New Orleans Port for Magic

[TxT365]

Looking at a surprise trip for spring break 2023. The Magic has a 4 day out of New Orleans. I've not seen anything about the New Orleans port, though. Does anyone have reviews or better yet, pics of the port?

Thanks!

T

 

[Travel60]

Look at the WBPC thread. The NO port is right downtown at the southern edge of the French Quarter. It's not Port Canaveral but works well.

 

[Engineman02]

Believe the cruise terminal is just south of the Riverwalk (shopping center). Just note it is on the East Bank, which is west of the West Bank.

 

[BrokeMack]

We sailed out of NO on the Wonder in Feb. There are a number of hotels across the street from the terminal, but because of the convention center you have to take a bit of a walk. 10 minutes maybe. Or you can take an Uber or whatever. It's about 30 minutes from the airport. What info were you looking for in particular?

 

[LindaC]

I was on the WBPC cruise in March which sailed out of NO. Disney cruises out of Eratro Street Terminal. I took a taxi from the hotel to the terminal. Once I arrived at the terminal I was inside the Disney bubble. The luggage handler met my taxi and took the luggage away to the ship. Then I got in line. Once inside the terminal building received instructions on Covid testing procedure. Proceeded to testing area, took the test, then followed the arrows on the floor for security check in. Security check was easy. Then went to the room to wait for Covid results. The room was large, had chairs, a refreshment area, and restrooms. Results were available about 20 minutes after testing. Once cleared to sail proceeded to Disney check in. This process went quickly; basically showed our passports and answered a couple of questions. The last area in the terminal was to get preboarding pictures taken (if you want to do it). At last it was time to take the long, and I do mean long, walk up the gangway to board the ship.

The entire process was well organized. Throughout the entire time there were Disney CMs available and ready to help. They were pointing the way to the next area I needed to go.

 

[TxT365]

So we went from thinking about it, to booking it within a few hours. Fastest decision we've ever made, I think!

I'm trying determine what I need to plan on for arrival, also where to stay the night before. We haven't decided if we're flying or driving (from Iowa) yet. While I'd love to visit the French Quarter, I have no desire to actually stay in the FQ overnight.

Off to look at the WBPC thread! Thanks so much! If you have other tips, I'm all ears!

T

 

[squirk]

So we went from thinking about it, to booking it within a few hours. Fastest decision we've ever made, I think!

I'm trying determine what I need to plan on for arrival, also where to stay the night before. We haven't decided if we're flying or driving (from Iowa) yet. While I'd love to visit the French Quarter, I have no desire to actually stay in the FQ overnight.

Off to look at the WBPC thread! Thanks so much! If you have other tips, I'm all ears!

T

The port is not directly adjacent to the FQ. You are a 10-15 minute walk to the beginning of the Quarter, and even then, you have to walk another good 5 blocks to get to the heart of it (Jackson Square). Certainly a do-able walk, but it could be quite warm during Spring Break.

There are plenty of hotels near the port, as it’s right next to a huge convention center. Mostly super-chains (Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG) and their sub-brands. No need to stay in the FQ.

But the port is almost directly beneath the Crescent City Connection bridge, going over the Mississippi River, so you may catch some traffic noise in your room if your hotel is right next to the port.

The port itself is decidedly not on the level of Port Canaveral Terminal 8. It is multi-use for several cruise lines, so no Disney theming. Nothing wrong with it per se, but very utilitarian compared to PC.

That said, when we sailed (right before COVID shut everything down), the parking, security, check-in and boarding processes were all very smooth, as was debarkation. It isn’t pretty, but it gets the job done.

 

[BrokeMack]

We stayed at the Marriott warehouse arts district. No complaints, recently renovated, new ish furniture etc. It was a 10-15 minute walk despite being literally right across the street (you have to go the long way around the convention center). Plenty of hotels along that road so stay wherever you've got points. You enter the riverside mall on Julia Street and then head south along the walkway to the terminal. I'd do it again the next time we sail out of NO.

 

[TxT365]

What is the earliest flight time you'd recommend after this cruise?
**edited to add clarity**

 

[BrokeMack]

We ate breakfast in the MDR and still made it to the airport before 10.

 

[otten]

Looking at a surprise trip for spring break 2023. The Magic has a 4 day out of New Orleans. I've not seen anything about the New Orleans port, though. Does anyone have reviews or better yet, pics of the port?

