Park & Cruise Package @ Quality Inn & Suites Gretna, LA for NOLA Cruise

[ABQmom]

After seeing the high prices for the Park & Cruise packages in New Orleans I found a more affordable deal at the Quality Inn and Suites in Gretna (Westbank). The rate is $129 and includes a nights stay, free parking for the duration of the cruise, and transportation to and from the port.

 

Has anyone stayed there? Is it a safe area? This is our first cruise out of New Orleans so we will take all of the advice we can get.

 

Michelle

Carnival Conquest

9-2-2012

[nchikk]

Thanks for the heads-up on this property. We certainly don't need fancy digs, and this isn't fancy...but it seems clean and that works for us for sure.

 

Not only are parking and round-trip port transportation included, so is a free hot breakfast for each of us and a couple of drink coupons for their lounge.

 

I went ahead and booked this place for our cruise.

[ABQmom]

Just saw your reply to the other post about the Holiday Inn. I have a room reserved, but I would love to hear from someone who has stayed here and used the shuttle. Hope it works out.

[Wildcatllamas]

Here is a link for when I posted the same question and the replies I got. Hope it helps!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1525155&highlight=quality+inn+gretna

[nchikk]

Here is a link for when I posted the same question and the replies I got. Hope it helps!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1525155&highlight=quality+inn+gretna

 

Thanks for posting this link.

 

There is some good information there, but this property will work for us. Seems many of the replies are trying to talk folks out of staying there because it's not in the CBD, but we don't need a "New Orleans experience"....we need a room for the night and a parking space for the week, all at the best price we can get.

 

What the OP asked, and I'm curious too, was whether the area around this hotel is safe. I have read nothing to suggest it is not, provided common sense precautions are used...the same ones you'd take anywhere else.

[fishn2deep]

Thanks for posting this link.

 

There is some good information there, but this property will work for us. Seems many of the replies are trying to talk folks out of staying there because it's not in the CBD, but we don't need a "New Orleans experience"....we need a room for the night and a parking space for the week, all at the best price we can get.

 

What the OP asked, and I'm curious too, was whether the area around this hotel is safe. I have read nothing to suggest it is not, provided common sense precautions are used...the same ones you'd take anywhere else.

 

I am staying here in March 24th. I will let you know.

[ABQmom]

I am staying here in March 24th. I will let you know.

 

 

Looking forward to hearing what you think about the hotel. I am not really concerned about how nice it is, but I am hoping for clean and safe! Are you staying there pre-cruise? Hopefully you can tell us how the shuttle service is.

 

Thanks,

 

Michelle

[nchikk]

I am staying here in March 24th. I will let you know.

 

Awesome. We're looking forward to what you have to say.

[fishn2deep]

Looking forward to hearing what you think about the hotel. I am not really concerned about how nice it is, but I am hoping for clean and safe! Are you staying there pre-cruise? Hopefully you can tell us how the shuttle service is.

 

Thanks,

 

Michelle

 

Yes, we are staying pre-cruise and plan on using the shuttle. Fingers crossed.......hope all goes well.

[ABQmom]

Yes, we are staying pre-cruise and plan on using the shuttle. Fingers crossed.......hope all goes well.[/

 

I reserved the Park and Cruise Deal here a while back, but have continued to look for a better deal in New Orleans, and just can't find one. After talking with several hotel in NOLA that said they provided transportation to the terminal, but were not allowed to pick passengers up after the cruise, or they only provided transportation for 2 guests and then charged for additional guests (we are a party of 5) I decided to call the hotel directly today and ask my questions again.

 

They told me that they do offer transportation, using a small van and a bus to and from the port. She said they have no problem picking the guests up that they dropped off and that you fill out a form at the front desk so that they know when to pick you up. They did tell me that there is additional charge for transportation after the first two guests, unless they are children. So, if you have more than two adults per room you will have an additional charge (I had not seen that info listed anywhere before) but kids are free (that works for us).

 

Michelle

[Alabama Alan]

It's all in who you talk to, I suppose. I called and made a reservation for this same hotel earlier in the week and specifically asked if there was a charge for more than 2 people in the shuttle and was told no.

