Lidolounger

3 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

The last three years, we've stayed at Drury Inn on Poydras Street.  We love it.  It has an included evening meal, nothing extraordinary, but is good and filling.  The breakfast is really good.  One of the best things we like about it is that it has an attached parking garage.  You can park on the level of your room and go directly in the hotel from there.  Most hotels have valet or off-site parking.  You can watch the price as it typically drops closer to time.  We updated our reservation several times back in January and ended up with a rate around $135.

Thank you, will check it out.

It's been awhile since we've sailed out of NOLA.  Where do you recommend we stay?  Looking for clean, reasonable ( not cheapest, but good value) for a night prior to our cruise. What area do you recommend?

I emailed my info to Carnival last week.  Received confirmation in under an hour. 

Platinum sailer with 40 days needed to reach Diamond.  Laundry perk is OK for t-shirts, sweats, socks etc.  A bottle of water, again ok,  but in no way does that encourage me to continue booking  The one time Diamond gift of luggage tags is nice.

What would really catch my attention?

Ability to have immediate access to my  cabin (like before)

Free specialty dinner

Free low tier wi-fi with ability to upgrade

Cabin cleaned twice daily (like before)

Gifts brought to my cabin vs the current treasure hunt and having to call for the choc strawberries

Meaningful plat/Diamond parties

  Perhaps a short comedy show, True interaction with crew...officer panel etc

Priority tenders both leaving the ship and returning

12 hours ago, Texas Tillie said:

 

Galveston, New Orleans or Mobile?

Galveston

Staying at  Coutyard by .Marriott.  driving to port and parking at the terminal

  How much time should we allow?

I just saw this in my cruise manager too.  Don't recall hearing anything from JH about this, but we were able to book it as well.

4 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Rudi’s is a flat out home run

We considered it when onboard Celebration.  Sailing Jubilee in Jan~ you talked me in to it!

4 hours ago, longhorn2004 said:

Want a reasonable place to stay and be on or near the beach, there is Town Place Suites by Marriot or the Courtyard in front of it. Terminals about 15-20 minutes away.

Sailing the Jubilee in Jan.  We're booked at the Courtyard...when do you sail?

On 10/13/2023 at 12:50 PM, skrufy said:

My suggestions are, after you board, go get the mandatory  muster drill out of the way. Then go have lunch. After lunch, if luggage is in your cabin, unpack. Next take an hour and walk the ship get the layout. Enjoy sail away. The last thing is don’t try to do everything there is to do on the ship, you will never do it all, Pick out things you would like to do each morning from the daily planner. One more thought, pack a change of cloths in your carry on. Luggage sometimes arrives late. First night dinner is super casual. Last, Last honest. Have a great 1st cruise.

Perfect advice, I second this!

On 10/2/2023 at 7:00 AM, Joebucks said:

I absolutely LOVE this. I am not someone who wants to stay on the ship all week. A few beach days add variety to cruising, and the variety is one of the best parts of cruising. As much as I try to not complain about the ports, I can understand why Freeport isn't everyone's favorite. 

 

It is so nice to be able to walk off of the ship and onto a nice beach area, with shopping, restaurants, and other things to do without being forced to spend a big portion of your limited day in expensive taxis or other transportation. With the ship being there, I can walk back on if I choose to, which is especially nice in case I want to grab food or whatnot. 

 

I know there already will be people snubbing their noses at these "cookie cutter" experiences. While telling us how they explore the wilderness with a machete and compass. Again, I'm all for additional options. If you want to leave the port, that option is there. If want a simple day, that option is also there. 

 

Honestly, I could see myself doing an extra 4-5 day cruise or so because of this. This adds a lot of value to those previously bland itineraries. Simple beach days are underrated.

"Machete and compass"  best quote ever!

Platinum with Carnival, Elite with Princess.  We sailed on the MSC Divina, which was our least favorite cruise.  We expected a more European feel, and it was.  Shows are more musical due to all the languages spoken.  We missed the comedy and guest interaction shows.  We found food to be very limited outside of the main DR.  Balcony cabin was smaller and several maintenance issues IE a front of a drawer was laying next to the drawer, leaking toilet and a hole in the wall by the TV with wires hanging out (none of these were fixed during our cruise even after contacting cabin steward, guest services and maintenance)

On the plus side, the ship was beautiful and loved how drink stations and bars were adjacent to all food areas.

Would we seek out another MSC? Probably not.  If there was a great deal or itinerary, sure.

Our preference remains Princess, that being said, we have 2 Carnival cruises booked.

5 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

7:30 guarantee

Gonna hold you to it!

7 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

A little hard to see but the start of a rainbow

I'm coveting a lounger in the summer landing pool.  What do ya think...4am?

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

This is the last day, nobody getting spare keys here

Hmmm, taking off gratuities?

As to the Bubbles package, you do not have to purchase for everyone. The Cheers package (alcohol), you do.

Agree with other posters, if you're flying, Port Canaveral is a bit further from the airport and is an added expense.

Ask your Dr for a prescription of meclezine.  Very inexpensive.  Start taking a couple of days prior to sailing, at night.  That way if it makes you sleepy, If you take them at might you'll sleep well and be guarded against the nausea. Then contine taking them at night throughput your cruise.  You'll have less issues being tired during the day and minimal, if any nausea.  A great back up to bring with are chewable ginger candy's.  Found ours at a natural store, again very inexpensive and they worked well.

Stayed at the Intercontinental for 2 nights this past August. Excellent service, room, location.

I have been on both ships. The Sunrise just this past August. I like ports more on the Sunrise. But dislike the ship since the refurbish.  Additional cabins were added at the expense of public spaces...seemed very chopped up.  In the end a toss up.  I'd go with whichever is easier to get to.  Just had clients return from the Valor and had very positive feedback.

On 10/23/2022 at 12:00 PM, suefrankw said:

thanks for the info. We are also sailing in January and looking for a reasonable hotel with parking. Did Aloft off a shuttle to the Port?

No they don't 

On 10/23/2022 at 12:00 PM, suefrankw said:

thanks for the info. We are also sailing in January and looking for a reasonable hotel with parking. Did Aloft off a shuttle to the Port?

No.  

InterContinental ~ just stayed there this past Aug 2 nights prior to our cruise.  Beautiful hotel, walking distance to Bayside. $$$

For our upcoming cruise in Frb, we are driving and booked Aloft Miami Airport.  Great reviews & price ~ only $7 per night for parking or $12 pet night extended parking.

13 hours ago, Rebels82 said:

EB Hotel…..GREAT hotel that has a Cruise and Park package. It even includes ride to cruise port.

Thank you!

Thanks ~ we usually fly & stay at the InterContinental, but for just a night, will probably look at something by the airport and park at the port during the cruise.

What are some options?  We're driving could stay our precruise night in Ft Lauderdale, but who allows you to  park your car there?  We usually fly, so this is new for us.