LA or New Orleans

[pieshops]

i put a post on about cruising on either the spirit or star and comparing the two ships, well i got a lot of good information but still can not make up my mind.

 

so lets try comparing leaving from the port of New Orleans or the port of LA.

 

What can you tell me about these ports, is the port close to the city, I love New Orleans and have family in LA, so either would be great, i guess the deciding factor is how the actual ports compare, is one easier to get to, etc.

 

thanks in advance

[AWEST84532]

Both ports are easy to get to, however, in NOLA the port is right downtown. In LA the port is in San Pedro which is way down south, right near Long Beach. Downtown NOLA is a ways from the airport though. It's kinda sixes.

 

You'll have to decide, relatives or Acme Oyster House!!

[adams.580]

Hey there! We have done NCL cruises on the Star out of LA and Spirit out of NOLA. Both times, we stayed in town for a few days.

 

In NOLA, we stayed pre-cruise for 3 nights in a great hotel within walking distance from the French Quarter. Our cab from the airport to the hotel cost less than $30. We had great food every night and walked to many attractions, including the WWII museum, casino, French Quarter, etc. On the day of our cruise, we checked out of the hotel and literally walked to the port. It took about 15 minutes, but we pack very lightly. I assume you could get a cab from any nearby downtown or French Quarter hotel for about $20.

 

In LA, we stayed post-cruise for 2 nights across the street from CBS studios to see the Price is Right. The Grove shopping center was right around the corner, so we walked there for food and entertainment a few times. We took a cab from the port to our hotel after the cruise, and we actually had to go to an ATM in our hotel lobby b/c the cab cost over $100. (On the way to the cruise, we took a group shuttle from the airport w/o reservations for about $16 pp.) I would absolutely recommend planning ahead for your transportation back to LA from the port.

 

Both are great cities, but in my opinion NOLA is more pedestrian friendly and more affordable. It is also a little bit more achievable to see a lot in NOLA b/c it is much smaller than LA. It seems you have to drive everywhere in LA and you end up spending a lot of time in traffic and hasseling with parking. However, there were some nice areas out by the port of San Pedro that you might also enjoy and of course Hollywood is a sight to be seen!

[CTCruisers]

We have sailed out of both ports.

 

Specifically to ports, New Orleans wins hands down for us. There is plenty to see and do immediately by the pier.

 

San Pedro is not very friendly in the immediate area. But, you are a short drive from a lot of SoCal activities.

[Hockey19]

4 Letters

NOLA

End of discussion

[Slidell Mom]

4 Letters

NOLA

End of discussion

 

I agree!

[Spender Nui]

Duplicate post .. sorry.

[Spender Nui]

Can't help with LA although I have sailed from there.

 

Haven't been to NOLA for a few years but have spent a lot of time there. Have never sailed from there but:

 

The port is on the edge of the quarter.

 

The Hilton is almost on the pier.

 

Lots of boutique hotels in and around the quarter.

 

All within a few minutes walk between the french quarter and the port.

 

If you've never been there be sure to have a great dinner in one of their wonderful restaurants.

 

Don't miss Preservation Hall or Pat O'Brien's.

 

For breakfast of course, it's Brennan's ... or be more casual and go to Café Du Monde Coffee & Beignets. You really should do them both.

 

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez.

[deepnite10]

there s not much to do around San Pedro..sailed from there a dozen times

on the MR and Baha short cruises..nice thing is that since there s not much to do, you can save some money for your cruise..

 

having never been to New Oreleans..i would take that..but, check out the intenearies..i would choose the one where it offered a port ive never been to..

[zqvol]

i put a post on about cruising on either the spirit or star and comparing the two ships, well i got a lot of good information but still can not make up my mind.

 

so lets try comparing leaving from the port of New Orleans or the port of LA.

 

What can you tell me about these ports, is the port close to the city, I love New Orleans and have family in LA, so either would be great, i guess the deciding factor is how the actual ports compare, is one easier to get to, etc.

 

thanks in advance

 

Just look at the flight difference and you answer your own question. Almost 6 hours to LA, vs 2 or so to NO. End of discussion.

[weltek]

Definitely New Orleans for the port city. San Pedro is too distant and there's not much around the port to do for a few days. Also, our embarkation experience was a lot quicker in NO, although we went during Mardi Gras and the traffic was absolutely horrific. Taxis were dropping people off blocks away from the pier.

 

We've done the two cruises you are looking at. We liked both ships for different reasons. We liked the size of the Star and layout of the pool deck, but the decor of the Spirit better. We liked the ports of the Spirit cruise much better than the Star cruise. We are just more Caribbean than Mexico people we discovered.

[halos]

Personally, I prefer New Orleans to LA.

We have cruised on both the Star and the Spirit...I prefered the Star as far as service/food

I thought the Spirit was a much prettier ship.

 

The Mexican Riviera (is that what you're looking at on the Star??) is fabulous!!

 

Which ports do you visit on the Spirit?? What time of year are you looking to cruise?

 

 

To me, either one is a great choice....Pick one and plan to do the other one next!! :D

But if you decide on sailing out of LA, make a point to go early by a day or two and spend time in San Diego. :)

[beasfriend]

Have never sailed out of NOLA - will be doing that in April - but, we have been on the Star out of San Pedro. We flew in to Long Beach a couple of days before, rented a car and stayed a few miles up the coast at the Beach House in Hermosa Beach. Staying in any of the beach communities gives you the sense of being in laid back California yet close proximity to LA. The Mexican Riviera cruise was great.

[newmexicoNita]

i put a post on about cruising on either the spirit or star and comparing the two ships, well i got a lot of good information but still can not make up my mind.

 

so lets try comparing leaving from the port of New Orleans or the port of LA.

 

What can you tell me about these ports, is the port close to the city, I love New Orleans and have family in LA, so either would be great, i guess the deciding factor is how the actual ports compare, is one easier to get to, etc.

 

thanks in advance

 

ok, my take and everyone has his/her ideas: We have cruised both and cruised the ports offered as well. I have to admit, I am not a huge supporter of the Mexican Riv so would opt for the Spirit anytime. We loved the ports except I didn't get really turned on to Guatamala (hubby did) when you see one port on the Pacific coast you have seen them all, except maybe, Cabo. We have found the locals on the gulf side more genuine and friendlier as well.

 

As for the ships, again, we love the Spirit, but I am one of those that was not excited about the Star.

 

The best part about sailing out of Los Angeles, is spending a couple days in the city prior to cruising which is what we will do this coming April when we cruise from L.A. to Vancouver. Of course I was born and raised in L.A so this should be fun.

 

Of course as for the actually home port, there is a lot more to do and see near NOLA than San Pedro if you plan on spending a couple of days near there prior to embarkation.

 

Nita

[EaglesRock]

We just did a cruise on the Spirit out of New Orleans two weeks ago and it was the easiest embarkation and debarkation we've ever had. I would highly recommend NOLA as a cruise port.

[mpk218]

Have done both and I vote

NOLA ;)

[terrymtex01]

LOL.. when I first read the title of this thread I really did think I would be the lone voice singing the praises of NOLA. It is for sure one of our most favorite ports to sail out of, but maybe because we love NOLA so much. We tend to go there a few times a year just for the weekend (it is like a 45 or 50 minute flight for us).

 

First of all, it is HARD to find a bad meal in NOLA. The food there is just out-of-this-world good. The people are friendly and so many great places to stay. Also it is VERY easy to get around and do sight seeing. I would pick going to NOLA over LA any day of the week. Heck.. if we were rich enough I would want to move there, but I'm afraid we couldn't afford the kind of house I would want in NOLA. 8-)