Please sail out of New Orleans...

[racegrrl]

Cotton, I saw this article in the travel section this morning and I instantly thought of you. How sad and frustrating it must be!

 

DH & I have talked at length about cruising out of NOLA and will most probably do that next time. Neither of us have ever been, and we were infact planning a trip in Oct. '05, were finalizing plans when Katrina hit. We were so devastated we couldn't see the city as it was. Now, things will never be the same, we know that. But that won't stop us from coming down. We have good friends in Houma that are dying for us to come visit them!

[Cotton]

Fred - You're really showing your ignorance. Do you really think N.O. is the only city with these type problems? I think, with that 1% of crooked cops, it's no worse than many, many other cities. You want statistics? Look at Philadelphia, NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, L.A., Washington DC, and other large cities.... No murder or corruption is good, but per capita, N.O. certainly isn't at the top of the list!!:mad:

 

JaBee - Nope, I don't think Gulfport is in the running for a cruise ship now. We've got a lot longer to go as far as rebuilding that N.O. does, and I don't think it's much of a priority right now. Hopefully later.:)

[Montycruiser]

We have sailed out of NOLA twice pre-Katrina,enjoyed a couple post cruise days in the city and never felt unsafe.

We are looking into a 4 day Fantasy cruise in June, hopefully I can get a good deal from the ONE DAY SALE this Thursday. We will sail out of NOLA again, really enjoyed the food and the city:D :D

[racegrrl]

Fred - You're really showing your ignorance. Do you really think N.O. is the only city with these type problems? I think, with that 1% of crooked cops, it's no worse than many, many other cities. You want statistics? Look at Philadelphia, NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, L.A., Washington DC, and other large cities.... No murder or corruption is good, but per capita, N.O. certainly isn't at the top of the list!!:mad:

 

 

Yeah, I wasn't really impressed with this spouting of so called information either. Out of date at best, ignorant for sure. What's his beef? We've got some serious issues with some of the city cops in Chicago as of late. It's a shame, but it happens everywhere - N.O. doesn't own the market.

[VolzCruiser]

Cotton, I will be glad to go to New Orleans and spend money and have a great time.

[Wennfred]

I think, with that 1% of crooked cops, it's no worse than many, many other cities.

 

I guess you havent read the Law Enforcement reports since you are not in that field of work, try over 50% Plus of your police force were on the take, and to add to that, just when you thought they weeded out all of the Thug Cops, they surely came out during the Katrina Disaster by Taking over Hotels, shooting and killing disabled people, Robbing etc. They are still there, I guess that is why other states including California had to send their own elites to help out with the corruption that went on there because your cops were no where to be found. The New Orleans Police Force is now used in all Law Enforcement Cadet Academy training on how easy it is to be corrupted.

 

It starts from the top, your politicians, the same people you elected thats taking your cruiseships from your town and also preventing the safety of the people.

 

Do you really think that all of the money we sent to N.O. Disaster relief is going to N.O. or the pockets of those Corrupted politicians?

[Deaf Dude]

I just spent a few hours today in the French Quarter. thousands of people walking around and having a great time. Never felt threatened. It was a beautiful day with Temperatures between 75 and 80 Degrees!!! Here is a link to some of the pictures I took today.

 

http://feeds.slide.com/p/5/untitled-690798301

 

Paul

[suncoastgirl]

Deaf Dude, great slide show. Makes me want to visit my hometown even sooner than planned. I am a transplanted New Orleanian living south of the Tampa Bay area. Yes, we have our share of crimein New Orleans but... what city doesn't? I know Miami and Tampa have a high crime rate. I would not venture near the port of Tampa until 3-5 years ago due to the crime in the area.

New Orleans has an extremly safe tourist area. Most people that venture into the high crime areas are there for only two reasons; they are lost or looking to score drugs. Come on people, let's return to New Orleans and give them the tourist dollars they need to rebuild. Remember Hurricane Andrew? Did you stop going to the Miami, Ft. Lauderdale area?

[louisianagirl07]

Although I am not from NOLA, I do live in Louisiana, and I would so love for a 7-day ship to come back to NO. It's just easier and more convinent. The news blows up all the bad things that happen. It's their job. I don't think it is as bad as they make it seem, but new orleans really does need to work on its police system. I think the best thing new orleans could do is a get a good mayor... Nagin has offended many people. It isn't going to make people want to go to New Orleans with him still in office.

I do think though that New Orleans will recover fully, but hopefully with improvements in crime.

With all this rambling, I'm just really trying to say... New Orleans is really a great city, and I encourage everyone to keep supporting the "Big Easy"!

