New Orleans Spirit cruise help

[mitsugirly]

I have only cruised out of Florida before and have never been to NOLA.

 

I tried looking at the "where to stay precruise" but it looks like that area has been abandoned. So, I thought I would ask here.

 

We will need a place to stay 1 day prior to our cruise in September. Looking for something kinda inexpensive, but not a dump and not in a bad area (we will have a 3 yr old with us).

 

I remember reading someone's post on here about staying close to the port that they were able to walk there (but took the wrong way around and ended up walking further than they needed to), but don't remember where I read it at.

 

Any suggestions would be great.

[Ms belp]

We have only done this once. We stayed at Harrah's which is really close to the cruise port. We walked down to a little restaurant and had po'boys. Never felt threatened at all. Clean rooms. We liked it. I would not stay in the French Quarter anymore. I'm too old and the kid's are too young. Be sure to stay up for the cruise down the Mississippi. It's amazing. Enjoy.

 

The Spirit is the most beautiful ship!

[Ms belp]

I would not try to walk to the port with luggage and a child. It's worth it to take a taxi. It is that close. Your 3 year old is going to be worn out just going though check in and getting on board. Hopefully, you will have a stroller of some type.

[mitsugirly]

I will check out Harrah's. Isn't that the place that has casinos?

 

We will not be bringing a stroller. She refuses to get in one and walks everywhere we go. She has a lot of energy and can go strong all day long. We take her to the fair and everywhere and she will walk the entire day with no problems. She amazes me. She will be walking everywhere we go on this cruise. I have no doubts.

 

So walking for her won't be an issue. However, I didn't think about the luggage. I usually have 2, hubby 1 and then she will probably have 1 as well. Even though we usually tie them together and they piggy back each other, it would still be hard to maneuver them and hold her hand.

 

How far away is the hotels from the dock? Any idea's on how much a taxi there cost?

 

Any other suggestions about a good place to stay and where to avoid?

[Ms belp]

You hold her hand for that long, her blood flow goes out of her arm. At least get something for her to sit in. You can google it.

[NW Pacific]

Hotels in close proximity (to FQ) on weekends in my experience are not very economical, but if you would like to stay there, we have been to two, and I would not hesitate to bring a child there: Hotel St. Marie and the Maison Dupuy, each a few blocks off Bourbon. Have read many Posts here and on Tripadvisor the more economical places are closer to the airport or in the Garden District. Most of the major names have hotels, just google, like La Quinta, Comfort Suites, etc. The taxi fares seem to be very reasonable in NOLA, we are planning to get a taxi from our hotel and drop us off at the Port, I think $7.00 pp from the French Quarter, more than reasonable not to hassle with walking up , down and all around, but just my opinion.

[Ms belp]

Think about someone holding you hand above your head for hours. Not very comfortable, huh? If you don't want a little umbrella stroller and she likes to walk at least get a children's leash. It will keep her safe, allow her to roam within a safe distance, and make you feel better/safer as a parent. She could potentially wander away and off the pier.

[mitsugirly]

Wow, Harrahs...I will have to pass 299 and up.

 

I'm checking Trip Advisor now for hotels. I'm just not sure which "areas" to stay away from. I've heard there are bad areas and decent areas.

 

As for my little one, I'm good with knowing what to do with her. I have 3 other children ages 24, 22, and 16. They all made it this far. ;)

[K&M2009]

I love someone trying to give parenting advice on a cruise forum..

[Ms belp]

Good. You look as young as your kids! Amazing. I hope you have a wonderful time. Sorry you couldn't do Harrah's; it's a really nice place.

[dtiger]

The Drury Inn was good, not too expensive and had free breakfast and dinner, hot dogs and a few other things along with soda and 3 free drinks for adults.

[cowboymouth]

The Warehouse district is safe and ok. Around there and the convention center area there is a Hilton Garden Inn, Springhill Suites, Courtyard, etc. There is a Doubletree next to harrah's that is ok.

