New Orleans cruising

[Indiansbaseball]

This is a great post as we just booked the Oct. 12th Fantasy. We are flying in and are struggling with finding a good safe clean hotel for three women. I am happy to hear the great praise for the Fantasy !!

 

Jen

[bonniemari]

For all of you cruising out of NOLA don't forget if you are a member of Harrah's (casino) Total rewards program to check online to see if you are eligible for a comped room at Harrah's New orleans. Our last 6 cruises out of NOLA we have gotten a comped room and overnight parking. You won't be albe to leave your car at harrahs during your cruise but at least you won't have to pay for the parking during your hotel stay.

 

We love the Fantasy and although I don't care for the "Bourbon St experience" we always like to go to Acme Oyster House for dinner and usually do Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee the morning before the cruise.

[MetathoraX]

I live in Atlanta too, why not think about cruising out of Tampa? 498 miles to New Orleans and 466 miles to Tampa. I believe the ships are comparable (Inspiration vs Fantasy) but they also have the Legend I believe out of Tampa for 7 night cruises. Just a thought

[airlink diva]

For all of you cruising out of NOLA don't forget if you are a member of Harrah's (casino) Total rewards program to check online to see if you are eligible for a comped room at Harrah's New orleans. Our last 6 cruises out of NOLA we have gotten a comped room and overnight parking. You won't be albe to leave your car at harrahs during your cruise but at least you won't have to pay for the parking during your hotel stay.

 

We love the Fantasy and although I don't care for the "Bourbon St experience" we always like to go to Acme Oyster House for dinner and usually do Cafe du Monde for beignets and coffee the morning before the cruise.

Sound like me!! I'm heading toCafe du Monde for some of their great coffee and beignets to start my cruise off right!! I want to be up all day to enjoy the first day on the ship and need that coffee!!

[Dive Master]

We love the Fantasy and would very much like to do the 5 night cruise out of New Orleans in October (Progresso,Cozumel). I am just not sure that we or our money would be welcome in New Orleans---we are "vanilla" cruisers and Mayor Willy Wonka did proclaim New Orleans to be a "Chocolate City" and that God meant for it be that way.I think we might be more comfortable sailing out of Mobile on the Holiday.

 

Does New Orleans realize or even care that having a "NUT" like this as a Mayor is costing New Orleans precious tourist dollars????

[nealstuber]

The Carnival Fantasy was great, went on it twice. Had a great time. The food was very good, the entertainment was good, and there was always something fun going on.

 

The NCL Spirit sucked!! (That's my opinion and the other 48 people that were in my group.) The food was horrible, unless you go to the "specialty" restraunts and pay the surcharge, anywhere from $15.00 to $20.00 per person. The entertainment was ok, not too bad. There's nothing going on at the pool area. The band was horrible! I'll stop there, let's just say that my group and I enjoyed the Fantasy and leave it at that. Also, we are getting the Triumph in November, it will be taking the place of the Fantasy.

 

Drove from ATL and Sailed out of Tampa, Nola, and Port Canaveral - All are doable drives - Great Glory Prices out of Port Canaveral once Freedom arrives, but before she repos to Miami.

[Nuttycruisegirl]

This is a great post as we just booked the Oct. 12th Fantasy. We are flying in and are struggling with finding a good safe clean hotel for three women. I am happy to hear the great praise for the Fantasy !!

 

Jen

 

We were just there in February (2 girls) and stayed at the Place D Armes....It's a charming historic building right off Jackson Square....a block from Cafe Du Monde. Cab to the port was like $12, and we walked all over the quarter and never felt unsafe. We did Bourbon street as well, but took a cab after dark. LOVED Nola and the Fantasy.

[nolaAlive]

We love the Fantasy and would very much like to do the 5 night cruise out of New Orleans in October (Progresso,Cozumel). I am just not sure that we or our money would be welcome in New Orleans---we are "vanilla" cruisers and Mayor Willy Wonka did proclaim New Orleans to be a "Chocolate City" and that God meant for it be that way.I think we might be more comfortable sailing out of Mobile on the Holiday.

