OT- Cruises out of New Orleans

[skywalker]

Any thoughts on a cruise this fall out of New Orleans for about 4-5 nights? Don't really care where it goes, just a way to get out and spend a Friday-Tue or something like that...........

[Faithful Retrievers]

My opinion its a pretty affordable get away and we have always had a good time. We have been on a few 7 day and that's little to long for me.

[RedEyed Duck]

The wife and I went with Carnival out of New Orleans in 2012 and had a great time. I think our was 6 days and 5 nights. When we go back, I'll choose one that says docked in one of the destination cities overnight. Arriving that morning and departing that afternoon just doesn't leave enough time to do anything much in my opinion. That being said, there were plenty of folks that got stupid drunk in Cozymel during our 6 hour stop

[skywalker]

Who did y'all book through? Any hidden fees to look out for?

Port hole room, ocean view, suite??

[bucks n beaks]

Who did y'all book through? Any hidden fees to look out for?

Port hole room, ocean view, suite??

Unless you've got money to burn, go with an inside room. They're cheaper. Besides, all you need the room for is to shower, change, and sleep. You're gonna spend most of your time either on shore or walking around and doing things on the ship (i.e. pool, eating, bar, casino, shows etc.). I've been on two and loved them. Have fun.

[cwink]

We have been on three cruises, Carnival, RC and Disney. To Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel on the first one, then the Bahamas on the second and the Virgin Islands on the third.. 7 Days gets a little long.. Jamaica was really pretty GC was flat, if you can get in a trip to see the Mayan Ruins in Mexico DO THAT.. That is cool.. Bahamas were ok, we really like the VI..

[simplepeddler]

Wife and I are big cruisers.........been on a 15 or so...........
Carnival is the party line...........food is edible..........and on some ships you can "upgrade" at a special resteraunt if you have a special occasion ..........do so
Norwiegan is great......older crowd.........food is fantastic and not as limited.........you have an assigned place, but there are many places to go, you just have to make your reservation.......
Disney was the absolute best..........we are thinking of making this one back with just the two of us.......no kids........the ships are kept up like the parks......unbeleivable ......

ports of call?
Our favorites are Roatan, Dominican, Belize........
we just take a taxi to the public beach in Cozumel.......

rooms?
If you can afford it.........the balcony is nice.......I we like to sip a drink or two out there going out the mouth of the river........

If you are big drinkers/party folks............Carnival
If food is a bigger deal..........Norwiegan
If clean is a big deal .............Disney

there are a couple times we made the decision at the very last minute and just took the cheapest we could get on..........had just as much fun.......

[skywalker]

No drinkin or partying, looking for a trip for me and the 'mrs' to relax........great food is a must!

Yall book through the cruise line or use a booking agency?

[simplepeddler]

we book through a travel agent...........a great friend from high school owns it............in fact we go every five years with our classmates.........usually 150 or so of us...........it's a hoot

You can also go out of Mobile.......

[hntrpat1]

My favorite part of the cruise was on the river. Have you looked at the river boat cruises? I think those would be awesome!

[TODO]

Ive been to Alaska on a princess ship and the Mediterranian on a Celebrity ship. Celebrity was really, really nice. Not sure if they sail out of New Orleans but it is a lot nicer than RC and Carnival from what i hear.

[regishay]

Some friends of my folks use this website for when they want to get away on a cruise. Usually they wait till about 2-3 weeks before they want to book a trip but they are big cruise fans and have been everywhere. General rule is the shorter the wait till you depart, the bigger discount you get but less options. Although you do have to watch what is left if your wanting a suite or balcony. http://www.vacationstogo.com/?source=msnadc&npm=c You can sort the cruises by price, destination, ports, etc... Gives all the details about the ships, etc....

[simplepeddler]

My favorite part of the cruise was on the river. Have you looked at the river boat cruises? I think those would be awesome!

I would enjoy a river cruise, but the bride seems the think "not so much"
Sooner or later she'll give in

[ace1]

we book through a travel agent...........a great friend from high school owns it............in fact we go every five years with our classmates.........usually 150 or so of us...........it's a hoot

You can also go out of Mobile.......

I don't think they sail out of Mobile anymore.

Get the beverage card. You can get all the drinks you want for one price. That doesn't include alcohol. They charge those to your room. But be carefull or you will have a big bill at the end of the cruise. Book a excursion unless you like to sit on the ship while at port.

[peewee]

I have a question about birth certificates. My wife booked our family for a cruise next week. I only have a short form Birth Certificate. Is that fine or do I need a long form BC?