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Started By
Message
Best Cruise out of New Orleans
Posted on 2/19/17 at 9:35 am
Posted on 2/19/17 at 9:35 am
We are both 50 and never been on a cruise before. We are thinking May or June. Which Ships are the best? Also any other activities, dining , Pricing,what to do would be appreciated...TIA
14
Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:31 am to BowDownToLSU
You have three choices basically. Carnival(Dream) or Norwegian(Pearl) 7 nights or a shorter Carnival.
I would go to cruisecritic.com and read up on each ship and see what sounds good. They do a good job of breaking things down as far as a review.
I think I read that both of the 7 night ships have either just went through a renovation or are about to so I'm thinking about taking the family on one either for Thanksgiving or next Mardi Gras. I was wanting to do a Disney Cruise, but it's just so damn expensive that I can't pull the trigger.
I would go to cruisecritic.com and read up on each ship and see what sounds good. They do a good job of breaking things down as far as a review.
I think I read that both of the 7 night ships have either just went through a renovation or are about to so I'm thinking about taking the family on one either for Thanksgiving or next Mardi Gras. I was wanting to do a Disney Cruise, but it's just so damn expensive that I can't pull the trigger.
Posted on 2/19/17 at 12:37 pm to BowDownToLSU
The improvements you'll get in variety and value sailing out of Galveston is well worth the 5 hour drive.
Posted on 2/19/17 at 2:24 pm to BowDownToLSU
Carnival is your only option out of New Orleans for the summer months. Norwegian takes it's ships to Europe from May to September. If you are willing to drive to Galveston then you get the option of a Royal Carribean ship. Royal Carribean is marginally nicer but probably not worth the extra cost and drive time IMO.
All the cruises from NOLA and Galveston go to Cozumel. So your only other choice (assuming a 7 day cruise) is do you prefer Roatan and Belize City or Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Both options have their pros and cons of course. Roatan has the most pristine beaches and best snorkelling from the beach out these four options.
Cruising out of New Orleans was fairly painless from BR. Not having to catch a flight or drive 5 hours is a huge bonus especially since I am travelling with kids.
All the cruises from NOLA and Galveston go to Cozumel. So your only other choice (assuming a 7 day cruise) is do you prefer Roatan and Belize City or Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Both options have their pros and cons of course. Roatan has the most pristine beaches and best snorkelling from the beach out these four options.
Cruising out of New Orleans was fairly painless from BR. Not having to catch a flight or drive 5 hours is a huge bonus especially since I am travelling with kids.
Posted on 2/20/17 at 8:44 am to BowDownToLSU
Have been on NCL out of New Orleans probably a half dozen times. 4 stop itinerary vs 3 for Carnival nudges it to NCL every time. If weather is bad and you miss a port, then you still get 3 with Norwegian. Only 2 with Carnival would suck.
We only go on the 7 day and it doesn't seem to collect as big of a walmart or booze cruise type clientele. Only problem is your dates are during hurricane season and NCL pulls their ships from that deep on the gulf during that time.
We only go on the 7 day and it doesn't seem to collect as big of a walmart or booze cruise type clientele. Only problem is your dates are during hurricane season and NCL pulls their ships from that deep on the gulf during that time.
This post was edited on 2/20/17 at 8:47 am
Posted on 2/20/17 at 8:56 am to leveedogs
That night snaking through the Miss River and on the way back is the only thing I hate about cruising out of New Orleans, plus I live in LA, don't need the NO port. Galveston is so much better to get out of and you are going to pretty much the same places.
Posted on 2/20/17 at 10:31 am to leveedogs
quote:
Not having to catch a flight or drive 5 hours is a huge bonus especially since I am travelling with kids.
The ability to sail Royal Caribbean (Liberty of the Seas - Dreamworks Cruise) or Disney out of Galveston is pretty big.
quote:
Royal Carribean is marginally nicer but probably not worth the extra cost and drive time IMO.
What ship are you referring to?
The Liberty of the Seas (especially out of Dry Dock last year) is pretty amazing. Two big water slides, the Flowrider, ice skating, unlimited alcohol packages (as opposed to limited package), HUGE kids water play area and generally a better clientele.
