$$ New Orleans $$

[Deaf Dude]

I have recently read a few reviews that go something like this.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"We just returned from our cruise on the Conquest. We stayed in New Orleans for 3 days before the cruise at the Hilton for only $59 per night through Harrah's Casino. We had a wonderful time, but New Orleans is very expensive."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

None of the reviews ever say what it was that the reviewer feels was so expensive. I live in the New Orleans area and was shocked because I think tours and attractions are a lot cheaper in New Orleans than in other ports.

 

In a recent review of another Conquest passenger they said that in Jamaica, they went on a tour that took them all over the city and then out to Mayfield Falls and then dropped them at Margaritaville. They were gushing about the great time they had and said it cost ONLY $90 per person and it lasted 4 whole hours. This got me thinking about what kind of tours or places you could visit in New Orleans for $90. Below is a list I came up with. As you can see, you can do a heck of a lot more for $90 here than in other places.

 

 

New Orleans Museum of Art $8

Round trip streetcar or bus $2.50 or $5 for all day pass

Jazz Cruise on the Natchez steamboat $18.50

New Orleans Aquarium o the Americas, IMAX theater and the Audubon Zoo $27

New Orleans Haunted History tour $15

Mississippi River Ferry - $ Free

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden $ Free

Listen to a calliope concert on the Natchez steam organ at dock $ Free

Jackson Square and Saint Louis Cathedral $ Free

Musée Conti Wax Museum $6.75

Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo and the Old US Mint $8

 

 

Total $88.25

Total time 3-4 DAYS !

 

If you buy the Entertainment Book, which is now on sale for only $10 you could do all of the above for $54.25

 

Will the people who feel that New Orleans is so expensive please reply with what you did that was so expensive? Maybe I and some of the other people from New Orleans here can tell you where you went wrong and suggest better alternatives for your next visit here. Maybe people in other home ports could make suggestions for their ports also.

 

Paul

[Cotton]

Paul, right on, man! I have often wondered the same thing. I think N.O. is a great place to SAVE $$ when vacationing. There's usually a 'deal' to be had at the hotels by doing a little homework.

 

Just yesterday, I got my new copy of "New Orleans Good Times Guide". There are almost 100 coupons in it, for tours, lodging, food, etc. Things like buy one dinner entree, second FREE, even at some of the better restaurnts! It's the BEST thing folks coming to the city could have in their possession!

 

If anybody's interested, call 800/810-3200Takes about 2-3 weeks to receive it. I get a new one every year, and I DO use those coupons. I'm in the city a lot, so I know it would benefit a lot of the folks comin' down our way!

 

Besides coupons, it is chock-full of info on the city...just about anything anybody'd wanna know! (It's complimentary from the N.O. Tourism Marketing folks.)

 

 

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

[HOSKI]

Thanks for the info. We will be spending 2 days post cruise in NOLA and are looking for family things to do at good prices. Some things we thought expensive are taxis, food and parking. We do not take $90 tours because we are a family of three.

 

Fascination 1997 Destiny 2000

Victory 2000 Sensation 2001

Norway 2002 Legend 2002

NCL Dawn 2003 Inspiration 2003

Victory 2004 Holiday 2004

[Cotton]

Hoski, I remember your asking about the cooking school for your husband. There's a coupon in the book for $5 off. It's the cooking school at Riverwalk, Level C. Reg. $20 for 2-hr. class and meal, now $15. Also, I think you mentioned the Children's Museum - coupon for child free with paying adult.

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[serene56]

We did a day trip when sailing on the Sensation a few years back. New Orleans was perfect for me and my family. I thought it was cheap AND nice for my family. (we also went during Southern Decadence if that made a difference) but my honey went last year and did not like it at all. He thought it dirty and expensive. (this coming from a guy who live in Phila.(LOL)

He did buy me a AFL Voodoo hat so he cant be all that bad.

 

We did not have a lot of money but we came back with a lot of neat soverniers. And of course ate those "Nola cakes" yumm.

 

Going NOWHERE

 

 

Miracle, February 13, 2005

Legend, October 22,2004

Voyager August 31,2003

Victory September 22,2002

Regal Empress,June 2001

Sensation,August 2000

[Deaf Dude]

Like any city, New Orleans can be expensive if you don't do your homework and plan things. From reading the messages here many people seem to do their homework on all the foreign ports their ship will visit, but don't realize that the home port is the first "port" on their cruise.