[louisianagirl07]

Although I am not from NOLA, I do live in Louisiana, and I would so love for a 7-day ship to come back to NO. It's just easier and more convinent. The news blows up all the bad things that happen. It's their job. I don't think it is as bad as they make it seem, but new orleans really does need to work on its police system. I think the best thing new orleans could do is a get a good mayor... Nagin has offended many people. It isn't going to make people want to go to New Orleans with him still in office.

I do think though that New Orleans will recover fully, but hopefully with improvements in crime.

With all this rambling, I'm just really trying to say... New Orleans is reallys a great city, and I encourage everyone to keep supporting the "Big Easy"!

[futaba951]

I guess you havent read the Law Enforcement reports since you are not in that field of work, try over 50% Plus of your police force were on the take, and to add to that, just when you thought they weeded out all of the Thug Cops, they surely came out during the Katrina Disaster by Taking over Hotels, shooting and killing disabled people, Robbing etc. They are still there, I guess that is why other states including California had to send their own elites to help out with the corruption that went on there because your cops were no where to be found. The New Orleans Police Force is now used in all Law Enforcement Cadet Academy training on how easy it is to be corrupted.

 

It starts from the top, your politicians, the same people you elected thats taking your cruiseships from your town and also preventing the safety of the people.

 

Do you really think that all of the money we sent to N.O. Disaster relief is going to N.O. or the pockets of those Corrupted politicians?

 

I see that you have a real hatred of and for all things New Orleans. Please do not ever visit. There is no need for you to come to NOLA to hop a cruise to Mexico seeing as you already live there. I guess you think the rest of us are busting the door down to visit your land of "Fruits and Nuts" as if it's so much better.

[suncoastgirl]

Deaf Dude, great slide show. Makes me want to visit my hometown even sooner than planned. I am a transplanted New Orleanian living south of the Tampa Bay area. Yes, we have our share of crimein New Orleans but... what city doesn't? I know Miami and Tampa have a high crime rate. I would not venture near the port of Tampa until 3-5 years ago due to the crime in the area.

New Orleans has an extremly safe tourist area. Most people that venture into the high crime areas are there for only two reasons; they are lost or looking to score drugs. Come on people, let's return to New Orleans and give them the tourist dollars they need to rebuild. Remember Hurricane Andrew? Did you stop going to the Miami, Ft. Lauderdale area?

[Wennfred]

I see that you have a real hatred of and for all things New Orleans. Please do not ever visit. There is no need for you to come to NOLA to hop a cruise to Mexico seeing as you already live there. I guess you think the rest of us are busting the door down to visit your land of "Fruits and Nuts" as if it's so much better.

 

Never stated that I had a hate for New Orleans, but what I do hate is people that hide behind a badge as in those Thug Police Officers. Whether its New Orleans or New Zealand, I always hate a crooked cop.

 

 

Fred

[Cotton]

Awww Fred - so misinformed. I don't have anything else to add. You have a mindset, and I can't help but wonder why you're so vehement about it.:rolleyes:

 

BTW, I love California - my DD lives in Venice. Beautiful area, but I DO hear of lots and lots of criminal activity from her, and also by simply watching the news.

 

Land of fruits and nuts - good one, Futaba.:)

[98Charlie]

DH & I are hoping to cruise out of New Orleans later this year on NCL Spirit. Haven't been to NO since 1980 on a land trip and really want to come back again. Spirit has an itinerary we like. NO has the port we want -- but air fare between Ohio and New Orleans is too often more than the cruise.

 

I keep checking prices. Hope to be on the Spirit in November!:)

 

Dianne

[JudyKa]

WOW! Thanks for so many nice replies!:) Even the negative ones are interesting to read.

 

LHP - Hey, friend. I meant to add to my original thoughts that we'll be MORE than happy to have anyone come on over to the coast and boost our economy, too.:D Our casinos are at full speed, even a coupla new ones.

 

Have fun visiting your friends in Gulfport...If you drive down the beach, the empty lot at Kelly Ave. and Beach Blvd. is mine. I haven't decided whether to sell it or not. I definitely won't be rebuilding a 160 year old house! Still saddens me so much that I take a detour when going in that direction.

 

Pete - Will do.

 

Aw, Cotton....this makes me sad too. We are Mississippians also (Jackson area). We donated like crazy toward the resurrection of the Miss. Coast after Katrina; and have put off our visits as it will probably be so heart-breaking for us to visit the Miss. Coast again due to so much history being wiped away. Don't get me wrong, we definitely will be back down soon and more frequently; but we will probably need to brace ourselves for the change in everything that was once the good ole Miss. Gulf Coast. It will be disheartening to not be able to see the big gorgeous old homes along the beach highway.

