micheleg

Thanks for all of the great information!!! I feel like I'm ready for next year. :) One last question...Did you eat any dinners in any of the fine restaurants in New Orleans or did you go back to the ship for all of your meals? Just wondering how far in advance the better restaurants took dinner reservations. I know that most of the restaurants are closed on Fat Tuesday, so we're planning on dinner somewhere Monday evening. Leaving Sunday evening up in the air based on your feedback about disembarkation and the amount of time it took to clear immigration.

Again, thanks for all of your posts. Sounds like everyone had a blast!

Michele

Wow...did they at least come through with food and drinks? Didn't you all get all inclusive tickets? How was that, or was that non-existent as well? Needless to say, I would not be happy besides being uncomfortable. Everyone in short sleeves....surprising...must've been warm. Keep on posting...I'm living for your updates!!!

709 was not good. We were all very disappointed. There were no grandstands for us. :( Another disadvantage was we were 1 block from the judging. So each band stopped there to preform. So, each band in the whole parade stopped in front of us. But, they did not do any thing. When they left they began to play.

 

There were other restaurants around that had grandstand and they looked good. The MardiGras.com site had a link to those this year.

 

However, I think we enjoyed standing on near the end of the parade the night before more. That is where the families were and there were way less people. It is also only a few blocks from the port in case you get tired. The parades more at a very slow walk pace.

 

But, we are a glutton for punishment. DH and I are heading out to more parades. :D

Thanks for the info. Were there grandstands, just no room, or no grandstands at all? Because even the 709 webpage says that there are grandstands. I'll have to take a look at mardigras.com again unless you know the names of the other restaurants. This feedback is incredibly helpful for our planning purposes. Thanks again!

Yes--that excursion is available on this cruise, too. but I agree it is VERY overpriced.

 

One of the people on our roll call organized a group event at 709 St Charles street. that is the name of the restaurant and the address. We paid $105 pp and it includes food, well drinks/beer/wine, grandstands, restrooms and security. DH and I do not want of have to find porta potties. :eek: This is for Monday. After this filled in just a few days they reserved for Tuesday, also. But, we are only doing Monday night. Hours are from 5 pm to when the last parade passes around 10 pm.

 

We are happy with the amount and the security of being with other cruisers. Then we can venture into the quarter after the parades. If it gets too crazy for us we can return to the ship. :)

Any update on how 709 St. Charles Street was for the parades? Food, drinks, bathrooms? Any advice, as we're considering this or just buying regular grandstand tickets on our own? No way we're paying Celebrity that kind of money just for a seat. Thanks for all of the information so far! Those of us booked on this cruise for 2018 are getting great information from you! :)

Yes--that excursion is available on this cruise, too. but I agree it is VERY overpriced.

 

One of the people on our roll call organized a group event at 709 St Charles street. that is the name of the restaurant and the address. We paid $105 pp and it includes food, well drinks/beer/wine, grandstands, restrooms and security. DH and I do not want of have to find porta potties. :eek: This is for Monday. After this filled in just a few days they reserved for Tuesday, also. But, we are only doing Monday night. Hours are from 5 pm to when the last parade passes around 10 pm.

 

We are happy with the amount and the security of being with other cruisers. Then we can venture into the quarter after the parades. If it gets too crazy for us we can return to the ship. :)

709 St Charles looks very interesting. Can't wait to hear all about it! :)

So great to read all of your posts. We're booked on this cruise for 2018 and can't wait to read about your experiences in New Orleans, where you're berthed, transportation, etc. Keep the info coming and don't forget to order a "Hurricane" for us once you're on Bourbon Street! Have a blast!!!

16th in New Jersey; no access yet.

I called again this morning...they told me to check back on Thursday. LOL :rolleyes:

Appears that all cruiselines have pulled this excursion. I spoke with my NCL concierge, because I origianlly thought that the excursion was just "sold out", but when she contacted the Shorex desk, they just told her that the last excursion was in early April. Typically that means one of two things: the hotel pulled it because they couldn't accomodate the number of passengers, their guests complained, they weren't making enought $$, etc., or the cruiselines pulled it because it did not provide a quality experience for their passengers and they were receiving too many complaints, $$. Who knows. Reviews were always mixed on this hotel anyway. Hope this helps.

Hey Mike...again, great review and pics. I saw that you said something about checking for liquids before you embarked. Does that mean that you couldn't bring soda/water on board? Also, we planned on bringing some of our own wine onboard. Was that a problem as well? Do you know if the corkage fee is still $15.00 per bottle?

Thanks! (and disregard the malcontents...they live to be miserable regardless) :rolleyes:

Great review and pics Mike! Thanks so much for posting. We can't wait...less than 3 weeks and it's our turn to go Westbound! Hopefully the weather will cooperate, but since we're Miamian's, we know how that goes...lol! We love the sea days anyway! Thanks again!