New Orleans 1st timers

[mother goose]

My family of 7 are flying into New Orleans on a Friday night and need transportation from the airport to a hotel for the night and then onto the port in the morning. When we return from our cruise we will need transportation again to the airport but will also need somewhere to keep our luggage while we sightsee for a few hours in the French Quarter. Does anyone have any ideas on the most economical way to do this? Are there any hotels that provide complimentary transporation?

[Marlissa]

Couple of thoughts:

 

In addition to this area of the board, there is another New Orleans section in Ports Of Call > New Orleans http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21. Check there also, there seems to be more activity.

 

I'm not sure about hotels having free shuttle to the pier, I've not had much luck locating them.

 

Our second New Orleans departure is next month. For the first cruise, there was 5 of us. This cruise, there will be 6 of us. We stay at Springhill Suites (301 ST JOSEPH ST 1-504-522-3100) and use Marriott points so there is no cost for our rooms. They do charge ~$18 per day for parking. When we arrive at the airport, we pick-up a reserved rental mini-van ($75 total cost) from Hertz. This gives us transportation for the day/evening (we arrive a day early). Next day, we have the hotel hold the luggage, check out of the room and do any last minute site seeing. Afterwards, we load up the vehicle w/luggage and people and drive to the pier. Luggage and people are unloaded and one person (ususally DD) drives mini-van to Hertz location at 901 Convention Center Blvd. while everyone else waits. DD walks to the pier, I hear they have a shuttle, but DD did want to wait on it. This system works for us and gives us a little freedom to explore before the cruise.

 

We have considered renting again for the departure, but are not sure if our flight times would allow for the walk over to Hertz and the check-in, etc. Still debating this.

 

Last time we were in NO, there was a service at the port that would take your luggage and transport it to the airport. Can't remember the name or how much they charged and not sure if they are still in operation. We were going to utilize their service, but there was no one manning the booth. Guess you needed reservations (we were walk-ups). We had a 'day' room at the Springhill Suites reserved, so we walked there. Wasn't a bad walk, but sure glad the luggage had wheels.

[27116]

http://www.advancecheckin.com/contact.html

 

Yes. We have a service called forward and store. We will

store your luggage before to are able to board the cruise

ship and then forward your luggage to your cabin. When you

return to the cruise ship your luggage will be waiting for

you in your cabin. This service cost $20.00 for the first

3 bags and $5.00 for each additional bag.

 

If you are staying in the downtown New Orleans area we

will pick-up your luggage at your hotel for the same

price.

 

When you return to New Orleans we also have a service

called Cruise to Airport Storage. We will transport your

luggage from the Cruise ship to the airport. This service

cost $20.00 for the first 3 bags and $5.00 for each

additional bag.

 

If you have any question please don't hesitate to contact

me. www.reservations@advancecheckin.com or (504)467-8898.