Galveston or New Orleans

[Saint Greg]

Something most people probably don't have to deal with when it comes to Galveston that I do is I have to take highway all the way down to Houston...which sucks. Last time I got stuck behind a chicken truck for 50 miles...feathers all over the place.

[cheermomof2girls]

We love Galveston but it's driving distance for us. We drove to NOLA once and cuised out of there, and wouldn't do it again. The hotels and parking were considerably more expensive than what we are use to paying in Galveston. We LOVE staying at the San Luis hotel in Galveston and can always find good deals. We go in the day before and enjoy the hotel. I forget where we stayed in NOLA, it was in the French Quarter and a very nice hotel, just not the same experience for us. We have young kids, so that makes a difference too.

 

I am glad that I got to sail out of NOLA and go down the Mississippi but I wouldn't do it again by choice. There was a lot of vibration and it was kind of a been there done that thing. I much prefer to just stare at the ocean.

 

So, all in all, if distance was the same for us, I'd chose by price/itinerary but give Galveston the slight edge. :)

[jsglow]

One of the challenges BOTH ports have is limited itineraries. For that reason, when we sail out of Florida we typically go east/south.

[spleenstomper]

:')

One of the challenges BOTH ports have is limited itineraries. For that reason, when we sail out of Florida we typically go east/south.

 

The hav added a few new itineraries out or New Orleans

[Saint Greg]

:')

 

The hav added a few new itineraries out or New Orleans

 

The only non-western route I've seen is Key West/Nassau/Freeport. Same for Galveston except I have seen a couple of Freedom cruises with that itinerary that add an extra day with Half Moon Cay. They jack up the prices on that one though. After next year I'm going to have to start flying to new embarkation ports if I want something different.

[spleenstomper]

The only non-western route I've seen is Key West/Nassau/Freeport. Same for Galveston except I have seen a couple of Freedom cruises with that itinerary that add an extra day with Half Moon Cay. They jack up the prices on that one though. After next year I'm going to have to start flying to new embarkation ports if I want something different.

 

Yes, they have 4 stop 7 day western now and Galveston has a once a year 9 day partial Panama Canal.

 

I thought I saw an 8 day from Nola?

[Saint Greg]

Yes, they have 4 stop 7 day western now and Galveston has a once a year 9 day partial Panama Canal.

 

I thought I saw an 8 day from Nola?

 

Ah they do have an 8 day out of NOLA with Half Moon Cay. It's only 1 cruise in May though. I've been looking for an 8 day in 2020. That's why I saw the Freedom ones but no NOLA. Looks like they've also worked in Costa Maya on some of their western. Also a 14 day panama canal in November.

[Tiger0613]

Ah they do have an 8 day out of NOLA with Half Moon Cay. It's only 1 cruise in May though. I've been looking for an 8 day in 2020. That's why I saw the Freedom ones but no NOLA. Looks like they've also worked in Costa Maya on some of their western. Also a 14 day panama canal in November.

 

There is an 8 day western out of New Orleans 11/17/18. There is a 14 day Panama Canal out of New Orleans 2/9/20.

[dsotm73]

The only non-western route I've seen is Key West/Nassau/Freeport. Same for Galveston except I have seen a couple of Freedom cruises with that itinerary that add an extra day with Half Moon Cay. They jack up the prices on that one though. After next year I'm going to have to start flying to new embarkation ports if I want something different.

 

This is where I am as well, after seven cruises out of NOLA including three on the Dream. I have a fourth on the Dream scheduled as well as one on the Valor in 2019, then we'll have to re-evaluate. For a little variety we booked an Alaskan on Celebrity in between those next two. But when we resume sailing the Caribbean we may have to look at different departure ports and lines. Trouble is, its so easy and inexpensive for us to drive the 2-1/2 hours to New Orleans.

Edited June 14, 2018 by dsotm73

[spleenstomper]

This is where I am as well, after seven cruises out of NOLA including three on the Dream. I have a fourth on the Dream scheduled as well as one on the Valor in 2019, then we'll have to re-evaluate. For a little variety we booked an Alaskan on Celebrity in between those next two. But when we resume sailing the Caribbean we may have to look at different departure ports and lines. Trouble is, its so easy and inexpensive for us to drive the 2-1/2 hours to New Orleans.

 

I’m there too, though I could do the two westerns once more each. Been on Dream twice.

 

It’s so easy though!!!

 

I’m interested in the 9 day Panama Canal.

[Saint Greg]

They need to add Cuba from New Orleans.

[spleenstomper]

They need to add Cuba from New Orleans.

 

Totally

[riclop]

What would you prefer to sail from? I know that NOLA is an easier port to get to than Galveston. The cruise/ airfare is about $300 more from NOLA than Galveston. Same itinerary.

