Cruising from New Orleans

[hoosier sailor]

We are cruising from New Orleans in November, and I have lots of questions.

First off a word or two about us.. I am Diamond Plus prior to the pandemic I probably cruised 3-4 times a year with RCCL and posted on here all the time under the name Cyscopup. I know that Radiance is the only ship from NO and that is fine, I have sailed Radiance many, many times.

My traveling companion has never sailed on RCCL but has sailed a couple times. HAL and Carnival. 

Our questions involve things to do in NO for one day prior to cruise, one day after. Parking in New Orleans at hotel or port. Anything else that anyone wants to provide.

 

Thanks, Randy

[firefly333]

I see you want a hotel with cruise parking and to do things in new orleans. There are hotels in the garden area that include parking and the holiday Inn had cruise parking. There is a cc area where hotels might be mentioned.

 

I started parking across the river at a hotel where you could park and it had a shuttle but even pre covid ran over $150. Sounds like you want to be close enough to walk so google hotels and look at that area on cc and price them out. I can remember way back when holiday inn was 99 plus tax but those days are long gone. The hotels right outside the main area will be less costly. 

 

Then see what you want to do. Sure are lots of bars lol. I'd start with the hotel then see what you can walk to.

[joeyancho]

The National WWll Museum is terrific.   Cafe Du Monde is a must for beignets and coffee.  Central Grocery for a muffaletta.  Acme Oyster House for a great meal.  

[foxgoodrich]

It's been years...but we stayed at a Hampton Inn in Metairie.  We left our car there for the duration of the cruise, and I don't think there was any charge.  At that time, this hotel had regular shuttles back and forth to/from the French Quarter.  So we had a great time for a couple of days before the cruise and didn't have to hassle with parking.  The hotel also shuttled us to the port on embarkation day.

 

Have some beignets and coffee at Cafe Du Monde in the Quarter.  If you can get in, Acme Oyster Bar is a great place for a seafood dinner.  The Audubon Aquarium is right down there by the river near the Cafe.  We also like Tujagues - it's one of the oldest restaurants in NOLA, and has (in our opinion) the best seafood gumbo.  There is an open air market and some shops along the river near Cafe Du Monde if you enjoy shopping.  Jackson Square is surrounded by shops and there are lots of street performers, and if you're interested in a cemetery tour or voo doo tour, you'll find tickets for those things near the Square. .  And I love the New Orleans Museum of Art, which is easy to get to by taking a streetcar or bus up Esplanade.

 

Wow...now I really want to go to NOLA...I should never have written about that gumbo... 

[Merion_Mom]

There is so much to see and do in NOLA.  I suggest using www.tripadvisor.com for good information.

[barbeyg]

We are from the area originally, just an hour outside NOLA.  Love to visit when we go home.   One of the fun things we have done with friends there is a walking foodie tour on Magazine Street.  Not the French Quarter, where most restaurants (not all) are geared toward tourists.  Head over to Magazine Street on the streetcar if staying downtown (will have to walk a few blocks to Magazine St), and grab a great foodie tour highlighting places locals like to eat.  

 

Also, take that same streetcar down to the end of the line uptown.  Not only is it cheap, really cheap, but you can see some of the big, beautiful homes uptown.

 

Others have covered some of the best sights to see.  And don't forget to finish your night out at Cafe du Monde.  Many go for breakfast, but we got to see our very first wedding Second Line while enjoying beignets at around 9:30 on a Saturday night.  

 

https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/music/history-and-traditions/second-lines/

Edited June 22, 2022 by barbeyg

[Merion_Mom]

We LOVED doing this the last time we were in NOLA:

 

Cooking Classes | New Orleans School of Cooking

[BekkaW]

22 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

We LOVED doing this the last time we were in NOLA:

 

Cooking Classes | New Orleans School of Cooking

I second this, it was fantastic. I have also enjoyed a walking tour of the garden district, and a night time ghost tour (also a walking tour) 

[SG65CB]

Cruise Critic has a discussion board called "Gulf Coast Departures" which will have a lot of the information you are looking for, including hotels, parking, and pre/post cruise activities. 

 

A lot of the posts are about Galveston but you'll also find plenty about New Orleans. 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/316-gulf-coast-departures/

 

 

[hoosier sailor]

Merion Mom, I know it has to be fun if you have done it. I think we cruised together a couple of times many years ago (pre-covid).  That definitely sounds fun.

[cruiselvr04]

Lots to do there!  Including some grand old plantations just out of town.  We will be going back soon and want to do a trip up the Mississippi either by river boat or on our own.  

[HCTiger9704]

If you or your partner enjoys history, The National WWII Museum is awesome.  Might be something you want to look into.

 

If you enjoy animals, check out the Audubon Nature Institute, which runs places like the Audubon Zoo and the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

[sellwingri]

We just booked a  Casino Royale comped cruise out of New Orleans in December on Radiance.  The last time I was there was during the Worlds Fair  about 38 years ago so I’m sure it’s changed a lot.    We booked Marriott French Quarter so we’re near the “touristy” places.  Is N.O. decorated for Christmas?  Is there a “must see” while we’re there?

[hoosier sailor]

On 6/30/2022 at 4:06 PM, sellwingri said:

We just booked a  Casino Royale comped cruise out of New Orleans in December on Radiance.  The last time I was there was during the Worlds Fair  about 38 years ago so I’m sure it’s changed a lot.    We booked Marriott French Quarter so we’re near the “touristy” places.  Is N.O. decorated for Christmas?  Is there a “must see” while we’re there?

what exactly is a Casino Royale comped cruise?

[sellwingri]

2 hours ago, hoosier sailor said:

what exactly is a Casino Royale comped cruise?

If you gamble on Royal cruises you’ll occasionally get offers for free cruises.  In this case, I was given a free balcony cruise.  Only cost me the port fees and taxes.

[hoosier sailor]

On 7/5/2022 at 4:21 PM, sellwingri said:

If you gamble on Royal cruises you’ll occasionally get offers for free cruises.  In this case, I was given a free balcony cruise.  Only cost me the port fees and taxes.

 

very co, I will have to look into thatol

 

[Cruise, J.D.]

On 6/30/2022 at 4:06 PM, sellwingri said:

We just booked a  Casino Royale comped cruise out of New Orleans in December on Radiance.  The last time I was there was during the Worlds Fair  about 38 years ago so I’m sure it’s changed a lot.    We booked Marriott French Quarter so we’re near the “touristy” places.  Is N.O. decorated for Christmas?  Is there a “must see” while we’re there?

If you are in the FQ, you are in one of the must sees. There are a lot of good tours, but you can also do a self-guided walking tour there. Just to name a few places off of the top of my head: Jackson Square, Cafe du Monde and too many other bars and restaurants to mention, Frenchmen Street, take the St Charles Street car line and hop off in the garden district. That should be enough to get you started.