Creole Queen Historical River Cruise

[dfmeeks]

We're arriving one day prior to our cruise & I'm trying to decide between the river cruise & a historical walking tour of the French Quarter. Does anyone have any insight about the river cruise? Theoretically, we can do both if we can get into our hotel early enough to nap but I won't know if our room will be available until we arrive. The walking tour received excellent reviews but the river cruise sounds interesting too. Thank you for your help!

[wwinfl91]

I've never done the river cruise but if this is your first visit to New Orleans do the French Quarter tour as it is one of the two central historic areas of the city. Also go over to St Charles avenue and ride the street car through the Garden District. It is the best cheapest entertainment you can get in New Orleans.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[dfmeeks]

wwinfl91, Thank you for responding! It's not our first time in NOLA. We've visited twice as a destination. I like your idea about the streetcar, especially since reservations aren't necessary. Besides the beautiful homes, is there anything special to see in the Garden District?

[wwinfl91]

I'm at our second residence and don't have my travel books here but I remember visiting Lafayette # 1 Cemetery which was interesting and having lunch at a restaurant there right off the streetcar line.

Here is a link to a walking tour that charges but with a guidebook or a map you probably could go to the same places.

 

http://www.tourneworleans.com/garden_set.html

 

I will try to remember the name of the small corner restaurant we ate in. They had great gumbo and poorboys.

[dfmeeks]

Thank you so much! Booking the Street Car/Garden District tour actually sounds like a good alternative to the Creole Queen as it would allow us time in between tours to rest in our room. If you remember the name of the restaurant please let me know. Thank you again for the great info!

[wwinfl91]

I looked through some pictures of our trip and found the place. It is called "The Grocery" and it is more a sandwich or breakfast place than a restaurant but it had great poorboy's and other sandwiches. Here is the address:

 

The Grocery

2854 St. Charles Ave

New Orleans, LA 70115

Phone: (504) 895-9524

 

Here is a link on trip advisor if CC let's me post it.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d1644491-Reviews-The_Grocery-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

 

It is right off the street car line so it is easy to find.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[dfmeeks]

Thank you for sending the link!

 

Sent from my SM-G920P using Forums mobile app

[Calliope]

The Str. NATCHEZ also offers two hour excursions on The Father of Waters. Unlike the CREOLE QUEEN the NATCHEZ is powered by historic steam machinery that is nearly 100 years old and is one of only four steamboats still operating on the Mississippi River System. If Mark Twain could walk into the NATCHEZ's engineroom today, he would feel right at home. And you don't need to be Mark Twain to visit the engineroom either!

 

The CREOLE QUEEN is a nice boat, and I traveled on her once while she was in Cincinnati, Ohio, but she is diesel powered. The NATCHEZ has a nice optional buffet prepared onboard along with a full bar. Neither the CREOLE QUEEN nor the NATCHEZ have a casino.

 

Hopefully, you'll take this chance to experience the river and New Orleans from the decks of a genuine paddlewheel steamboat. wwwsteamboatnatchez.com

[WLHyatt]

This is the correct answer.

The Creole Queens paddle wheel does indeed move the ship, but it is via electric motors on the outboard walls. You can see them in this image with the "CQ" on them.

 

 

If you want a real history lesson go on the Steamer Natchez. The engine room is really a neat place.

 

The Str. NATCHEZ also offers two hour excursions on The Father of Waters. Unlike the CREOLE QUEEN the NATCHEZ is powered by historic steam machinery that is nearly 100 years old and is one of only four steamboats still operating on the Mississippi River System. If Mark Twain could walk into the NATCHEZ's engineroom today, he would feel right at home. And you don't need to be Mark Twain to visit the engineroom either!

 

The CREOLE QUEEN is a nice boat, and I traveled on her once while she was in Cincinnati, Ohio, but she is diesel powered. The NATCHEZ has a nice optional buffet prepared onboard along with a full bar. Neither the CREOLE QUEEN nor the NATCHEZ have a casino.

 

Hopefully, you'll take this chance to experience the river and New Orleans from the decks of a genuine paddlewheel steamboat. wwwsteamboatnatchez.com

[dfmeeks]

WLHyatt & Calliope,

 

Thank-you both for your detailed responses! For me, it is the destination of the Creole Queen that interests me. I'm interested in touring Chalmette Battlefield. However, it seems that showers are predicted for 12/4 so, rather than take a chance on bad weather, we may use the day to visit the WWII Museum. Several reviews have described it as a "can't be missed."