Help me Choose: Galveston vs NOLA? (Can anyone compare both?)

Hi! I am planning my Jan/Feb 2018 cruise. I'm choosing between:

7 Day Dream/NOLA

7 Day Breeze/Galveston

I'm sure I will have fun on either of the ships ... but my question surrounds how much of a "PITA" (Pain in the A**) each port is both Pre and Post Cruise.

I will be flying in to the port from PHL the DAY BEFORE. I prefer to fly with Southwest cause I get my checked bags free, however, I also like DIRECT flights, and I know they don't fly direct to HOU or NOLA.

I need a hotel the night before. I prefer hotels with free shuttles to port, fitness center, free HOT breakfast, and I like to spend around $150 or less. And I guess NO hotel will take me back to the airport post cruise? How much will that run me in both ports?

I also like to make a walmart or grocery store trip pre-cruise, so if the hotel is close to stores, that's a plus, since I would have to Uber.

I will rent a car if needed ... but I nicely placed hotel with stuff within walking distance and free shuttles is always preferred :)

My question is .... between NOLA and Galveston, is one "easier" to cruise from based on my parameters? As far as the ship goes, I'd rather sail the Breeze than the Dream ... but not if it's going to cost more or be more of a pain to sail out of Galveston vs NOLA.

Thanks for your opinions!!!!

Galveston isn't very convenient at all for folks flying in but it's going to cost about the same for a ride from the airport to the terminal in either case. You'll also run into problems with Mardi Gras in either case if you go later in February, though not as bad in Galveston.

For me personally I live in Texas and can drive to Galveston in 5 hours but our next cruise is out of New Orleans. The city itself is way more entertaining and easier to navigate, especially without a personal vehicle. That and you don't have to deal with the TABC's rules. Meaning paying taxes on beverages purchased while in territorial waters and then charging duty on imported liquor.

As for ships the Breeze seems to get better reviews than the Dream but they are very similar. I'd say if you can live without Guy's burgers then go for NOLA, otherwise head to Galveston.

Dream has a two week drydock scheduled the end of January, 2017. It has already been announced that Guy's Pig and Anchor BBQ is being added. I'm hoping it will also get the other improvements that were added to Magic in 2016.

I've flown into both Houston (Galveston) and NOLA. Sailing buddies picked me up from the airport both times. Much easier trip to the port in NOLA.

I would rather sail from NOLA.

We usually sail out of Galveston, but last week we sailed out of NOLA. I would choose Galveston any day, every day over NOLA. We flew in the day before, then took the Carnival shuttle to port the next morning. The traffic trying to get into the port was HORRENDOUS. Then when we finally got parked, we literally could not get a porter to get our luggage. (There were about 6 of us on the shuttle.) Our driver was ticked. He was literally doing everything he could to find a porter, because being on the Carnival shuttle, he said we should have priority. There were masses and masses of people everywhere, and very few staff to be found. It was utter chaos. We have sailed out of Galveston 4 times, Miami once, and I would have to think long and hard before sailing out of NOLA again. When we go out of Galveston, we fly to Houston the day before. We either rent a car or stay at a hotel with a shuttle. The next morning, we go back to the airport (via either the hotel shuttle or rental car), and take the Carnival shuttle to Galveston. Very easy, smooth process. And I wasn't crazy about the Dream, although I love her sister ship, the Magic. (Overall, the crew was great, though, but Jase the CD was probably one of the worst we've had.) We are going on the Breeze in December, and everyone I've talked to has had nothing but great things to say about her. And keep in mind, the Dream is going into dry dock right around the times you're looking to sail, so keep that in mind.

NOLA gets my vote. Easy to get to the port and easy to navigate through.

You would enjoy sailing down the Mississippi River. Not hard to get from the airport to the terminal.:)

My vote goes to NOLA. I just hated flying in to Houston Hobby and working out pricey inconvenient transportation to Galveston.

Nola, and I would get there more than one day before to see some of the beautiful city.

We usually sail out of Galveston, but last week we sailed out of NOLA. I would choose Galveston any day, every day over NOLA. We flew in the day before, then took the Carnival shuttle to port the next morning. The traffic trying to get into the port was HORRENDOUS. Then when we finally got parked, we literally could not get a porter to get our luggage.

That hasn't been my experience with NOLA at all. Maybe the CBP was cracking down and inspecting bags and passengers more carefully? Either that or there could have been a labor dispute.

What I've always done in the past is drive over and drop off my luggage, go park and walk back to the port. I've only stayed at the Drury Inn when they offered their cruise parking. It's almost a full mile but a good portion of it can be made through the Harrah's Casino and then the mall.

