NCL Sun New Orleans flight arrival/departure questions

[WeenaWeGonnaGo]

My family and I are leaving on the Sun on 10/15 from New Orleans I am hoping for your suggestions/help!

I am using my frequent flyer miles to fly to and from New Orleans. There is only 1 flight that leaves on Sunday that would arrive in time for me to be on board before the ship leaves. Is this too risky? or should I fly in the day before, if so though it would cost me an additional $250 for one night hotel?

The Sun is due back at port at 7:00am on 10/22. There is a flight that leaves at 9:05am from the New Orleans airport that would have my family back home by 2:30pm. The next flight doesn't leave until 6:00pm and wouldn't arrive until 12:24am on Monday (really late considering my kids have to be back at school that day!). Question: Is the 9 a.m. flight too big of a gamble?

[CRUZFOOLS]

I'm a chance taker but I would Not take that chance. What if the ship is late?

[DocMike]

I second Dat, I wouldn't take that bet at all, to much can go wrong between the boat and airport, as for as flying in, what time does the plane land Sun. A.M.?

[garycarla]

I would for sure fly in the day before. Get a room and enjoy New Orleans. Don't worry about delays.

 

I know you want to use your FF miles, but maybe there are discount tickets available. Also, you did not give your city or airline,maybe we could help further. Many airlines have partnership relationships.

 

On the flight home, here is an outside shot. Some ships regularly get in during the night, but PUBLISH a 7am arrival. And they sometimes have an early departure for those that drag their own bags off the ship at maybe 6am. So, there is an outside chance, but who knows?

 

Also, do you have to do customs and immigration when you get off in New Orleans? If you do, all bets are off. Take your time and go see some more sites in New Orleans.

[SeeSharp]

9AM flight home!, I doubt it. Let's see, leave you room Sunday morning, luggage, elevators, customs, finding a taxi, traffic out of port, (that 1st light at Tchoupitoulas seems like it only lets two cars out and changes back to red) 20-25 minute taxi ride to airport, (on a good day) airline check-in (bags again), security line into airport concourse, (consider someone in your party getting singled out for the "random search") There's too much that could delay or go wrong. Our cruise last year in FLL, we were ready to go at 6AM, I could see the airport tower from my balcony, and we still didn't get to the airport until 9:30. People said I was crazy for trying to catch a flight at 10:40. Anyway, we were in a similar situation last year, and I did go ahead get a room the night before the cruise, cost me about the same money you mentioned; figured testing fate on both ends a bit much. It was a lot easier to just catch a cab to the port morning of, rather than sweating it out all day, connecting flights, wondering if you're going to make the ship. Come October, you'll have to let us know how you do regarding transportation.

 

Ry

[MidtheNight]

Don't even attempt that 9am flight back home. Even if you make it you will stress yourself out so bad worrying about getting to the airport you will lose any relaxation you enjoyed on the trip. FF miles are nice but I too would strongly suggest looking for discounted tixs somewhere closer to an 11am departure and use the self debarkation.

[WeenaWeGonnaGo]

Thanks for your input!! I am leaving from Indianapolis. I was using my AirTran Rewards to fly. The flight I was planning on taking was leaving on Sunday @ 5:55am arriving at 8:36am. I just went to the AirTran website and they have added another flight that leaves IND at 11:10am and arrives in New Orleans at 2:19. I feel more secure knowing that there is a backup flight in case something goes wrong. What do you think?

 

I will most certainly be taking the later flight home and arriving at 12:24am. It will be waaaay less stressful, we can have breakfast and enjoy the last little bit of our trip! Thanks for everyones help on that.

[garycarla]

Having that backup flight does help a little. When an airline has limited flights into a city, it is always a bit dicey. Part of the reason I stay away from charters. I can deal with delays, etc., but not missing my boat.

 

Still, a night in New Orleans is CHEAP INSURANCE and could be a good time as well. The tourist areas were not damaged and things are open. You could even take the later flight on the day before vs. getting up so darn early.

 

Good luck and enjoy the cruise.

[robsvacation]

First off you really should fly in the night before. I hopped over to Hotwire and they have 3.5-star hotel available downtown for $104/night so you could get two rooms for your family and will be comfortable (remember, hotwire and priceline only guarantee double rooms so don't book only one room if you have more than 2 people)

 

Compare the scenarios:

 

Option

Fly in the day before, no worrying about your flight being late. Leisurely find your bags, take a cab to the hotel, check-in, find a place to eat, wander the french quarter, get a good nights sleep, wake up a little late, have breakfast, check out at 11, take a short cab ride to the port, check-in and start you cruise relaxed.

