Has anyone visited Mardi Gras as part of a Celebrity cruise?

Hi,

I see that Celebrity has a 2017 Caribbean itinerary that spends a few days at New Orleans over Mardi Gras. Has anyone done this? Perhaps it is a new itinerary. I didn't see any listings for excursions in New Orleans. I have never been to Mardi Gras and thought that perhaps this might be an interesting way to experience it without having to worry about booking a hotel somewhere. Thanks for any input.

Keith

Hi,

 

I see that Celebrity has a 2017 Caribbean itinerary that spends a few days at New Orleans over Mardi Gras. Has anyone done this? Perhaps it is a new itinerary. I didn't see any listings for excursions in New Orleans. I have never been to Mardi Gras and thought that perhaps this might be an interesting way to experience it without having to worry about booking a hotel somewhere. Thanks for any input.

 

Keith

Ooooo, sweet cruise Itinerary

http://www.celebritycruises.com/cruises/cruise-package-EQ11L061?packageid=EQ11L061&dest=CARIB&shipCode=EQ&shipName=Celebrity-Equinox&applyCriteria=false&sailDate=1170220&cabincls=CONCIERGE

Believe it is totally NEW to Celebrity and part of their "Signature Event Sailings" newly launched series

http://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/whats-new?event_date=2014-08-01&sequence_code=a&pageNumber=4

New Orleans is an awesome City... And the extended timed there... 6:30 Day 7 thru to 10:00 PM Day 9 will be FANTASTIC

Wish I was going...

Cheers!

We just booked it tonight. The 3 days in New Orleans were the big draw. Have never been there and my husband loves jazz.

We just booked it tonight. The 3 days in New Orleans were the big draw. Have never been there and my husband loves jazz.

Jazz - Blues - Zydeco the city is alive with music

Plus History, Architecture, Culture and GREAT Food.

Enjoy

Cheers!

For those of you who have not been to NOLA or Mardi Gras you are in for a treat.

The ship will most likely dock within walking distance from The Quarter and all of the action. It's not a short walk but it is doable and with so many of the streets blocked for the parades you'd probably have no other choice anyway.

Mardi Gras World is not far either.

The Aquarium is also within walking distance.

Harrah's Casino is between the Moriel Center (pier) and The Quarter.

If you want to have a spectacular meal or two start making reservations now, although some places like Commander's Palace may either already be booked or not open for reservations yet. Some only book three months out. You would need a taxi for Commander's Palace. John Besh's restaurants are all good. He has the steak house at Harrah's. And do have lunch (or dinner) at the American Squadron catty corner from the World War II Museum. Mr. B's Bistro is right in the heart of The Quarter across the street from the Hotel Monteleone. Emeril Lagasse has several noteworthy restaurants - I like Delmonico's best. It's on the street car route on St. Charles. A hidden jewel, also in the Quarter is The Pelican Club. It was the best meal we had on our last four day eating binge in NOLA. I could go on and on about New Orleans since we go often.

If you want to get out of the city take a plantation tour. I have not been on a swamp tour but the weather may not be quite warm enough for that. I mentioned the World War II Museum and it is definitely worth the three or more hours you will spend there. They have several new exhibits.

There are a number of attractions that close down on some of the Mardi Gras days so check with the Visitors Bureau to see what's open.

Wish we were on your cruise. It sounds absolutely wonderful!!!!!!

We just booked it tonight. The 3 days in New Orleans were the big draw. Have never been there and my husband loves jazz.

Jazz is one thing, NOLA is another. I'm interested in Mardi Gras as I'm not sure jazz is the topic at hand but a big drunken, good time. I may be too old to handle but I'll give it a try :)

Hi,

 

I see that Celebrity has a 2017 Caribbean itinerary that spends a few days at New Orleans over Mardi Gras. Has anyone done this? Perhaps it is a new itinerary. I didn't see any listings for excursions in New Orleans. I have never been to Mardi Gras and thought that perhaps this might be an interesting way to experience it without having to worry about booking a hotel somewhere. Thanks for any input.

 

Keith

Hi Keith,

I'm not an expert on New Orleans, so I will leave that to others to reply. As for doing this on a prior Celebrity sailing ? That I can recall, Celebrity has not visited this port, at least in recent years. The 2/20/17 Equinox sailing certainly is one of the few eye openers, in an otherwise relatively boring Caribbean deployment announcement.

One thing I've learned in recent years, is to keep my Caribbean deployment expectations *very* low. This way, there's little disappointment when we learn it's pretty much more of the same old, same old.

While I'm certain the deployment team is great at what they do - as many other regions have outstanding deployments.... If only Celebrity put more effort into their Caribbean planning, I'm sure they could generate far more interest, along with more sales/profits, if they thought outside the box. They did it with the ONE Equinox sailing. Too bad, they didn't offer more like this.

For those of you who have not been to NOLA or Mardi Gras you are in for a treat.

The ship will most likely dock within walking distance from The Quarter and all of the action. It's not a short walk but it is doable and with so many of the streets blocked for the parades you'd probably have no other choice anyway.

Mardi Gras World is not far either.

The Aquarium is also within walking distance.

*Harrah's Casino is between the Moriel Center (pier) and The Quarter.

If you want to have a spectacular meal or two start making reservations now, although some places like Commander's Palace may either already be booked or not open for reservations yet. Some only book three months out. You would need a taxi for Commander's Palace. John Besh's restaurants are all good. He has the steak house at Harrah's. *And do have lunch (or dinner) at the American Squadron catty corner from the World War II Museum. Mr. B's Bistro is right in the heart of The Quarter across the street from the Hotel Monteleone. Emeril Lagasse has several noteworthy restaurants - I like Delmonico's best. It's on the street car route on St. Charles. A hidden jewel, also in the Quarter is The Pelican Club. It was the best meal we had on our last four day eating binge in NOLA. I could go on and on about New Orleans since we go often.

