Port of New Orleans

[cltcruiser]

I have a question I hope you guys can answer. My friend will have to drop us off at the pier very early (like 7-8am) the morning of sailing as he will be catching a morning flight and has to head to the airport.

 

My question is....can we leave our bags with porters or anything so that we could then kill some time walking around NO for a while? And if so, how early can you drop off bags?

 

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[jetskier]

Yes you can leave your bags with the porters.

 

From the Port of New Orleans website:

Is there a location to store my baggage if I wish to go shopping o explore the area prior to checking in for my cruise?

 

On embarkation your checked baggage will be taken from you upon arrival.

 

Dave

[cltcruiser]

Thanks Dave...well, now I feel dumb. I called myself looking through the cruise documents...didn't think to check the actual port site. Duh...

 

Yes you can leave your bags with the porters.

 

From the Port of New Orleans website:

Is there a location to store my baggage if I wish to go shopping o explore the area prior to checking in for my cruise?

 

On embarkation your checked baggage will be taken from you upon arrival.

 

Dave

[Cruzman]

Question is, will there be any porters there that early to assist embarking guests. As a rule, all porters at that time of day will be assisting guests disembarking the ship.

[BigDfromTN]

My limited experience is they will not let you into where the porter are until Customs clears the ship and most of the out going guest are gone.

 

Maybe you can, Im not sure but would be leery of it.

[big_duck]

I agree with Cruzman and BigD. While Dave is technically correct, I wouldn't count on being allowed anywhere near the terminal that early in the morning.

 

Where's Rob when you need him?

[ammo4343]

We just sailed on the Fantasy in January and did not see porters for departing until after 9:00 A.M. One thing I have not seen mentioned is the port terminal is not near any kind of Shopping. My suggestion would be to find a Hotel near where you would like to shop. Have your friend drop you off there and use the hotels Porter service to store your bags.

When you are ready collect your bags and take a Taxi to the port.

Just a suggestion.

[LRene]

Yes it is. The Riverwalk is right next door with all kinds of shopping. Going out the other side of the Riverwalk, you're right in the heart of everything. Canal Place shopping center is about 2 blocks away as is the entire French Quarter. Lots of places within close walking distance. :)

[BrendaB1]

Yes it is. The Riverwalk is right next door with all kinds of shopping. Going out the other side of the Riverwalk, you're right in the heart of everything. Canal Place shopping center is about 2 blocks away as is the entire French Quarter. Lots of places within close walking distance. :)

 

I agree. There is also a Cafe du Monde in the Riverwalk Mall.

Harrah's is also another option. I have seen people come in several times when they have just got of a ship & check their bags so they could go in the casino & gamble.

Hilton-Riverside is also right there. I've checked my bags there before when I had a late flight after the cruise.

New Orleans definetly wants tourist business so checking bags may be easier than you think.

[Rowan555]

I agree with Cruzman and BigD. While Dave is technically correct, I wouldn't count on being allowed anywhere near the terminal that early in the morning.

 

Where's Rob when you need him?

 

 

Since Dropoff and Pickup happens in the same place, I don't see why someone couldn't approach a porter and ask to check in their luggage. I've picked my parents up from cruises as early as 7:30 AM, and there are porters standing around. This is the same area (where you drive in under the building overhang) where you drop off passengers who are embarking.

[jetskier]

Question is, will there be any porters there that early to assist embarking guests. As a rule, all porters at that time of day will be assisting guests disembarking the ship.

 

As Rowan said, the porters as they return into the terminal will take your bags. New Orleans terminal is easy to drop off at. The drop off point is at the far end of the building.

 

Cafe du Monde opens at 9am in the Riverwalk. The one at the French Market is open 24 hours.

 

 

Susan,

I see you will be on the Fantasy 10 days after me. One of these days we will get to sail together. I normally dont sail during my jetski repair season but I could not pass up $199pp for the Apl 10th sailing. Booked a 1A GTY and got a 4A. There are 6 others going from my area who also booked the 1A's and got upgraded to the 4A's.

Dave

[cltcruiser]

Thanks for all of your information. I was just hoping we wouldn't have to be sitting there in the pier for hours waiting to embark. :)

[jetskier]

Thanks for all of your information. I was just hoping we wouldn't have to be sitting there in the pier for hours waiting to embark. :)

 

There is also a Wal-mart but in the opposite direction. If you were to continue straight on Tchoupitoulas St instead of turning left on Henderson, you would run into it.

 

Right past the Riverwalk is the Aquarium of the Americas/IMAX theater.

 

Dave

[Rowan555]

Susan,

I see you will be on the Fantasy 10 days after me. One of these days we will get to sail together. I normally dont sail during my jetski repair season but I could not pass up $199pp for the Apl 10th sailing. Booked a 1A GTY and got a 4A. There are 6 others going from my area who also booked the 1A's and got upgraded to the 4A's.

Dave

 

 

It's amazing how we keep just missing each other! GREAT deal, by the way! We booked this cruise last July because I noticed the rates were lower for the April 19th sailing than for any others around it. I just looked, and rates have gone up only about $75 total for all 4 of us. Just goes to show you that you're often better off waiting and booking at the last minute. We could have easily gone on your cruise for probably a lot less money! I think we paid $379 pp for the first 2. Doh!

 

Have a great time - take care of her for us!!!

 

Susan

[cruisin_fanatic]

I have a question I hope you guys can answer. My friend will have to drop us off at the pier very early (like 7-8am) the morning of sailing as he will be catching a morning flight and has to head to the airport.

 

My question is....can we leave our bags with porters or anything so that we could then kill some time walking around NO for a while? And if so, how early can you drop off bags?

 

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

I definitely would not recommend leaving your bags with the porters. They do not work for Carnival, they work for the port authority. So if they lose your bags or your luggage doesnt make it....then :confused: . Just speaking of my most recent cruise experience in Dec., my luggage did not make it to the ship (mind you, I was on the same shuttle bus and my luggage was underneath the bus), the porters insisted they had a manifest and would get the luggage to my room....needless to say, IT DIDNT...they had put my luggage on the wrong boat!!! I would sincerely recommend keeping your luggage with you.

[jetskier]

...they had put my luggage on the wrong boat!!!

 

Since there is only one ship in port, that will be a little hard to do in New Orleans. (not unless it gets put on the Canal St ferry).

 

Dave

[selucrey]

Since there is only one ship in port, that will be a little hard to do in New Orleans. (not unless it gets put on the Canal St ferry).

 

Dave

 

Or The CREOLE QUEEN steamboat. :D

[steamboats]

Or The CREOLE QUEEN steamboat. :D

 

selucrey,

 

The CREOLE QUEEN is no steamboat but a diesel paddlewheeler. But you can add the NATCHEZ to the list. And she is a true steamboat :).

 

steamboats

[selucrey]

selucrey,

 

The CREOLE QUEEN is no steamboat but a diesel paddlewheeler. But you can add the NATCHEZ to the list. And she is a true steamboat :).

 

steamboats

 

Yep. I know that, but most who are not familiar with them don't. saying "steamboat" gives a mental picture ...sorta. We do the Natchez thing pretty often. The dinner cruise is fantastic !