 

Food can be expensive or cheap depending on where you eat. There are many 4 and 5 star restaurants in the French Quarter but there are also Burger Kings and Wendy's. If you are staying at the Hilton for $59 you have to remember that you are still paying "Hilton prices" for everything else in the hotel. Someone still has to pay for the furs and diamonds that Paris Hilton's dog wears. Many people can't seem to wait to get to New Orleans so they can go to Emeril's. Got a surprise for Y'all !!! Emeril is not from Louisiana (he was born is Massachusetts) and the food his restaurant serves are not typical new Orleans type foods. His restaurant serves "foo foo" type food that you will be eating aboard the ship each evening. If you don't normally stay at 4 and 5 star hotels and eat at 4 and 5 star restaurants I don't think its fair to say things were expensive. There are many low cost places in and around the French Quarter where you can get real New Orleans style food. You can also use coupons from the book that Cotton mentioned or from the The Entertainment Book to get meals for up to half price. Some of these coupons are worth up to $30. Also remember that the portions of some meals are very large. 2 people can split a seafood platter that costs around $17. A seafood platter usually consists of 1 pound of fries, 6-8 fried regular shrimp, 6-8 fried butterfly shrimp, 6-8 fried oysters, 3 fish fillets, 1 stuffed crab, 1 fried soft-shell crab, 4 hushpuppies, bread, and a cup of gumbo.

 

Taxis can be expensive also, but all of the places I mentioned in my first message can be reached by bus or street car with a pass that cost $5 for the whole day or $12 for 3 days. Most hotels offer shuttle service to and from the airport. Many parking garages off of the port also provide shuttle service to and from the ship.

 

Paul

[halos]

I think it's all based on your perspective. I moved to New England 5 years ago, so EVERYTHING outside of this area is dirt cheap to me.

If anyone thinks that NO is expensive...please don't ever come to Maine....you'll die of 'sticker shock.'

 

I believe in Miracles

MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004

Calm Seas, Good Friends

[waterbound]

cotton... can you tell me when the coupons expire??? we will be going next March and planning on staying in hotel beforehand and wondered if I should go ahead and order or save the # and wait..

 

Thanks.

 

Pride- 07/06/02

Jubilee- 02/22/03

Conquest- 10/19/03

 

4/15-- Holiday--Surprise cruise for my boyfriend!

 

5/15-- M&M at Rawlings All American Grille

03/13/2005- Conquest with the kids

[BrendaB1]

I visit New Orleans several times a year.. and love it there & usually stay @ Hilton-Riverside. But many of us, like myself, DO enjoy the expensive things. Such as gambling at Harrah's, Pat O's for eating & drinking, Margaritaville, Cat's Meow, Bubba Gumps, just to name a few. Yes, it can get expensive, if you let it. Also a lot of FREE things to see & do. No complaints from me...I enjoy every dollar I spend there. $ $

Just call me a satisfied customer!

 

Valor 10/05 Miracle 2/13/05

Sensation 10/04

Conquest May 2003

Holiday Sept 2002

Inspiration 2001

Celebration 2000

Crown Princess 1999

Oceanic (Big Red Boat) 1998

 

Days til Miracle Partae Pirates Cruise from Tampa

[yst347]

It is all about doing your homework. New Orleans like most souther cities is not an expensive place. Like any tourist destination it does have its business' geared to parting visitors from their dollars.

 

The internet is a great tool for learning about the places you are visiting. As an example the Cat's Meow has a 3 for 1 happyhour until 8:00 every day of the week.

 

If you go to the casino and lose alot of money New Orleans can be a very expensive place to visit. The only thing I have found to be expensive in New Orleans is the parking, which is only expensive by southern standards. It is still cheaper than east or west coast cities.

 

Elation 11/2003

Conquest 01/2003

Jubilee 11/2002

Victory 02/2001

Destiny 02/2000

Geotide 11/1992

United States 06/1962

[Cotton]

Hey Waterbound - About 90% expire 2/1/05, a few have no exp. date, and a few expire 3/1/05.