I will say the staff on Carnival is great and while on board we thought we got better service with carnival but the ship, entertainment, clientele and pool deck was much better on Liberty of the Seas.
Food is about a wash but if I had to pick I'd say main dining room food on the dream is slightly better, specialty dining on Liberty is better and buffet I'd lean Liberty as well.
Posted on 2/20/17 at 11:17 am to BowDownToLSU
The Dream just got out of dry dock a week ago. Galveston is pretty easy for cruisers. Easy parking options, out to sea in a shorter period of time and RCL option. The Breeze is also a nice ship and is going into dry dock for refurb in April.
Posted on 2/20/17 at 12:18 pm to LSUfan4444
quote:
What ship are you referring to?
Never been on Liberty of the Seas so I can't compare directly with Carnival Dream. Just pointing out that the iteneraries are pretty much identical from NOLA and Galveston. I would probably make the drive for a Disney cruise with kids but Disney is only in Galveston Nov-Jan when we typically have too much family stuff to do.
Getting to sea earlier from Galveston is a good feature if you are eager for the casino to open. But from New Orleans I really enjoyed having an elevated view while the ship navigates the bends of the Mississippi river and having drinks on the deck while the skyline of New Orleans fades.
First-time cruisers from southeast LA can't go wrong with Carnival Dream.
Posted on 2/20/17 at 1:04 pm to leveedogs
Itineraries are the same out of Galveston as New Orleans. They can only hit the spots in the Gulf and over to the Bahamas. The only other options are some longer cruises that are more rare that go one way to Puerto Rico and surrounding islands.
The Dream is great and the dock is so easy to get to in New Orleans. Lines can be long but isn't that true anywhere? Galveston has issues with fog at times but I think that's much more common in winter than summer.
On an unrelated topic, I never knew how easy check-in and boarding could be until I did Celebrity out of Seattle. They know what they are doing. Car lines were insane to drop off but once we got dropped off we were through security and check-in and walking on the ship within 10 minutes. I couldn't believe it. We weren't in a suite or anything, either, so we had no priority.
The Dream is great and the dock is so easy to get to in New Orleans. Lines can be long but isn't that true anywhere? Galveston has issues with fog at times but I think that's much more common in winter than summer.
On an unrelated topic, I never knew how easy check-in and boarding could be until I did Celebrity out of Seattle. They know what they are doing. Car lines were insane to drop off but once we got dropped off we were through security and check-in and walking on the ship within 10 minutes. I couldn't believe it. We weren't in a suite or anything, either, so we had no priority.
This post was edited on 2/20/17 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 2/20/17 at 8:51 pm to BowDownToLSU
I have been on Carnival and Norwegian cruises out of New Orleans. I like Norwegian better. The food is better because of the variety of specialty restaurants.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 1:55 am to BowDownToLSU
I took Royal Caribbean last summer out of Galveston. $2400 for 2, outside balcony room. Price is reasonable considering the amenities and service we received. I've been on Carnival out of New Orleans before and never will I ever step foot on that hell hole they call a ship again.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 5:17 am to Tres7139
I only cruise Royal Caribbean. Too much white trash on Carnival for me.
Posted on 2/21/17 at 11:56 am to BowDownToLSU
If you are limited to New Orleans cruises, I'd go with the Carnival Dream.
Another option would be to hop on a "Wanna Get Away" flight with Southwest airlines from New Orleans to Fort Lauderdale airport. This is only a couple hundred extra bucks. From there you can look at cruises out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. This area seems to attract the newest largest ships. We just did this in November and went on the Norwegian Escape and loved it.
Also, leaving out of Florida gives you options to much nicer destinations in my opinion.
Another option would be to hop on a "Wanna Get Away" flight with Southwest airlines from New Orleans to Fort Lauderdale airport. This is only a couple hundred extra bucks. From there you can look at cruises out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. This area seems to attract the newest largest ships. We just did this in November and went on the Norwegian Escape and loved it.
Also, leaving out of Florida gives you options to much nicer destinations in my opinion.
This post was edited on 2/21/17 at 11:57 am
Posted on 2/21/17 at 5:59 pm to BowDownToLSU
Lot of good advice on here.