 

In our case, it will also be children, but you would think they would have said there is a charge for extra adults.

 

We have found no other hotel that offers drop off and pick up without an extra charge for 2+

[my3boysmom]

After seeing the high prices for the Park & Cruise packages in New Orleans I found a more affordable deal at the Quality Inn and Suites in Gretna (Westbank).

Michelle

Carnival Conquest

9-2-2012

 

We will be staying there next week. I will post about it upon our return!

[ABQmom]

We will be staying there next week. I will post about it upon our return!

 

 

My3BoysMom...can't wait to hear what your review is since I will be staying there with my 3 boys in September :)

 

AlabamaAlan - that is strange! Hopefully they don't change their mind before we check in and start charging for kids but letting extra adults go for free.

 

The hotel offers free transportation to and from the ferry on an hourly basis. I like the idea of reserving the regular rate and taking the ferry for free. I drops you off very close to the cruise terminal. I know, I should just pay the extra money, take the transportation to the port, and be done with it, but every dollar I save I can put towards fun on the cruise :)

 

Michelle

[rvsullivan]

I know what others have told you about walking from the ferry crossing to the cruise terminal. I hope you have little luggage and the weather cooperates. If you don't have small children and limited luggage it could be ok for healthy and sturdy adults. There is no easy way to make the trip. Transiting the Riverwalk, railroad tracks and cobblestones/bricks should make carrying luggage fun!!!

[ABQmom]

I know what others have told you about walking from the ferry crossing to the cruise terminal. I hope you have little luggage and the weather cooperates. If you don't have small children and limited luggage it could be ok for healthy and sturdy adults. There is no easy way to make the trip. Transiting the Riverwalk, railroad tracks and cobblestones/bricks should make carrying luggage fun!!!

 

 

Okay rvsullivan...

 

You have convinced me. I will stick with the park and cruise rate, pay the extra, and be thankful for the shuttle! Our youngest will be 7, so tiny ones, but cobblestones and train tracks does not make for easy pulling of luggage.

[hpreece]

I have Quailty Inn booked too. I wonder what there is to do around in the area....

-Heather

[hpreece]

I am staying here in March 24th. I will let you know.

 

Thanks! I'm also wondering what there is to do near the hotel...can you please let us know.

 

I'm not sure if I want to take a 14 year old to Bourbon Street but would like to experience a bit of the "New Orleans feel"...so I was thinking of unpacking and then driving downtown. Any suggestions on things to do or not to miss?

[fishn2deep]

Thanks! I'm also wondering what there is to do near the hotel...can you please let us know.

 

I'm not sure if I want to take a 14 year old to Bourbon Street but would like to experience a bit of the "New Orleans feel"...so I was thinking of unpacking and then driving downtown. Any suggestions on things to do or not to miss?

 

Will do my best to try and write a review, when I get back.

[Ronn452]

HPreese,

 

The area around the hotel really doesn't support anything except a few fast food restaurants. The street in front of the hotel is a four lane seperated by an elevated highway. There is a school next to the hotel on one side and neighborhoods around the back. The neighborhoods are typical '60s homes and maintained. This area is not nearly as questionable as in the Algiers area to the east. The hotel has been recently remodeled when it became a Quality Inn; previously a Holiday Inn. While it shows it's age a bit, it is clean and friendly. Just remember if you take the shuttle to the ferry, that the last run for the shuttle is 9:00 p.m. If you miss it, a cab ride is a bit expensive. If you do get the opportunity to take the ferry, it is a fun ride in itself and a nice way to see the skyline of N'awlins at night.

 

Captain Ronn

[nchikk]

HPreese,

 

The area around the hotel really doesn't support anything except a few fast food restaurants. The street in front of the hotel is a four lane seperated by an elevated highway. There is a school next to the hotel on one side and neighborhoods around the back. The neighborhoods are typical '60s homes and maintained. This area is not nearly as questionable as in the Algiers area to the east. The hotel has been recently remodeled when it became a Quality Inn; previously a Holiday Inn. While it shows it's age a bit, it is clean and friendly. Just remember if you take the shuttle to the ferry, that the last run for the shuttle is 9:00 p.m. If you miss it, a cab ride is a bit expensive. If you do get the opportunity to take the ferry, it is a fun ride in itself and a nice way to see the skyline of N'awlins at night.