 

Go ahead and get one now, so you'll get all the other great info on the city - that never changes!

 

Then, order the 2005 guide later. I think they're published in Nov. or Dec. for the next year, but not sure. (You might ask when you call, when the 2005 will be available.)

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[selucrey]

You have all made some good points.I spend a lot of time in and around the French Quarter.If you want to SEE it can be very cheap.If you want to DO some things are expensive but some are cheap.If you want to PARTY it can get expensive unless you know when/where to get some good deals.Just remember,New Orleans is a tourist destination and prices on some things will be high,especially around the French Quarter.I agree about Emeril,he is no more a "Cajun" than I am.(born in Texas).His food is good but it is not representative of real Cajun cooking.(The best there is IMHO)There are a number of places with much better food at a much more affordable price.

 

 

 

SINSATION 10/23/04

CONQUEST 10/19/03

INSPIRATION 10/21/01

[Cotton]

Last time my daughter and I had lunch at Emeril's, she said "Mom, you need to teach Emeril how to make gumbo!" TRUE, so true.

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[selucrey]

MMMMMMMMMMm!!!Gumbo! How about the Gumbo Shop across from St Louis Cathedral? We sometimes drive to NOLA just to eat there on a Sunday afternoon.I forget the name of the street.Is it S.Peter?It's the one on the left side of St.louis.

 

 

 

SINSATION 10/23/04

CONQUEST 10/19/03

INSPIRATION 10/21/01

[tclowe]

We just spent 7 full days in New Orleans (pre and post cruise and had a blast).

 

First good deal, gamble at Harrah's for 1/2 hour and can park at their covered garage for 24 hours plus return to the Total Rewards Center with your tracked card and get a scratcher card to win at least $5 as well as a voucher that states if you spend another 1/2 hour of tracked gambling, you can get one free buffet or two free tickets to the Audobon? Zoo or two free tickets to the Aquarium.

 

Second deal is to advance pay for your special meal at iseatz.com (We went to Brennan's for dinner at under $42 for a four course dinner including tips and taxes). I had Seafood gumbo for soup, Brennan Salad, Shrimp Victoria for entree, and the famed Banana Foster for dessert. Worth every penny and such a fine meal would cost around $65 or $70 in San Francisco.

 

Third deal to make dinner reservations around 6:00 pm for French Quarter restaurants. You can find some parking spaces reserved for Freight open to general free parking around 5:45 pm.

 

Fourth deal is to chose your hotels carefully. We went with Drury Inn & Suites, rather than the really fancy ones inside the French Quarter. Had a small fridge and microwave in the room; free daily breakfast that included juice, coffee or sodas with scrambled eggs, sausage patties, biscuit & gravy, french toast, make your own waffles, donuts, bagels, cereal & milk and bananas or apples; $1.00 self-serve laundry room & $13 per day self-park with in/out privileges. Staying here saved us a lot of money and very convenient.

 

Fifth deal is souvenir shopping. We went shopping happy for trinkets and beads at the Flea Market behind the French Market. We bought very cute good luck clowns or clown face magnets at a price of 6 for $5.00. ($1.99 each on Bourbon St.) Or nice strands of beads with figures attached at 4 for $10.00. ($3.99 each on Bourbon St.) Funny t-shirts at around $5.00 for adults and kids. (at least $10.00 each on Bourbon St.) There were tons of cool things to buy.

 

Our trip would have been even cheaper if we visited during a different time. But I unknowingly booked our cruise smack in the middle of French Quarter Festival and Jazzfest. The hotels book early and the prices doubles and triples during this time. For example, you read about people booking the Hilton Riverside for $79 or $99 per night. Well, they wanted $279 and up per night for the weeks that we were there.

 

Worth every penny to vacation in New Orleans. With planning and help from New Orlean natives as well as savvy frequent visitors, this city is not really, really expensive when compared to other big cities.

[HOSKI]

One thing is that most visitors do get stuck in the tourist area and end up spending a lot and that is why they post here to get ideas of what to do and how to save money. We were not ones who lucked out with the $59 room rate. According to my search we are going at the beginning of high season plus we have a third person and many of the deals do not have rooms for three. I was willing to pay $99 for a French Quarter room but in the group of hotels that offered the package, the only one that had a triple room was sold out.