 

If you go to Priceline and enter NOLA, you can see the Warehouse District/Convention center area and the Downtown area on the map to get an idea of what areas they cover. Both are both safe and relatively close. Not walking distance - take a taxi. All will be about the same price/distance.

 

If you want a nicer hotel than the ones above, there is the Wyndham, Renaissance Pere Marquette, W, Intercontinental and sometimes the Hilton Riverside has good rates and is right on the Riverwalk with lots to do.

 

Good luck on your search! We've had fun cruising out of NOLA and hope you do also.

 

I have only cruised out of Florida before and have never been to NOLA.

 

I tried looking at the "where to stay precruise" but it looks like that area has been abandoned. So, I thought I would ask here.

 

We will need a place to stay 1 day prior to our cruise in September. Looking for something kinda inexpensive, but not a dump and not in a bad area (we will have a 3 yr old with us).

 

I remember reading someone's post on here about staying close to the port that they were able to walk there (but took the wrong way around and ended up walking further than they needed to), but don't remember where I read it at.

 

Any suggestions would be great.

[mitsugirly]

Good. You look as young as your kids! Amazing. I hope you have a wonderful time. Sorry you couldn't do Harrah's; it's a really nice place.

 

Thanks and I didn't reply in a nasty way, so hopefully you didn't take it that way. (It's kinda funny that we were on the "holding hands" topic when my husband walked by holding onto her hand going to the bathroom and her arm holding his is actually pointed downward from her body. She's pretty tall. :D Just thought it was weird he walked by at that moment like that. LOL

 

The Drury Inn was good, not too expensive and had free breakfast and dinner, hot dogs and a few other things along with soda and 3 free drinks for adults.

 

I will check them out.

 

The Warehouse district is safe and ok. Around there and the convention center area there is a Hilton Garden Inn, Springhill Suites, Courtyard, etc. There is a Doubletree next to harrah's that is ok.

 

If you go to Priceline and enter NOLA, you can see the Warehouse District/Convention center area and the Downtown area on the map to get an idea of what areas they cover. Both are both safe and relatively close. Not walking distance - take a taxi. All will be about the same price/distance.

 

If you want a nicer hotel than the ones above, there is the Wyndham, Renaissance Pere Marquette, W, Intercontinental and sometimes the Hilton Riverside has good rates and is right on the Riverwalk with lots to do.

 

Good luck on your search! We've had fun cruising out of NOLA and hope you do also.

 

Thanks for all your info. I know when we cruised last year, we stayed in South Beach at Wyndham and got an awesome deal!!! We checked back the following month and prices had went up $70 per night! So, I checked them again...but they are a lot more expensive now than last year. :(

 

So I should look in the warehouse district. Where is this in conjunction with the port? Where do the ships port at so I can look it up on the map and see how far I'm going to be away?

 

Also, I've heard a lot about the "french quarter". Is this a good or bad area? What about Bourbon Street area-good or bad?

 

I did find some decent reviews on the Super 8 Motel there and a great price. 6322 Chef Menteur Highway Anyone familiar with that area?

[kcfoxy]

We opted for Hampton Inn Downtown/FQ which is 1 1/2 blocks from the FQ (street turns into Bourbon past Canal). Very filling hot breakfast, safe area about 1 mile from the cruise terminal and on a street car line to boot! Ideal for the 2 of us since we don't have a car.

 

Our alternates would have been either Drury Inn, again with the full hot breakfast, free sodas and cocktails in the evening plus free phone calls home and enough hearty evening apps to constitute a light meal for many (but why, in NOLA?). About 1/2 mile from port.

 

Or Springhill Suites, (see a theme starting with full hot breakfast digs?), very close to both Mulate's, Riverwalk and stuff like Praline Connection...1/4 mile from your cruise dock!

