Leaving New Orleans 5/8, lot of Questions? Thank You!

[CruisinfromKansas]

We are leaving Kansas City on Friday night and driving to New Orleans, can anyone recommend any hotels near the cruise ship terminal where you can leave your vehicel there and take a taxi the day of embarkation and leave your vehicle at the hotel?

I know there are a ton of good eating, any recommendations in the French Quarter? Any places down there not to get venture on? How are the trolleys?

We are staying on the Verandah deck with a balcony, anyone ever stayed in these rooms? The reason I'm asking is we went on a cruise with Carnival out of Galveston and were on the lower deck, i'm hoping this will be better?

One thing I can't remember is how much cash/credit card we went with, I think we mainly used our credit card for the S&S but how high of price do the go up to, I think we spent around 1K on our S&S card and brought another 400 dollars?

If you know of no hotels that offer what we are looking for what is your suggestion on parking at the terminal, last I heard it was a mess and under construction, any ideas? Thank you for all your help, and if your going on the cruise that starts this Sunday hopefully we can meet. Thanks Again!

[LHP]

we stayed at the Hilton (which is directly connected to the Riverwalk) and within walking distance of the French Quarter.

 

We took a taxi to the terminal. I think it was $10.00. (which is ridiculous for a ride around the block)

 

Since my husband travels a lot and stays at Hiltons....he got free parking at the Hilton for the entire time we were on the cruise. We were not expecting this and it was a wonderful surprise.

 

There is a trolley that stops right there at the hotel....but with all the eating places in the Riverwalk...we never left "the building".

 

Oddly enough, when we got back to New Orleans from our cruise...we could not find a taxi....so we just pulled the luggage to the parking garage.

 

We are light packers, so this was not a problem.

 

The Hilton does have very nice rooms and you may be able to get a cruise rate???? I would call them directly.

 

There are many other hotels in the area from Holiday Inn to Marriott etc. But with the Hilton literally being attached to the Riverwalk...this was the most convenient for us.

 

Have a great time.

[BrendaB1]

You don't have hotel reservations yet? :eek: Good luck! New Orleans is a big tourist & convention city and hotels fill up fast depending what is going on at the time. You might want to look at booking a room as soon as possible. Good info at www.nola.com or www.neworleans.com or try Orbitz, Priceline, Hotwire, Expedia etc. Seen posted on CC before, I believe the Holiday Inn offers a parking deal & fairly reasonable room rates. You can also check out Ports of call section of the boards for more New Orleans info.

 

Hilton-Riverside, my favorite, is probably the closest to the port but can be rather pricey. Doubletree is across the street as well as several others.

 

I see that you are leaving on Sunday so that means you are on Conquest. Balcony room should be great. I stayed in 8207 at the front of the ship & loved it.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

[CruisinfromKansas]

TTT!! Thanks Again!

[newcruiser05]

We are staying at the holiday Inn convention center on May 15th. For $139 you get 7 days free parking, continental breakfast, free shuttle ride with baggage check-in to the cruise terminal, free shuttle rides to the French Quarter and Harrahs Casino. The HI is about 3 blocks from the terminal.

[Bunkie103]

Maison St. Charles has a cruise and park package also. They will take you to the port by limo. Might work for you.

[pc2425]

Hi, we just returned yesterday on the Conquest. My suggestion for parking is to use Machu Picchu. They were awsome! We drove down from St. Louis and stayed at the Wingate Inn by the airport. It was Jazz Fest and all the hotels closer to downtown were either booked or very expensive. Anyway, we used Machu Picchu for parking. The parking is covered and enclosed by a chain link fence with barbed wire. They dropped us right at the door of the terminal. There was a huge line of traffic and they just went around it. It was great! When we arrived back yesterday, we called them and they were there to pick us up in about 5 minutes. I highly recommend them.

[NewOrleansGuy]

I'm a police officer here. Just stay on Bourbon St. at night, and like ANYWHERE ELSE, don't venture down streets you don't know. Hopefully you get a chance to enjoy some "nightlife' one night when you are here in town either before you leave or when ya get back.

OH, and as for Bourbon St........leave your inhibitions in Kansas City! ;)

[tricktsm]

Peggy...what time did you get to the ship? We are staying at the Hilton and considering using Machu Picchu.

[jckvpa0]

We got off the Conquest on 4/24 & stayed at the Iberville Suites. Iberville is directly connected to the Ritz Carlton, we paid $199.00 per suite. If you have the little extra to do this, do it! The place was great! When I say it is connected to the Ritz I it mean it really is, you stay in the same building & have all the same ammenties. If you order room service it is comming from the Ritz, & for the same price if you were to order it from the dinning room in the Ritz. What makes it all worth it is the gentleman in the lounge @ the Ritz, his name was George Butts III, (I believe),. We want to go back just to listen to this gentleman, he was great!!! He will make you feel so welcome & a part of the show!

[CruisinfromKansas]

Thanks everyone for the info!! I will try and make reservations tomorrow so anymore input is greatly appreciated!! I guess we will pay the price for my being tardy on making arrangements but it's all good, this weather in KC sucks!! Also if there is a Jeff & Debbie from Chicago on the trip out of Galveston 4 or 5 years ago give me a shout!! I don't like the fact that we tried to get with Carnival and try to hook back up with these aweosome people from Chicago but to no avail, no email request were answered. But in hindsight, we messed it up ourselves by not taking phone numbers down. Thanks again everyone!!!! PS, has anyone ever gone on the Harley Cruise aka Hogs on the High Seas? Thanks!