[GoinCruisin]

Awww Fred - so misinformed. I don't have anything else to add. You have a mindset, and I can't help but wonder why you're so vehement about it.:rolleyes:

 

:)

 

You sound surprised Cotton, LOL! I wasn't a bit surprised to read his post :rolleyes: Don't worry about it... the truly educated ones are those that have actually spent time there and learn from experience, not google. Our cruise from NOLA last month was great!!! We spent a few days pre cruise and had one of the best times I've had in the city yet!!! New Orleans is a fabulous city... people that are scared to go to NOLA should also be scared to go MANY other cities. But we all can't live in perfect cities where there are no crooked cops or politicians :rolleyes: Plenty of cities have issues... it doesn't mean you shouldn't travel there, if that were the case, some of my favorite cities would be off the market!!!!!

 

What is so funny is that people will always protect and fight for their "home"... I'd love to see how SOME would react if people were attacking their home... just seems so rude, and foul.

[huhwhat]

NO has the port we want -- but air fare between Ohio and New Orleans is too often more than the cruise.

 

We had the exact opposite experience in planning our trip for the Fantasy in March. It was cheaper for us to fly from Columbus to N.O. than to any other port. Though if we had planned on statying over the night before the cruise a couple of FL locations would have been about the same. We are on a NW flight through Memphis which gets you down there before noon.

[MSEm]

I also am very disappointed that CCL will not be bring a ship in for 7 day cruises from NOLA. I also checked with RCI for Jan 2008 (They say their ship is charted for Jan, Feb, & Mar of 08 with no open sailing?????)

I do know the NCL Sun checked out the Mobile, AL port and the ship was able to dock at the passenger terminal. Also RCI had a large ship in checking out the Mobile Cruise Terminal. Carnival has the first right of refusal to bring another ship into the port of Mobile. AL. Maybe we can get a 7 day cruise from Mobile for winter of 2008.

[futaba951]

I also am very disappointed that CCL will not be bring a ship in for 7 day cruises from NOLA. I also checked with RCI for Jan 2008 (They say their ship is charted for Jan, Feb, & Mar of 08 with no open sailing?????)

I do know the NCL Sun checked out the Mobile, AL port and the ship was able to dock at the passenger terminal. Also RCI had a large ship in checking out the Mobile Cruise Terminal. Carnival has the first right of refusal to bring another ship into the port of Mobile. AL. Maybe we can get a 7 day cruise from Mobile for winter of 2008.

 

I can't figure out why ship size seems to be such an issue in Mobile. The river is 45' deep and most cruise ships draft less than 30. Also the turning basin is about 1200-1300 feet wide so even 1000 footers could turn up the river there. Huge container ships do it everyday. And there are no height restrictions as in Tampa, Jacksonville and Baltimore. I know the Holiday crashed into a dock up by the basin a couple years ago but I think that was just a case of one of the crew not rowing hard enough.

[bonniemari]

There we eight of us on the Fantasy in Nov. and now there will 10 of us going on the Fantasy April 21. We actually spent the night before in Biloxi and drove over to NOLA the morning of the cruise.

 

Still not sure whether or not we will come in day before or drive down that morning. I am not a party person so Bourbon St does nothing for me but I do love some of the wonderful restaurants in NOLA.

 

I too was looking forward to a 7 day cruise out of NOLA. We also like cruise out of Mobile so it would be nice to see a 7 day out of Mobile also.

[brownii57]

I was checking for an answer to the question about hotels with free parking and saw that there were no responses. If anyone knows of any, my family and I are booked on a cruise in March and would like to spend a few days in NOLA.

[Cruising89143]

I also am very disappointed that CCL will not be bring a ship in for 7 day cruises from NOLA. I also checked with RCI for Jan 2008 (They say their ship is charted for Jan, Feb, & Mar of 08 with no open sailing?????)

I do know the NCL Sun checked out the Mobile, AL port and the ship was able to dock at the passenger terminal. Also RCI had a large ship in checking out the Mobile Cruise Terminal. Carnival has the first right of refusal to bring another ship into the port of Mobile. AL. Maybe we can get a 7 day cruise from Mobile for winter of 2008.

 

 

Royal Caribbean announced last week that they would not be returning to NOLA next season.

[Kcarp]

try over 50% Plus of your police force were on the take, and to add to that, just when you thought they weeded out all of the Thug Cops, they surely came out during the Katrina Disaster by Taking over Hotels, shooting and killing disabled people, Robbing etc. They are still there,

There were honest cops too that didn't leave their post and stayed till the end. If a major City in Cali was cripped by a Quake you would see the same type of people come out of the wood work.

[GoinCruisin]

There were honest cops too that didn't leave their post and stayed till the end. If a major City in Cali was cripped by a Quake you would see the same type of people come out of the wood work.

 

Or I don't know... Riots??? LOL!!! To say that cities in CA don't have corruption, well I'm afraid if I finish I might pee my pants laughing so hard :D