If you want to get out of the city take a plantation tour. I have not been on a swamp tour but the weather may not be quite warm enough for that. I mentioned the World War II Museum and it is definitely worth the three or more hours you will spend there. They have several new exhibits.

There are a number of attractions that close down on some of the Mardi Gras days so check with the Visitors Bureau to see what's open.

Wish we were on your cruise. It sounds absolutely wonderful!!!!!!

Good post

If we are giving out recommendations here are mine:

Bourbon Street is a MUST DO at least once for everyone (especially at Mardi Gras)

But be sure to go beyond that, and get out to where the Locals go... Frenchman Street for good eats & entertainment

See the sights... A City Tour is worthwhile (we fell in love with The Garden District)

Outside the Downtown / City... Swamp Tour - Plantations etc... What ever are your interests

Get out onto the water.

EATS are to die for... Be sure to have / try Beignets - King Cakes - PoBoys - Gumbo - Crawfish Étouffée - and Jambalaya

Sweet Southern City

Anyone who has been to NOLA... Carries a wee bit of her with them forever after

Cheers!

Booked this yesterday on Xonnie. There appears to be a high initial demand as I wasn't alone in booking.

Booked this yesterday on Xonnie. There appears to be a high initial demand as I wasn't alone in booking.

Having been to Mardi Gras in NO, I predict a lot of people missing the ship that Tues. with that being said trying to talk the wife into the cruise.

Three days at MardiGras is like three nights in Times Square on New Years eve.

Would also suggest WW II museum.

We booked this one yesterday right after we got the e-mail from Celebrity. Fantastic itinerary. Going to NO next month on the Serenade OTS.

This cruise is going to fill up fast.

Jim

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions...my DH and I booked this cruise the moment it opened! NO is his favorite (American) city, and I've never been, so we're both really looking forward to this cruise.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions...my DH and I booked this cruise the moment it opened! NO is his favorite (American) city, and I've never been, so we're both really looking forward to this cruise.

And let me had to all these good suggestions, Magazine street for the little boutiques, the Garden district and Audubon Park.

I think that the Costa Maya port is new to Celebrity - does anyone know for sure?

I checked a site I monitor cruises with, and this one is down to 37% availability. It's going - going gone!

I've sen both PH go today and 4 CS go today, I booked it though, using my OBC from the canceled 3 night Connie cruise I had saved up from last month :-)

I checked a site I monitor cruises with, and this one is down to 37% availability. It's going - going gone!

 

I've sen both PH go today and 4 CS go today, I booked it though, using my OBC from the canceled 3 night Connie cruise I had saved up from last month :-)

Was ecstatic when we saw this itinerary! We just booked and was very surprised to hear that all the C2's on Resort Deck are already gone. Managed to grab a C1 Aft. In checking, also looks like all the Resort Deck suites are gone.

Methinks there might be a large group on this sailing.....

I checked a site I monitor cruises with, and this one is down to 37% availability. It's going - going gone!

 

I've sen both PH go today and 4 CS go today, I booked it though, using my OBC from the canceled 3 night Connie cruise I had saved up from last month :-)

I booked yesterday as a surprise for my DH's 60th birthday. Shhhh!

:D

I think that the Costa Maya port is new to Celebrity - does anyone know for sure?

Costa Maya not new. Been there several times.

Hi Keith,

 

I'm not an expert on New Orleans, so I will leave that to others to reply. As for doing this on a prior Celebrity sailing ? That I can recall, Celebrity has not visited this port, at least in recent years. The 2/20/17 Equinox sailing certainly is one of the few eye openers, in an otherwise relatively boring Caribbean deployment announcement.

 

One thing I've learned in recent years, is to keep my Caribbean deployment expectations *very* low. This way, there's little disappointment when we learn it's pretty much more of the same old, same old.

 

While I'm certain the deployment team is great at what they do - as many other regions have outstanding deployments.... If only Celebrity put more effort into their Caribbean planning, I'm sure they could generate far more interest, along with more sales/profits, if they thought outside the box. They did it with the ONE Equinox sailing. Too bad, they didn't offer more like this.

Andy,

Agree with you 100 %. First time that we did not book anything on the day itins were announced for the Carib...will wait for the new ships for 2017...glad we booked ahead through 2016...better pricing.!

The Mardi Gras itin is clearly a bright spot.. Love New Orleans but not interested in Mardi Gras...Safe bet this one will sell out soon!

wish they could be creative with some other Carib itins..,,..

Costa Maya not new. Been there several times.

Thanks Orator. Just asked because Celebrity is not doing that port at all this season so now just checked for next season (15/16) and I see Equinox is going there (just Equinox?). Guess I should have checked first but happy to try a new port (for us) on this cruise:)

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We also just booked this cruise. Will be in for a rockin time in New Orleans during Mardi Gras! :D :D

I booked this Mardi Gras/Caribbean cruise too. Come join us on the roll call I just started at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45001354#post45001354

This is going to be CRAZY good.

Mary;)

Thanks to all who replied. It sounds like there is alot of interest in this cruise. Actually, I am visiting two of the ports on a RC cruise in 2016 and so will probably pass on this one. If it was a completely different itinerary than my 2016 trip, I'd be really interested. Only a year apart is too soon to revisit the same two ports out of the 4 on the itinerary.

I just booked this cruise!!!!!! New Orleans/Mardi Gras is on my bucket list. Sounds like it will be a fun time and a neat city to visit. Still a long way away and hopefully a few cruises in between lol.

Absolutely we have and we boarded the morning after the superdome party and the ship continued with a fantastic party atmosphere all week