*** PHOTO Trip Journal aboard Carnival's CONQUEST (Sept. 2012, Caribbean) ***

[daliflor]

 

Did I say... food?!

 

Well, afterall, we were on our way to Happy Hour @ "Galvez," so eating (and drinking) will be the next stop @ Riverfront!

 

 

 

 

Also, did I mention it was still raining? Hmmmm...

 

[daliflor]

 

Getting a bit nostalgic here... once again!

 

The bridge... the CONQUEST cruise ship... new passengers... another Caribbean adventure for some lucky people!

 

 

Voila! The glorious CONQUEST!

 

 

 

VIDEO (Carnival's Conquest leaving New Orleans on September 30th 2012):

 

 

[daliflor]

 

New Orleans's Riverfront streetcar line runs close to the Mississippi River alongside the tracks of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad,

from the French Quarter station at the foot of Esplanade Avenue to the John Churchill Chase station at the New Orleans Convention Center,

a distance of about 1.5 miles.

 

 

We caught a glimpse at it @ the Dumaine Street, one of the nine (9) low-platform stations in New Orleans!

 

An end-to-end trip takes twelve (12) minutes.

 

The downriver half of the line (Canal Street to French Market) is also used by the Canal Street - City Park line,

which provides a single-seat ride from French Market to Canal Street.

 

VIDEO (Riverfront streetcar & Carnival's Conquest leaving New Orleans on September 30th 2012):

 

 

Crossing over to "Galvez" for Happy Hour!

 

 

 

 

[daliflor]

So from # 23 on the map, Jackson Square, we walked to N. Peters by the French Market and... Voila!

 

 

We reached the GALVEZ Restaurant in time to take advantage of the Happy Hour,

as recommended by our lovely Concierge!

 

 

 

 

At Galvez Restaurant, the staff seem proud of the role Spanish cuisine played in

making New Orleans a globally recognized destination for foodies.

 

[daliflor]

 

As advertised, GALVEZ Restaurant -

 

Continental Cuisine and Tapas with a New Orleans History: The Best View in New Orleans!

 

The history of New Orleans cuisine began with the discovery of Louisiana by Spanish Explorers.

 

 

 

We all took the elegant elevator up to enjoy the view of Mississippi River!

 

 

Priceless!

 

…and we think Bernardo de Galvez would have loved this place! And the magnificent view!!

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

It's raining (again) in New Orleans...

 

So what better to do than chatting with FRIENDS over drinks (and tapas)

@ Galvez, by the Mississippi River?

 

 

In April 2011, we were cruising to Galicia on the RCI... then in September 2012,

we were drinking the "Estrella Galicia" in NOLA!

 

What a small World!

 

Tapas with a New Orleans History! SALUD!

 

 

Galvez -among New Orleans French Quarter's Riverfront finest dining facility featuring

continental Spanish, French, and Creole cuisine and an outstanding array of mouth-watering Tapas.

[daliflor]

 

 

 

It wasn't busy that Sunday, so we enjoyed the intimate atmosphere very much @ Galvez!

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

One more drink, some more tapas and... time to hit the road!

 

 

Ceviche de Camarones -

Gulf Shrimp marinated with Fresh Tomatoes, Red Onions,

Cilantro,and Fresh Citrus Juices. Served with Fried Plantain Chips

 

Almejas o Mejillones a la Marinera -

Fresh Clams or Mussels in a Roasted Tomato, Chorizo

and White Wine Sauce – Tell your server if you want it SPICY!

Caldo Gallego -

Traditional Spanish soup with Chorizo, Pork,

Potatoes, White Beans and Broccoli Rapini

 

 

In essence, Galvez is the perfect choice for a romantic dinner for two,

a relaxing afternoon break or sharing a table full of tapas, family-style.

 

 

Manchego Bombas -

A Traditional Spanish dish of Potato Croquettes Stuffed with

Manchego Cheese, Deep Fried and served with Quince Sauce

 

Garlic Chicken -

Tender pieces of Garlic marinated Chicken sautéed with White Rioja and Paprika

 

Vieux Carré Catch of the Day -

Pan Seared Fish with Grit Cake, topped with Jumbo Lump Crab Cake,

Shrimp and Classic Crawfish Cream Sauce

 

Mar y Tierra -

Filet Mignon ladled with Red Wine Demi-Glace atop a bed of Manchego Bombas

with Fresh Asparagus & Grilled Gulf Shrimp

 

 

The rain stopped, so time to go out and explore New Orleans some more!

 

[trubadur]

NOW I am hungry and thirsty 2 !! Nice visuals to inspire us!