 

Does New Orleans realize or even care that having a "NUT" like this as a Mayor is costing New Orleans precious tourist dollars????

 

That is old, old, old, old, old news. Despite the nut, New Orleans is color blind and Nagin isn't eligible for re-election.

[nolaAlive]

Here are some pictures from the Bloggers Cruise last February:

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/Blog_2009/index.htm

 

 

[fircrackr]

I noticed your March 2010 sailing date and remembered seeing this on the New Orleans board.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=966666

 

We finally made reservations at the Hampton Convention Center. Internet rates were $200.00 and up due to a convention expecting over 31,000 attendees. When I emailed the hotel customer sevice and stated it was an over night stay before a cruise I was given a rate of $129.00, but had to call to get that rate. Calling made a big difference - they made us pay half up front.

[nylori]

We got a rate of $84 at the embassy suites 315 julia street, new orleans. Free 2 hr happy hour 530 to 730, free full bkfst, 10 to 15 min walk to bourban st or to the pier. Love embassy suites for the 2 room, 3 beds for a family! We are flying in so not worried about parking, hubby wants a limo to get to hotel from airport its like $100. Its a 20 to 25 min ride so that seems ok. Then after the cruise we are going to go back to hotel and hang out b4 the plane and they said they would watch our luggage.

[fircrackr]

We got a rate of $84 at the embassy suites 315 julia street, new orleans. Free 2 hr happy hour 530 to 730, free full bkfst, 10 to 15 min walk to bourban st or to the pier. Love embassy suites for the 2 room, 3 beds for a family! We are flying in so not worried about parking, hubby wants a limo to get to hotel from airport its like $100. Its a 20 to 25 min ride so that seems ok. Then after the cruise we are going to go back to hotel and hang out b4 the plane and they said they would watch our luggage.

 

Wow!!! How did you manage that? I got a rate of over $350.00 there.

[ntshop]

If I had it to do over.......I believe I would park at the pier. It is $7.00 per person for the cab plus a $2.00 per load fuel charge. 4 people cost $30.00 each way.

[skiorcruise]

We sailed a family reunion cruise out of NO - great time in town, great cruise, but disembarkation was the worst I have ever had. Long lines moved very slow. Not enough customs agents, very hot and muggy and lots of screaming kids. I know it wasn't Carnival's fault, but I'll think twice before going out of NO again. Miami, Galveston and Long Beach were all better, IMHO. (It was the July 4 weekend when we returned, but still, customs knew we were comming.)

[Rowan555]

We sailed a family reunion cruise out of NO - great time in town, great cruise, but disembarkation was the worst I have ever had. Long lines moved very slow. Not enough customs agents, very hot and muggy and lots of screaming kids. I know it wasn't Carnival's fault, but I'll think twice before going out of NO again. Miami, Galveston and Long Beach were all better, IMHO. (It was the July 4 weekend when we returned, but still, customs knew we were comming.)

 

Sounds like you had a bum debarkation experience, but it's not usually like that. We've gone on 14 cruises out of NOLA and have never had any delays or problems at all. My parents had a hard time once, but it turned out it was due to a man overboard early that AM, and another passenger issue, but it affected everyone on the ship and delayed debarkation.

[nolaAlive]

We sailed a family reunion cruise out of NO - great time in town, great cruise, but disembarkation was the worst I have ever had. Long lines moved very slow. Not enough customs agents, very hot and muggy and lots of screaming kids. I know it wasn't Carnival's fault, but I'll think twice before going out of NO again. Miami, Galveston and Long Beach were all better, IMHO. (It was the July 4 weekend when we returned, but still, customs knew we were comming.)

 

Shhh. Don't tell anyone, but if you get a porter to handle your luggage, you go right to the front of the line.

[bflandry317]

We sailed a family reunion cruise out of NO - great time in town, great cruise, but disembarkation was the worst I have ever had. Long lines moved very slow. Not enough customs agents, very hot and muggy and lots of screaming kids. I know it wasn't Carnival's fault, but I'll think twice before going out of NO again. Miami, Galveston and Long Beach were all better, IMHO. (It was the July 4 weekend when we returned, but still, customs knew we were comming.)