 

Option 2

Get up at some ungodly early hour, rush the family to get ready, drag yourself to the airport, get frantic if the flight is delayed, get in a line to drop off your bags, security, waiting lounge, crowed plane, land in NO, frantically try to find your bags, find a cab or get herded onto the NCL transfer bus, see new orleans from the highway, get to the terminal, face your second check-in of the day, get to your cabin and colapse exhausted, spend the next day of the cruise trying to recover.

 

It took 5 cruises before I took the opportunity to fly in the day before. It entirely changes the nature of your vacation. I didn't believe this advice when I got it, but I don't know how else to say it, it really changes your whole cruise vacation for the better, way better. After 14 cruises people come to me with questions and for advice, flying in the day before is the only advice I give, and most first timers look at me strangely.

 

As for your return trip there's no way you'll make a 9AM flight, period. Heck, there's a chance you'll miss the 11:10AM flight! Even if the ship is suppose to arrive at 7AM it generally takes 2 hours for immigration to clear the ship before anyone is allowed off. Expect the first people to start heading off the ship at 8:30, and the last people to scamper off about an hour and 1/2 later. About 1 cruise every other month is significantly delayed when immigration does a random check of the entire crew's documention. If this happens to you, expect an hour delay or more (not the cruise line's fault). While there's a good chance you'll make the 11:10 flight, expect some stress. Also, to get off early you'll either need to do self-debarkation where you haul your own bags off the ship or ask the front desk on the last day to give you the color tags corresponding to the first group off the ship (people are given colored tags on the last night of the cruise for their bags, you leave them outside your door for pickup on the last night, and then people are called off the ship one color group at a time to avoid the crush of 2000 people trying to exit one small door. Your bags will be laid out on the floor of a large wearhouse like space under signs for each color group)

 

I believe if you check with NCL for flight time recommendations it will likely say don't book a flight back before 2PM. It's good advice! there's been a few cruises out of florida where I've just made a 1:30PM flight.

 

Hope that helps a bit!

Rob

[ute_fan]

I'd also recommend flying in the night before. I understand that it adds an extra cost, but to me its worth the $$$ for the peace of mind. After all, you are talking about an October flight into New Orleans during the middle of hurricane season. Not to wish any more weather trouble upon New Orleans, but I wouldn't even consider flying into a hurricane prone city the day of departure during hurricane season. We're cruising out of Miami in November, and my flights and hotel room for the day before the cruise departure are already booked.

 

As the previous poster stated, your 9AM departure is not feasible. I'd be surprised if you're off the ship by 9, let alone being able to get to the airport and get through security in time to catch a flight that early. I wouldn't want to depend on the 11:10 one either. It's just too risky. Remember that you'll have to be to the airport to get through security -- probably by 9:30 or that vicinity. Personally, I'd book the later flight, enjoy the last few minutes on the ship, and then take the opportunity to do some sightseeing in NO. A lot of times NCL will offer a transfer from the ship to the aiport that includes a tour of the departure city. That's something you might want to consider if it's available.

[starfamily]

On two prior cruises we flew in the morning of and were a wreck for about two days jut catching up on our lost sleep/stress etc. I dont' know what the whether is like where you live but here in the great white north we have had snow storms at the end of october, in a squall can delay a flight, plus down south it is still hurricane season. We already booked out room at the drury for our Christmas cruise, looks like a real nice hotel with hot breakfast included, for only like 150.00. you should check them out.

[ergator]

Shop around-the last two times I have gone to NOLA I have gotten 3 and 4 star hotels for less than $100. Enjoy

[garycarla]

And, if you want to be almost dockside, you can check out the Hilton Riverside which is right next to where the ships board. From there you can walk to a nice big mall with food courts, etc. And the aquarium. A little bit longer walk to the French Quarter but reasonable. Casino right there as well. They currently show rates at $205.

[hammybee]

Once I had a 9:00 AM flight returning from San Diego. We made it with no problem but the anxiety was not worth it.

[WeenaWeGonnaGo]

Okay, you guys have convinced me. I will fly in the day before (perfect excuse to start being lazy a day early!:) ) and I will take the 6 pm flight home.

