Question for recent cruisers out of New Orlean

[Top-Cat]

Hi fellow cruisers,

 

DH and I are leaving out of NO next month. Can anyone tell me about the port? We have left from many terminals, but this is the first from NO.

 

I have found that some terminals move people more efficient and faster than others. Are there many check in stations to go through? Were there longs lines and what time did you get to port?

 

Anything else you want to add is greatly appreciated.

 

OH, and how long is the ride down the Mississippi?

 

Thanks!!

Top

[djacobson]

Hi fellow cruisers,

 

DH and I are leaving out of NO next month. Can anyone tell me about the port? We have left from many terminals, but this is the first from NO.

 

I have found that some terminals move people more efficient and faster than others. Are there many check in stations to go through? Were there longs lines and what time did you get to port?

 

Anything else you want to add is greatly appreciated.

 

OH, and how long is the ride down the Mississippi?

 

Thanks!!

Top

 

Top Cat- The terminal is a new building, having opened in 2006. Parking is above the terminal. I believe the terminal is somewhat efficent and certainly better than it was at the old terminal. You will have 3-5 opportunities to show your Sail and Sign card and picture ID before actually getting on the ship.

 

Boarding usually starts around 1145, so getting to the terminal around 1045 would not hurt. There will be long lines because the ships have been sailing full. After checking in, the embarkation staff will direct you to a seat and later call rows of seats to stand in line to get your picture taken for the Sail and Sign card.

 

The Fantasy takes about six hours to travel to the mouth of the Mississippi. When the ship leaves the port, it does a 180 turn, which to me it pretty incredible and something you won't want to miss.

[BrendaB1]

Erato terminal is built right door to old Julia Street terminal. Nice new building & check in seems to go more smoothly than in the past. Boarding usually starts at 11:00, with wedding parties first then VIP & Platinum cruisers. We usually arrive around 10:00-10:30 & are usually on the ship anywhere from 11:00-11:30.

 

Depending on weather, currents & traffic on the River, usually about 8 hours. Be sure & be up top at sailaway. Great site to see the ship push away from the pier & turn completely around before heading down the river.

Here are a couple of links to watch before you cruise. www.portno.com

www.nola.com Click on cams & view rivercam.

 

Fantasy is a great, older ship. Always a fun time. Enjoy your cruise. :)

[vital1]

I just returned Thursday from a wonderful cruise on the Fantasy!

We arrived at the port around 1200 and had to wait longer to pay for parking than we did to get on the ship (well, it seemed that way:p ).

If you are driving, you'll pay for parking ($70) and be directed up the ramp. At the top of the ramp there are porters to take your luggage so if you need something to carry on, have it in a different bag when you reach the port. We saw folks repacking things b/c they didn't have it organized before they got there. Also don't forget to have your luggage tags on the suitcases!

From there you can park anywhere from the 3rd floor on up. We parked on the 4th floor "just in case". I lived through Katrina and didn't want to take a chance on my car flooding. I know this is an irrational fear, but hey, made my nerves better:o .

From there you can take the elevator or the stairs to the 2nd floor to check in. We waited in the security line for about 15 minutes. They had 2 lines that they would seperate folks into so it went rather smoothly without one line being shorter than the other. Then another line to actually check in. If you filled out everything online all you have to do is show your fun pass, passport (or BC and DL), credit card you are going to charge on and you are ready to go!!!! That line took about 20 minutes but we never really stopped inching forward so it didn't seem that long. Then we headed to get our embarkation picture taken and on to the ship! All in all it was a LOT easier/faster than I've experienced in other terminals.

I suggest to do the self-disembark. We were off the ship and sitting at Cafe du Monde by 0830 on the day we returned. That's pretty good since the ship was cleared around 0715. They call the self-disembark folks off first and unless you want to linger around the ship it's the way to go.

 

We were delayed leaving b/c of "heavy traffic on the river" and didn't actually set sail until a little after 5. We were in the mouth of the river around 1100. The river is up due to the rains in the Mid-West. To me, the most impressive part of the river trip is returning. If you can, be on deck when you enter the mouth. It's incredible seeing all of the rigs, the man-made seawall that seperates the river from the Gulf and hearing (yes HEARING) the channel markers. I had no idea they made noises like that. I don't know how old you are but if you've seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind this will remind you of that. There are flashing lights in the distance and beeps happening. It was very cool. Last trip I was either asleep or in the casino and missed it, but if I ever go out of New Orleans again I'll make sure I'm up on deck to see it.

Have a GREAT trip!!!!

[vic/leelee]

Please help me, I have been asking this question for awhile now and can't seem to get an answer. We are sailing on the Fantasy 8/4/08 and have booked a Cat 11 balcony. We are in room V14. Will we be in a good position to watch sail away from our balcony??? does anyone know what side of the ship this room is on?? after the turn will we be facing the west bank or new orleans??? and anyone from NO, about what time will be getting to belle chasse?? We have family there that might can go atop the levee and wave.

[Top-Cat]

Wow! Thanks David, Brenda and Vita for this great information. Vita, you are too funny :D !

 

Vic, I have been on the Fantasy and being and older girl, all of the Balcony's are mid ship on either side. Even numbers are on the left (port side) and Odd numbers are on the right (starbord). We have only had a blacony on the back end of the ship (not on this one). Can't really tell you about the best view for that class ship.

 

I only wish she had already had her turn in the dry dock (scheduled for Sept.) We were on the Inspiration last October after the refit and loved all the new stuff. It was awsome.

 

I hope you have a great trip.

 

Thank again everyone for the valuable info.

Top.

[spleenstomper]

About what time do you come back into the mouth of the Mississippi on the way back?

 

We'd really like to see it, but I know going down that it will be at night.

[vital1]

If I remember correctly it was around 1015. We had the 815 dinner seating and it was right after that. I'd be up there around 10 for sure. It really is a sight to see. Just be sure to listen:D . I suggest going up to the deck above the spa. I can't remember the name of it but it's the one with the miniture golf course. You can go through the glass doors on the front and have a bird's eye view.

[Rowan555]

Please help me, I have been asking this question for awhile now and can't seem to get an answer. We are sailing on the Fantasy 8/4/08 and have booked a Cat 11 balcony. We are in room V14. Will we be in a good position to watch sail away from our balcony??? does anyone know what side of the ship this room is on?? after the turn will we be facing the west bank or new orleans??? and anyone from NO, about what time will be getting to belle chasse?? We have family there that might can go atop the levee and wave.

 

 

We live in Belle Chasse, and my parents have often come home from a cruise and said they could see their front door from the ship. On our last cruise we stood on deck for an hour and a half, and we hadn't made it to Belle Chasse yet. We passed the Algiers/Chalmette ferry landings, so we thought we were close (because driving distance is like 2 miles from there to Belle Chasse), but the river curves so much that it takes forever to get from the ferry landings to Belle Chasse. I'd say 2 hours at the LEAST. Good luck, I've given up on trying to see our house from the ship!

[acrawford7]

Be careful of two women on the embarkation staff named debra and delores. They were on a severe power trip when our group boarded last week. There were 11 of us and we could not find seats so we sat on the floor. We were told by Debra to move and moved where she told us. We were then told by Delores that we could not sit here and she told us to find seats. We finally found seats on the 3rd row and were promptly told by Debra that these seats were reserved. There was no sign or anything indicating that the rows were reserved. We stood around until the wedding party went onboard and then sat back down in the reserved rows. I knew that this would mean that we would not board first. But the funny thing is that we sat down first and all of the other groups that sat down after us were allowed to get on before us. These 2 women singled out our group and made sure that we did not get on till last.

 

What was so incredulous to me was the fact that our group consisted of 2 sets of families with young children. It was not as if we were rowdy hooligans looking to cause trouble. We were just trying to find a place where our 4 year olds would not cause a disturbance to the people around us.

[BrendaB1]

About what time do you come back into the mouth of the Mississippi on the way back?

 

We'd really like to see it, but I know going down that it will be at night.

 

In May, we entered the River about 8-9PM. Great place to watch is behind the Lido dining room, go thru the doors by the pizza place. Tables & chairs there & not lots of people.

[Top-Cat]

What about on the way out of the river? Are these lights/beeps visable as you leave? If it is between 6 and 8 hours, it would be dark. We have early dining. Are these on oil platforms?

[BrendaB1]

Lots of oil platforms & barges etc on the river that are lit up at night. It's usually around midnight when you leave the river.

[vital1]

What about on the way out of the river? Are these lights/beeps visable as you leave? If it is between 6 and 8 hours, it would be dark. We have early dining. Are these on oil platforms?

I don't know if the beeps are on the way out but I know everything is lit up b/c we saw them from the dinner table. The channel markers are the things that are beeping. I would imagine that since it's some sort of radar/computer system that it would beep. I'm sorry I can't give you a definitive answer. Makes me want to google it right now :D

[jetskier]

Vic,

The other poster was not accurate. There are two different sets of balconies on the Fantasy. They were referring to the Cat 12's on the Upper deck. Your cabin/balcony is located on the Verandah deck.

 

Your cabin while docked will be on the river side instead of the dock side. When the ship makes its 180 degree turn you will be looking back at the dock and downtown New Orleans. Personally I find the best place is on Deck 11 aft. That way you can easily walk from side to side to see things as you go past.

 

Dave

[jetskier]

What about on the way out of the river? Are these lights/beeps visable as you leave? If it is between 6 and 8 hours, it would be dark. We have early dining. Are these on oil platforms?

 

As you go down the river at night, you will see small towns on the otherside of the levees lit up. You will also have refineries that are blazing brightly. As you get get closer to the mouth, you will pass large ships at anchor waiting their turn to go up the river. Once you are in the Gulf, you will be amazed at the number of oil platforms.

