misha1

DH and I will be taking a cruise leaving from Vancouver but we are more interested in spending a couple of days in Seattle first. Is the Amtrak an easy and On Time option for transport to VAC?

I must be blind...where is this cruise air discussion forum?

Normally when DW and I plan a trip there is usually a long discussion about where to go and how much to spend. When the 123Go All Inclusive sale came up, I decided to check to see what was available in September and October as we like to go away on vacation for our anniversary.

 

I booked the Summit repo cruise out of NJ at what I thought was a great price. We love the ship and the Caribbean. I have planned to surprise her on Christmas with the cruise as a gift. Since then the price has gone up $500/pp in the two and half weeks since I purchased it.

 

I couldn't be more happy right now. With the 123Go All Inclusive package I feel like Celebrity is paying me to go on their cruise.(As long as DW wants to go.)

 

How about you guys? Any stories on deals you obtained recently?

I booked this cruise a month or so ago and when you said the prices rose so much, I went to the site to check. My cabin price (Concierge) did not rise since I booked. With the all inclusive deals we got, we are paying about 47 dollars a day. Pretty pleased with that myself. Julie

Hello again...My group was considering an organized tour of the area plantations and Bayou airboat ride. We decided that we could probably rent a vehicle and go to 2-3 plantations fairly in expensively (there are 6 of us to share the cost). It's the airboat ride that I am struggling with. Are we able to just book this excursion without belonging to a tour? Where are the airboat tickets purchased? Are there ever night time bayou tours? Thanks

I have the opportunity to travel with my bestie from High School. She would be a newbie and I am Elite status. We will share a cabin. Is she invited to the Elite functions? ie breakfast, cocktails, etc. Thanks in advance...Julie

I stopped reading on page 27 and ow there are double that many pages to catch up on...yikes! I know that the ship will be in NYC on the 10th...right? What time of day is it expected to show up? I cannot imagine they would slink in under the dark of the night, would they?

From what I have read, the Algiers Ferry is pedestrian only, no cars. We plan to make a stop at the Riverwalk Outlet Mall (I am a sucker for outlet mall shopping)

The French Market in the morning is great if you are looking for inexpensive souvenirs and will be much cheaper than any of the shops in the FQ. I like to pick up inexpensive sunglasses in the French Market which will be perfect for your cruise, especially if you have a water activity where you wouldn't want to lose an expensive pair. You may also want to pick up some fresh fruits to enjoy in your room in the evening or just as an afternoon snack while sitting on the MoonWalk watching the boats on the river.

 

I am not a fan of Jax either, but I just don't see anything really special about it other than I have run in a few times to pick up a shirt at Perlis for a gift.

 

I would skip the ferry and don't really see it as a must do item.

 

As others have stated don't try to fit it all in if you are enjoying an activity. Part of the best things about NOLA is there is something on every street corner.

All good advice...thanks.

Thanks maps...I like your Royal street suggestions and 'be aware' advice. I appreciate the advice on jax brewery also. As a first timer, I would have probably spent too much time there. Worth a look but we have high end shopping here too. Would rather spend my money on food and drink.

I have not used Choice Air...with that being said, I am intrigued with the reports of greatly discounted prices on one ways and international flights. Since I do not book certain cruises due to the prohibitive flight prices, am I able to see Choice air prices or do I need a reservation number to use it? Thanks, Julie

From all I have read and heard about NOLA, I know that I will have to return...5 days in the city probably will not hit all of the bucket list items. We will do a plantation and bayou tour upon our return from our cruise. Thanks for the reminders to check when things are open. We are in NOLA on Easter Sunday and will plan to watch the parades, do a Jazz brunch, wandering the FQ thru-out the day and evening. My plan for the waterfront pre-cruise was in an attempt to keep organized and see all we can see in one day at the waterfront. Our first day in NOLA will be spent in the Garden and Warehouse district. I wanted to make sure, logistically, that what I planned would be doable. We are not rigidly set in our self tour, so bring it on NOLA! Thanks for the advice everyone.

