We sailed on the Carnival Elation May 9-13th. We arrived in New Orleans on Wednesday night so we could enjoy the city and not have to fight traffice coming in to New Orleans on sailing day.
*Parking - We have reserved parking with Machu Picchu Tours in advance. The man called me on Thursday morning to make sure I had directions to his garage. We met our friends that have driven in from Alabama at the garage at around 10:00. The garage looks like a big warehouse but I knew that from friends that had used it before. When we pulled in our bags were unloaded and we paid for parking and he brought our trucks in the covered warehouse. They will give you your keys back to keep but we asked him to keep them for us. He loaded us in the van and off we went to the cruise terminal. When we returned from the cruise we called and he was there within 10 minutes to pick us up. I will use him again, very very good service.
*Embarkation- This was so quick and easy at this port. We breezed through and at 11:15 we were boarding the ship.