jgmpuma

The port is only a few blocks away from either hotel.

There will be lots of traffic around the Superdome, but that is several blocks away, and you won't have any problems driving from either hotel.

The area is safe, and the festival is a lot of fun. Good food and local music.

There are Walgreen's at 134 Royal Street and 619 Decatur Street, and a Rouse's Market at 700 Royal.

Prices are pretty much the same.

Fixed fare is $33 for one or two people, $14 for each extra passenger.

Even the gay parade would be OK for kids. Very restrained, by New Orleans standards.

It's about the same distance from the terminal as the Hilton. About seven blocks.

It isn't a bad walk if the weather is OK and you are not hauling a lot of luggage.

When you leave the hotel, turn left to Convention Center Boulevard, about a block.

Turn left again and walk to Julia Street (about two blocks).

Turn left and walk down the walkway leading to the Riverwalk. Cross the railroad tracks and turn right. You will pass the Julia Street terminal and about two blocks further is the Erato Street terminal.

There is no pedestrian walkway, and there are signs saying "no pedestrians," but people still walk it.

Or for something completely different:

http://judeshrine.com/

This church is on Rampart Street at the edge of the French Quarter. The parishioners are a mixed bag of races and athnicities. There will be a Gospel choir, great music, and a very enthusiastic congregation.

The building itself is not remarkable. If you have time, stop in at St. Particks (2nd oldest church in the city) and Jesuit Church. St. Joseph is a little out of the way.

Restaurants (like the churches) will be packed, so make reservations early. Muriel's on Jackson Square is our favorite.

Park in the Harrah's Casino parking lot on Convention Center Blvd.

Get a player's card, play the penny slots for 30 minutes and you will get 24 hours of covered, protected parking.

It is a short walk (or riverfront trolley ride) to the French Quarter.

Vieux Carre & Sidney's both open at 10:00, Sundays included.

There is a convenience store on the corner of Julia Street and Convention Center Blvd., about a block from your hotel. Not a great selection, but close by.

If you want to walk a little further, there are the usual drug stores on Canal Street (CVS, Walgreen's) with better selection and prices.

Unfortunately, Bozo's is no more. The original owner died a couple of years ago, and his family was never able to make a go of it. They served some of the best seafood in the city.

Something else is opening in its old location, but I haven't heard anything about it.

There are plenty of good seafood places left.

Are you looking for something in Metairie or in the French Quarter?

World Gallery is right about the parades.

It is on North Claiborne near the Industrial Canal, not that far from the cruise terminal but a really out-of-the way location, and I don't know if they would be open on a weekend.

They have a website with a map and contact information.

Casino & shops open shortly after the ship leaves the dock.

Cabs will be available.

Never riden this train, but there are cabs at the train terminal, and the fare to the Doubletree would be about $15.00.

Cab is $33 for two persons.

It costs more, but is a lot quicker.

The Carival terminal is more of a challenge. You will have to walk two blocks or so along a roadway not set up for pedestrian traffic.

Doable, but more difficult.

The river is now open.

There are five parades this Saturday. They don't go in the French Quarter, but along Canal Street, very close to the querter.

The first one should get downtown around 3:00.

Bourbon Street is by far the busiest and loudest street in the quarter. Lots of bars, t-shirt shops, cheap street food and not much else. It just depends on what you like. Other areas of the quarter are more interesting.

There is a service that will take your luggage, store it and deliver it to the airport. Located just outside of customs.

I don't remember the name, and don't know what they charge.

The cab drivers know how to get around the traffic.

You can download an app from one of the local TV stations that will let you track the progress of the parades.

The steamboat Natchez does two cruises daily, about five miles downriver and then back up. Very interesting, and you see most of what there is to see along the river.

Cab drivers know how to get around the crowds. That's how they earn their living.

Endymion doesn't hit downtown until six or later, and you won't have to cross the parade route to get to your hotel, so maybe not such a problem.