Thanks!

T

We sailed out of NOLA March 2020. The port is very convenient and easy to get to. There isn’t the full on Disney theming like at PC but that’s true for every other non Port Canaveral port. And it’s fun to get a chance to see a bit of NOLA before sailing too.

 

[Milky]

The port is not directly adjacent to the FQ. You are a 10-15 minute walk to the beginning of the Quarter, and even then, you have to walk another good 5 blocks to get to the heart of it (Jackson Square). Certainly a do-able walk, but it could be quite warm during Spring Break.

There are plenty of hotels near the port, as it’s right next to a huge convention center. Mostly super-chains (Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG) and their sub-brands. No need to stay in the FQ.

But the port is almost directly beneath the Crescent City Connection bridge, going over the Mississippi River, so you may catch some traffic noise in your room if your hotel is right next to the port.

The port itself is decidedly not on the level of Port Canaveral Terminal 8. It is multi-use for several cruise lines, so no Disney theming. Nothing wrong with it per se, but very utilitarian compared to PC.

That said, when we sailed (right before COVID shut everything down), the parking, security, check-in and boarding processes were all very smooth, as was debarkation. It isn’t pretty, but it gets the job done.

Planning on driving 8+ hours. So booked a stop outside of New Orleans and will finish the last 1 hour in the morning. Have little kids so wasn't planning on staying on site. The Friday getting off, planning on checking out thr city before leaving.

With that said, what are the best parking options at the port?

 

[anricat]

I just got back from a roadtrip to NOLA. (I live about 8 hours away.) I was there for an event at the convention center which is really close to the port. I actually parked my car in a cruise parking garage across the street because it was cheaper than the hotel parking (which wanted to charge me $45/day - hard pass). I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn near the convention center and was pleased with the stay. Not too fancy, but not too budget and I felt safe in the area. I parked my car in the Fulton Place Garage across the street from the hotel which I booked online in advance and it worked well. I think it was $20/night. It appeared that they have a cruise shuttle because I snapped a pic on my way to the elevator to send to DH (hint, hint!) for a laugh.

 

[squirk]

Planning on driving 8+ hours. So booked a stop outside of New Orleans and will finish the last 1 hour in the morning. Have little kids so wasn't planning on staying on site. The Friday getting off, planning on checking out thr city before leaving.

With that said, what are the best parking options at the port?

When we sailed in 2020, the Wonder was using the Erato port, and I think it's still using Erato vs. Julia. We used the port garage itself. Super-convenient, especially if you have little kids.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Can anyone show me a map of the cruise direction out to the Golf? I’m messing something up because I always end up running out of water for the ship and can’t find my way out. I’m thinking we might want to watch the sail out. But could be helpful to know what we are passing on the way.
Is there a map?

 

[squirk]

Can anyone show me a map of the cruise direction out to the Golf? I’m messing something up because I always end up running out of water for the ship and can’t find my way out. I’m thinking we might want to watch the sail out. But could be helpful to know what we are passing on the way.
Is there a map?

Just follow the Mississippi out to the Gulf.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Just follow the Mississippi out to the Gulf.

View attachment 693866

About how long does that take?
I don’t see how they do that in the dark both coming and going? February it’ll be dark around 4:30 in the evening which I think is before we even sail out.
Thank you your comments are always so helpful to me.

 

[FWRR3]

About how long does that take?
I don’t see how they do that in the dark both coming and going? February it’ll be dark around 4:30 in the evening which I think is before we even sail out.
Thank you your comments are always so helpful to me.

Takes about 8 hrs I believe. Yes, it's a shame it is at night. I got up at 3am coming back to NOLA and really enjoyed the scenery (mostly ships and industry) and sunrise coming into NOLA.

 

[BrokeMack]

It's pretty cool when you sail the Wonder and you get Tiana's for dinner on night one so when she sings Gonna Take You There you're literally going down the bayou.

 

[jujubiee4]

We sailed out of NOLA March 2020. The port is very convenient and easy to get to. There isn’t the full on Disney theming like at PC but that’s true for every other non Port Canaveral port. And it’s fun to get a chance to see a bit of NOLA before sailing too.

How did you get to the port? Uber ? Taxi? Walk? Any hotels that are close walking distance?
Thanks.