map70065

One more question.... Are you still able to drive onto the Algiers Point Ferry?? And if so where do you board the ferry with your vehicle??

No, the ferry now has limited hours and is pedestrian only. To answer your last question I've always considered the Moonwalk is a set of stair down to the river at the Jackson Square area. Named for Maurice "Moon" Landrieu, a past mayor. Others consider it the whole walkway along the river - is is a nice walkway and a nice place to go for peace & quiet. At times it's overrun by gutterpunks.

They did just reopen the Riverside Mall - it's now an outlet mall for upscale shops. Your hotel is very close to this.

The "problem" is that you will be in the city during the height of the Mardi Gras--the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day. If I understand correctly, you will be arriving on Sunday, Feb. 15. What time does your flight arrive? What time on Monday do your board your ship? It will be a chore just to get from the airport to your hotel by taxi, depending upon time, because of parades routes and traffic.

 

Several restaurants that are normally a short taxi drive from your hotel are probably bad choices on Sunday because of the parades--Mandina's on Canal and Katie's in the Mid-City area not far from Mandina's. Port of Call on Esplanade, which serves a great hamburger, is normally very crowded, regardless of time of year or even time of day.

 

Mulate's (which I avoid because of the Cajun Music played, at least at the Mulate's near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana) should be located close to your hotel.

 

Gal, you have not given us your age, but given the time of year, I would suggest "going with the flow." I would enjoy the parades--Bacchus is Sunday night (unfortunately, you will be missing Endymion on Saturday night)--and enjoy a dinner in your area in a restaurant that looks appealing to you (which may well be Mulate's).

 

Just remember that you will be seeing the city at a highly atypical time. However, as an aside, Mardi Gras and other big events bring out the best in the city. NOPD does not have a great reputation, but because of experience, it may be the best police department in the country when it comes to crowd control. And there are not many places in the country where hundreds of thousands can party--seemingly everyone with a beer in hand--with relatively few incidents. When the Saints in 2009 won the Super Bowl, there were no riots or burned cars, and again very few incidents, because people have experience celebrating.

Your arrival at 1pm on Sunday MAY be OK, you should be able to get anywhere before the parade starts, but they start closing streets a couple hours before the parade. Bacchus is one of the biggest parades there WILL be traffic, but the cabs and airport shuttles usually know the best way to go.

Mulates has good Cajun food & music, but you WILL need a reservation if you're planning on going on Sunday. Many of the people who go to Bacchus Ball eat there before the Ball - and many of those NOT going to the ball eat there before the parade.

Hotel rooms at this time anywhere downtown are going to be at a premium - and usually have at least a 3 day minimum stay.

You shouldn't have any problem getting a cab to the cruise terminal on Monday morning.

The advice of "going with the flow" may be inevitable - you may not be able to plan anything but the hotel room ahead of time and you'll be walking most of the places you want to go. Once the parade is close to starting all of the streetcars (except the Riverside one) won't be running and cabs won't be able to get through.

But it's a GREAT time to be in New Orleans!!!

Thanks, thats a good start. I cant believe some of these are sold out already!

Since the cruise ships leave from right behind the Convention Center, there are many of the hotels booked for conventions.

Good morning! DH and I are very excited about our trip to NOLA next March. I have been reading and mapping to make sure we see all we can in our 5 days pre and post cruise (2 before and 3 after). We are staying at Embassy pre cruise. On our first full day we would like to take the Riverfront streetcar to the French Market and then start a walk back to the Warehouse district. Along the way we hope to spend time at the Fench Market, Jax Brewery, the Moon walk, Cafe' du Monde, Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral, Central Grocery, checking out steamboat Natchez and maybe even a Ferry ride to Algiers, Did I miss anything that we should include and is this plan doable in 8-10 hours? Thanks in advance.

You won't be far from a stop for the Riverside Streetcar (Julia Street at Riverwalk Mall). Fare for it is $1.25 per person per ride or you can get a daily card for $3. The daily card is good for 24 hours and on any city streetcar or bus, so if you're going to use it more than twice in a 24 hour timeframe, it's worth the money. Last stop is the French Market. Downriver side of the Market (where you get off the streetcar) is a flea market - upriver side is more local stuff. Depending on how much you want to shop this could take 30 minutes or a couple hours. From there - the "official" French Market continues along Decatur street to Jackson Square - but in reality it's just shops (I consider the open-air part of the market the French Market).

Central Grocery will be on the right hand side of the street as you walk. It is historic, and their Muffulettas are good, but I'd recommend if you're wanting the sandwich to get one to go, walk down to the riverside to eat it (if the weather is nice.) And if they are too busy, you can get muffulettas at many other restaurants (I love the ones at Napoleon House).

