Triumph Out of New Orleans

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jkmcroot

Guest
So, I'm just about to book cruse number 5 onboard the Triumph (again) out of New Orleans in March of 2008. Yes, I know, I'm thinking way ahead of time but that's just the way I am.

Anyway, I've never been to the pier in New Orleans and I am wondering if it's just as hectic and chaotic as the pier in Miami. The cruise leaves on a Sunday but we would like to fly to New Orleans on Friday and spend Saturday touring the city. Then on Sunday morning we would take a cab to the pier.

Also, has anyone booked any tours like this through Carnival where you arrive a few days early? I usually book the airfare with the cruise through Carnival just because you never know about airlines these days. Now, I'm thinking about booking the airfare and hotel myself and just book the cruise through Carnival. Any thoughts on this idea?
 
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Cruzman

Guest
I would recommednd that you do just that. New Orleans is really promoting it's tourist business of late; trying to get back to pre Katrina levels, but it has been slow. There are lots of hotel bargains to be had if you do your homework. I'd book a hotel downtown, not too far from the French Quarter and you can walk, or trolley to most attractions. The cruise pier is only a few blocks away also; very easy to get to.
 
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Nanni-B.

Guest
What? Triumph going to New Orleans?? I sure have been missing the info with the start of hockey season :) What class of ship is the Triumph? Is it the same size as Conquest? How long itineraries, and where? When is it moving? Many thanks, and enjoy booking your cruise :)
 
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Cruzman

Guest
[quote Nanni-B.]What? Triumph going to New Orleans?? I sure have been missing the info with the start of hockey season :) What class of ship is the Triumph? Is it the same size as Conquest? How long itineraries, and where? When is it moving? Many thanks, and enjoy booking your cruise :)[/quote]
Triumph is one of 3 Destiny Class ships that at 102,000 GRT are just slightly smaller than the Conquest Class. She will be repositioning to New Orleans and doing a 5 day sailing 8/28/2007. After that, she will be doing 7 day sailings year round. The itinerary varies according to date; sometimes it includes ports like Belize, while at other times she will call on ports in Jamaica.
 
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jkmcroot

Guest
[quote Cruzman]I would recommednd that you do just that. New Orleans is really promoting it's tourist business of late; trying to get back to pre Katrina levels, but it has been slow. There are lots of hotel bargains to be had if you do your homework. I'd book a hotel downtown, not too far from the French Quarter and you can walk, or trolley to most attractions. The cruise pier is only a few blocks away also; very easy to get to.[/quote]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to book just the cruise this weekend and I'm going to try and get the exact same cabin we had on our last cruise on the Triumph.

I see you are on this cruise next December, make sure you post and let us know how it went. I'm curious about Belize, as I've never been there. If you have any recommendations for local tour guides, please let me know. I prefer to book my own excursions.

Thanks.
 
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Cruzman

Guest
This will be my fourth time in Belize and I can recommend Reggie Trapp for one of his tours. We did the Cave tubing last year, and for about $45 per person, he will pick you up at the cruise terminal and take you on a very enjoyable tour. Check him out at regtour.com
 
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Nanni-B.

Guest
Thank you Cruzman for the info! This is very exciting :) We are booked on the Rhapsody for March 07 after having to cancel last years cruise, but the Belize itinerary is looking wonderful for 2008! It would be GREAT to cruise out New Orleans once again!
 
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LHP

Guest
New Orleans is one of our favorite ports. They just opened a new cruise terminal that actually has the covered parking on top of the terminal...so it should be a painless matter of showing your documents to get into the area, unloading your luggage, parking your car and then riding the elevator back down to the terminal check in. The new terminal is right next to where the old one was (Julia Street Temrinal). The only down side to New Orleans is that the hotels in the French Quarter can get a little pricey. However, there is a Holiday Inn in Slidell (about an hour's drive from the port) and a Hampton Inn in La Place (about an hour's drive to the port) if you are driving in.
 
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jkmcroot

Guest
I booked this cruise last night and we are extremely excited. This will be the first time in Belize and Progresso; but we've been to Cozumel numerous times. Thanks to Cruzman for the info on Reggie Tours. I took a look at their website and it looks good. That is exactly what I'm looking for.

If anyone has any good hotel recommendations for New Orleans that would be great. Something close to the French Quarter so we don't have to rent a car. I've never been to New Orleans so if I'm wrong about the car, just let me know and we'll rent one for the day.

Thanks.
 
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LHP

Guest
There are several hotels in and near the French Quarter. You can walk to the Quarter and a taxi ride to the pier would be about $10. (I know it is only a few blocks..but that is New Orleans.)

Just get on Expedia and punch in New Orleans and look at the selection and prices.

Have a great cruise.

Also, when walking in New Orleans...always stay on well-lit , well traveled streets. No short cuts through alleys!!
 
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aprilivy

Guest
The Freedom is taking over the itinerary out of Miami that the Triumph had been doing....
In New Orleans - the parking is expensive. So, if you are driving in rather than flying keep that in mind. What we did is park at Harrah's casino and it was free with a validation and we walked to the pier.
 
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LHP

Guest
[quote aprilivy]The Freedom is taking over the itinerary out of Miami that the Triumph had been doing....
In New Orleans - the parking is expensive. So, if you are driving in rather than flying keep that in mind. What we did is park at Harrah's casino and it was free with a validation and we walked to the pier.[/quote]

That is good to know about Harrah's. Did you make arrangements ahead of time to park the entire length of the cruise?
 
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randk

Guest
jkmcroot,

New Orleans is in my hbo the best port to go out of post Katrina. the people, the port and the city made it that way. Can only hope that the new dock is as easy to get in and out of as the old one. We have a cruise booked on the Fantasy in Oct and we are already planning 2008 for april on the Truimph. When we plan so far ahead it gives us something to work towards other than taxes.

NaniB so long no type to. How are things with you? going well in the northern tundra?
 
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