First of all I cruised with a group of 28. Some were families with kids and some single. Most of us were in our 30s to late 40s. The kids were 11-17, and one 3 year old. We all arrived different ways and days from Illinois. My family drove! Most of us stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Harvey (7 miles outside N.O) for 67.00 per night. It is a nice area compared to what I saw in New Orleans. The hotel itself was very new and had a nice Continental breakfast as far as I was concerned. The place was very clean and the staff was nice. I think I would have enjoyed N.O. more had it not rained the entire time I was there. I really wanted to see a plantation or go to the cemetery and other stuff outside, but instead saw the Aquarium and the Riverwalk due to the weather. I really enjoyed the Aquarium, and little kids that were there and some of our BIG kids liked being able to touch things in there. Harrah's is directly across the street from the Aquarium and caught the attention of some of our group. The last time I was in N.O. was 20 years ago and I remember it so differently than what I saw this vacation. A restroom can't be used UNLESS you have purchased alcohol from that bar and there are signs that say so everywhere. That bothered me a little as I wasn't drinking in the middle of the day and neither were my kids. Maybe I wasn't in the right area to find restrooms and I didn't go to a sit down place to eat so maybe you are allowed to go there.

Enough about my N.O. experience I don't want you to get the idea that my vacation wasn't fun because I truly had a wonderful time once I was on the ship!!!! Only positive info now! I did go into the St Louis Cathedral and enjoyed that!

Embarkation....we had done a practice run so that we wouldn't get confused finding the cruise terminal.. however we didn't know where to park so we pulled in only to have to turn around and take a "left and three rights". It was sort of chaotic with people leaving and arriving. I highly recommend taking a cab or shuttle then you are dropped off right up front and no parking hassles. We were very leery about leaving our van in the lot we were in as many cars that were there from the previous cruise were in water from all the rain and Tropical Storm Depression Matthew that hit while they were out to sea. Read more