Hotels in New Orleans - Free Shuttle?

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paljoeysmom

Guest
Ahoy Cruisers,

We will be sailing out of New Orleans on 4/24/05. We would like to know a decent HOTEL to stay in New Orleans for a couple of days, precruise, that is within close proximity to the cruise dock, and perhaps has a free shuttle. My hubby just found out N.O. is having a jazz festival during that time. Any ideas, suggestions, your experience and what you did would be appreciated.
 
K

kujobie

Guest
I recently went to New Orleans to see my Tampa Bay Bucs play, they finally won a game-HOORAY! Anyways, we stayed at the Spring Hill Suites. It is about 2 1/2 blocks from the port. WAlking distance, or a very short cab ride. It is near the convention center which is right next to the port. 8 or 10 blocks to the french quarter and close to St. Charles and Riverfront streetcar lines. If I ever cruised from NO, I would stay there in a minute. Make sure you eat at Mulate's right between the hotel and riverwalk/convention center/port. Great authentic cajun food and live music.
 
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Sophie

Guest
i havent had any luck finding a free shuttle @ hotel for cruise. but new orleans is an incredible city and we love jazz fest. let me know if you will, if you do find such a hotel. we are cruising again in january out of new orleans (went in april). thanks! and good luck sophie
 
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Corky

Guest
Love New Orleans....go to www.frommers.com and pull off maps from their website. This way you'll be able to see where the hotels are, where the restaurants are, etc. We only stay in the French Quarter and we only stay in the hotels in the lower left hand quadrant. That is Bourbon to Decatur...you can go up to Dauphine but I certainly wouldn't go any further. Some hotels to think about would be Place D' Armes, Royal Sonesta, Prince Conti, Omni, Monteleone, Courtyard by Marriott....while not 'in' the FQ it is just across Canal.

The 'best' places to eat that will not break the bank...Acme's Oyster House and Central Grocery. And you must go to Cafe' du Monde...that is where I go at midnight for my last cup of coffee and a beignet. There are so many places to eat...you'll not go hungry. Plus there is the Riverwalk Mall....believe it or not but there are some really nice places to eat in there as well. And good prices, too.

Once you pull off the maps you'll see that most everything is in the lower left hand of the map...the other area's while okay to walk around in during the day while it is up and running for business and the tourists are all about, can get spooky when it's quite and dark out.

Enjoy Nawlins!!!!
 
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Nanni-B.

Guest
We have cruised 3 times out of New Orleans and stayed at these hotels pre cruise;

Spring Hill Suites-(twice) Best value overall in our opinion, two blocks up from Julia Pier, great spacious rooms with sofas, kitchenettes, nice outdoor pool area, reasonable parking $$, free rolls, cereal, toast, type breakfast.

The Hilton Riverwalk (once) Smaller rooms, but they do have cruise and park packages with shuttle I believe but it has not been offered during our sailings, but you are right there on the Missippi, walking distance to the Pier. We found them more expensive, and parking was more. No breakfast offered but they do have many restaurants in the Riverwalk itself.

Courtyard By Marriott-Nice rooms, same size as Hilton. VERY nice outdoor pool area, these were plain hotel rooms however and we paid top dollar (240.00 per night @ hotels.com). I am unable to remember if we paid for parking or if it was free. Also no free breakfast but they did offer a cook to order buffet for $9.00 per adult and $6.00 per child, also about 2 blocks up from Julia Pier

We have never used a hotel shuttle. We parked at the Fulton Street Garage, which was around $80.00 per week, and they have free shuttle to the pier.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!!
 
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SandyBeach

Guest
We have not been able to find any hotels with a free shuttle either....it's one of the oddities of leaving out of New Orleans.
 
J

jcs

Guest
We are cruising in January on the Conquest. Found Park and Cruise Deal at the Doubletree New Orleans Lakeside. (1-504-836-5253)

You have to stay 1 night before or after the cruise. To stay 1 night and Park for the week is $119.00.
There is a shuttle from the Hotel to the pier and the cost of it is $5.00 per person. They also will be at the pier to bring you back the day of your return.

Booked through the internet and also talk to hotel on phone and both confirmations I got from them after booking shows that we are parking and cruising.

Teri and John
 
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coffeecups

Guest
The Doubletree, for its distance from the port does seem to be good, IF you can't get any closer to the port and park. Parking is usually about 90 dollars for the week in most places in n.o.

If you are planning to stay only about one night, try getting the Hilton's riverside special package for cruisers. While it is not always visibly offered, check with them anyway. They have a 99 dollars one night with a weeks parking (for the cruise) for about 80 dollars. It may be a little more money, but you are within 'jump on the ship' distance from the pier. And there is a lot more to see in the center of the city.

ALSO- anytime you go to n.o. during a big thing like jazzfest, or whatever, you may want to book early, book early and book early!!! Last year one of our addicts here (and family) just managed to get an invite to a bed and breakfast because of NO AVAILABILITY of rooms for JULY 4th!!! Thanks to that kind person who helped our cruise addict!!

coffeecups
 
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xtreme1

Guest
I reccomend the hilton riverside. It is walking distance to the ship and there is shopping at the riverwalk just next door and there is a street car that takes you to the french quarter for like 1.50 each way. The aquarium of the americas is just next door and harrahs casino is just across the street. The jazz fest is cool depending on who is playing while you are there. It is a tourist attraction. the food and drinks are very expensive and it usually very hot that time of year. If you go, do yourself a favor and pay the extra couple of dollars and catch a cab from your hotel to the fest, much faster and convient. I have lived in New Orleans 33 years and been to 1 jazz fest and the only reason i went was to see Jimmy Buffet. If you or any other members have any other questions about New Orleans feel free to ask. Have fun, The Conquest is great.
 
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coffeecups

Guest
Thanks extreme1 for telling more than I did about the Hilton riverside and what is available to see before and after the cruise in New Orleans.

just an add-- some people get the SPECIAL through an auction site- sorry I don't remember which one.


coffeecups
 
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marchtexan

Guest
We are gamblers and usually do so at Harrahs. So, we called them and they booked us at the Doubletree for $59.00.
Most hotels don't have free parking of any kind, even for guests. We have been told the port parking is just as good/safe as any and is $12/day.
 
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Corky

Guest
We've parked at the port parking lot twice now and have had no problem whatsoever. My husband dropped me off at the terminal, went and parked the car and then met me back. Very painless!!
 
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Corky

Guest
Just confirmed with my husband that they only take Cash for payments. At the time it was a total of $70, the rate may have gone up though so have extra on you.
 
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