[pc2425]

Tricktsm -

 

We got to the ship around 11:30. About 15 minutes from the time we arrived at Machu Picchu. They really were great.

[luvgreys]

:) Hello,

We live in TN. We are also driving to New Orleans on Friday. We did get reservations atthe Masion St. Charles. Not only does the hotel take you to the pier in a limo, the parking at the hotel is $5.00 per night, vs. $12.00 per night at the pier. I hope it is not too late for you to get a reservation, it was $107.00 for a king size bed.

Good Luck

[por911]

hey crusinfromkansas, we're from St. Joe, MO driving to NO in Aug. We're staying at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. Could you post how long your drive actually takes when you get back? Thanks and good luck with the hotel.

[Nonesuch]

#1 tip for the French Quarter: Wear an old pair of hiking boots that you won't mind throwing away. The sidewalks are crumbling, and the gutters are constantly flowing with you don't want to know what.

 

#2 tip: Wear an old hat you won't mind throwing away, and don't stand under the edge of any balconies. Both of these tips go double during MG, but apply anytime.

 

I know there are a ton of good eating, any recommendations in the French Quarter?

#1 recommendation: K-Paul. The best expensive meal I've ever had in New Orleans.

 

Any places down there not to get venture on?

 

Generally it's easy to tell when you are venturing away from the crowd. If you stay on/near Bourbon, and avoid dark alleys, risk isn't much higher than the nightlife district in any other city. There are some risky neighborhoods, but if you head too far North or East, you'll realize it pretty quickly :)

[K.T.B.]

I, for one, do not recommend K-Paul. If you want to spend gobs of money on an expensive meal, go to NOLA. If you're looking for something somewhat "touristy", go to Acme Oyster House. Be forewarned though, it's definitely a different atmosphere in there! :) But it's a great place with excellent food. If you're looking outside of the French Quarter, go to Mulate's! The fact is though, you're going to be hard pressed to find a place that does not serve good food..... It's just a matter of tastes.

 

As for the parking, there have been recent posts about problems with Holiday Inn, but I have heard and read many good things about Maison St. Charles and Hilton. It just depends on what you want to spend.

 

Good luck and have fun!

[phinfan63]

I recommend getting a good price on a hotel and parking at Macchu Picchu. They will let you park an extra day, take you to your hotel, pick you up the next day and take you to the terminal and again pick you up after the cruise and take you back to the car.

 

We are only doing a 5 day cruise but the price, with extra day, is $84.00 - not bad considering they will deliver us to the terminal door.

 

Priceline is a wonderful way to go - we got a room at the Marriott for $50 ($65 w/ taxes).

[Cotton]

Good luck getting a reservation anywhere near the Quarter this late, but it could happen. You may have to stay out in the 'burbs' - Metairie, Kenner, etc. Lots of chain motels in those areas, and for much less. You could then drive to the pier on Sunday and park at one of the lots.

 

I don't like the fact that we tried to get with Carnival and try to hook back up with these aweosome people from Chicago but to no avail, no email request were answered.

 

FYI - To your above comment - Don't be aggrevated that Carnival didn't supply you with info on those folks you met - that would be like invasion of privacy. They can't give out info like that. It's a shame you didn't get your new friends' address while on the ship.):o

 

Have a great cruise, and enjoy our city.

[MamaMicki]

Maison St. Charles has a cruise and park package also. They will take you to the port by limo. Might work for you.

 

We did this last December. The limo had a huge crack in the window and it was really dusty inside. Also the area outside the hotel was a little scary. My husband had problems with a homeless man while on his way to Wendy's across the street. Just a heads up. I personally thought the place had character, but other people in our party didn't like it. It was $5 or $7 a day to park there. It seemed very secure. Take Care!!

[Bookbug53]

We got off the Conquest on 4/24 & stayed at the Iberville Suites. Iberville is directly connected to the Ritz Carlton, we paid $199.00 per suite.

 

When you disembarked, what time was it and how did this work with check-in time for the hotel? Most hotels have a check-in late in the afternoon. We are thinking of a post night stay but wondered about the 'off the ship at 9-10'..'check-in at 2 or 3' problem.

[CruisinfromKansas]

I was able to get a hotel room at the Masion St. Charles, receptionist was very nice and aswered all my questions. Thanks for all the information everyone provided and I'll report back on the time it took to drive down there. Caribbean here we come!!

[sea_u_onboard]

As for the parking, there have been recent posts about problems with Holiday Inn.

What have you heard ? I want to nip anything now - before I get there.

[jckvpa0]

When you disembarked, what time was it and how did this work with check-in time for the hotel? Most hotels have a check-in late in the afternoon. We are thinking of a post night stay but wondered about the 'off the ship at 9-10'..'check-in at 2 or 3' problem.

l

 

We left the ship about 9:30 & got to the hotel about 11:00am, (long wait for taxi). I had called ahead & requested an early check in, the room was not ready. At the time of check in we requested another room for our boys, (I had done well at blackjack the night before)They have a very nice loby area where a piano was playing & very nice seating. Just beyond that they had another seating area with table, chairs & t.v. There was a free self serve food area which included a variety of foods, from making, your own waffles to fresh fruit & bagels you could toast yourself. So we just sat back & relaxed, we were in our rooms about 11:45

[K.T.B.]

What have you heard ? I want to nip anything now - before I get there.

 

Here's just one more recent complaint: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=162999

[sea_u_onboard]

Here's just one more recent complaint: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=162999

I guess I misunderstood - I thought you were talking about the Holiday Inn on Convention Center Blvd. I only saw the one on Royal Street mentioned in that thread - did I miss something?