Thanks...I should have mentioned we have 3 days post cruise in the FQ. Saving FQ fun for then. Julie

Good morning! DH and I are very excited about our trip to NOLA next March. I have been reading and mapping to make sure we see all we can in our 5 days pre and post cruise (2 before and 3 after). We are staying at Embassy pre cruise. On our first full day we would like to take the Riverfront streetcar to the French Market and then start a walk back to the Warehouse district. Along the way we hope to spend time at the Fench Market, Jax Brewery, the Moon walk, Cafe' du Monde, Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral, Central Grocery, checking out steamboat Natchez and maybe even a Ferry ride to Algiers, Did I miss anything that we should include and is this plan doable in 8-10 hours? Thanks in advance.

This is gonna be good!

Sorry this cruise did not meet up to your expectations. DH and I were on the repositioning portion of this cruise and adored every moment. We did absolutely nothing except eat, drink, and sleep. perfect vacation from my standpoint. All staff were friendly and greeted us with smiles and niceties. We met some incredible fellow cruisers that I hope we will meet again on future sailings.

I added a couple photos, the first being some interesting concoction from the Molecular bar and the 2nd was our view of the inside passage from Tuscan Grill

Dh and I have never used this service but are interested in giving it a go on our next cruise. Does anyone have answers to the following questions?

1. We are flying on Delta...is this airline included?

2. We are flying out of San Juan...because of the agriculture screening, would this deter the use of the luggage valet?

3. Our flight is at 11:40am our of SJU...because this is not the afternoon, will we be denied use of Luggage valet?

Thanks in advance.....Julie

I wanted you to know that I began my Cruise Critic career (I was pretty much a lurker) by reading your very first cruise review. It was everything that I have come to know about cruising. I, to this day, still chuckle at your mishap with the glass door and developing a cut shaped like an X on your forehead as a result. God speed to you ChesterH.

Thanks for the suggestions...it will be a hard choice. Menus look fab! Julie

What is moderate to you? This is a very subjective topic. Will you have a car? Will you be in downtown/warehouse district/FQ/Metairie/Airport, etc? Do you want breakfast cocktails? Do you need have any restrictions?

No car, staying at embassy pre cruise and FQ post cruise, moderate budget is under 100 dollars per couple...including morning champagne. Love trying regional cuisine and new foods...no restrictions

I will take suggestions please...6 adults with adventurous palates and moderate budgets.

I do not think this beautiful elderly African American woman was famous but when she spoke, I heard Maya Angelou in her voice. I was having breakfast in the main dining room with DH and we were seated at a table of 10. At the head was Maya (in my imagination). Although she conversed with the people at her end of the table mostly (DH and I were seated at the opposite end), she took notice of me when I was trying to fan myself to a slightly cooler state. I remember to this day what she said and how she said it....with a thick Southern accent she said...'Oh Honey...are you havin' yah own personal summer?' It charmed and humored me beyond words.

after 10 cruises at traditional dining times and at large tables, we decided to try select, requesting a table for 2. Love it. No more boasting, complaining, not showing up, ignoring us. It has been lovely.

You stopped cruising a line because you didn't get a bottle of water????????? Really? WOW!

 

How do you feel about pillow mints?;)

Pretty much what I was thinking....just sayin'

Brunches at the fancier places are going to be in the $50 - $75 price range per person, but you will find some less expensive. I would check all of the hotels, too. Harrah's casino should have something, too. Check http://www.nomenu.com closer to the holiday. This is a local food critic and he will have info.

 

We ate at Ruth's Chris steak house this year, but for dinner. They had their regular menu.

 

Many things in the Quarter will be open - I think there may be three parades on Easter Sunday.

Thanks for all the pointers...I am looking forward to NOLA visit for sure!