Excursions in NO

[aprilF]

Has anyone taken the Jean Lafitte Swamp Adventure Tour or New Orleans City Tour offered by Carnival Cruise Lines? We will be getting back into port on 10 Feb 2007 and our flight isnt until later so we would like something to do.

 

If we were to book an independant (of the Cruise line) tour, do most tours have a place to store luggage while you are on tour? I guess what I am asking is: is that standard practice? Of course, I would confirm with the tour I just dont want them to look at me like I am crazy for requesting this service. Also, would it be standard practice for the tour company to pick up at the pier but drop off at the airport (again, I would confirm...)?

 

While I am asking crazy questions, is there a store near the pier that I could walk to and pick up some sodas so I dont have to fly with them in the checked luggage?

 

Cheers!

[Crichard]

Some friends took the swamp tour a few months ago and the area was really damaged by thte hurricane, there was not much to see. I would skip that one. The other should be pretty good. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cathy

[aprilF]

Thanks Cathy!

[map70065]

Has anyone taken the Jean Lafitte Swamp Adventure Tour or New Orleans City Tour offered by Carnival Cruise Lines? We will be getting back into port on 10 Feb 2007 and our flight isnt until later so we would like something to do.

 

If we were to book an independant (of the Cruise line) tour, do most tours have a place to store luggage while you are on tour? I guess what I am asking is: is that standard practice? Of course, I would confirm with the tour I just dont want them to look at me like I am crazy for requesting this service. Also, would it be standard practice for the tour company to pick up at the pier but drop off at the airport (again, I would confirm...)?

 

While I am asking crazy questions, is there a store near the pier that I could walk to and pick up some sodas so I dont have to fly with them in the checked luggage?

 

Cheers!

 

I haven't looked at the NCL tours of NOLA, but can say that most of the independent companies don't have facilities to store luggage. I also don't know if they would bring you to the airport.

 

There is a small grocery store across Convention Center Blvd from the pier, but I imagine if you want any quantity of soda it would cost quite a bit.

[aprilF]

Maps--Kind of what I figured but I thought it was worth an ask. Thanks for responding!

[map70065]

You could always call a few of the tour places and ask. With tourism down as much as it is you might just find one that will do it.

[map70065]

Has anyone taken the Jean Lafitte Swamp Adventure Tour or New Orleans City Tour offered by Carnival Cruise Lines? We will be getting back into port on 10 Feb 2007 and our flight isnt until later so we would like something to do.

 

I didn't figure I should comment on these tours until I went and looked at what they included. IMHO they need to update their information. I've never done the Jean Lafitte Swamp tour, so can't comment on it. The City Tour is what needs to be updated. Most of the "City Tours" have now been replaced with the Katrina tours - and that may be what you get. Even if that's not true (and I don't know for sure) I do know that the stop that they used to make at the Casino in City Park "ain't there no more". I'm sure they would make a stop somewhere else (on the tour I took it was at a grocery store). That being said, if the City Tour would pick you up at the pier, show you the city and drop you off at the airport I think it would be better than just transfering to the airport.

[Crichard]

There are mardi Grad parades that day. Check out nola.com. for a list. You may want to allow for extra time to airport with Mardi Gras traffic around town. What time is your flight out? They used to be able to send your luggage to the airport from the cruise line, but i dont know if they do that anymore.

Cathy

[aprilF]

Map70065--thanks for the input. So your refreshment stop was a grocery store? (It is a shame we cant take this pre-cruise as I want to go to a grocery store then to pick up some sodas!). I dont know if we would book a Katrina tour but I have to say I might be pretty upset if that is what I got if I booked the 'city tour' as outlined on Carnival's website so I really appreciate the heads up. One thing I can do is compare the sites listed with the 2007 NO guidebook. That might help me figure out what is there and what isnt and if that is something we would want to do.

 

Crichard--I thought there would be parades, even thought it might be a fun thing to try to see. Never thought about how it might affect traffic. Big thanks for that as we dont really have extra vacation days to spare because we missed our flight.

[jgmpuma]

I know the guy who runs

 

http://www.cajunpridetours.com

 

It is a first-class operation. Contact them and see if they can accommodate your luggage.

 

There is a convenience store at the corner of Julia Street and Convention Center Boulevard.