Embarkation - NOLA

If you've sailed out of NOLA, I was wondering how the embarkation process was. We'll be cruising for the first time out of NOLA in December and wanted to know if your experience was smooth or did you wait for a long time to board the ship. I posted a similar thread on the gulf coast departures board but have gottten no replies. Any info would be greatlly appreciated.

The actual embarkation went smooth. We took a taxi from our hotel. The arrival at the port was disorganized and the taxi had a long wait to drop us off.

Thanks for the quick response. I expect the drop off to be disorganized but that's o.k. We're flying in the day before and I am trying to select a nice place to stay. Have been to NOLA twice before and I am familiar with the French Quarter area so I need to do some research to pick a place closer to the pier.

We stayed at the Bestwestern St Christopher in 2008. We hated the hotel. In 2005 we stayed close to the airport and had a great room with a continental breakfast. We drove to New Orleans and parked in the new parking garage. The attendents there were top notch. We did not have to worry about our luggage after droping it off there. The rest of the boarding process inside the terminal went smooth.

OP.. first let me say NO is one of our most favorite port cities. We have been there twice this year just for quick weekend getaways. We have sailed out of NO once and loved it. It is so fun/interesting sailing down the Mississippi for that hour or so before you hit the Gulf. There are two hotels I can give strong recommendations for , although to be honest I don't know how much they are as we have always had comp'ed rooms from Harrah's Casino. Harrah's Hotel and Intercontinential Hotel are teffific. Both are very close to the pier where you board the ship, but Harrah's is the closest. I don't know if cost is a big factor so I say this not knowing, but there are many hotels right in that area that are close. We have also stayed in the Marriott, compliments of the casino, but it is my least favorite of the three.

You probably know this without me having to post it, but if you are looking for good food, well just pick a place. We have said several times that we have never had a bad meal in NO. You MUST have the charbroiled oysters at Dragos. I don't even like oysters and their charbroiled oysters are to DIE for. Mortons is delicious but very pricey.. probably about $100.00 to $150.00 PP for dinner (don't know if they serve lunch or even if it would be less expensive if they did). Also there is a restaurant in the casino we discovered this last trip that we really really liked. It is called Besh Steakhouse. You have no idea you are dining in a casino when you are in Besh. Very good food. The buffet lunch/brunch (can't remember which it is) at the Royal Sonesta is one of my favs as well (and I don't like buffets.. 8-)). If you are looking for other good seafood there is Mike Andersons in the Mall that is right there and we loved it. No matter how long we ever have in NO, we never have enough time to eat every where we want to eat.. 8-)

Right in the same area of the casino/riverwalk mall/hotels is also the Audubon Aquarium and the new Audubon Insectarium. A short trolly ride from that area is Audubon Zoo and you can buy a pass for not much money that gets you into all three. They even have an IMAX Theater that you can purchase a pass which will get you into all four, if you have the time.

I'm probably giving you way too much info.. LOL.. but as you can tell, we love NO. You can't go to NO and not have my much loved Cafe' DuMonde coffee, but if you don't get a chance to get it, try a cup of Community Coffee. It's a good substitute. 8-)

Be sure and come back and tell us all about your time in NO and .. oh yeah.. about your cruise as well..

If you've sailed out of NOLA, I was wondering how the embarkation process was. We'll be cruising for the first time out of NOLA in December and wanted to know if your experience was smooth or did you wait for a long time to board the ship. I posted a similar thread on the gulf coast departures board but have gottten no replies. Any info would be greatlly appreciated.

Which sailing are you on? DH & I are sailing on Dec 6th.

We flew into NOLA the morning of our cruise and taxied to the terminal (March 2009). We arrived somewhat early, so the drop off was no problem at all. The terminal looks new and was clean and bright. The whole process was well organized. We loved the Spirit- you'll have a wonderful cruise!

Several posters have given you great ideas of things to do in NOLA. Here's another tip: if you're interested in history, go to the D-Day Museum- fascinating! Also, the NPS used to have free walking tours at certain times during the day (and on assorted topics). Ask at your hotel for more info.

Embarkation was a breeze- Debarkation was another matter all together- if you have just one suitcase each and can do the quick off as soon as the ship is cleared there is little problem- but waiting for your color to be called is a bit of a mess as are the resulting lines for customs after you find your suitcases. Not terrible but standing there for an hour in our case as they were running behind time (while mind you people with other color departures were sneaking off) was a bit aggravating.

If you've sailed out of NOLA, I was wondering how the embarkation process was. We'll be cruising for the first time out of NOLA in December and wanted to know if your experience was smooth or did you wait for a long time to board the ship. I posted a similar thread on the gulf coast departures board but have gottten no replies. Any info would be greatlly appreciated.

We sailed out of NOLA in February. Really easy and smooth process. :)

Which sailing are you on? DH & I are sailing on Dec 6th.

We are leaving December 27th. It's a belated birthday present from my sweet heart.

OP.. first let me say NO is one of our most favorite port cities. We have been there twice this year just for quick weekend getaways. We have sailed out of NO once and loved it. It is so fun/interesting sailing down the Mississippi for that hour or so before you hit the Gulf. There are two hotels I can give strong recommendations for , although to be honest I don't know how much they are as we have always had comp'ed rooms from Harrah's Casino. Harrah's Hotel and Intercontinential Hotel are teffific. Both are very close to the pier where you board the ship, but Harrah's is the closest. I don't know if cost is a big factor so I say this not knowing, but there are many hotels right in that area that are close. We have also stayed in the Marriott, compliments of the casino, but it is my least favorite of the three.