[daliflor]

QUESTIONs for our readers:

 

 

1). What do YOU think about "the view" @ Galvez Restaurant in NOLA?

 

 

 

2). Do you have a story that you would like to share regarding this New Orleans establishment?

 

[trubadur]

QUESTION for our readers:

 

 

1). What do YOU think about "the view" @ Galvez Restaurant in NOLA?

 

 

 

Let's break the ice, so going first on this one!

 

Our family is yet to reach NOLA, so we have no previous experience at this place :(

 

However, based on what has been presented here and the story that the OP told us privately, this poster says it all:

 

 

And we loooove our tapas and Sangria! Even better if they come with a magnificent view of the Mississippi River on one side and the French Quarter on the other side!

[cruse2loose]

Thanks for your nice review. Where can you smoke on the Conquest and do you remember what movies they were showing. Does anyone know if they will show the Super Bowl on the 3rd, that is the day I am thinking of leaving. Thanks

[pajammatam]

Totally awesome tour you took us on :) We are leaving on the 28th of March to spend a few days and leave on the 31st.....now I am een more excited to go on vacation :)

[daliflor]

Thanks for your nice review.

 

Where can you smoke on the Conquest and

 

do you remember what movies they were showing.

 

Does anyone know if they will show the Super Bowl on the 3rd, that is the day I am thinking of leaving.

 

Thanks

 

Thank you for stopping by.

 

 

1). SMOKING @ Conquest -

 

From what I remember, I've seen one of our friends smoking at the Bar inside the Casino (when it was opened) and also at the bar @ Nightclub.

 

Additionally, some other guests were smoking at the tables in the Casino too.

 

Finally, other friends were able to smoke inside their balcony too (not inside the stateroom tough!).

 

From the daily paper:

 

Smoking is prohibited in all guest staterooms. Guests in balcony rooms are permitted to smoke on the stateroom balcony.

 

Smoking is permitted in the Casino while playing at designated slot machines and table games,

one section of the Casino Bar, in Vincent's Lounge, and Henri's Nightclub.

 

Cigar/pipe smoking is only permitted in the Vincent's Lounge and stateroom balconies.

 

2). MOVIES @ Conquest

 

I personally haven't seen any movies on this Western Caribbean cruise.

 

However, by the Pool, on the big screen TV, one night they were showing a Celine Dion documentary type of film,

including parts of her concerts and behind the scene footage from her charitable activities.

 

3). SUPERBOWL @ Conquest -

 

It is highly likely that they will show the SuperBowl on the big screen TV by the Pool, as well as other inside bars and lounges with TV sets.

 

They may have a SuperBowl Party too.

 

 

*** From Carnival's website:

"What is the smoking policy?

 

Effective June 15, 2011, cigarette smoking in public venues will only be permitted in Carnival’s dance clubs as well as in

designated areas within the casino and casino bar.

 

Smoking (including cigars) will be permitted in designated exterior open deck areas (starboard side) of all our ships.

 

Additionally, smoking will also be allowed in the jazz clubs of the following ships: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory,

Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor,

Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Splendor.

 

* All Spa Suites and Staterooms, inclusive of the balconies, are an entirely smoke-free environment.

 

Spa suites and staterooms are on the following ships only: Carnival Splendor, Carnival Dream, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Sunshine.

 

* Effective December 1, 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms.

Guests in balcony staterooms may smoke (including cigars) outside on their balcony.

 

Guests who smoke in their staterooms will be assessed a $250 USD cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account.

 

Information on this fee is included in Carnival’s ticket contract.

 

Note: Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only allowed in the designated smoking areas."

[trubadur]

Note: for the first two days, the RAIN made its presence known in New Orleans, so there was NO light

for pictures that will do justice to the vivid city!

 

Light or not, you got WATER! Mardi Gras beads and a nice reflection:

 

[JimAOk1945]

Love the Conquest! We sailed on her twice! :D

[daliflor]

Love the Conquest! We sailed on her twice! :D

 

May want to try the 2.0 version of it : - ))

 

Totally awesome tour you took us on :)

 

We are leaving on the 28th of March to spend a few days and leave on the 31st.....now I am een more excited to go on vacation :)

 

You should be excited as the 2.0 upgrades can only enhance your experience aboard the Conquest, so HAPPY SAILING!

[trubadur]

Love the Conquest! We sailed on her twice! :D

And then you switched to Royal Caribbean!

 

We love our RC 2 but now we are tempted to try Carnival; kind of your story but in reverse.

[Apriltigerfan]

Thanks so much for your pictures and notes. We are leaving in May for the 7 day cruise and now I'm so very excited! Your camera takes beautiful pictures and you have quite a flare for catching beautiful images. THANKS!

