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The weather forecast for Mardi Gras is improving: rain probability is down to 20%.

There are dozens of excellent reataurants within easy walking distance (or a short cab/Uber ride) from either hotel. Your choice depends on what you are looking for.

Go to:

http://www.nomenu.com

Click on "restaurants" then "restaurants by neighborhood" and then "Warehouse District." They are rated by Tom Fitzmorris, the local food critic, by cuisine and by cost. Most of the restaurants have web sites with menus and prices.

Bon apetit.

At least an hour, assuming that the parade starts on time.

You can download parade tracker apps from the local TV stations

http://www.wwltv.com

http://www.wdsu.com

The current forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain on Mardi Gras day, but no severe weather. As usual, that is subject to change.

The parades will go on, rain or shine, but may be delayed by severe weather (thunderstorms, high winds).

I wouldn't count on Uber or Lyft. There is just too much traffic for them to get around downtown. Same with cabs.

The parades start uptown at 11:00, and won't reach downtown until abound 12:30 at the eraliest.

You should have no problems getting to the terminal.

It is way too far to walk.

The cheapest way to get there ($1.25) is the Canal Street/Carrollton Avenue street car. The last stop is at Esplanade Avenue, about six blocks from the entrance to Jazzfest.

Local news is reporting that shortly before this lady went overboard, she and her husband were fighting in the dining room, and were escorted out by security.

Greetings, friends, and fellow cruisers, DOD drinkers, chair hog abusers,

Complainers, drunks and steak house diners, Carnival cheerleaders, trolls and whiners.

Early savers, compulsive plkanners, kids who haven't learned their manners.

Balcony snobs, inside roomers, flamers, blamers, gloom and doomers.

Cigar afficianados (stogie smokers) hairy-chesters, karaokers.

Show attenders, belly floppers, sushi eaters, champagne poppers.

Liquor smugglers, countdown clockers, dreamers, schemers, NCL knockers.

And those who like the wife and me, just dream of days upon the sea.

The director of this little cruise will be Calliope, the poet's muse.

Guide me, Cal, in this endeavor, for many time I've wished I'd never

Tried to write a review in verse. Poetic ambition can be a curse,

And many times I sworn to quit, cursed and said "to hell with it,"

But onward and upward, excelsior! Maybe I can rhyme just one line more,

And share with cruisers far and near, on this the world-wide blogosphere

Our happy times, the sounds and sights, of seven days and seven nights

Of bliss.

And so upon the Sabbath day we packed the car and made our way

To the port of embarkation, to leave behind the daily grind for our nautical vacation.

Farewell dogs, goodbye cat, hello sunscreen and tropical hat.

I've packed clean undies for a week. Sure hope those Rumrunners don't leak

Or my stuff will smell just like Knob Creek.

Get a move on, wifey dear, boarding time is drawing near.

Time to leave, the ship is waiting. No more of yourprocrastinating.

We are packed and we are ready, for our date with Funship Freddy.

There is a cab stand in front of the Hilton. You will have no problem getting one to take you to the terminal.

Jazz Fest is at the Fair Grounds, about three miles from downtown/FQ. You won't even know it is going on until late afternoon/early evening when the crowds return to eat, drink, etc.

I am starting a ******** account for the purchase of a good used cruise ship. All donors will entitled to FTTF at no cost, half-priced drinks, and every other cruise will be free.

The downside will be that I am the captain of the ship, and my nautical experience is limited to a 14 foot flatboat with a 10 hp motor.

If you are here around Christmas:

http://www.fqfi.com

For local events (many of them free):

http://www.bestofneworleans.com

For music venues:

http://www.wwoz,org

There will be more traffic than usual, but you will be passing over it on the expressway and will not be effected by road closures. The parades start at 11:00 but won't reach downtown until around 1:00.

There are ice machines on each deck, one on either side. It is behind an unmarked interior door. With a little poking around I can always find it. If a steward is not around I can get my own ice.

When you get closer to the holidays, look here:

http://www.nomenu.com

Local food critic Tom Fitzmorris lists restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Drop your luggage off at the Hilton first. You can then park in the "Whale lot" on Convention Center Blvd. next to the Hilton for about $20 per day, pick up your luggage on cruise day and go to Fulton. You can get a daily rate at Fulton, but you would have to leave and re-park there to get the cruise rate.

There is also the Riverfront streetcar. It has a station at Julia Street close to both terminals and goes all the way to th end of the French Quarter. Map, etc. at:

http://www.norta.com

I have spent 46 Januaries in New Orleans, and no two have been the same.

Your best strategy would be to check the local forecast before you leave home:

http://www.wwltv.com

All the flooding is over.

I don't think so, but it is a big lot. When parked there for a Dream cruise back in April, there were plenty of empty spaces.

It is the Julia Street lot (all lines except Carnival).

Carnival uses the parking garage at Erato Street.

There is an alternate route to the NCL terminal. Instead of using the escalator, cross the railroad tracks and it is a short walk (right) to the terminal.

There are signs saying not to do this, since you are walking against traffic, but it will save you some steps.

Walk down Julia Street and cross Convention Center Blvd. The covered walkway you see will take you to an escalator up to the Riverwalk Outlet Mall.

There are two cruise terminals: Erato (Carnival) and Julia (all others). When you enter the mall there will be an elevator to the left that will take you to Julia. If you are going to Erato, go out the doors straight across the mall. They open onto a covered walkway that ends at a set of stairs that will out you at the terminal.

There is a riverfront streetcar stop at Julia Street. For $1.25 it will take you to the French Quarter. Get off at the stop across from Jackson Square/St. Louis Cathedral.