 

You probably know this without me having to post it, but if you are looking for good food, well just pick a place. We have said several times that we have never had a bad meal in NO. You MUST have the charbroiled oysters at Dragos. I don't even like oysters and their charbroiled oysters are to DIE for. Mortons is delicious but very pricey.. probably about $100.00 to $150.00 PP for dinner (don't know if they serve lunch or even if it would be less expensive if they did). Also there is a restaurant in the casino we discovered this last trip that we really really liked. It is called Besh Steakhouse. You have no idea you are dining in a casino when you are in Besh. Very good food. The buffet lunch/brunch (can't remember which it is) at the Royal Sonesta is one of my favs as well (and I don't like buffets.. 8-)). If you are looking for other good seafood there is Mike Andersons in the Mall that is right there and we loved it. No matter how long we ever have in NO, we never have enough time to eat every where we want to eat.. 8-)

 

Right in the same area of the casino/riverwalk mall/hotels is also the Audubon Aquarium and the new Audubon Insectarium. A short trolly ride from that area is Audubon Zoo and you can buy a pass for not much money that gets you into all three. They even have an IMAX Theater that you can purchase a pass which will get you into all four, if you have the time.

 

I'm probably giving you way too much info.. LOL.. but as you can tell, we love NO. You can't go to NO and not have my much loved Cafe' DuMonde coffee, but if you don't get a chance to get it, try a cup of Community Coffee. It's a good substitute. 8-)

 

Be sure and come back and tell us all about your time in NO and .. oh yeah.. about your cruise as well..

Thank you so much for such great hints. I love NOLA, and I am looking forward to this cruise very much.

Several in our large group of CC'ers last April from out of town stayed at the Drury Inn - believe it had a lot to do with a "free" happy hour the evening before embarkation. :)

Also, there is a Cafe Du Monde right in Riverwalk beside the cruise terminal. Biggest crowds boarding tend to be around noon. As stated elsewhere, getting off the ship is a pain, primarily due to customs - but who wants to get off a ship anyway :D

Several in our large group of CC'ers last April from out of town stayed at the Drury Inn - believe it had a lot to do with a "free" happy hour the evening before embarkation. :)

Also, there is a Cafe Du Monde right in Riverwalk beside the cruise terminal. Biggest crowds boarding tend to be around noon. As stated elsewhere, getting off the ship is a pain, primarily due to customs - but who wants to get off a ship anyway :D

Hi Scoop, We were on the cruise with you last April and we had such a good time we rebooked for March 2010. And to the OP, I bid on 2 rooms and got the Intercontinental for 69.00, and I agree with Terrymtex01, very nice hotel and great location.

If your looking for something a bit different , check out the Quarter House . Great locaion for walking around and quite. NO is one of our favorite departure ports..

If your looking for something a bit different , check out the Quarter House . Great locaion for walking around and quite. NO is one of our favorite departure ports..

Thanks. I'll be checking out several places this weekend to decide which one to book.

Thanks. I'll be checking out several places this weekend to decide which one to book.

Free breakfast :D

If you've sailed out of NOLA, I was wondering how the embarkation process was. We'll be cruising for the first time out of NOLA in December and wanted to know if your experience was smooth or did you wait for a long time to board the ship. I posted a similar thread on the gulf coast departures board but have gottten no replies. Any info would be greatlly appreciated.

We arrived about 11am and had to wait until about noon as they were a little slow with the debarkation. As soon as everyone was cleared there were no problems and it went very smoothly.

Nita

Hi Scoop, We were on the cruise with you last April and we had such a good time we rebooked for March 2010. And to the OP, I bid on 2 rooms and got the Intercontinental for 69.00, and I agree with Terrymtex01, very nice hotel and great location.

Good to see you again. You can see I've got a couple of things planned as well. :)

Several in our large group of CC'ers last April from out of town stayed at the Drury Inn - believe it had a lot to do with a "free" happy hour the evening before embarkation. :)

Also, there is a Cafe Du Monde right in Riverwalk beside the cruise terminal. Biggest crowds boarding tend to be around noon. As stated elsewhere, getting off the ship is a pain, primarily due to customs - but who wants to get off a ship anyway :D

OH WOW.. I didn't realize they had a CDM in the Riverwalk now. That is so cool. Will be much closer to the casino for me than the orginal one. 8-)

I'm assuming we can board around noon, cabins ready around 2:00. With sailaway at 5:30, what time will muster drill be?

I'm the official planner for our little group, and they all (I guess I've spoiled them) expect this information in the booklet I print out for them. I don't mind, 'cause for me, the planning is half the fun! :D

Two years ago, we were in a line of cars for almost 3 hours to board a ship. People who taxied had no problem, but the hang up was processing people's payments for the parking. We thought it would be better to get there earlier, but we're driving down on the day this time, so probably can't. Has anyone tried to park around 1-2:00 recently?

I'm assuming we can board around noon, cabins ready around 2:00. With sailaway at 5:30, what time will muster drill be?

 

I'm the official planner for our little group, and they all (I guess I've spoiled them) expect this information in the booklet I print out for them. I don't mind, 'cause for me, the planning is half the fun! :D

Muster drill is usually just after we get underway. It gets a little complicated because you can't plan on having your luggage until evening. We've started packing a change of clothes in a bag we carry on. It's not that important if you've just come from a hotel, but if you've been in a car for 6 hours, then in line to check in, etc., it's nice to be able to freshen up.