[daliflor]

 

Thanks so much for your pictures and notes.

 

We are leaving in May for the 7 day cruise and now I'm so very excited!

 

Your camera takes beautiful pictures and you have quite a flare for catching beautiful images.

 

THANKS!

 

You're so very kind - thank you sincerely for the positive feedback.

 

In addition, looking at your signature logo, this may be your very first cruise, so enjoy yourself and have FUN!

 

Finally, being my first time in NOLA and in Louisiana for that matter, I honesty can say that I am in love with the area!

 

Posting those images gets me into a nostalgic mood... so many wonderful memories! Shall definitely return in the near future!

 

 

Moving along... We were ALL fascinated by the intriguing reality of Bourbon Street, our last stroll that Sunday...

 

"New Orleans swings

purple ladies of the night

bourbon street scandals

murmur lust lurking."

 

 

As a blogger pointed out, " with its anything-goes attitude," the city of New Orleans can

attract "visitors looking to lose themselves in the party."

 

"But where is the real New Orleans lurking?"

 

The one that has inspired poets, artists, and songwriters.

The New Orleans that charms with its beauty, hospitality, and world-famous cuisine.

 

 

After taken to the beautiful French Quarter by day, we decided by night it was time to see for ourselves the same

joie de vivre @ BOURBON STREET!

As a poet describes it:

 

"This street is a wordly sight,

Open twenty-four hours,

Especially wild at night.

 

Lots of tee shirt shops,

Tourists everywhere,

Money drops by the handfuls,

Music plays all day,

Whiskey, women, beer everywhere.

 

Bourbon Street is a world of its own,

The favorite one in N'Awlins.

Leather, lace some savor,

Bourbon Street goes on forever."

 

 

[daliflor]

 

"Tourists everywhere,

Money drops by the handfuls,

Music plays all day,

Whiskey, women, beer everywhere."

 

 

“Leaving New Orleans also frightened me considerably. Outside of the city limits the heart of darkness, the true wasteland begins.”

― John Kennedy Toole, "A Confederacy of Dunces"

 

 

New Orleans, nicknamed "The City That Care Forgot" and "The Big Easy," has a well-earned reputation for excess.

 

And Bourbon Street is NO exception!

 

VIDEO (the lively Bourbon Street @ NOLA):

 

 

 

[daliflor]

 

BOURBON STREET @ NOLA -

 

"Open twenty-four hours,

Especially wild at night.

 

Lots of tee shirt shops,

Tourists everywhere"

 

 

“Madame Lily Devalier always asked "Where are you?" in a way that insinuated that

there were only two places on earth one could be: New Orleans and somewhere ridiculous.”

― Tom Robbins, "Jitterbug Perfume"

 

 

“He's got that New Orleans thing crawling all over him, that good stuff, that

We Are the Champions, to hell with the rest and I'll just start over kind of attitude.”

― Chris Rose, "1 Dead in Attic"

 

[daliflor]

 

“People don't live in New Orleans because it is easy.

They live here because they are incapable of living anywhere else in the just same way.”

― Ian McNulty, "A Season of Night: New Orleans Life After Katrina"

 

 

 

 

“You knows dat in New Orleans is not morning 'til dee sun come up.”

― Tom Robbins, "Jitterbug Perfume"

 

[daliflor]

MOTTO:

 

“New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.”

― Mark Twain

 

 

So here we are again - time to... EAT!

 

Well, after walking around @ Bourbon Street, we decided to try "Balcony dining."

 

 

None of the recommended places was available without a certain wait period and we ended up

having dinner at the closest place in sight that had a table available immediately.

 

 

After being spoiled for lunch @ "Crescent City Brewhouse" and later enjoying a magnificent view of

the Missisippi River and the French Quarter @ Galvez' Happy Hour,

balcony dining on Bourbon Street was simply not up to par...

 

 

 

VIDEO (Bourbon Street - view from Balcony dining on a Sunday):

 

Was it terible? No.

 

However, nothing memorable, so what I personally remember the most was being fascinated by...

people watching @ Bourbon Street:

 

 

[daliflor]

 

 

 

“If there was no New Orleans, America would just be a bunch of free people dying of boredom."

(Judy Deck in an e-mail sent to Chris Rose)

― Chris Rose, "1 Dead in Attic"

 

 

VIDEO (Tapping along @ Bourbon Street on a Sunday evening):

 

 

Leaving the Balcony dining and continue to stroll along the Bourbon Street on a Sunday evening

(September 30, 2012):