Tell me about the port of New Orleans please

[Susiecruisey]

How is it we at platiunm and new to this port.

[winddawn]

How is it we at platiunm and new to this port.

You will be checked in at the VIP lounge and then seated in the general boarding area until embarkation begins, which is usually between 11 and 12. Be aware that there is a large convention center right by the port and if there is a convention going on, traffic can be very heavy in the port area. Also, if you cruise during football season when the Saints are playing at home, that increases traffic too. So plan accordingly.

 

I flew in a day early and stayed at the Hilton Riverside. It is right across the street from Harrah's casino. There's lots to do in downtown NOLA if you wanted to spend some time there pre or post cruise. I used airport shuttle new orleans dot com for $20 one way and was pleased with their service. I ate at Drago's inside the Hilton which specializes in chargrilled oysters. It was good.

 

Have a great cruise. If you have any specific questions, just ask.

Edited March 9, 2014 by winddawn

[Susiecruisey]

Our cruise is in 21 days. Whoo hoo. Can't wait.

[winddawn]

Our cruise is in 21 days. Whoo hoo. Can't wait.

I'll bet you're really excited! I cruised on Sunshine over New Year's and LOVED the ship. I had a really good time. The waterfall in Serenity is wonderfully relaxing.

[Dixie24]

In my mind, one of the easiest ports to embark from. Arrive around 10:30, you will breeze right through. Not sure why they do not let you stay in the VIP lounge until boarding though.

 

When getting off ship, I just walked to the gangway at the time I was supposed to meet other Platinums in the lounge. Showed my card and they let me right off. Probably the third person off.

[Ltcsquad]

There is so much to do in Nola, I have cruised out of there last year we got there 2 days early to see the city. Not only is there a lot to do the food there is great never had a bad meal there. We stayed on ST Charles street

. at a Quality Inn which was very nice and took the trolley all over the place. Have good cruise and enjoy NOla.

[christmas]

New Orleans is SUPER easy embarkation process. You will taken an escalator upstairs, get your picture taken, check in and proceed onboard. Super easy! Much better then Galveston.

[WLHyatt]

If you arrive by shuttle or taxi you will unload your bags and hand them to a porter. Then you will walk to the area where everyone seems to be getting in line. Go to the left of that line and show your boarding pass to the person there. They will let you enter the priority line which will take you to a set of escalators. Follow the lines to the security check point and do the normal checks. Walk out of the security area and down the hallway and the vip check in podium is on the left. Once you get in the lounge they will do the check in then escort you out to some chairs by the big windows and you will wait to board.

Just remember. .. When in NOLA if in doubt go left!

 

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[mzloolue]

New Orleans is SUPER easy embarkation process. You will taken an escalator upstairs, get your picture taken, check in and proceed onboard. Super easy! Much better then Galveston.

 

 

Way better than Galveston for sure!

[BallFour4]

Until you park your car... Platinum in Galveston is one of the easiest experiences we've had. I drop my wife off with the luggage, she tips the porter and I'm back in ten minutes on the shuttle.

On most cruises we are having lunch in 20-30 minutes after arrival at port.

Not sure the last time you cruised from Galveston, but it's as easy as Miami.

 

 

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[maldenmusic]

I like leaving from NOLA-have done so on the Fantasy, Elation and the Triumph. Mostly problem free, fast and simple. We always park at Fulton Garage and have them drop us off out front and pick us up when we return.

[Chmie]

Until you park your car... Platinum in Galveston is one of the easiest experiences we've had. I drop my wife off with the luggage, she tips the porter and I'm back in ten minutes on the shuttle.

On most cruises we are having lunch in 20-30 minutes after arrival at port.

Not sure the last time you cruised from Galveston, but it's as easy as Miami.

 

I agree. I took date/time stamped pictures as we arrived at the Galveston port. Started checkin 10:50, in the Magic atrium at 11:22 and in our room at 11:27. 37 minutes is hardly an incovenience. :D

[Chmie]

Ooops - duplicate post

Edited March 10, 2014 by Chmie

[hlb76]

we love to cruise from NOLA. We sailed from there for a 3rd time this Jan. It was the easiest place to sail from until our last trip.

 

We got to the port.. dropped bags with Porters and headed in. We made it through security in normal fashion. They did cut all of our 12 packs open so that slowed us down a tad. From there is where it got crazy. The terminal was PACKED which is OK we figured it would be. But it was chaos ppl lining up to board, ppl sitting with so much stuff in tow and trying to fight through all of that to get to the back of the building where there are crazy lines of ppl checking in. It was a MESS! I was not pleased. I now know to wait or get there even earlier. Not sure if FTTF for Platinum would of helped. I think either way you had to fight to get through to the check in lines. Our other 2 cruises the check in was right off the security line and from there you got to the waiting area. This time it was waiting area then check in.

 

Now I will still sail from NOLA as the town brings me back again and again. I will just be more prepared at the port.

[WLHyatt]

If it weren't for the rule to carry-on the allowed drinks, I would only carry on 2 bags, and I would hope that everyone else would too.

 

I watched a youtube video the other day with a guy complaining about every little aspect of his cruise and his advice was to carry your own huge suitcases through security which is a bit asinine.

 

We never had trouble in NOLA with crowding, but both times we have been priority. The thing about NOLA that makes it easier is the plats/diamonds get seated in an area, then FTTF gets seated in an area next to them. After those all board they begin zone boarding.

 

The downside of FTTF in NOLA is you have to know where the FTTF seating area is. If you just sit down you have to fight the crowd a bit to get get to the front where you should be. It is easier to make sure you are in the FTTF area (red chairs) before they even act like boarding will begin.

[thecruiserofships]

If you arrive by shuttle or taxi you will unload your bags and hand them to a porter. Then you will walk to the area where everyone seems to be getting in line. Go to the left of that line and show your boarding pass to the person there. They will let you enter the priority line which will take you to a set of escalators. Follow the lines to the security check point and do the normal checks. Walk out of the security area and down the hallway and the vip check in podium is on the left. Once you get in the lounge they will do the check in then escort you out to some chairs by the big windows and you will wait to board.

Just remember. .. When in NOLA if in doubt go left!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

Thank you for the information!

[jeanarch]

NOLA now has a plush Platinum lounge. Big soft sofas while you wait your turn with coffee, lemonade and Danish to munch on. It's no longer to the left but you will be directed. You will be checked in here and they will call you by name. After you get checked in you go to your area and are boarded before FTTF but after bridal parties and handicapped. Get there about 10-10:30 and barring any problems will be on for early lunch.