jgmpuma

There is value to a guided tour. My wife and I spend a good bit of time in the French Quarter. I have listened to the tour guides. They are entertaining, and can answer your questions. They can also provide specialized tours (like ghost tours). They are licensed by the City of New Orleans, and are required to know what they are talking about.

New Orleans can be pretty cold in January, with the wind coming off the river. Check the local weather forecast before you leave your coats behind.

Starboard side. That's where the city and most of the sights are. I have never found the trip boring. 

Warehouse District. Lots of choices, nearby restaurants, walk to French Quarter, walk to cruise terminal if not too much luggage.

I agree with Princeton. My son works at the airport and gets a discount at the restaurants. After a few experiences he started packing his own. Not so much the quality but the prices. 

About ten minutes.

There are three ships (2 Carnival, 1 RC) i the Gulf Of Mexico headed to New Orleans Expecting 14 to 20 foot seas. Happt to be at home.

They have a web site with maps and pickup points. A cheap way to see the city. I have never heard of any problems.

Almost always pointed up-river. It doesn't really matter. All you can see from the ship is the Riverwalk Outlet Mall.

NOPD has been making efforts to stop break-ins at parking lots. It seems to be working. Break-ins around the Superdome during Saints games had gotten out of hand. When I park anywhere downtown I leave my doors unlocked and glove compartment and center console open, so the thieves can see that there is nothing to take. No problems.

Big casino advantage.

First day should be OK. Most of the day (seven hours or so) will be spent on the Mississippi, and there is cell service until you hit the Gulf, very late at night.

Do a Google search for Warehouse District hotels. There are lots if them that fit your needs.

Another heads-up. I just read that there will be repairs going on to the I-10 bridge westbound over the Pearl River Bridge at the Mississippi-Louisiana state line, with the right lane closed. Probably not on a Sunday, but be prepared.

Timing sounds about right. There is construction going on with I-10 west from Mississippi just west of Gulfport. Probably not on Sunday, but look here to make sure:

www.wwltv.com

Click on "traffic."

Choice is between Uber/Lyft and cab. I would go with Uber.

Cafe du Monde in the Riverwalk. Coffee and beignets. A fairly short walk to the terminal.

The restaurants I listed are not far from the Marigny. Praline Connection is on Frenchmen Street, the heart of the Marigny. Also on Frenchmen is Adolfo's. Never been there but have heard good things about it.

Lots of good music clubs in or near the Marigny:

www.wwoz.org for listings.

Depends on what you would like to do. Some venues, like the WWII museum, are all-day. Same with plantations. You can find self-guided tours of the French Quarter, Garden District, and more. Ghost tours are popular.

February weather in NO is unpredictable. Cold and rainy days sometimes, cool and dry at others. Crap shoot. When you get closer to your arrival date:

www.bestofneworleans.com for local events

Music: wwoz.org

On the New Orleans board I recently posted a list of restaurants I like, in or near downtown. There are lots of others.

A non-exclusive list follows. Most have web sites with menus. Some are walking distance and some a short UBER ride. These places come and go, so make sure they are still open. None are touristy. Lots of locals. Except for Bayona, none are expensive.

Elizabeth's

Willie Mae's

Lil Dizzy

Willa Jean

Dooky Chase

Praline Connection

Suzie's Soulhouse

French Toast

Bennechin (African)

Bayona, for an expensive but memorable meal.

Others are welcome to add to this list.

There are lots of restaurants in the Warehouse District, close to where you will be staying, so take a look at those too.

Grand Isle has great fried seafood. Think oysters or shrimp, and a prize-winning  Po-Boy.

There are lots of them. What neighborhood? What cuisine?

Nor much traffic on weekends, and no construction between port and airport. Allow about 30 minutes for the trip. You should be fine.

If he had asked the ship's kitchen to cook the fish, he would have been charged a "fishage fee."

I am not a fan of Antoine's. There are better choices, as mentioned above. A personal favorite is Bayona.

If you are looking for music, try the clubs on Frenchmen Street. Much less touristy. Local bands, seldom a cover charge. For a schedule, go to:

www.wwoz.org

Listing are at "Live Wire."

I looked it up, just being curious. Sounds pretty much like New Orleans: no smoking indoors, anywhere. Not even on the beach. Maybe on the street, but that is not clear.

I live in NOLA. The crimes you read about take place in parts of the city that no tourist will ever see. My wife and I spend lots of time in the French Quarter, and always feel safe. There are trouble spots. Bourbon and Canal, for one. Things on Bourbon get a bit dicey after midnight, but there is very little on Bourbon that we find attractive. Lots of music clubs, most with no cover, in the Marigny area. Avoid areas where there are no other people.