Hello everyone! We are booked on the Fantasy March 3rd sailing. Having never cruised from New Orleans, or the Fantasy for that matter, does anyone have any port-parking tips since we will be driving in. Also, any recommendations for a hotel the night before will be appreciated too. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi there, I have been to New orleans many times there is a a parking lot next to the port they do charge for the duration of the cruise, parking is a very hard thing to do in New orleans as of the town being more geared for walkers there are parking garages all over the place put they do charge an arm and leg to park I have stayed at Harrahs and even they charge for parking, they use the Hotel across the street, and they have a parking garage, nothing is free to park, they do overcharge for parking because you have no choice some of the hotels further from city limits offer a free parking at the hotel you are away on your cruise if you stay at thier facility, you best bet is the lot at the port if you have to drive in it is secure and fenced, most of the hotels in town do not have parking facilities, I will be searching for you and if I find anything I will post as I did run across a hotel that offer the cruise parking if you stayed at the hotel will be in touch!! Fran

here is the address for the parking at the dock its only 42.00 for 5 days if you book on line, you can check it out and believe me its alot cheaper then going to the garages in town itself, I am still looking for the other hotel with the free parking with a stay


http://www.unitedairportparking.com/getfacility.asp

I just stayed at the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon street. I highly recommend it to be right in the action and walk to everything. Also the Monteleone, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Astor. Be sure to stop by Cafe Du Monde for beignets!

here are some of the sites I found you can research


http://www.marriott.com/hotels/specials/mesoffer.mi?mar...c&marrOfferId=145984

http://www.parksleepfly.com/reservation/search.php



I have stayed at these hotels
royal sonesta hotel $$$ no parking
Doubletree $$$ pay to park
Holiday inn royal st $$ no parking
hilton gardens airport $$ parking
Hilton Inn on st. Charles $$ ( One block from Bourbon st) no parking

Holiday inn was not so great just ok.


we are flying in next week
we are staying at the Riverside Hilton next week. we got casino rate from Harrahs as we do gamble here in AC so I got great rates so if you gamble try your harrahs card for discounted room rates we are going on Fantasy next Monday the 21st and staying at the Riverside Hilton for 3 nites for 320.00 with my harrahs card (4 guests) also if you have triple A or AARP try them for discounts too. I had made a few bookings before I finally got the Harrahs one, I had used the Triple A and a few weeks later got the Hilton one for 260.00 less, so we saved a bundle, the key is to research and most hotels have 800 # so you can call about the parking if you are cruising most of the downtown hotels, have no parking, the Sheridan has parking but do not know if it would allow week parking. good luck on your search and hope I helped some, and happy cruzn
Fran

Thanks so much for your response! I used to visit Harrahs in Metropolis often and used to get comp room offers in NO all the time, but unfortunately haven't been in a loong time and they won't even give me a buffet now!

Something big must be going on that weekend because everything has 2-5 night minimums or is 350+ night. Ended up getting rooms at Drury Inn downtown for 119 each and that includes parking for the entire cruise,a s well as evening drinks and morning breakfast.

Thanks for your help and maybe Harrahs will "reactivate" me while we are there!

your so welcome,
sorry you could not get anything at harrahs I was in new orleans 2006 I believe, and had over 7 nites free at harrahs and I am not a big spender, and I hardly went to any casinos in AC the last 2 years. I have gone down to AC here in jersey more in nov and dec. this last year, I was just curious to see what the hotel rates were when I went to the site to check it out, did you go to the harrahs site and put in your comp card # they do not really deactivate they always have you in the system, I had not visited AC in 2 years when I had got this rate at the riverside Hilton, so if you have your card # check it out again, or maybe even call them, I am not familar with the drury altho the rates were not bad the better hotels charge 90.00 and up so you got a good deal with the parking situation as Parking is a B@#$h there, in the city well I have 7 more days to go and I will be in the Big easy once agian, and hoping for warmer weather, and when I get home I will post!!!

Thanks for the tip! Even though we've already booked, I'll dig up my old Harrah's card (havent seen it in 3+ years) and maybe score a few points while we are there and hit them for a comp on the next cruise! I wish we were going this week because it is starting to turn cold again in Tennessee!!!

I second CruiseFanatics response about staying at the Royal Sonesta prior to sailing. It is right on Bourbon street and is accessible to nightlife and a number of great restaurants. (I highly recommend Court of Two Sisters for brunch) It's a short trip to the cruise terminal. I stayed in New Orleans before my trip on the Fantasy last April. You will find that it is not one of Carnivals newest or largest ships but what she lacks in size she makes up for in overall personality. Her glass in always gleaming and her brass is always shiny thanks to a very dedicated international crew.

4 more sleeps till NOLA!! and then our cruise on the fantasy I do enjoy the smaller ship as the crew seems to be more attentive to the travelers because they see them more often on the small ships, and you see everyone alot more, then the larger ships. wahoooooooo

Have a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to a full report when you return!!!

I guess since most of you have been on the fantasy and can tell me about the ship. I was thinking of going on it this November. I have been on the Conquest, so going on a small ship will be different. Do you all prefer smaller or bigger. We will be going on the freedom next year but my daughter wants me to babysit her two children while they go on a cruise on the Liberty I believe. I will need a vacation after that.No airplanes, just jump in the car and drive two hours. Just a little leary of the thought of a smaller ship, seasickness and all that stuff. Also my son does not care for the salt water in the pools. Doers all Carnival ships have saltwater?

It looks like we have a family cruise being cobbled together for the Fantasy on October 13. I just looked at the pricing and cabins and will probably book it. We may finally get everyone, from mother-in-law down to grandkids, on the same ship!

livetotravel,
The Fantasy is not a small ship by far. It is a very nice size ship which Carnival built 8 of them in the 1990's. In the 90's a 70,000 Gross ton ship was large. the Fantasy being the first of the eight built is also the name of that class of ship. I find the Fantasy class ships to be one of my favorite, and very easy to find your way around.

quote:

Ignored post by Cruise Fanatic posted February 18, 2008 02:59 PM Show Post

Thanks for the answer. But my other question is does all carnival ships have saltwater pools. I was hoping that the Fantasy with the new addition of the water park would not be saltwater.I was glad that they are putting the water attraction on ti because if I like the ship it would be so easy to just hop aboard for a nice break.

I've not heard if they will convert to fresh water. I kind of doubt it.

I like the Fantasy Class ships too. They don't have any fresh water conversion listed as part of the project, at least from the info. I have read.

Dwayne