 

Can anyone recommend a hotel near the port that isn't too expensive? Is the area near the port okay since Katrina? I have never been to New Orleans before so I have no idea what the area is like.

 

GaryCarla I will look into the Hilton Riverside as you suggested. I was hoping to find someplace that is a little less expensive (not that $205 is that bad). The area is all okay since Katrina? The mall part sounds perfect since it is walking distance. And if you can see the docks from the hotel then a cab ride wouldn't cost much. There might be a chance that the Hilton will shuttle us over!

[ute_fan]

Weena -- do you know about tripadvisor.com? It might help you get some information about hotels. We've had good luck with hotels in new cities after using the information there. Another suggestion is to look at one of the major internet travel sites. A lot of them have the capability to search new a particular address.

[garycarla]

 

Can anyone recommend a hotel near the port that isn't too expensive? Is the area near the port okay since Katrina? I have never been to New Orleans before so I have no idea what the area is like.

 

GaryCarla I will look into the Hilton Riverside as you suggested. I was hoping to find someplace that is a little less expensive (not that $205 is that bad). The area is all okay since Katrina? The mall part sounds perfect since it is walking distance. And if you can see the docks from the hotel then a cab ride wouldn't cost much. There might be a chance that the Hilton will shuttle us over!

 

You might want to check the web for some New Orleans travel sites. Try the big travel agencies, and then type the address into maps.google.com to see where they are at. Though the Riverside Hilton is a bit expensive, there is a convience factor being right there.

 

There are lots of hotels in the immediate area as well. Book sooner than later as New Orleans always seems to be full. Even book something that will allow you to cancel later if you want to lock in a place while you search.

[WeenaWeGonnaGo]

I think that is a great idea to book a hotel that I can back out of later if something cheaper or better comes along. I am leaning towards the Hilton Riverside because of the conveniece factor to the mall and the port. Convenience does trump price at times. Do you know if the NCL Sun docks right across from this hotel or is it just close by (if so, how close)?

 

Ute Fan, I will check out the web site you suggested. I am looking at reviews that others have left, but only if the reviews are post-Katrina.

 

Thanks for the info GaryCarla you have been tons of help. I didn't know that New Orleans filled up fast. I will definitely book soon.

[DocMike]

For Closeness to the Riverwalk and Pier, I would try the Marriot @ N.O. Convention Center. I think they run around 170. a night........Doc

[garycarla]

There is also a Marriott high rise right on the edge of the French Quarter as well. Actually quite a few acceptable properties in a 5 block area. Rooms tend to fill in New Orleans and they still have lots of transient folks working on other parts on New Orleans.

 

Last time we were there, the cruise ship tied up right alongside the Riverside Mall. We sat at the Food Court and watched people board right in front of us. Not sure if they are using the same terminal, and how you get to it. We were actually a few levels above the dock. Do some Google searches and you should be able to find out where they will be at. They are also building a new terminal there. Most cities have a port authority and will actually list the docking arrangements by date.

[WeenaWeGonnaGo]

I Love this website! You guys seem to have all sorts of info that I would never have even thought about asking! I will let you know what I find out!

 

Thanks a million!

[shannonh]

We have a late afternoon flight and would like to get off the ship and explore since I have never been to New Orleans before. If we do so, is there anywhere where we can leave our luggage or is there a company at the port that will transfer it to the airport for us. Walking around the French Quarter with all of our luggage would be impossible. Anybody know how to do this?

[ute_fan]

I don't know what airline you're flying, but there's been some discussion on the main NCL board about a new program where you can get your airline baggage tags and boarding pass printed the day before departure. Your luggage is taken away your final night at sea, as always, but rather than having to deal with it at the pier it's taken right to the airport. Your boarding pass allows you to proceed directly to the security check-in once you arrive.

 

There is a small charge -- apparently somewhere between $10 and $20 pp, and I think there are only 3 airlines currently participating. I know American is one of them, since that is what our flights are on next time, and I think Delta, but forget the 3rd.

 

Here's a link to the American Airlines website that talks about the program: http://www.aa.com/content/urls/advanceBagCheck.jhtml

[zydecocruiser]

Some hotels will let you check luggage.

 

You can see if these folks have reopened:

http://www.advancecheckin.com/

[shannonh]

Thanks for the information. We are flying on American, so that plan would work. I'm thinking about customs, though. I would think that you would at least have to take your own luggage through. I'll be interested when the Sun gets to New Orleans and how that works. Thanks again.