 

Courtyard might have been the 4th choice, very close to Mother's and Bon Ton Cafe, about 1/4 mile from the piers, but some mixed reviews so didn't pursue any further...surely your rates will be much lower than what we ended up paying for (one of the two) Jazz Fest weekend ;-)

[mitsugirly]

I just thought of another concern....food within walking distance since we will be flying in and have no transportation. We will need to be in a safe enough area that we can walk with our little one to go get something to eat (providing that the hotel/motel doesn't have a restaurant on the premises).

[Toyz711]

while you will get good answere here, try going here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=414

for gulf coast departures. new orleans is not as bad as you make

it sounds.

no, there are areas (bars and such) that i would not walk around with a child...after dark. the river walk area is great, child would love it.

that bad areas are not the tourist areas. if you book a room around the french quarters, there is food all over the place.

[cowboymouth]

Thanks and I didn't reply in a nasty way, so hopefully you didn't take it that way. (It's kinda funny that we were on the "holding hands" topic when my husband walked by holding onto her hand going to the bathroom and her arm holding his is actually pointed downward from her body. She's pretty tall. :D Just thought it was weird he walked by at that moment like that. LOL

 

 

 

I will check them out.

 

 

 

Thanks for all your info. I know when we cruised last year, we stayed in South Beach at Wyndham and got an awesome deal!!! We checked back the following month and prices had went up $70 per night! So, I checked them again...but they are a lot more expensive now than last year. :(

 

So I should look in the warehouse district. Where is this in conjunction with the port? Where do the ships port at so I can look it up on the map and see how far I'm going to be away?

 

Also, I've heard a lot about the "french quarter". Is this a good or bad area? What about Bourbon Street area-good or bad?

 

I did find some decent reviews on the Super 8 Motel there and a great price. 6322 Chef Menteur Highway Anyone familiar with that area?

 

On Google maps, look up Canal St. It dead ends into Convention Center Blvd. CCB runs parallel to the river. The Warehouse District follows along and borders CCB. Follow it to where it goes under Hwy 90 (Pontchartrain Expressway) that is where the port is. By taxi, you will go under Hwy 90 and it will be on your left down by Mardi Gras World. Where canal st. dead ends to the port isn't far at all. Depending on traffic, sometimes only a few minutes.

 

The french quarter is fine. Busy and fun area. Lots of places to stay in the quarter. Hotels will be a little more quaint, authentic and not as big and commercial as the ones on Canal such as the Crowne Plaza, JW Marriott, Marriott and The Westin. Bourbon St. is quite alright and there are several places to stay if you want to stay on Bourbon. Depending on what day of the week, it could get loud at night, but you are in the action. Monteleone is very nice place to stay in the quarter.

 

Personally, I would not stay at that hotel on Chef Menteur highway. Even if it were free........

[cowboymouth]

I just thought of another concern....food within walking distance since we will be flying in and have no transportation. We will need to be in a safe enough area that we can walk with our little one to go get something to eat (providing that the hotel/motel doesn't have a restaurant on the premises).

 

If you want something close to the airport, there is a Crowne Plaza out by the airport with a restaurant in it. There is also (in the same parking lot) an Italian place called Brick Oven Cafe which is good. There is a shuttle from the airport to the CP. Nice place and very convenient. Rates are hit or miss.

 

There is also a Doubletree at the airport with a restaurant Prime Time Seafood that you can walk to.

[BayouGirlUSA]

The French Quarter is relatively safe! Just be cognizant of your surroundings like on any vacation and you will be fine. The FQ and the Warehouse District are pretty close to each other. Google Harrah's Casino in New Orleans and check out all the hotels around in that area. This area is VERY close to the port and if you can get a good deal on Priceline that is the route to take. Harrah's is very pricey if you don't have a Harrah's Reward Casino Card. I'm pretty sure the surrounding hotels such as the Doubletree would be available on Priceline for a good deal if not in conjunction with some sort of festival or convention etc.

