Decided on a Christmas cruise for a change and a break from the cold and from the same old routine.
Stayed in New Orleans at Holiday Inn/French Quarter. Hotel was fine, nothing fancy, and just like everyone else says, the elevators are not sufficient. Location was great, very short walk to the action and less than a ten minute walk pretty much anywhere. After realizing that everything was so close, we decided to walk to the port via Canal St. to the river walk shops. This was between a ten and fifteen minute casual walk. We each were pulling a suitcase,(may have looked a little silly), but it was actually fun and this little adventure saved an extra $50, that the hotel would have charged for the shuttle($8/pp). Later on that extra $50 will come in handy on board.
Embarkation was fast. Arrived there around 12:15 and were on the ship by 1:00. Had to get a waiver signed for my 19 year old, and buy a soda package(around $50), and by the time we were done with that the rooms were ready. Took our carry-ons to our rooms.