New Orleans in January

[cruisefan0110]

Good morning everyone. I am in the planning stages for a late January 2013 cruise on NOS out of New Orleans to the western Caribbean. The fare is very good. In fact, it is $200/pp cheaper than the FOS for the same basic cruise (NOS does not stop at Labadee). Since I am bringing the family, the difference is not exactly chump change. I have looked at the New Orleans weather guides and it shows the average high of about 63 and the average low of 45. Not very good pool weather. For those who have sailed out of New Orleans in January, when can you expect to hit the warmer temperatures? The first 2 days are sea days. I would hope that we would feel the warmer temperatures by then, but do not know. Any other thoughts on a January New Orleans departure would be appreciated. TIA.

[kijjy]

I live down here on the gulf coast and I can tell you from experience that you just never know. In January today could be a high of 80 and tomorrow a high of 45. It's very hard to predict. I've worn shorts and tank tops with flip flops on New Years Day here and I've also worn jeans, sweatshirt, and jacket.

[tallyho8]

We have cruised out of New Orleans in January the last 3 years. The first sea day is usually a little cool though many people will be enjoying the pool that afternoon. The second sea day is usually pretty warm as long as you are out of the wind.

[adjburch]

I have to agree with the others. The weather is never the same. We have sailed out of New Orleans and one time the weather was freezing with light snow and the next it was HOT. You just have to pack for anything.

[cruisefan0110]

Thanks everyone. Yes, I understand NOLA weather can be up or down. We live in the midwest, so the price and location of this cruise is really appealing. Here's hoping for some of that good weather. Thanks again.

[World Gallery]

I have to agree with the others. The weather is never the same. We have sailed out of New Orleans and one time the weather was freezing with light snow and the next it was HOT. You just have to pack for anything.

 

This just about sums it up for New Orleans weather. I have lived here my whole life and you never know. It is funny to look at pictures taken on Christmas. One year you may be in shorts and the next, it could be below freezing. Many years back, it even snowed. The weather is pretty much a roller coaster fall through late spring so it is necessary to check a 5 or 7 day local forecast before packing. Don't try to check it to far out because it won't be accurate.

The only absolute weather is the summer time. It is always very hot June - August and never, ever a cool front.

[bike1964]

We have cruised out of New Orleans in January the last 3 years. The first sea day is usually a little cool though many people will be enjoying the pool that afternoon. The second sea day is usually pretty warm as long as you are out of the wind.

 

+1. I would think by the second sea day, you should be able to peel off some clothes:eek:

[NolaTravel]

The only absolute weather is the summer time. It is always very hot June - August and never, ever a cool front.

 

Truer words have never been written. :)

 

Pack light layers...I imagine you'll be feeling warm by Day 2, but if you're from the Midwest, warmth is all relative. People in N.O. start wearing scarves when it dips below 70.

 

Any plans while you're in New Orleans? Tours? Restaurants?

[Blueboss]

Will be watching this thread closely. We will also be cruising out of NOLA late January 2013, coming from midwest as well. We will be there 2 days before our cruise and have been scouring the web for things we must see and do. We have never been to NOLA. The most tedious thing I've run into is trying to find a hotel near the river/terminal that has smoking rooms and won't break the bank (under $150 a night). We are flying so don't need parking. Any help or ideas will be appreciated.

[NolaTravel]

If you had a week in NOLA, I'd say grab a map and a Fodor's guidebook and explore on your own, but if you only have two days to see/experience it, I do think an organized tour of New Orleans is the best way to go. A New Orleans city/cemetery tour is a good way to see a lot of the city because it covers a lot of ground: Garden District, French Quarter, famous cemeteries, City Park. Or, if you're a history buff, a plantation tour of Laura Plantation or Oak Alley?

 

Food-wise...tons of places to go, but I tend to discourage people from hitting the famous old restaurants unless you really want the Antoine's/Arnaud's/Galatoire's experience. It's more about the experience than the food. I like newer/next generation New Orleans restaurants like Herbsaint, Cochon, Patois, Boucherie or an old favorite like Brigtsen's or Dick & Jenny's.

 

Music...can't miss a stroll down Frenchmen Street. There are a lot of great clubs around the city (Maple Leaf, Les Bon Temps, Tipitina's, Vaughn's), but there's a good concentration of clubs on Frenchmen Street (Spotted Cat, Three Muses, d.b.a., Snug Harbor and more) so you'll see more.

 

I'm pretty sure the Hilton Riverside has smoking rooms and I would imagine the hotel at Harrah's Casino, too -- not sure about the rates, tho.

