Will we be in the dark?

[redpelican]

Just a little curious, how long does it take to cruise from the Port of New Orleans till you reach the Gulf. I would really like to be able to see the delta or some of the scenery.

[firefly333]

About 8 hours.. more or less midnight.

 

Dark

[forwardcabin]

It takes about 8 hours--usually overnight. If you leave by 4pm, you might have 4+ hours of daylight as you go down river. Same thing happens when you come back--they enter the mouth of the river at night and arrive at the terminal by 7am or 8am.

[Sargent_Schultz]

+/- about 8 hours. It's about 100 miles of river.

[sooner9795]

I think it is one of the neatest things I have experienced while cruising....

[cruisnhillbilly]

funny thing is i would of told you 2 or three hours but everything i have read said around 8 lol i guess i was having to much fun didn't pay attention:eek::D:cool:

[cruzzza]

funny thing is i would of told you 2 or three hours but everything i have read said around 8 lol i guess i was having to much fun didn't pay attention:eek::D:cool:

 

Lol! I know that everyone says 8 hours, but it sure seems like we've made it in 6 before. I also love cruising out of the river! It's a unique experience.

[flounder315]

that 8 hours will drag, the shops & casino are closed...

[WiCruiseDreamer]

We really enjoyed our cruise down the Mississippi when we cruised out of New Orleans.

 

In our case however, we were able to see heading into the gulf. There was engine trouble about 2 or so hours out of New Orleans and we ended up sitting along the side of the channel while they worked on the issue. Was a few tense hours wondering if we were actually go to cruise, but about midnight we got moving again and at 5am I was waken by my nieces as we were just a few miles from entering the gulf.

 

While there was nothing overly beautiful about it, it was a cloudy dreary morning, it was still awe inspiring to experience.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[cruisnhillbilly]

that 8 hours will drag, the shops & casino are closed...

 

i under stand that on the casino for sure, but i use my time getting all the group and family photos out of the way, "my wife is a big scrapbook-er" if i don't take at least 500 pic's, my name is mudd:cool:

[Gypsywych]

i under stand that on the casino for sure, but i use my time getting all the group and family photos out of the way, "my wife is a big scrapbook-er" if i don't take at least 500 pic's, my name is mudd:cool:

 

At least that's an appropriate name for the Mississippi delta..... :D

[Bunkie103]

On our return, although it was dark, I knew we had entered the Mississippi because you can smell the mud.....and everyone is out on deck on their cellphones!

[mzloolue]

Entering the river from the Gulf does look weird.

The blue water meets the dark brown.

 

I saw many dolphins in the brown water right at the mouth.

It looked very strange and is worth seeing.

[Robwerks]

On all 4 of our cruises out of NOLA the casino was open when dinner (early seating) was over. I leave the dining room and head straight to the roulette wheel!

[firefly333]

that 8 hours will drag, the shops & casino are closed...

 

I agree with the previous poster.. neither was closed on my cruise that night. Shops open regular time, 6:30 pm?? and casino is open that evening as well.

 

I have been out of NOLA a lot of times .. and what you say has never once happened on my cruises.

[redpelican]

i under stand that on the casino for sure, but i use my time getting all the group and family photos out of the way, "my wife is a big scrapbook-er" if i don't take at least 500 pic's, my name is mudd:cool:

I am really looking forward to this part of the cruise...my DH and I like the cruise more than the ports. I know what you mean about the pictures. I will dearly miss my brother -in-law on this cruise...he usu sally takes about 2000 pics...me 200. I guess I will have to step it up since they can't go.

Thanks everyone for all the info...does anyone know if it smells really bad(like I've heard) or just like the muddy Mississippi. We practically live on it and it just smells like mud,:eek:

[mzloolue]

Thanks everyone for all the info...does anyone know if it smells really bad(like I've heard) or just like the muddy Mississippi. We practically live on it and it just smells like mud,:eek:

 

I think it might depend on the water level and how warm it is.

It does not smell good, but not gaggy either.

[cruisnhillbilly]

I agree with the previous poster.. neither was closed on my cruise that night. Shops open regular time, 6:30 pm?? and casino is open that evening as well.

 

I have been out of NOLA a lot of times .. and what you say has never once happened on my cruises.

 

i haven't cruised for a while 2008 "had to take care of my, father he had health issues " but i am starting back up in Dec wahoo. good to here they open sooner now.:cool:

[sail2sea]

I think it is one of the neatest things I have experienced while cruising....

 

Totally agree! NOLA is an awesome departing port because of the river and the delta. Even though NO itself other than a few bright spots is nothing to write home about.

[kmc500]

On all 4 of our cruises out of NOLA the casino was open when dinner (early seating) was over. I leave the dining room and head straight to the roulette wheel!

 

Ditto when we cruised on Elation earlier this year.

 

Kevin C

[redpelican]

I'm glad to hear the casino is opened, because along with everyone else on the ship, we will probably be there after dinner. Other than Bourbon Street, i have not heard a lot of good things about NOLA. But, I am going to cruise, not sight see the home port. I know there are some that do this, but we don't have the extra time this cruise. Last year, we sailed out of Mobile...didn't sight see that port either. That terminal sure was easy to get in and out of. I sure hope this one is the same since we are driving.

[AdrenalineRush]

This is a thread that some gives a play by play of the scenery when sailing down the Mississippi

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1211622

[slybear]

The river does not smell even when its 95 degrees. It is muddy brown though.

And Bourbon St does smell & is not a very good representation of the city. If that

is all you see of New Orleans, you HAVE not seen New Orleans.

[jrmende63]

I had no idea it took so long to get to the open ocean! I am looking forward to sailing outta N O on the Sunshine:D

[redpelican]

This is a thread that some gives a play by play of the scenery when sailing down the Mississippi

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1211622

Wow...thank you so much. I have printed it out and I am going to take it wih me. I will be a regular tour guide!