 

As far as Bourbon Street and your little one...hmmmm..I would probably steer clear of Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street is pretty safe...BUT it's rowdy and a bit on the raunchy side for a 3 year old! Well, more than a bit! I would consider Bourbon Street an adult playground!

 

In New Orleans, you will always be in walking distance of some very good food. Us Cajuns don't like to wander too far away from the grub!

 

I hope you're able to find a good deal and enjoy your stay in New Orleans...it's quite a place! Oh, and enjoy your cruise!

[BayouGirlUSA]

I agree with CowboyMouth...I would stay clear of Chef Menteur Hwy also!

[mitsugirly]

If you want something close to the airport, there is a Crowne Plaza out by the airport with a restaurant in it. There is also (in the same parking lot) an Italian place called Brick Oven Cafe which is good. There is a shuttle from the airport to the CP. Nice place and very convenient. Rates are hit or miss.

 

There is also a Doubletree at the airport with a restaurant Prime Time Seafood that you can walk to.

 

Where exactly is the airport compared to these other hotels in the FQ and the port?

 

 

As far as Bourbon Street and your little one...hmmmm..I would probably steer clear of Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street is pretty safe...BUT it's rowdy and a bit on the raunchy side for a 3 year old! Well, more than a bit! I would consider Bourbon Street an adult playground!

 

In New Orleans, you will always be in walking distance of some very good food. Us Cajuns don't like to wander too far away from the grub!

 

I hope you're able to find a good deal and enjoy your stay in New Orleans...it's quite a place! Oh, and enjoy your cruise!

 

Yea, I didn't want to be on Bourbon street because of her and the stories that I've heard. But wasn't sure if it was safe during the day or not.

 

while you will get good answere here, try going here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=414

for gulf coast departures. new orleans is not as bad as you make

it sounds.

no, there are areas (bars and such) that i would not walk around with a child...after dark. the river walk area is great, child would love it.

that bad areas are not the tourist areas. if you book a room around the french quarters, there is food all over the place.

 

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I had no idea where to go to ask these questions and tried to search the boards. I will be able to read some suggestions there. THANKS! :D

[mitsugirly]

On Google maps, look up Canal St. It dead ends into Convention Center Blvd. CCB runs parallel to the river. The Warehouse District follows along and borders CCB. Follow it to where it goes under Hwy 90 (Pontchartrain Expressway) that is where the port is. By taxi, you will go under Hwy 90 and it will be on your left down by Mardi Gras World. Where canal st. dead ends to the port isn't far at all. Depending on traffic, sometimes only a few minutes.

 

 

Personally, I would not stay at that hotel on Chef Menteur highway. Even if it were free........

 

Thanks for the directions. I'll look it up on the map and try to get a perspective of where everything is at.

 

Thanks for the advice to both of you on not staying on Chef Menteur highway....it's now crossed off my list! ;)

 

I agree with CowboyMouth...I would stay clear of Chef Menteur Hwy also!

[mitsugirly]

Wow, that is quite a distance cruising down the canal from the port out to the ocean. How long does it take? That will be a neat experience. :eek:

[cowboymouth]

Where exactly is the airport compared to these other hotels in the FQ and the port?

 

 

 

 

Yea, I didn't want to be on Bourbon street because of her and the stories that I've heard. But wasn't sure if it was safe during the day or not.

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I had no idea where to go to ask these questions and tried to search the boards. I will be able to read some suggestions there. THANKS! :D

 

The airport will be 15-30 min away depending on traffic. fq and other hotels in the Warehouse District will be about 5-10 min depending on traffic

[Toyz711]

the ship leaves around 5pm and you get to the gulf around 3am, but it's dark. you do get to see the lights from the small town, the oil factories and the fishing areas.

when you get to the gulf, you will feel a slight "bump"...

check out the drury inns, a lot of people report staying there and that it has a good breakfast included.

i drive down, can't help with rooms..