We are from California and flew into New Orleans a few days before our cruise. We stayed at Country Inn and Suites. The hotel was very clean and comfortable, easy to check in with a nice breakfast which was included. Easy to walk to Bourbon Street and to the river. It was some of the coldest weather in recent history which made it difficult to venture out much. The morning of the cruise we went downstairs and asked the hotel to call taxi for 10 people and all our luggage. We went downstairs at the time we asked and our taxis were there. We left the hotel about 9:30 and were at the port in about 10 minutes, for $7.00 each plus tip. By 10:15 we were free of lugagge and in line for security. Very quick, just a warning, you go through security before you check in. Some of our group are platinum and the rest got FTTF so check in was a breeze. We were on the ship by 11:45. Went to Guest Service to switch our rooms around cash our travelers checks. That was a nightmare, just so you know you can only cash $1000.00 a day. Anyway after about 6 trips to Guest Services everything was finally taken care of. Got our "Cheers" sticker and ordered our first drinks. Then dropped our stuff in our cabins and headed up to the lido deck to check out the ship.

It was cool out and we were thinking they would have the playoff games on the big screen, no chance. Had to go to the casino, bummer.

We had late dinner and our tradition is to find a bar to meet at before dinner for Martinis. We ended up at the Ocean Side Bar with Elin and Miss K who are some fun, great ladies who make a mean drink. I had emailed the Maiter D and asked for a round table for 12, Shane answered me within 10 minutes and said no problem and we would have a fun wait staff. Well he was awesome and we couldn't have had a better fit for our group. Zubin an The Chipmunks were great. Food in MDR was good and we always had plenty of it. The service was great, we never wanted or nothing. Read more