We booked a Cruise!

[nannac]

I'm in shock!!! After begging to cruise for several years now, hubby decides he wants to take a cruise. He only wants a short one, which is okay with me. We are cruising out of New Orleans the last week of January. I am so excited, and overwhelmed with all the planning. I have been on Cruisecritic board trying to gather all the information that I need.

Has anyone ever cruised out of N.O., and what hotels offer the free parking? I am excited about returning to New Orleans, and seeing all the changes since we lived in the area some 30 yrs. ago.

I'm doing the Happy Dance!!!!

[karoinbranson]

How exciting!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I've never been on a cruise, myself, but would love to go on one sometime!

[nannac]

I'm still pinching myself, I can't believe that it is true! I hit the sales yesterday to buy some of the "summer outfits" that I knew I wouldn't be able to find in the winter time.

[biscuitcreek]

Now you have something to look forward to!

[Branson Bluesman]

I have taken 3 cruises out of NOLA. Is it on Carnival Fantasy?

[Daytimer]

Very Cool. I would like to try one someday!

[pamlet]

You are going to have a BLAST ... DS and I took our first cruise at the beginning of August out of Galveston in the Carnival Ecstasy... we had a great time!

Are you going on the Fantasy? We docked next to her in Progresso and Cozumel... I thought I read somewhere though that the Triumph was going to start going out of NOLA.

The things I likes best about the cruise was never having to decide when/where to eat ... laugh... that sounds crazy - but after this weekend traveling w/5 adults to Branson THAT was the most stressful decisions to make... hahahahaha...

Seriously - on the cruise the cabins were larger than I thought - the beds VERY comfortable .. The entertainment was "ok" but the other activities were fun.. the ones that had audience participation...

AND it was fun to go somewhere different...

Have fun cruising!!

[nannac]

We will be on the Triumph out of N.O. I have read lots of the reviews on Cruise Critic, and it has good reviews. It is an older ship, but has recently been redone. I know absolutely nothing about cruising, but I am anxious to find out!

[fritzie]

Originally Posted by nannac

I'm in shock!!! After begging to cruise for several years now, hubby decides he wants to take a cruise.

As you may have found out on Cruise Critic, many of us are addicted to cruising and I am certain you will also. Better start the cruise savings account today!!

The atmosphere on a short cruise is very different than one of at least 7 days.

Can not help you with Carnival nor lodging. Have you checked Cruise Critic's
special section with discussions about home ports?

Have a great cruise.

[lindiet]

You are going to have a fantastic time!

[goody2shoes]

You'll have a great time. I was on another Carnival ship and found that it had some of the larger cabins among cruise lines, which is really nice. You might want to pack a few clothes hangars, just in case. We cruised out of NOLA on the NCL ship. We went past the cruiseport parking facility and at that time they charged about $7 per day for parking. You might want to consider parking there as the cabs from the the Quarter to the cruiseport were on a set price, you may pay as much in cabs as for the parking.

If I can answer any questions feel free to PM me. The cruise critic board is a great resource. Another resource that's also interesting is cruise clues.

In January you should be able to find some of the quarter hotels have some greatly reduced prices. The night before you leave be sure to visit the Gumbo Shop for a great reasonably priced dinner. Another good place with reasonable prices is Masparo's.

[chime]

That's great. You'll have a wonderful time. What ports will you be visiting? Be sure you have your passports as they are needed for all cruises these days. Then be sure to pack it in hand carry luggage. If you haven't been in NOLA before you'll have a great time there also. Goody2shoes is right, the Gumbo Shop is a terrific place to eat in the French Quarter at a very reasonable cost. I hope you have time to try it.

If you have time, be sure to walk down Royal St and enjoy the beautiful art galleries. Once you get onboard, it will be like a different world. Everyone is there to have a great time and all are very friendly. Be sure to stay up late enough to see the oil platforms that are light up like Christmas trees, they're really pretty.

Have a wonderful trip.

[nannac]

Thanks for all the comments!

We are doing a 4 day, so we only have one Port, and that is Cozumel. I am not booking an excursion, because I just want to go to the Paradise Beach, and look and shop. Maybe on future cruises (hopefully), we will try an excursion.

The Gumbo Shop sounds good. I will definately put it on my list. We will be staying in NO's the day before and after the cruise. I am so looking forward to a Beinget(sp). I haven't had one in a long time. We lived within 50 miles of New Orleans, and visited it quite often back in the 80's. We took a short visit through there a few years ago, but didn't get to do much.

The parking at the terminal there is listed as $14 per day. That will probably be the best way to go.

Mellie... you're so right... It isn't that far away. I got to get started on the passports.

Wish you all could come along! Wouldn't that be fun?