What is it like sailing out of New Orleans?

[kruzerci]

We just booked our first cruise from the Gulf Coast! We have never left from anywhere except Florida.

 

What is it like sailing out of New Orleans? I have read that you sail down the Mississippi for a few hours? Is that fun? How long until you reach open water?

 

Thanks for the help. We are really excited to have a new port within driving distance!

[must2cruz]

It's a lot of fun! It does take a long time to get to the Gulf. We have always cruised in winter so it's dark but we still hang outside and watch the river bank. It is cool when another boat or ship passes by your's. We have sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston. Sailing out of New Orleans is unique.

[nlt46]

We love to sail out of New Orleans. We always get there a day early so that we can eat the food and get the feel of the city. When the ship sails, we like to be on our veranda and watch the coast of the Mississippi go by. You can see the lights of the refineries and river boats. The river is calm. You might notice a change when you leave the Mississippi and enter the Gulf.

 

Nancy

[melika091900]

its nice going down the river, takes about 4-5 hrs until you hit open ocean i believe,,

[VideoTech]

It's a lot of fun sailing down the river from New Orleans. There's always plenty of river traffic and in the early stages up by New Orleans, lots to see along the river banks.

 

The river is twists and turns so much that at one point, even though you are headed downstream and out to sea, you'll find the bow of the ship pointed back at the city for a little bit...watch for it.

 

On the trip back in, you'll hit the mouth of the river late in the evening. Watch for other New Orleans based cruise ships coming out...since there's only two berths at the port, the cruise lines alternate arrivals and departures and one ship is usually coming out of the river about the time you enter.

 

The whole transit takes about 3 to 4 hours if I remember correctly. You won't notice when you're actually out into the gulf unless the seas are running or you happen to be watching and notice the pilot station and the pilot boat taking off.

[2-laner]

Just got off the Conquest Sunday and really enjoyed sailing out of New Orleans. The morning we sailed, we attended mass in St. Louis Cathedral and then walked around the French Quarter, Cafe du monde and then over to the French Market. Plenty of time to make it over to the parking garage and board the ship.

 

On the way back, we ran into major fog over the gulf waters before entering the river. Our cabin was about 3/4 of the way back, and when we looked towards the front of the ship, you could not see the very front where they pilot the boat. And all the way up the river, we heard the ship's fog horn plus those of other vessels off and on during the night. Very creepy in a way.

[jcb91777]

its nice going down the river, takes about 4-5 hrs until you hit open ocean i believe,,

 

Actually, it's more like 7-8 hours from departure until you hit the Gulf.

[Dreaux]

We cruised out of New Orleans last summer, it was our first cruise and it was more than we ever expected. It takes about 5 or 6 hours to reach the Gulf, there were people on the levees along the way shooting fireworks and waving as we passed by it was great. I am not sure if it is the same every time but it was nice to see.

[Chuck2810]

Cool - hope we have a little light that evening (2/17/13) from the moon - 1st quarter going out and nearly full on our return.:D

[LSUcajunmom]

Sailed out of NO several times and always enjoy how the ship turns around in the river as you leave the dock and passing between the oil rigs once you are in the gulf.