Got Not Response on the NOLA Board

[Havinsnest]

So I'm asking here.

 

We are sailing on Star December 23. Our first Norwegian experience. Our first NOLA experience.

 

We are accustomed to Galveston where you spend the night in a hotel and they keep the car all week and shuttle you back and forth to the port.

 

We have never sailed out of NOLA before, anyone have hotel suggestions and where to leave the car?

 

Or is this idea of a hotel going to be impossible with the New Orleans Bowl on December 22 and the Sugar Bowl on January 2?

[LadyShiva]

I didn't find any port shuttles for my Spirit cruise. Just use a taxi instead.

 

Try calling the Residence Inn in Metairie and see if they'll let you park for there for the duration of your cruise. You do NOT want to be in the Quarter during those events, in my opinion. More importantly, you won't find safe parking in the Quarter during those events while you're on your cruise!

 

Otherwise, call the Drury Inn near the port with the same questions, if you really want the crush of the Quarter. :)

[Havinsnest]

Thanks!

 

Our adult children love to stay at the Quarter. We enjoy quiet. :D

[LadyShiva]

Thanks!

 

Our adult children love to stay at the Quarter. We enjoy quiet. :D

 

If you're going with your adult children, let them pay for a French Quarter hotel during that time period out of their own pocket. ;)

 

Here's some links for you:

haydelsbakery.com

cafedumonde.com <- Hit up the Metairie location on Veteran's Boulevard, versus deal with the rude ladies and filthy tables in French Quarter. Going back for seconds is easy, and you can buy lots of souvenirs people would actually use from there.

[DesertCruisers]

Don't let the other poster worry you. I am in my 50s and have been in New Orleans both for Sugar Bowls and Mardi Gras. The quarter itself and specifically Bourbon St will be crowded at certain times but the rest of the quarter and certainly the Central Business District will be fine. If you stay in Metairie you will miss much of what NOLA is famous for and have to do a lot of driving.

 

The hotels near the convention center are both close to the port and some offer parking while on your cruise. You will be away from the quarter but within easy walking distance. We have stayed at the Embassy Suites on Julia many times but donn't know if they have a parking package. Next month we are staying at the Rossevelt hotel near the quarter. There are also many hotels in the quarter and on the edge of the quarter like the Sheraton, Marriot and Hampton Inn. There are plenty of hotels so you should be able to find one in your price range. There is also parking at the port terminal. Cabs will be the easiest way to get to the port. They are plentiful and reasonably priced.

 

Just be sure to check the parking rates of any hotel you consider since parking rates even for overnight can be very high.

[punkincc]

I didn't find any port shuttles for my Spirit cruise. Just use a taxi instead.

 

Try calling the Residence Inn in Metairie and see if they'll let you park for there for the duration of your cruise. You do NOT want to be in the Quarter during those events, in my opinion. More importantly, you won't find safe parking in the Quarter during those events while you're on your cruise!

 

Otherwise, call the Drury Inn near the port with the same questions, if you really want the crush of the Quarter. :)

 

If you have difficulty finding a hotel which allows parking while you cruise, you might consider this. I googled park and cruise new Orleans and came up with airportparkinginc.com which offers secure parking garage 1 block from port with free shuttle to and from port for $8 daily. You could then stay at the hotel of your choice. There may have been other options as well. Just the first one I saw.

[LadyShiva]

Only one alteration to the previous poster's great points... if you stay outside of the French Quarter, you will miss much of what NOLA is infamous for... ;) You'll be in a vehicle (or bus) anyway if you're going to visit Oak Alley or go on a gator watching trip. If you're staying around the French Quarter only, I believe you see the crazy, but you miss the good food (among other experiences).

 

I also need to admit to having a personal issue with paying for parking. I loved Le Pavillon (hot cocoa at 10 pm!!! with cookies!!! Free in the lobby!) but I winced at the parking charges. I'd hate to price out that hotel (again) for a Christmas visit, with those 2 special events at around the same time.

[LadyShiva]

If you have difficulty finding a hotel which allows parking while you cruise, you might consider this. I googled park and cruise new Orleans and came up with airportparkinginc.com which offers secure parking garage 1 block from port with free shuttle to and from port for $8 daily. You could then stay at the hotel of your choice. There may have been other options as well. Just the first one I saw.

 

There's 2 New Orleans listings; here's the Port of New Orleans one:

http://airportparkinginc.com/airport.asp?airportcode=NOP&sess=454098057

 

Great find, punkincc! And OP, take the shuttle, if you use this option. Yes, it says "only one block", but take the complimentary shuttle. There were some miserable people pulling their luggage up the side road when we were dropped off.

[sjbdtz]

Harrah's Casino parking garage is almost directly across the road from where the ships board... it's not free, but it's another alternative....with lots of security and cameras.

 

It took me about 8 mins to walk from the ship, to my car on disembarkation day.

 

 

 

.

[DesertCruisers]

During December many hotel have special, Papa Noel, rates. The link below shows a few of those rates.

 

http://goneworleans.about.com/od/hotels/a/december-new-orleans-hotel-deals.htm

 

There are also special dinners at many restaurants and Celebration in the Oaks at City Park.

[LadyShiva]

During December many hotel have special, Papa Noel, rates. The link below shows a few of those rates.

 

http://goneworleans.about.com/od/hotels/a/december-new-orleans-hotel-deals.htm

 

There are also special dinners at many restaurants and Celebration in the Oaks at City Park.

 

Just a head's up... that's a 2011 article. I was very excited to see this information, but the codes aren't working. :(

[DesertCruisers]

You are right that link is from last year because it is still too early for this year for the special rates. But there are Papa Noel rates each December as well as the Reveillion dinners and Celebration in the Oaks. The rates should show up by early November.

[LadyShiva]

You are right that link is from last year because it is still too early for this year for the special rates. But there are Papa Noel rates each December as well as the Reveillion dinners and Celebration in the Oaks. The rates should show up by early November.

 

Thank you for the clarification! I'd love to use such codes to go see my sister for Christmas. :)