Cafe du Monde will be on the left, just before Jackson Square. Definitely worth a stop (or two - or three!) Depending on time of day there may be a line of people waiting for a table. Afternoons and evenings you can usually just walk in. Beignets are 3 to an order. Coffee or Café au lait is by the cup (no refills). While here, go around back (to Dutch Alley) and watch them make the beignets!

Jackson Square on the right of Decatur - lovely square surrounded by shops and art on display. All the art around the Square has to be original and you can get some good buys if you're looking for art - otherwise just looking is fine. St. Louis Cathedral is on the Square - as is the Cabildo & the Presbytere, two of the state museums. Many museums are closed on Monday - so keep that in mind. The Cathedral is open 7am-5pm and you can walk around - very historic and beautiful. It does close if there is a Mass or ceremony (baptism or wedding) going on.

Moonwalk is steps down to the river at Jackson Square. It's a walk by, or at most a photo stop. Actually you can get better photos from Artillery Park (up the stairs, across Decatur from Jackson Square) both of Jackson Square and of the River and the Moonwalk.

Jax Brewery - hmmm - I guess as a local the only thing I do there is use the bathroom. High end shops is about all that's there.

Steamboat Natchez docks here. If you're going to take a ride on it, you may want to save this to another day because it's a couple hours. I would also recommend you NOT take a dinner cruise. The cruise is OK, the dinner not so much. Of course I'm used to GOOD food, so I'm spoiled.

From this area there isn't much to see on the way back to your hotel, so I'd hop back on the streetcar for a return - or wander around the Quarter a while. Royal Street is closed to traffic most days and has great shops and street performers, tarot readers, mimes, musicians - some good, some not so good. If you like them, have your photo taken, stand and listen - you should tip them. Do NOT give a pity tip to anyone (we do have a homeless problem and a gutter punk population - there are shelters for the first group and the second are usually well supported by parents somewhere). There will also be people asking for donations or giving you "citations" or hats or . . . don't believe any of them. There are very few of them who are legit.

The ferry across the river is a great ride. It leaves from close to your hotel (the Hilton stop on the streetcar). It USED to be the best free thing in New Orleans - then they cut the hours and started charging for it. There's not much to see across the river, but the ride is a good view of the French Quarter.

I'm trying to choose between these two shore excursions in Nassau. Family of 13 ages 2-62. Any input would be appreciated. I'd like to see and/or swim with dolphins if possible.

From the port of New Orleans website FAQ:

**Note this is for the reverse direction (airport to port) but it's probably a good estimate.

 

What transportation is offered from Louis Armstrong International Airport?

Taxis and airport shuttle are available from Armstrong International Airport to the cruise terminals. Call 1 (866) 596-2699 for Airport Shuttle information and reservations. Typically, shuttles cost $13 per person one-way and $26 per person for round trips.

Taxis are available and cost $28 for up to two passengers and $12 for any additional passengers. There may be an additional charge for extra baggage. The airport is approximately 17 miles form the cruise terminal. Allow about 45 minutes travel time.

Taxi prices are set from the French Quarter/CBD area to the airport and start at $28 for one or two people, additional charges for each additional person. If you have 2 or more people this is what I'd recommend.

I think the shuttle prices have gone up and are now $16 each way. If you are traveling alone, this is the way to go, but if there are two or more of you it's almost as cheap to get a cab and then you don't have to wait for the van to fill and stop anywhere else. The shuttle may stop at several hotels or may go straight to the airport.

We were planning on doing the same and recieved a price from a limo company, two adults, two children $55 plus tip each way, from airport to hotel in French Quarter. I think the price on taxi is about the same so better to ride in style. The last time we went to NO we did the shuttle offered at the airport, and it was 25 per person, had to wait outside in the heat and onto a shuttle bus and stop at every other hotel before ours on the way in, but lucked out and rode in a shared limo on the ride back.

 

Good choice, although if you check with some cab companies they don't "count" preschoolers as passengers - so 2 adults and 2 preschoolers may only cost the 2 adult fares. I think this is one area that differs from company to company. But I have always found that if you're alone then the shuttle is a deal (although I feel it's worth my money not to have to make 5 different stops), and if you have 2 it's a draw (so the cab wins out - with the time factor figured in) If you have 3 or more it's sometimes just as good to check out the limo services to see if they'll give you a deal. Depending on the season and what they've got going on you can sometimes get them more cheaply than a cab - and they are MUCH more comfortable!!

OK, I found the website for the hotels with cruise parking specials:

http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/505/sectionID/2/subsectionID/0

Does anyone know the cost of parking for cruises at port New Orleans? Are there any hotels in area that allow week-long parking free of charge w/one night stay? We were considering arrival one day early for NO sightseeing if there is a possible savings on parking for the cruise.

Parking at the port will cost you $98. There are hotels that offer parking with a one night stay - mentioned in several of the posts. Off the top of my head Holiday Inn French Quarter and Maison St. Charles come to mind as two, but I could be wrong - and I know that there are more than this.