 

Fascination 1997 Destiny 2000

Victory 2000 Sensation 2001

Norway 2002 Legend 2002

NCL Dawn 2003 Inspiration 2003

Victory 2004 Holiday 2004

[scm200]

we did nola last june (6/15/03 Conquest Cruise) being from new england (Massachusetts, where Emeril is from) I wanted to go to his restrant (the original one). we went at lunch knowing it would be expensive, but it was a treat for us to eat somewhere besides a fast food or family resturant. we enjoyed it, we stayed at the embassy suites, i paid $0 for the room, i used my hilton points to pay for it. we are going back in dec of this year (12/12/04 Conquest Cruise) and am looking at staying at the maison st charles - can anyone who lives in the nola area confirm this is an ok place to stay? they have pretty good rates and are on the trolly line so i thought that would be a good choice...

 

what is done special for the christmas holidays in nola? can anyone recommend any tours that would be especially good then? we will have the saturday before the cruise open for a tour.

 

9/20/2001 Carnival Fantasy

6/15/2003 Carnival Conquest

8/1/2004 NCL Crown

12/12/2004 NCL Crown

 

Sharon

[Cotton]

SCM - Go back up to the second reply on this thread. Call the 800 number I posted. Ask to be put on the list for the Good Times Christmas issue of the book. It comes out in, I think, August, and has a wealth of info on all the Christmas events.

 

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

 

[HOSKI]

Questions on that great list of cheap things to do:

Please provide me more info on the Free Mississippi River Ferry, where do you get on? were does it go?

 

What would you recommend for an active 5 yr old?

 

Fascination 1997 Destiny 2000

Victory 2000 Sensation 2001

Norway 2002 Legend 2002

NCL Dawn 2003 Inspiration 2003

Victory 2004 Holiday 2004

[Deaf Dude]

The Free Ferry across the river docks at Canal Street about 1 block from the hilton and across from Harrahs. You can use it to get to Mardi Gras World which is on teh oterh side of the river. The ferry is a good place to take photos of New Orleans, and also of the cruise ships that are in port. You can ride it back and forth as many times as you like. It's free for pedestrians, and $1 for cars.

 

your 5 year old wil ove the ferry, and also the zoo and the aquarium. there is also a childrens museum downtown that has hands on exhibits for children. you can get info about the Museum here.

 

Paul

[MERVYN BREMMER]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cotton:

Just yesterday, I got my new copy of "New Orleans Good Times Guide".If anybody's interested, call _800/810-3200_Takes about 2-3 weeks to receive it.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Cotton thanks for the info I'll be calling first thing monday to get my copy.

 

 

USS RUSHMORE LSD14(MANYTIMES)

TRIUMPH 10/03

SENSATIONAL SAINTS AND SINNERS 10/04

 

 

 

[jleq]

Another way to order the "Good Times Guide" is by going to this website:

 

"Good Times Guide" here

 

[waterbound]

Thanks for the info.. will come in handy..

 

Pride- 07/06/02

Jubilee- 02/22/03

Conquest- 10/19/03

 

4/15-- Holiday--Surprise cruise for my boyfriend!

 

5/15-- M&M at Rawlings All American Grille

03/13/2005- Conquest with the kids

[mexicobob]

The Hilton-Riverside is a great place to stay. Unfortunately, lately it is not available at any price. At least the last two occassions I have tried to get a reservation it has been booked solid.

Anyone who has an alternative to this centrally located hotel please reply.

 

MexicoBob

[tclowe]

Hoski: you can take your active 5 year old to the City Park. There are lots to do. We went on a Saturday two weeks ago. Only $2 per person to go inside Storyland. I think there is a small amusement park next door for small kids' rides. Then we stopped briefly for my son to play in the nice and big playground on the other side of the tennis courts.

 

My 4 year old son really liked the Audubon Zoo and can play there all day. It was very nicely landscaped and a cute tram to go around the Zoo. Well spaced out and really clean and fun to spend the day for a young child. They even had a McDonald's inside the Zoo. Parking was free. We got free tickets to the Zoo for playing at Harrah's (my husband only plays the penny machines and he still got the free tickets).