In two weeks we are staying in the Garden District and my plan is to do the same but then ride the street car back to the port. Either that or if the traffic is as bad as your experience I guess we'll Uber over.

NOLA isn't bad...loop around once, drop off bags. Loop around again the get dropped off or park and walk across.

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We live in Texas. Three cruises from Galveston and one from NOLA - all driven to the port. NOLA is by far the better by way of before/after cruise. We stayed in the Garden District, but there are plenty of chain hotels right at the area around the port. We parked at Fulton Garage for the week and it was a very simple shuttle run. And sailing down the Mississippi was amazing. (Don't know if you watch NCIS NOLA, but the opening credits did have a shot of a cruise ship sailing out.)

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Airport to town NO $36 for 2 or $15 pp over 2 taxi rate

Airport Hobby(southwest) 45miles taxi or limo $100 shuttle?

Staying NO around French quarter lots of bars and restaurants and if not easily offended by what you might see or hear in an adult situation. It is a great city with incredible food.

Galv is family friendly with more of a beach atmosphere.

I can only attest to NO, if you stay down around the port you won't need a car, you can walk to anything or take a street car around. A taxi over to port from that area will run you about $8, same cost back if you are staying another night after the cruise, always taxis around so you don't have to wait long for one.

Try not to book during a festival or the room rates will be through the roof and hotels will be booked solid. If you book when there isn't anything going on you can sometimes book the Hilton Riverside (my favorite hotel in the area) for around $90-$100 on priceline. If you book it during a festival like Halloween voodoo fest or Mardi Gras it's $400-$500 which is why I won't be staying there on our next cruise during Halloween lol

I can only attest to NO, if you stay down around the port you won't need a car, you can walk to anything or take a street car around. A taxi over to port from that area will run you about $8, same cost back if you are staying another night after the cruise, always taxis around so you don't have to wait long for one.

 

Try not to book during a festival or the room rates will be through the roof and hotels will be booked solid. If you book when there isn't anything going on you can sometimes book the Hilton Riverside (my favorite hotel in the area) for around $90-$100 on priceline. If you book it during a festival like Halloween voodoo fest or Mardi Gras it's $400-$500 which is why I won't be staying there on our next cruise during Halloween lol

I loved staying at the Hilton Riverside. In the morning when I opened my blinds, there was the ship pulling into the dock. Right across the street there is also Harrah's. If you are a Total Rewards member you may be able to get a free room. I did.

We live in Arkansas and have cruised out of NOLA twice and out of Galveston once. In OUR experience, everything about NOLA was super easy - from getting around town on our own driving (1st time) and riding the trolley to other areas (2nd time), to embarkation and disembarkation. The port was run so much more efficiently and not one problem at all. First time we took a cab from the hotel, 2nd time we took shuttle from the parking garage. NOLA is definitely our preference.

Our only experience with Galveston was horrible and we vowed we would never go back. The exception being parking at Galveston Park-N-Cruise, right across the street from the cruise terminals, was so convenient, easy, and we can highly recommend that. But embarkation and disembarkation for us was a nightmare (the main reason we said we would never go back). But, alas, never say never. Our beloved Royal Caribbean decided to leave NOLA and our only choices now are Galveston or drive 2-3 times the distance to a port in Florida (considered Carnival out of NOLA but decided to stay with RC). We are giving Galveston one more try next May - staying on the island this time and picking a route to hopefully avoid the worst of the Houston traffic. Some say the port has improved, some say it's as bad as we remember. So I guess we will see.

Port choice really is a personal decision as you will find folks who absolutely love or absolutely hate one over the other - as with everything else in life. Either way, we don't let anything put a damper on our wonderful 7 days at sea !!! :)

We are hoping to sail out of Galveson next Spring and the shuttle and hotel cost from the airport to the cruiseport is expensive. We sailed from Galveston some years ago and I don't remember it being such a big expense or hassle. I was hoping it would have gotten easier, rather than more difficult.

New Orleans is easy in comparison to Galveston and even Orlando/Port Canaveral which is also some distance to the cruiseport is easy.

We will probably not sail from Galveston again unless they can provide better options for travellers who have to fly in. Very disappointing. :(

My vote is NOLA for a several reasons. The cruises are a little less expensive and even if it's more when you book, just keep checking back to bank that onboard credit when they have reductions. Traveling down the Mississippi is an experience you will enjoy. The city is fun to explore with amazing food and entertainment. The port is easy to get to, and you can always use UBER if you can't find an alternate mode of transportation. AND if you go after the ship is updated, you will have everything that you can get on any other ship!

New Orleans is such a great city, some of the best restaurants and music in the country