[Blueboss]

Thanks for the info. Will check out the Hilton. DH is into Civil War history and I see everything through the lens of a camera. Wanted to do a plantation tour, but the city tour is sounding good too. We have a list of things we would like to do and will refine it as we get closer to the trip. We planned to get Jazzy Passes to get around. We are casual diners and like to find eateries that are unique to the city we are visiting. I'm thinking Johnny's, Cafe Du Monde and Acme Oyster House. We aren't into nightlife much, but I have orders from daughter that we HAVE to go to Bourbon Street, have a drink and she wants pictures! Can't wait to hear son's request. :rolleyes:

[NolaTravel]

I agree RE: Bourbon Street. You have to see it once. Then...you're done. If you don't have to technically get the drink ON Bourbon Street to satisfy your daughter's wishes, drop by the French 75 Bar at Arnaud's for a good cocktail. Otherwise...enjoy that Hand Grenade. :)

 

Add Butcher and Green Goddess to your list of unique places to eat. Both casual, GG a little more $$ and eclectic/global but still rooted in LA, and Butcher is the 'sister' Cajun deli to Cochon restaurant. Delicious.

 

Good plan RE: Jazzy Passes. I don't think enough people take advantage of public transportation (although bus lines, especially Esplanade from the FQ to City Park, can run eternally slow) -- the streetcar gets to close to everything you probably have time to see in 2 days.

[jgmpuma]

Most people have never heard of it, but New Orleans has a Civil War museum.

 

http://www.confederatemuseum.com

[cruisefan0110]

Will be watching this thread closely. We will also be cruising out of NOLA late January 2013, coming from midwest as well. We will be there 2 days before our cruise and have been scouring the web for things we must see and do. We have never been to NOLA. The most tedious thing I've run into is trying to find a hotel near the river/terminal that has smoking rooms and won't break the bank (under $150 a night). We are flying so don't need parking. Any help or ideas will be appreciated.

 

Hi Blueboss. We are on the 1/26/13 sailing. Is that your late January cruise. If so, look forward to seeing you.

 

We are not yet sure of any pre/post NOLA activities other than getting there at least the day before. My DD will be meeting us there from NM. We have picked this cruise due to cost/location. Later we can work out the additional details.

[Lynda59]

Just a reminder that your cruise will be returning just in time for New Orleans to host the Superbowl on 2/3/13, so you definitely want to plan your activities for prior to the cruise.

[cruisefan0110]

Just a reminder that your cruise will be returning just in time for New Orleans to host the Superbowl on 2/3/13, so you definitely want to plan your activities for prior to the cruise.

 

Thanks Lynda. I did not know that. I guess we will plan some pre-cruise and then head out after we get off the ship. I guess we should probably plan on some extra time home for the traffic.

[NolaTravel]

Just a reminder that your cruise will be returning just in time for New Orleans to host the Superbowl on 2/3/13, so you definitely want to plan your activities for prior to the cruise.

 

 

Good call!

[Blueboss]

Thanks for all this information. We are sailing 1/27/13 on the Conquest. Did not know about Super Bowl. We thought about getting a hotel on Sunday night and fly home Monday. Looks like I will be booking the latest flight I can get on Sunday. I expect traffic will be a mess, so will be giving ourselves extra time. I already planned to go to the Civil War Museum, DH will love it! Daughter didn't give me specifics about where I got my drink, so will try your suggestion. Will also check into the eateries you suggested, they sound interesting.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Most people have never heard of it, but New Orleans has a Civil War museum.

 

www.confederatemuseum.com

 

They do indeed! And just across the street from the WWII museum.

[Blueboss]

Told DH about the Super Bowl being played in NOLA the same day we get back from our cruise. He was adamant that we are not going that week! :( We are stuck cruising in Jan. so to get the same trip we had to change ports and ships. Now we are leaving from Galveston on Magic. We were so excited about NOLA, but knew it would be a full contact sport getting through the airport and there would be zero hotel rooms that night. Didn't leave us many options. I will keep this info since we will schedule another cruise from NOLA and see the sights then.

[cruzin lady]

 

To anyone going to need a hotel before or after SuperBowl: You should get rooms booked ASAP! I Have been doing some calling, because we wanted to stay the Sat. night after we get back to New Orleans and I was told there are no rooms, because NFL has booked them all both before and after Super Bowl. Of course, there will also be Mardi Grass.

[kijjy]

 

To anyone going to need a hotel before or after SuperBowl: You should get rooms booked ASAP! I Have been doing some calling, because we wanted to stay the Sat. night after we get back to New Orleans and I was told there are no rooms, because NFL has booked them all both before and after Super Bowl. Of course, there will also be Mardi Grass.

 

I have friends I stay with in New Orleans so doesn't apply.....

[Lynda59]

There will not be any parades in the city on the weekend of the Super Bowl. The parades were rescheduled for the weekend prior to the game.

[cruisefan0110]

Hi all. We too have changed our plans to cruise in February to avoid the Super Bowl crowds. We will be in town right after Mardi Gras. Hopefully that will give us a few extra degrees in temperature. We look forward to visiting New Orleans.

[aoknkentucky]

Because of the posts concerning Super Bowl, I'm not sure this will apply, but thought I'd put in my two cents about hotel rooms. We used last minute travel dot com and booked the Hilton Riverside for $63.00 on 01/04/12. Hints here showed me how. Look to see what photos are listed on the hotel bids with last minute travel dot com then check to see where the restaurants and bars are located (which hotel). Voila, you know what hotel you are bidding on. We had a great room!