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The parades don't reach downtown until early afternoon, so you should be OK.

Harrah's Casino is just off the downtown parade routes.

No "puchase" necessary.

And they arrived just in time for a winter storm. It is currently 26 degrees. Most of the major streets are closed because of iceing, but it will be in the 70's by the weekend.

Typical New Orleans weather.

The closest place to the cruise terminal that sells alcohol is the convenience store on Convention Center Boulevard at Julia Street.

Not cheap, but better than what you will pay on the ship.

There are three parades that day. All three disband not far from your hotel in the late afternoon/early evening.

Do like you did the last time: ask them how to avoid getting stuck in the traffic. As long as Convention Center Boulevard stays open, you can take that route from the US 90 expressway, which will cross over the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

If you can arrive earlier in the day, that would be a big help.

Alcohol is sold in New Orleans 24/7, so that's not a problem.

If you don't mind doing a little walking, there is a Rouse's Supermarket at 701 Baronne Street, about six blocks from your hotel. Good selection and good prices.

If time is a problem, there is a convenience store at the corner of Julia Street and Convention Center Boulevard. Small selection and a good bit more expensive.

Julia Street runs one-way, going away from the river, so you can't access it from Convention Center Boulevard.

When you leave the Hilton, turn left onto CVB. You will see the whale lot on your left. You will have to go a block or two past Julia and make a U-turn. The entrance to the whale lot will be on your right.

You will be able to see the ship, so just park as close as you can. You shouldn't have to walk more than a block to get to the terminal. Just follow the signs.

If your plane lands arounf 9:00, then by the time you get to the port the worst of the traffic from disembarkation will be over. You can check luggage with the porters and spend the rest of the morning exploring.

That baggage service is just outside of the customs area of the terminal. They will take your luggage and deliver it to the airport. It's a short walk (or an even shorter ride on the Riverfront trolley) to the French Quarter.

You can download FQ maps and free walking tours, and that's a good way to explore, if the weather cooperates. There are lots of good places to eat lunch, and to just hang around. Street musicians will be playing on Royal Street. We often grab a beer and sit on the curb and listen.

If the weather is a problem, there is a movie theatre in One Canal Place, the aquarium is a great place to visit, and there is an IMAX theatre next door.

About five miles downriver, upriver to just under the bridge, u-turn and then back to the wharf.

It's a safe walk.

One of the great joys in life is eating a cold, fresh, salty raw oyster. No cocktail sauce, no cracker, maybe just a couple of drops of fresh lemon juice, but that takes a little getting used to.

No one fries oysters better than Deanie's. Another treat is chargrilled oysters. Drago's (there is one in the Hilton Riverside hotel) invented them, and theirs are hard to beat. They are grilled in the half-shell with butter, herbs and spices. You eat the oyster and then dip French bread in the sauce. Not heart-healthy, but not something you would eat every day.

No matter where you end up staying, there will be good eats close by.

Clams and mussels are not local seafood. They usually show up as appetizers, and tend to be expensive.

Stick with the local products: shrimp, oysters, crawfish, crabs and fish. Deanie's on Iberville Street would be a good choice. Quality is very good, locally owned, prices are reasonable and portions large.

Never stayed there, but it looks nice from the outside.

There is a Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro in the building. A block away is Mr. John's steak house, and a Houston's is also close by. You can check their websites for menus.

There is a Walmart at 1901 Tchoupitoulas, about ten blocks away.

There was one near my office before Katrina (office and Cafe Roma both flooded).

Food was good, but nothing outstanding.

I like Crescent City Brew House too (excellent microbrewery, if you like beer) but it is pretty informal.

Best steak (in my opinion) is at:

http://www.dickiebrennanssteakhouse.com

My wife and I usually split one.

Another good choice would be:

http://www.muriels.com

Both are within walking diatnce of your hotel

They have changed the procedure somewhat.

You swipe your player's card at a kiosk near the escalators before you leave. When you leave, you present your player's card and ID to the cashier. The person who played on their card has to be in the car.

The parking at Harrah's is still the same. You play for 30 minutes with a player's card and get 24 hours free parking.

Whether or not that turns out to be a good deal depends on how you do at the slots.

That CVS is at 800 Canal, about 5 blocks from the Harrah's hotel.

There are more on Sunday. Lots more customers around.

There were a couple of bars in the French Quarter that remained open through and after Katrina, serving those who would never leave under any circumstances.

No power, no lights, no ice, but plenty of customers. Food was cooked on BBQ grills, and mostly given away to the regulars and to the first responders.

We couldn't wait to get back.

Summer of 2014 is the latest estimate. It is a major rebuild. the mall is being widened by about 100 feet.

Budget queen is correct. RTA will allow a reasonable amount of luggage, as long as it does not interfere with other passengers.

As many of you know, the Riverwalk Mall is being renovated and converted into an upscale outlet mall. It won't be finished for several months, but one of the new features will be direct elevator access to the Julia Street cruise terminal.

The Hilton Riverside connects to the Riverwalk, so that will make for an easy trip to the terminal.

The only public transportation between NO and BR would be a Greyhound bus. You could hire a private limo but that's going to be expensive.

Why not leave your luggage with these people:

http://www.advancecheckin.com

and spend the day in the French Quarter.