 

Captain Ronn

 

Am I mis-interpreting something or are you saying the free shuttle goes only to a ferry somewhere?

[Ronn452]

My understanding is that the hotel shuttle goes from the hotel to Algiers Point Ferry Station every hour. This ferry takes pedestrians (free) and vehicles ($1.00 over, free back) from Algiers Point on the Westbank to the base of Canal Street. From Canal Street, one can go left to the River Front Mall, straight ahead up Canal Street, past the Harrah's Casino, or right to the French Quarter. This is the shuttle that also takes cruise passengers to the port and back. If it takes hotel guests to other locations, I'm not sure. There are really few places in the area that one would actually want to go. This area is not a metro area with malls, shopping areas, or such.

 

Captain Ronn

[ABQmom]

There are shuttles to the ferry every hour, and that gives you a free way to get across the river to explore downtown Nola and the French Quarter without the hassle of driving and parking. The hotel told me that on cruise days they use the normal van shuttle plus a larger bus to take passengers to the cruise terminal and to pick up returning cruise passengers.

 

I may have muddied the waters a bit when I talked about taking the shuttle to the ferry and then walking to the cruise port from the ferry drop off point at Canal Street. I thought that would be a great perspective for the kids to see the ship for the first time, but after hearing about how it is not an easy walk, we will stick with the shuttle transportation to the cruise port.

 

Looking forward to reading the reviews of those that have recently stayed there. Also, I believe the hotel use to be a Clarion not a Holiday Inn.

 

Michelle

[hpreece]

HPreese,

 

The area around the hotel really doesn't support anything except a few fast food restaurants. The street in front of the hotel is a four lane seperated by an elevated highway. There is a school next to the hotel on one side and neighborhoods around the back. The neighborhoods are typical '60s homes and maintained. This area is not nearly as questionable as in the Algiers area to the east. The hotel has been recently remodeled when it became a Quality Inn; previously a Holiday Inn. While it shows it's age a bit, it is clean and friendly. Just remember if you take the shuttle to the ferry, that the last run for the shuttle is 9:00 p.m. If you miss it, a cab ride is a bit expensive. If you do get the opportunity to take the ferry, it is a fun ride in itself and a nice way to see the skyline of N'awlins at night.

 

Captain Ronn

 

Ronn,

Is this a hotel shuttle that runs to and from the ferry? Is it a free hotel shuttle and about how far is the ferry from the hotel? I already booked the park and shuttle package, so I know that the shuttle to and from the cruise terminal is free but I'm just wondering and trying to figure out the day/evening prior to boarding.

Thanks so much for this info...it saves us the hassle of driving into NO. And thanks for the 9pm time warning. I once got stuck in New York City after taking the ferry over from where we parked near Ellis Island...that was an expensive mistake and a huge lesson learned.

-Heather

[Ronn452]

Hpreece,

 

I understand from the desk personnel that the shuttle to the ferry is a free service. Might want to check with them at check-in to determine that this is still true and that it runs every hour until 9p.m. I'm sure the driver would not mind a small tip though. The hotel is probably 4-5 miles from the ferry and not areas that you would choose to walk, a bit shady around the ferry and a lot of four lanes with heavy traffic. There is, however, a neat restaurant/bar just down the hill from the ferry that is local, tourist friendly and nice to get a snack, meal or beverage. It's called the Dry Dock Cafe. You can see it from the Ferry Terminal. My family and I enjoy the ferry ride across the river. It is really a pretty view at night when all the lights are on in New Orleans. I also give you a bit of local flavor.

 

Captain Ronn

[Ronn452]

Hpreece, I failed to answer your first question. Yes, it is a hotel shuttle. Sure beats driving to the ferry and leaving your car; not exactly an area you would feel real good about leaving your car.

 

Captain Ronn