen speaking to my camera
I wouldn't be without a wide-angle though, stitched up shots can be great, but with longer exposure times and changing light, such as just before sunrise and around sunset, they can be a challenge.