 

Disembarkation is my only concern. We are cruising our of New Orleans on July 16 with a 1 year old. Last time we cruised of of Galveston 3 year ago, disembarkation was HORRIBLE! There were long lines and we had lots of luggage to carry (not doing that again).

 

Any advice? Cruising with a baby and we will be on the Riviera Deck. What time does embarkation start? I'm willing to be on the disembarkation deck as soon as they start, even if I have to get up at 4 am. PLEASE advise!!!!

[Rowan555]

Disembarkation is my only concern. We are cruising our of New Orleans on July 16 with a 1 year old. Last time we cruised of of Galveston 3 year ago, disembarkation was HORRIBLE! There were long lines and we had lots of luggage to carry (not doing that again).

 

Any advice? Cruising with a baby and we will be on the Riviera Deck. What time does embarkation start? I'm willing to be on the disembarkation deck as soon as they start, even if I have to get up at 4 am. PLEASE advise!!!!

 

 

I prefer self-assist, but with a 1 year old that may not be practical. Being on Riviera, you will likely have one of the higher numbers and be among the last to be called down - as was posted, if you get a porter to help you in the terminal, you won't have to wait in the long line. If you pack lightly and can swing it, though, I'd strongly encourage self-assist. People begin lining up in the lobby around 6:30 and debarkation begins b/t 7 and 7:30 for self assist.

[ntshop]

Last week we used the self assist disembark. It took us 2 hrs to get off the ship from the time they announced they has started self assist. This was the 1st time we disembarked this way. I would do it again but I would not wait until they announce. The announcement came about 730. I would get up earlier and go out to the Empress Deck and get in line early.

[nolaAlive]

Disembarkation is my only concern. We are cruising our of New Orleans on July 16 with a 1 year old. Last time we cruised of of Galveston 3 year ago, disembarkation was HORRIBLE! There were long lines and we had lots of luggage to carry (not doing that again).

 

Any advice? Cruising with a baby and we will be on the Riviera Deck. What time does embarkation start? I'm willing to be on the disembarkation deck as soon as they start, even if I have to get up at 4 am. PLEASE advise!!!!

 

Get a Sea Cap. They take a detour and bypass the lines, will take your luggage all the way through customs and right to your car or taxi.

[bflandry317]

What's the difference between a Porter & a Sea Cap? I'm willing to pay for it if it gets me off the ship quicker.

[nolaAlive]

What's the difference between a Porter & a Sea Cap? I'm willing to pay for it if it gets me off the ship quicker.

 

The same. The guys with the carts to help with luggage.

 

It won't help you get off of the ship earlier than whatever your number is, but it will get you through immigration/customs faster in just about any port. I think those are the lines people are talking about.

 

If you want off the ship earlier, get appropriate luggage tags (have a convincing story) from the purser and/or you might also try your cabin steward, although it really isn't the stewards job.

 

Personally, I like to take my time with breakfast, etc., and not rush to leave the ship, but once I'm off, I'm ready to go and the porters/sea caps are the way to geaux for me. :)

[xxjulzxx]

LOVE the Fantasy! Have sailed on her twice now. Will sail on her even more when she moves to Mobile! ;)

New Orleans is an easy port.

[dan40]

Our cruise 'jones' isn't satisfied with short cruises anymore. We have to have at least a 7 day fix. So we won't be cruising out of NOLA until the 7 dayers are back. Then we will do a few days pre-cruise in NO. Where I can spend a few lunches at Mother's. I will have to avoid nolaAlive tho. We would just argue about something, anything, everything. Missing lunches at Mother's, maybe even missing the ship!:eek::D:D

[skiorcruise]

The lines I was refering to were caused by slow customs, but they had people backed up down several hallways, back up the gangway and into the ship. A "controller" was at the door into the baggage claim area, and was keeping people from entering until the line at the customs desk was low. Then she would let 25 people or so move on. The worst part of it was the heat in the gangway, and the lack of restrooms in the hallways/baggage claim and customs. We had 2 4 year olds and 2 6 year olds with us.

 

Again, not Carnival's fault, but I'll think twice about NO as a port after that experience.