 

You will have plenty of time to get out on deck after your meal. They will have a couple of game show type events in the main lounge and a session of bingo. The Welcome aboard show is not until 10:30pm.

Dave

[Top-Cat]

Thanks Dave. We are excited about the trip down the MS. This is our 2nd trip on the Fantasy. The last one we went to Grand Turk. Even though she a bit older, we liked the ship. I imagine we will be topside for a while that day. I hope the muster drill is over before we get underway.

[jetskier]

Thanks Dave. We are excited about the trip down the MS. This is our 2nd trip on the Fantasy. The last one we went to Grand Turk. Even though she a bit older, we liked the ship. I imagine we will be topside for a while that day. I hope the muster drill is over before we get underway.

 

 

That has been a thing that I wish Carnival would resolve. Sailaway should not take place until after muster drill is completed. It is not fair for the 1st time cruisers to be pulling away from the dock while everyone is still in the drill.

 

Especially now since you have to be on the ship 90 minutes before sailaway.

 

Dave

[JerseyshoreBruce]

That has been a thing that I wish Carnival would resolve. Sailaway should not take place until after muster drill is completed. It is not fair for the 1st time cruisers to be pulling away from the dock while everyone is still in the drill.

 

Especially now since you have to be on the ship 90 minutes before sailaway.

 

Dave

Excellent point by both of you! No matter how many times you have sailed the sail away is nice to see....especially when you have never sailed from that port before. Good job guys!

[vic/leelee]

Vic,

The other poster was not accurate. There are two different sets of balconies on the Fantasy. They were referring to the Cat 12's on the Upper deck. Your cabin/balcony is located on the Verandah deck.

 

Your cabin while docked will be on the river side instead of the dock side. When the ship makes its 180 degree turn you will be looking back at the dock and downtown New Orleans. Personally I find the best place is on Deck 11 aft. That way you can easily walk from side to side to see things as you go past.

 

Dave

 

Hey dave, maybe I am miss reading something but you stated that the best place is on Deck 11 aft, but I only count 10 decks on the Fantasy. What am I misunderstanding????

[LHP]

Just a tip:

 

When New Orleans built their Convention Center, it blocks a lot of the visual of the port as you arrive. So don't panic if you don't fully "see the ship" until you go over the railroad tracks and turn left.

[jetskier]

Hey dave, maybe I am miss reading something but you stated that the best place is on Deck 11 aft, but I only count 10 decks on the Fantasy. What am I misunderstanding????

 

Deck 11 is the Verandah Deck. Deck 10 is the Lido where the pool and buffet is located. Deck 12 is the Sports Deck. Deck 13 is the Sun Deck.

 

On the earlier Fantasy class ships the floors start at Deck 4 Riviera that are accessable by passengers. On later ships, they started the passenger decks as Deck 1.

 

Dave

[jetskier]

Just a tip:

 

When New Orleans built their Convention Center, it blocks a lot of the visual of the port as you arrive. So don't panic if you don't fully "see the ship" until you go over the railroad tracks and turn left.

 

Unless you are heading west on I-10, then you can see the funnel as you cross the Intercoastal Canal Bridge. Then I know I am about 10 minutes from getting to the ship.:D

Dave

[beachbum6264]

Embarkation was a breeze for us, vital1 was right, we waited longer to get into the parking garage than we did to board. Loved the trip down the Mississippi, totally different than any other place we've sailed from.

 

Debarkation was a nightmare, tho. They totally dropped the ball on this one for us (there was a music festival over the 4th of July and I think a few of the customs agents must have called in "sick" on Monday;) ). It took us 2 hours from them calling our number (and that wasn't until 10:45 and we were not the last group called) and getting to our car. I still had a 9 hour drive, and dh had to work the next day :( I hope that was NOT a normal day, I love NOLA, and would love to cruise out of there again

[Rowan555]

Embarkation was a breeze for us, vital1 was right, we waited longer to get into the parking garage than we did to board. Loved the trip down the Mississippi, totally different than any other place we've sailed from.

 

Debarkation was a nightmare, tho. They totally dropped the ball on this one for us (there was a music festival over the 4th of July and I think a few of the customs agents must have called in "sick" on Monday;) ). It took us 2 hours from them calling our number (and that wasn't until 10:45 and we were not the last group called) and getting to our car. I still had a 9 hour drive, and dh had to work the next day :( I hope that was NOT a normal day, I love NOLA, and would love to cruise out of there again

 

 

We have never had a bad debarkation experience out of NOLA, but my parents did once - they had to wait 2 hours to disembark because of a certain series of events the cruise line had no control over. We've definitely experienced some "room for improvement" moments, but we're always off the ship and in our car by 7:30 AM, so we can't complain. The only other port we've sailed out of was Galveston, and that debarkation took a lot longer than we've experienced in NOLA.