If you are willing to go out of somewhere other than NOLA, or during the winter months, RCL and NCL are good options. Both absolutely are more expensive than Carnival, so you have a different type of cruiser.
First time cruising is tricky. Some have no baseline so everything is nice, others have inflated expectations and if you do, Carnival won't meet them.
If you are willing to go out of somewhere other than NOLA, or during the winter months, RCL and NCL are good options. Both absolutely are more expensive than Carnival, so you have a different type of cruiser.
First time cruising is tricky. Some have no baseline so everything is nice, others have inflated expectations and if you do, Carnival won't meet them.
Posted on 2/22/17 at 12:20 am to LSUFanHouston
I'd also recommend coming down my way in south Florida to do a cruise. I've been on 43 cruises and I highly recommend Norwegian Escape. I went on it last month and that is one badass ship along with the free drink package they offer. You can also cruise the Allure and Harmony of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale and Oasis out of Port Canerval but I loved the Escape more then those.
Posted on 2/22/17 at 1:47 pm to BowDownToLSU
The best for your age and wanting quiet would be a river cruise.
The Dream is the best ship to sail out of NOLA, period, but it's Carnival and depending on the time, may be full of trashy people. Though seven day cruises and being on the lido deck or above helps out greatly in this regard.
My grandpa liked Norweigen, I went twice on the Dawn and wasn't impressed.
The Dream is the best ship to sail out of NOLA, period, but it's Carnival and depending on the time, may be full of trashy people. Though seven day cruises and being on the lido deck or above helps out greatly in this regard.
My grandpa liked Norweigen, I went twice on the Dawn and wasn't impressed.
Posted on 2/22/17 at 10:29 pm to Napoleon
The Dawn is out of there after this season. The Jade will be there next season. It is a Jewel class ship the same class as the Jewel that was out of New Orleans a few years ago. It's not as big as the new ships, but a really nice ship. It's got the spinnaker lounge forward and on top, Nickelodean kids program, and water slide.
The rccl oasis of the seas was probably the nicest ship I've been on (out of Galveston ) but the NCL jewel was second. But NCL is my favorite cruise line.
The rccl oasis of the seas was probably the nicest ship I've been on (out of Galveston ) but the NCL jewel was second. But NCL is my favorite cruise line.
Posted on 2/24/17 at 3:26 pm to LSU Kerry
quote:
I've been on 43 cruises and I highly recommend Norwegian Escape
I concur, free drink package and 4 free nights of specialty dining were both on point. I found them to be way more relaxed with the free drink package than Carnival as well. Not to mention, there are just so many better cruise port destinations within reach of a 7-8 day cruise out of South Florida versus out of New Orleans.
This post was edited on 2/24/17 at 3:28 pm
Posted on 2/24/17 at 10:49 pm to Mark Makers
That free drink package was the tits. I booked the Dawn out of NO for last month and got the free drink package. When I booked they actually threw the gratuities in for free as well. That was a hell of a deal.
And they were really generous with the booze. I would get a double shot with everything I ordered and it was still free. One of the bartenders would give me an extra cup of straight rum to go with my double shot pinacolada because if he put any more alcohol in it , it wouldn't stay frozen!
And there was never a problem getting service. Especially o,Sheehans. I would always tip a little extra with cash and they were really accommodating.
Harvest Caye (NCL private island) had just opened and it was a port. I was kind of mixed about it vs Belize city. But my kids liked it and we didn't have to tender. My son and I parasailed and it was a good time.
And they were really generous with the booze. I would get a double shot with everything I ordered and it was still free. One of the bartenders would give me an extra cup of straight rum to go with my double shot pinacolada because if he put any more alcohol in it , it wouldn't stay frozen!
And there was never a problem getting service. Especially o,Sheehans. I would always tip a little extra with cash and they were really accommodating.
Harvest Caye (NCL private island) had just opened and it was a port. I was kind of mixed about it vs Belize city. But my kids liked it and we didn't have to tender. My son and I parasailed and it was a good time.
This post was edited on 2/24/17 at 10:56 pm
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