First Time Cruising out of New Orleans - Thoughts?

[JDPCruisers]

We will be cruising on Brillance of the Seas out of New Orleans and as this will be our first time would appreciate any thoughts on your experience, how has the ambience been, party ship, more adult crowd, condition of the ship, and anything else you care to share. We have cruised Radiance class before but never out of New Orleans. Look forward to thoughts.

[firefly333]

I've been staying across the river where the hotel has a shuttle to the port. I know 2 people who were pick pocketed, so keep your stuff close at hand if you go out in new orleans. One was a cabin mate who was from the UK and it was her birthday. Her passport also was stolen with her money. She had a hard time flying back to the UK. 

 

Many drive to the port, and I havent noticed a difference between pax sailing from new orleans or Galveston. 

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

One thing I'll say. I love the sail down (and up) the Mississippi River. So picturesque. However, you might sail south and  sail back in the dark. That would be a pity to miss this scenic ride because you can't see it. I will say though, New Orleans and The Crescent City Connection Bridge are beautiful at night with all the lights. The skyline is awesome. So that is the advantage of a night departure.

One other fun fact, right beside your NOLA dock, there is a pretty good sized shopping center, all enclosed. If you have time, check it out.

[joeyancho]

You could not have picked a better place for a pre-cruise experience.  It's a great city.  Exercise caution as you would in any big city and you will be fine.   Some of the best restaurants in the country are in NOLA.  Stay within the Quarter.  No need to venture out.  Make sure to visit the Cafe du Monde for beignets and café au lait,  a New Orleans tradition.   Also across the street is the Central Grocery,   where the muffaletta was invented.  Go early before they run out.  Acme Oyster House is a great place for seafood, grilled oysters, gumbo and etouffe, all at reasonable prices.   Avoid Bourbon Street (or not) if you are adverse to nudity and general debauchery,  lol.  If you have time take a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking.  It's great fun.  Have a great time.  

[George C]

Great city to cruise out of , fantastic bars with live music and great restaurants some a couple of hundred years old , I would visit bourbon street, need to be careful, had my pocket picked some 40 years ago . Definitely want to visit soon have not been there in 20 years. 

[PCHENG]

The view along the Mississippi during sail away is quite nice.  French Quarter is fun during the day, but at night it is mostly dark, deserted and doesn't feel safe.  Besides French Quarter I suggest you also visit the WW2 Museum, ride the streetcars and visit the Antebellum mansions if you have a rental car.

Edited November 1, 2023 by PCHENG

[firefly333]

45 minutes ago, PCHENG said:

The view along the Mississippi during sail away is quite nice.  French Quarter is fun during the day, but at night it is mostly dark, deserted and doesn't feel safe.  Besides French Quarter I suggest you also visit the WW2 Museum, ride the streetcars and visit the Antebellum mansions if you have a rental car.

Theres a awesome aquarium too though I've also heard good things about the wwII memorial.

 

I've been out of NO I'd guess 10 times. You dont hit the end until like 1 am. Just see lights passing by. Maybe I need to go when days are longer as it's dark for most of the sail down the river. 

[joeyancho]

32 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Theres a awesome aquarium too though I've also heard good things about the wwII memorial.

 

 

Maybe you mean the WWII Museum???

My father served in the Pacific,  my uncles in Europe participated in the  D day invasion.    The Museum brought me to tears several times.   It is a must see..

[Bead Pirate]

If you enjoy casino time, be advised that the sail down the Mississippi takes a good while (it is beautiful as mentioned above) but the casino will likely not be open on night one and will close early on last night as you sail back up...

[George C]

8 hours ago, joeyancho said:

Maybe you mean the WWII Museum???

My father served in the Pacific,  my uncles in Europe participated in the  D day invasion.    The Museum brought me to tears several times.   It is a must see..

I definitely want to visit the WW2 museum on next trip .

[time4u2go]

9 hours ago, joeyancho said:

Maybe you mean the WWII Museum???

My father served in the Pacific,  my uncles in Europe participated in the  D day invasion.    The Museum brought me to tears several times.   It is a must see..

I definitely agree about the WWII Museum.  It's a must see for sure.

 

Also the aquarium and the zoo are both really good.

[smokeybandit]

21 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I've been staying across the river where the hotel has a shuttle to the port.

Which hotel, out of curiosity?

[RoperDK]

11 hours ago, Bead Pirate said:

If you enjoy casino time, be advised that the sail down the Mississippi takes a good while (it is beautiful as mentioned above) but the casino will likely not be open on night one and will close early on last night as you sail back up...

I thought it would open shortly after sail away. Back in the day, you used to have to reach international waters, but I thought that the gambling laws had changed.  Carnival opens their casinos shortly after sail away.  Anyone have the current rules?  It makes a difference on our first night plans for sure! 

[RoperDK]

Where does everyone park if driving in?  We usually park at the port, but I read that Royal uses an unsecured mall parking lot and that there are commonly break-ins in that lot.  Do people use a hotel stay and park option or chance port parking?  Which hotel offers a good rate for stay and park?  We have only cruised with Carnival out of NOLA and they have their own terminal with a connected secure parking deck.        

[Donsyb]

20 hours ago, PCHENG said:

The view along the Mississippi during sail away is quite nice.  French Quarter is fun during the day, but at night it is mostly dark, deserted and doesn't feel safe.  Besides French Quarter I suggest you also visit the WW2 Museum, ride the streetcars and visit the Antebellum mansions if you have a rental car.

The French Quarter is where most of the nightlife is. Which bit were you in that felt deserted??

[cmsjab]

6 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Where does everyone park if driving in?  We usually park at the port, but I read that Royal uses an unsecured mall parking lot and that there are commonly break-ins in that lot.  Do people use a hotel stay and park option or chance port parking?  Which hotel offers a good rate for stay and park?  We have only cruised with Carnival out of NOLA and they have their own terminal with a connected secure parking deck.        

I don’t know of a stay and park option. Jan 2023, we stayed in the Garden District (St Charles Coach House) and parked with Machu Picchu (about a mile away) There were some negative reviews but I read them as the typical “I heard…” and not a first hand account. I will say that Machu Picchu was great! I don’t remember what we paid and yes, we left our keys. They are a covered garage, locked and secured in a warehouse area. They jockey the cars, moving them around as needed to accommodate cruisers. They shuttle you to port - 5 minutes. Call when you are getting off ship and the shuttle picks you up. Our car was in line and ready for us to load luggage and get on the road. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by cmsjab

[time4u2go]

On 11/1/2023 at 8:37 PM, Donsyb said:

The French Quarter is where most of the nightlife is. Which bit were you in that felt deserted??

I was wondering the same thing. 

[SG65CB]

Cruise Critic message boards has a section for each home port, regardless of the cruise line, including one for Gulf Coast ports. You might find useful information there about hotels, parking, etc. Much of the information is for Galveston but there are also posts about New Orleans. 

 

Here is the main page for Gulf Coast:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/316-gulf-coast-departures/