First time sailing with Carnival, sailing on the Conquest -- what do I need to know?

[emtmom]

We're well seasoned cruisers with Disney, now trying out Carnival. We're definitely out of our comfort zone as we're sailing on the Conquest out of NOLA rather than out of Port Canaveral -- new cruise line and a new port terminal. We're very excited for this new adventure, however being the compulsive planner that I am, I just don't know where to begin. We sail January 15, just a little over two months to go, so PLEASE tell me what I need to know about Carnival and especially the Conquest! Since we're coming all the way from Boston, we're flying down the day before, any recommendations on where to stay the night before? Are there any hotels in NOLA that offer shuttles to the cruise terminal? Tell me about the kids clubs on board, our kids will be 13, 5, and 2 at the time of sailing. What's the earliest we can arrive at the port? I could go on an on, so really any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated!!

Thanks!

[kingpinJK]

We're well seasoned cruisers with Disney, now trying out Carnival. We're definitely out of our comfort zone as we're sailing on the Conquest out of NOLA rather than out of Port Canaveral -- new cruise line and a new port terminal. We're very excited for this new adventure, however being the compulsive planner that I am, I just don't know where to begin. We sail January 15, just a little over two months to go, so PLEASE tell me what I need to know about Carnival and especially the Conquest! Since we're coming all the way from Boston, we're flying down the day before, any recommendations on where to stay the night before? Are there any hotels in NOLA that offer shuttles to the cruise terminal? Tell me about the kids clubs on board, our kids will be 13, 5, and 2 at the time of sailing. What's the earliest we can arrive at the port? I could go on an on, so really any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated!!

Thanks!

i personally did not think that the steakhouse on the conquest was worth the $35pp for it.

 

that being said, we're sailing her January 1st again. you'll have fun :)

[mizLORInj]

Excellent waterslide on Conquest class ships! (and not just for kids!) :D

[Ckrewz]

Are there any hotels in NOLA that offer shuttles to the cruise terminal? Thanks!

 

If you Google Cruise Packages for NOLA you will find hotels to consider for you family's needs.

 

I have cruised out of both. I don't recall any wait times being longer than another but that is not something I am concerned about. As long as I am getting ON the ship I am happy. There will be other more "seasoned sailors" than I who can be more specific.

What I like about NOLA is the RiverWalk Mall right next door. We got to the port a bit early and rather than stand in line we had Bloody Marys on the deck area along the river and watched the prep of the ship...... of couse that may be why I don't remember the line!!! :p

[shortyjoesmith]

We loved the steakhouse. We had such a great experience with it that we booked early for the one on the Dream for our up-coming cruise! I put together a fair amount of information for our cruise on the Conquest from reading many reviews. If you would like me to forward the information to you, just email me. We sailed out of Galveston though so I don't have port information.

 

Angie

 

shortyjoesmith@gmail.com

[Ckrewz]

Check the New Orleans Port of Call section.

I found this posted by Kajunswty. I whole lot of work she was kind enough to share. :)

 

New Orleans Hotel / Cruise Packages .... my list

i just spent wayyyy too much time on this so i thought i'd share :)

 

what we are looking for is a precruise hotel primarily for parking (parking for our 5 night cruise would be $80)

 

this info is from two websites

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/...subsectionID/0

 

and the hotel address & ratings i found on Tripadvisor

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels

 

now i just have to decide which hotel :eek:;):D

 

Courtyard New Orleans Convention Center

300 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

78 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• Rates from $79.00

• Complimentary parking up to 5 days

Book cruise packages online:

Courtyard New Orleans Convention Center

Contact: Matthew Whipple

Code: QZR

Phone: 800-228-9290

 

 

Drury Inn & Suites - Downtown New Orleans

820 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112-1016

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#3 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• $94.49 and up

• 4 Blocks to French Quarter, Harrah's Casino, WWII Museum, Restaurants

• A total charge of $35.00 for parking up to 6 nights

• Free Hot American Breakfast

• Free Evening Cocktails and Snacks

• Free Wireless Internet, local calls with voice mail, 1-hour long distance calls

• Rooftop Pool and Spa / Fitness Center / Business Center

• Must present cruise voucher at check in - based on availability

• http://www.druryhotels.com/properties/neworleans.cfm

Contact: For Group Reservations - 504-529-7800

Contact: For Individual Reservations - 504-529-7800

Code: Ask for NOLACRUISE #307865

 

Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome

330 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#62 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

Rates starting at $99.00 SINGLE/DOUBLE (Occupancy)

Plus Tax Per Night (10% Commissionable)

 

IKOTHCRZ Package includes:

• Full American Breakfast for Two

• Free Transportation to the Cruise Ship Terminal

• $5.00 per Night Parking, plus tax, in our covered Parking Garage

Contact: For Group Reservations 504-581-1600, ext. 4200

Contact: Hotel Reservations for Individual Reservations - 1-800-535-7830

Ask for Reservations Code: IKOTHCRZ

Valid Until September 30, 2010

 

IPGJM Package includes:

• Free Parking for length of Cruise

• Free Transportation to the Cruise Ship Terminal

• Complimentary Coffee and Tea each Morning

Contact: For Group Reservations 504-581-1600, ext. 4200

Ask for Reservations Code: IPGJM

Cruise documents must be presented upon check in. Offers good through 2011, based on availability, excluding special events, advanced reservations required.

 

 

Loews New Orleans Hotel

300 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#16 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

Ranked #19 for business in New Orleans

 

• COMPLIMENTARY parking for up to 5 days

• Rates from $109

• Guests must show copy of cruise itinerary at check in

• Book Cruise Vacations on-line at

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels...ns/Cruise.aspx

• 4 Diamond Hotel located within blocks of cruise terminals

• Steps to French Quarter, Harrah's Casino, Riverwalk and Arts District

Contact: Lisa Scollo

Code: 3176263 or Ask for CRUISE PACKAGE

Reservations: 1-866-211-6411

 

Maison St. Charles Hotel Quality Inn & Suites

1319 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#34 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• $139.00 per night (10% Commissionable)

• Single / Double Occupancy

• Complimentary Parking while on cruise and throughout your stay

Contact: Luisa Brens

Code: BON VOYAGE

Phone: 504-620-5466

 

 

New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center

859 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#50 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• Rates from $109.00

• Complimentary parking up to 5 days

Book cruise packages online:

New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center

Contact: Matthew Whipple

Code: QZR

Phone: 800-228-9290

 

 

Renaissance Arts Hotel

700 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#8 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• Rates from $109.00

• Complimentary parking up to 5 days

Book cruise packages online:

Renaissance Arts Hotel

Contact: Matthew Whipple

Code: QZR

Reservations: 800-228-9290

 

Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel

817 Common Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#39 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• Rates from $109.00

• Complimentary parking up to 5 days

Book cruise packages online:

Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel

Contact: Matthew Whipple

Code: QZR

Reservations: 800-228-9290

 

 

Sheraton New Orleans

500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

TripAdvisor Popularity Index

#83 of 153 hotels in New Orleans

 

• $99.00/night plus tax (single/double occupancy)

• Bon Voyage Cruise Gift Bag

• Complimentary covered parking while on cruise

• Complimentary airport shuttle (based on availability)

• Transportation to and from cruise terminal for a small fee (based on availability)

 

Hotel Amenities and Features:

• Hedges Bar and Grill serving American and Cajun Cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Complimentary Rooftop Lap Pool, Fitness Center & 24 hr Business Center

• Surronded by superb shopping, local area entertainment and area attractions

• Centrally located between the Louis Armstrong International Airport, downtown, the famous French Quarter and Garden District

Code: Cruise New Orleans

Reservations: 504-837-6707

Exp: 6/2011

__________________

Bon Voyage,

Jon Renee'

 

[FreeStyleNCL]

I didn't know about cruise special parking at the hotels and just booked a sheraton which charges $33+tax for parking...:(

[Ckrewz]

I didn't know about cruise special parking at the hotels and just booked a sheraton which charges $33+tax for parking...:(

 

Is it too late to cancel your reservation?

[Carolin]

On Carnival you will be paying for soda. I read on Disney you do not have to pay.

 

On Carnival, you can only bring 1 bottle of wine per adult in a cabin. You can order a bottle of your fav adult beverage to be waiting for you in your cabin.

[Normal 1]

EMTMOM - I am cruising from NOLA for the first time in November. Have done a lot of research on hotels, etc. Since you're flying and won't have a car, you don't have to worry about expensive parking fees at most the hotels. Cabs are not too costly.

 

I found great hotel rates on lastminutetravel(dot)com For January 14, they show a 4.5 star hotel in Warehouse District/New Orleans for $63/night. This hotel is the Hilton Riverside and is across the street from Harrahs and near a lot (Aquarium, Riverwalk Mall, street car line, etc.). I used this site for my December trip. You can tell the hotel on this particular offer by looking at the photos on the sight. One of the photos is of 'Churchills' which is the Bar & Grill at the Hilton.

 

There are other good rates available on the LMT site. You just need to check out the photos and use the 'details' to do google searches to figure out which hotel you may be booking.

 

Good luck and enjoy!!

[emtmom]

Thanks for all the info!

I certainly have a lot to work with now for hotels!

[firefly333]

I didn't know about cruise special parking at the hotels and just booked a sheraton which charges $33+tax for parking...:(

 

the cheapest I have ever heard of was a TA who booked a cruise special for $89 plus tax.

 

The best iv done is the holiday Inn superdome where I did the cruise special for $99, and last time called for 3 months before they had it for that low of a price.

[kyrisong1]

We love the steak house on all Carnival ships, but three weeks ago it was 30.00 pp not 35.00. The meal is much more like a 100.00 meal and service is excellent.

If your foodies, check it out, those steaks, yum.

[Sundiego]

Just a note about the Drury. We always stay there when we go to New Orleans and have stayed there twice when cruising. We left our car there and taxi'd to the port. We are cruising Conquest/NOLA in March and when I called them to confirm the current parking rates, I was told they will be building a parking garage and they will not allow cruise parking while this is going on. So, anyone considering the Drury (which is an excellent value with the free breakfast, popcorn, night time snacks and beer/wine/margaritas...) double check with them if you are relying on the parking.