thespartyof3

54 minutes ago, DaggoB said:

Stayed at the Homewood Suites one time and the Troubadour by Hilton another time. Both are just outside the French quarter. Homewood is a little farther out but both are within 10-15 minutes by Uber. Uber is cheaper than a cab. Going home we took the NCL transfer to the airport. We used a private transport to get from the airport to the hotel. Burton New Orleans Shuttle. They were waiting for us at the airport. They are a 24 hour service. You would have to ask them about the car seats. Hope this helps

Thanks for the info will look into it. 

7 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

If traveling with a child that uses a car seat, I would not stay in the French Quarter. The Embassy Suites would be a good choice, much closer walk than appears on Google Maps.  I would have your husband take the luggage down the street to check-in then come back and the 3 of you can walk together to the port. I have stayed at The Mercantile Hotel next door to Embassy Suites and taken my luggage on my own (solo traveler).  As far as transportation, I don't have suggestions...I have just taken a cab.

Thanks for the info. Great idea.

Walking distance wise? Is it an easy walk? Weather permitting of course. Just trying to get a feel for the area (how about walking in the early evening seeing as it gets dark earlier in December?) 

Going on Breakaway 12/30 out of NOLA. We will be arriving in New Orleans late on Dec 28. First time in New Orleans. 
 

I normally never book pre/post cruise stays with the cruiseline. I was quoted for the Hilton Riverside from NCL directly which included the transfer to/from the airport. The rate was very high as they charged in full for my 2 year old?!
 

I’m a flight attendant and between airline discounts and my husband’s points he banks for all his business travel it’s not worth it for us to book via NCL. My only obstacle is how to get from the airport to the hotel without a car seat? NCL says we do not need need a car seat and/or they would take care of it if we book through them (we will use NCL shuttle though to go back to MSY after we disembark the breakaway). 

I can book the Hilton Riverside on my own as well as other hotels near the port. I am leaning towards the Embassy Suites located on Julia St (same street where the port is). From Google earth I don’t think walking to the port makes sense with luggage? Friends say staying in the French Quarter is a must? 
 

Is it worth booking with NCL bc of the airport transfers? Not interested in lugging a car seat. I know there’s a cheap airport shuttle service advertised on the MSY website but it doesn’t operate at 11:00pm (when we land). Other private car services are quoting me $110 USD just from airport to hotel? Thought about renting a car but then have to deal with the logistics of returning it? 
 

Would appreciate any tips on hotels/getting to the port. 

I’m Diamond on MSC. I’ve cruised with them twice this year alone (South Caribbean for 2 weeks & 7 day Greece). Our last 5 cruises were MSC and we prefer them over any other cruise line (Royal x 9, 1x celebrity, 1x Carnival, 2x NCL).
 

We are booked on NCL for the 3rd time in 12 years… we actually cancelled a MSC cruise for this upcoming cruise on the Breakaway (thought we would change it up). 
 

To be honest although I did some research before booking with NCL I’m already shocked at how crazy some add ons are:

-the wifi pkg with streaming for our upcoming 9 night cruise is more $$ then we paid for a 15 day sailing! Also ***** NCL gives your mins for wifi? MSC the incl wifi is unlimited mins (basic pkg for msgs/social media)
- the drink pkg with MSC the $15 drink limit went a long way. I just read on another thread today that Baileys is 16??? Lol 

Can someone explain this promo to me?

It sounds too good to be true and I’ve got 2 different answers from MSC Canada

Booking my parents on Divina in Dec 2022 with the “free balcony upgrade + OBC”

They want a suite with a balcony… there’s only 1 in Aurea showing available but it’s a suite with large windows (no balcony). No other Aurea rooms available. 
 

If I book it, the next available room is a balcony but in Yacht Club? … is that what they would receive? 

One rep at MSC says yes. 
Another rep said no… just a regular balcony. The regular balcony is downgrade though, making this promo useless? (Unless something opens up in Aurea suites)

Final payment is due in 2 weeks… with this promo when do you find out the cabin assignment? 

Thanks for the review! 

Considering Divina for a 10 day at the end of year. 

Can you elaborate on the refurbishing? I know the ship is 10-ish years old? I’ve heard such mixed things on the wear and tear of the ship. 

16 minutes ago, Boschmann said:

I've sailed Divina in an aft balcony, regular balcony and forward corner Aurea suite (10007).  There is an older thread here in the MSC forum that describes in detail the advantages/disadvantages of each deck''s corner suites because they are all different.  It may be difficult to find that thread as CC's search function doesn't work well now.  Deck 10 is generally the preferred level, deck nine's cabin is larger but has a lot of obstruction from the bow and the other decks are a little smaller cabin wise but have good views but also smaller balconies.  The cabin door to the balcony is on the side so opening it while under way is okay but the wind out there can be brutal.  The thermal area on the Divina (and the ship in general) doesn't compare to the newer ships and now that Aurea doesn't get a drink package there is little to justify the price of Aurea.  The corner suites do have the separate living area but have only one bathroom with a tub.  Hopefully MSC spent some time on these cabins during Divina's recent refurbishment as they were badly worn when we sailed.  You can see reviews in my signature or ask me any other specific question.

Thank you for your detailed response! 
 

I had no idea the Divina underwent a refurbishment. Will have to look into that further.
 

We are interested in this cabin since it’s a 10 day sailing and space is great with a toddler. Mind you, we did 14 nights in an Aurea aft suite just fine. Given the issue with the wind, is it feasible to assume if you are sitting on the part of the balcony on the side of the ship (starboard or port) it’s okay? 
 

Price wise this cabin for 10 days = 7 days on a Seascape with a less interesting itinerary. I know the Aurea benefits have been watered down which sucks for either sailing. 

We’ve sailed on the Seaside, Seaview and the Grandiosa, which I know are all newer ships (or they were at the time when we sailed). We’ve also sailed on newer ships on NCL, Celebrity, Carnival and Royal Caribbean (x5). 

We are 2 adults and our 2 year old for our next sailing in late 2022. We have currently booked on the *new* Seascape (booked in a Aurea Aft Suite with wraparound balcony). The itinerary is somewhat dull compared if we change to the Divina. 

I know Divina is about 10-ish years old. I’ve looked at photos and it still seems nice. Our child’s LOVED the splash pad on the Seaview, I don’t believe Divina has anything similar (couldn’t find photos?). Will we be disappointed with Divina given we’ve only been on MSC’s newer/larger ships? 
 

If we booked Divina (10 day sailing) we would book forward Aurea grand suite. I know the balcony is somewhat odd and it somewhat hugs the front of the ship? Will it be windy and usable when the ship is at sea? Has anyone sailed in the Grand Suite on the Divina? Thoughts?
 

Just got off the Seaview with a 15 month old.

Children under 3 may leave the ship as they please. No excursion necessary. 

Just returned from a 2 week sailing on the Seaview in the same type of cabin (2 adults + 1 toddler)… we loved it. We booked on board for the same suite for Christmas/NYE on the Seashore.

Room itself is larger then a standard balcony. There is a long hallway in the entrance of the cabin (which was great with a toddler who likes to walk around) and much larger bathroom. Balcony was just amazing… great views. Always usable even when the ship is at sea. No issues with noise. Great location…. Next to aft elevators with easy access to the buffet/pool decks. 

Aurea benefits kinda suck now. For us, having access to the Top 19 deck was nice but could have lived without but the My Choice dining really helped with a toddler.