Nola Hands down.

[starstruck05]

Hi! I am slightly biased being a local but I have sailed out of both ports and also worked at the NOLA port (not for Carnival). NOLA is hands down easier. Actually is the easiest out of maybe all the ports I have sailed from. NOLA has boarding down to a science and Galveston is just okay. I do not like the parking across the street thing. I actually really love visiting Galveston, however it is very costly getting a room anywhere near the cruise port and there is just not much to do without having to travel into Houston. I just really love my city and all we have to offer. Local tip is to not spend all your time in the French Quarter. Ride the street car to the Garden District. Visit the NOMA, WW2 Museum, Southern Food and Beverage Museum, Ogden Museum. If you want to hang out in the FQ, we locals prefer Frenchman street (I only ever go on Bourbon to people watch) and I spend alot of time on St. Peters St. Any hotel downtown is less than $10 Uber/Lyft ride to the port.

Also, because no one answered you yet, YEP fest is not a thing and no where near the port. I had to google it. Alot of the festivals have unconfirmed dates right now but I think you will be fine. You will be in basketball season but it should not be a major issue.

[MediumB]

I'm from Dallas here and have sailed out of both ports. My next cruise is out of NOLA in October. I enjoy the cruise down the Mississippi, the fact the casino opens as soon as the boat pulls away from the port, granted a little slowly with just slots at first, but you don't have to wait until international waters like you do in Texas. Cruises are usually cheaper going out of most places other than Texas.

[winddawn]

In Galveston in the winter there is also the issue of fog. It may or may not delay your embarkation or debarkation. That has to be figured into your arrival and departure, particularly if you are flying into Houston.

 

That's a great point about the fog issue. It seems like Galveston is very quick to close the port if its foggy; however, I've arrived back at NOLA when it was so foggy I couldn't see anything beyond the ship's railing, but we docked safely on time. Delays for fog create a lot of hassles for a good many passengers, and especially those that fly to their cruise.

[winddawn]

That actually could be kind of fun. In retirement some day.

 

We'd love to sail out of NOLA. The trip down the Mississippi sounds cool. But for all those bashing Galveston, just stop. Fly SWA into HOU, grab an inexpensive overnight hotel near the airport and a shuttle the next morning. There's nothing inconvenient about it. It's actually easier than MCO, simply because of the airport experience

 

This is exactly what I did the one and only time I cruised from Galveston. I stayed at the Hobby Doubletree which is the closest hotel to Hobby, and used their free airport shuttle to/from the airport to the hotel. That part was easy although there isn't much in the way of food options there. I found the Carnival transfer to the port to be very inconvenient though. I ended up sitting several hours in the airport on embarkation day because they don't start transfer service until late, and then they wait until every seat on that bus is full. And even after the bus was full they left us sitting on the bus for a half hour before we left for the port. I swore I'd never cruise from Galveston again and I haven't. By the time we finally got to the ship, I felt like I was worn out. That is not how I like to start my vacation.

[tiger belle]

Yeah..wheel your stuff across the street...assuming you have wheels on your luggage. That’s your port parking. In New Orleans it’s in the same building. Porter takes your luggage at your car. Just park and take the elevator down to check-in. No lugging luggage across the street in the hot sun.

 

 

to me, this is primary advantage of sailing out of NOLA...just got off Breeze this morning in Galveston (first time sailing from there and most likely last)...parking was horrible at Galveston, and getting to the port was inconvenient to say the least (despite the chance to check out Buc-ee's mentioned earlier haha)...ships themselves and itineraries are basically same...can't speak to the price comparison...this one on the Breeze was I believe my highest fare yet but this is the first time cruising in June

[tiger belle]

btw, does anyone know why the alcohol beverage package isn't available on the first day on cruises out of TX and NY but is on cruises out of NOLA, Florida and any other port I am aware of? What kind of law prevents them from applying? It's not that they can't sell alcohol the first 24 hours because believe me they sure do

[wtwien]

btw, does anyone know why the alcohol beverage package isn't available on the first day on cruises out of TX and NY but is on cruises out of NOLA, Florida and any other port I am aware of? What kind of law prevents them from applying? It's not that they can't sell alcohol the first 24 hours because believe me they sure do

 

 

 

The way the state Liquor laws of Texas and NY are written.

 

 

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[Saint Greg]

btw, does anyone know why the alcohol beverage package isn't available on the first day on cruises out of TX and NY but is on cruises out of NOLA, Florida and any other port I am aware of? What kind of law prevents them from applying? It's not that they can't sell alcohol the first 24 hours because believe me they sure do

 

What I've heard, at least on the Texas one, is that they have some law that while in their waters the alcohol has to be purchased from Texas or something like that...so they have a limited liquor menu on the first day that meets those requirements and no cheers.