Carnival Dream - Live - Aug 26-Sep 2 - NOLA to Eastern Carib., Fun Times, Menus, etc

[CoasterGuy]

Why does my countdown clock say 5 hours? It’s freaking me out.

 

 

It counts down to around 7 or 8pm the night before. I find it weird as well.

 

Good start, look forward to reading once you're on the ship.

[Saint Greg]

On my way to the hotel I almost hit a fat leprechaun wearing a cape. I thought...”nobody is going to believe that”...so after I parked I went on foot to get a shot of him.

 

 

 

I’m staying at a La Quinta. Nothing fancy. But the location is outstanding with all of the food and shopping right here. If I want to have some wings and beers during the saints game tonight I can do that right across the street. And I’m right next to the interstate so it’s a straight shot in the morning. Room is clean, comfortable. Wifi and breakfast included...and I think I got it for $62 after tax on Hotwire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Greg]

As far as packing goes. I have my suitcase. I have my backpack. And I think I have almost everything that’s supposed to be in my suitcase and backpack. It’s just a matter of putting the finishing touches on that.

 

This is what I face in the morning

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[magestyayla]

Good luck. I live about 40 minutes from where you are now. I am thinking about this exact cruise in March 2019 for my 40th.

[Saint Greg]

It counts down to around 7 or 8pm the night before. I find it weird as well.

 

Good start, look forward to reading once you're on the ship.

 

Oh good. I never noticed that before.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Thanks for bringing us along!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[MEcruisin]

Thank you so much for this review. I will be following... quick few questions? Which LaQuinta are you staying at, how close to port are you, does it have a pool & hows the breakfast food??

We are thinking of taking cruise on this ship & itinerary.

[latitude918]

Thank you so much for this review. I will be following... quick few questions? Which LaQuinta are you staying at, how close to port are you, does it have a pool & hows the breakfast food??

We are thinking of taking cruise on this ship & itinerary.

 

If you look at the map that he continually updates, it appears that he stayed in Louisiana's capital, Baton Rouge, before driving the extra hour down to New Orleans tomorrow morning for embarkation.

[Saint Greg]

Thank you so much for this review. I will be following... quick few questions? Which LaQuinta are you staying at, how close to port are you, does it have a pool & hows the breakfast food??

We are thinking of taking cruise on this ship & itinerary.

 

I’m 74 miles from the port. It has I believe an 8 foot pool. I can get a pic later. I want to say the breakfast has a waffle iron a couple of hot items, pastries, and yogurt but I’ll confirm in the morning.

 

 

 

La Quinta Inn & Suites Baton Rouge Siegen Lane

 

10555 Rieger Road

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

 

(225) 291-6600

[tracier66]

If you have a chance when you are on the ship, will you post the fitness class schedule?

[Saint Greg]

If you have a chance when you are on the ship, will you post the fitness class schedule?

 

Sure thing. That way I can say I got into the gym while I was there. On Breeze I did that for someone and I was up in there with a Bloody Mary Tryring to find the door because the entire wall was a mirror and the door was one of those mirrors and I forgot which mirror the door was.

[riclop]

Enjoy it.

[Saint Greg]

Enjoy it.

 

Classic two word riclop post.

[Saint Greg]

As far as packing goes. I have my suitcase. I have my backpack. And I think I have almost everything that’s supposed to be in my suitcase and backpack. It’s just a matter of putting the finishing touches on that.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The packing came together pretty good. There was a slight freak out when my elegant night shirt wasn’t in the suitcase. But I did find it in the car. Suitcase is packed and back in the trunk. Ready to go in the morning.

[Saint Greg]

Thank you so much for this review. I will be following... quick few questions? Which LaQuinta are you staying at, how close to port are you, does it have a pool & hows the breakfast food??

We are thinking of taking cruise on this ship & itinerary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Greg]

Embarkation morning 6:30am

 

I love this bed. I wish I could take it on the cruise with me. I don’t deserve it for the price I paid for this hotel. I don’t have to look. I know when I’m sleeping on a beauty rest.

 

 

7am. Let’s check out the breakfast.

 

So we have waffles, breads, muffins, cereals, yogurt, instant grits and oatmeal, juice and coffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My bright shine breakfast of choice

 

 

 

One thing I’d like to address. Just because I’m staying an hour from the port doesn’t in any way mean I’m recommending you not stay in New Orleans. Check out the hotels thread on the New Orleans board for my help getting good deals on hotels down there. You should stay down there. You should visit the WWII museum. It’s better and cheaper than most of the excursions you are going to find in the ports.

 

I’m going to say I’ve stayed in 50+ hotels in the downtown/warehouse district/French quarter area. I have six stays down there booked for the fall starting two weeks from today. The reason I stay here is because I’ve been there, done that, and I’m about to do it again.

 

But if you are coming from this direction and want to stay an hour out, this is a great spot. If it happens to coincide with your Christmas shopping it’s an even better spot.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Greg]

I have some time this morning so let’s talk parking.

 

When it comes to park and cruise hotels there are none that take you to the port, pick you up from port and give you parking included. I’ve heard it has something to do with the taxi cab union. Here on some p&c hotels know of:

 

Country inn and suites in Metairie. They let you park there and shuttle you to the port but you have to find your own way back. It’s about a $15 Uber/lyft.

 

Holiday inn Downtown Superdome. Parking included but no port transportation. I think it’s about an $8 Uber/lyft.

 

Hampton inn and suites New Orleans convention center. Shuttle to the port included..not sure if they have a return shuttle. The big catch is they charge $14/day for parking which at that price you could’ve picked maybe a cheaper hotel and parked in Fulton garage.

 

Prytania Park I haven’t heard about this garden district hotel in awhile but as of a couple years ago they let you park there if you stay two nights. I don’t think any transportation is included.

 

I’ve recently heard you can get parking included at the holiday inn West Bank..which is the round hotel across the river. But transportation is not included.

 

Port parking is $140 for a 7-night cruise. But you’re right there in the building. Just have to go down the elevator. I’ve heard that porters may even meet you at your car but I’ve never done it so I can’t confirm. The only other port I have to compare with is Galveston where your port parking is in a garage across the street.

 

Another option is what I do which is park at an offsite garage that shuttles you to/from the port. I use Fulton garage which comes to $106 covered and $83 rooftop. It’s manned 24/7 and has 64 security cameras. Shuttle to and from the port. This is the option I’ll be showing you today. It will be my sixth time using them.

 

The other one I’m aware of is Machu Picchu Tours. This is a smaller place. Single floor garage. They shuttle you to and from the port and charge $110 for the week.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[paxpax07]

I love a great live review, thanks for doing it.

Enjoy your adventure.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ohyes]

Already an extremely interesting and helpful review. We have two upcoming cruises out of New Orleans and I'm loving that you are doing this for us. :D:D:D:D

[cmptrwiz]

”ENJOY IT” Classic two word riclop post.

 

 

Now that’s just funny I don’t care who you are!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Saint Greg]

Daytime look at the pool.

 

 

 

On the road at 9:45am. Fulton garage appt 11am. Check-In 11:30-12.

 

 

This popped up but it turned out to be just a broken down car on the side of the road.

 

 

Pit stop

 

 

Made it!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Greg]

How did I get here when I parked less than an hour ago? Stick around to find out.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Greg]

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Greg]

Let’s see if these videos work. This is a good way to avoid the crowds on embarkation day..Dream Class at least.

 

 

 

[MeganGC1983]

Your gangway video is making me jealous! 2 weeks... I can make it, 2 weeks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums