2-22-09 Spirit from NOLA - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

packard89 · 01-25-2009, 08:14 PM

Only 27 days to go, I can't believe no one has been posting on this roll call!! Isn't anyone getting excited yet????? What excursions do you guys have booked?? I want to hear about it!!!

mowdoc · 01-27-2009, 03:40 PM

Oh hell ya we're excited to go!!! Is it time yet?? I am doing a project at work right now that will last until the week before the cruise and trust me, I am ready for the Spirit today!!
My wife is an office manager and she is doing budget and tax stuff now - any need to explain how ready she is to cruise?? Didn't think so.
Thanks for the info on the Mardi Gras parades, we have made notes to see those you mentioned. We went to Mardi Gras in 2003 and did the same we are doing this year and got on a cruise from New Orleans after Mardi Gras. My wife had caught a nice little stuffed fish about 8 inches long from one of the floats and we hung it in our cabin during that cruise. It still hangs in our game room and we often remember that cruise when we look at the fish (that cruise was very special to us). With your help, we hope to be at the right parade this year so that maybe we can catch another nice gift from New Orleans.
We decorated our cabin with the fish and another float throw plus a lot of beads and our room steward complimented our nice touch. No - you can't ask how we got those beads. You had to be there (he-he).
So anyway, our 2003 cruise after Mardi Gras was over the top for fun so if we can just get close to that much fun this trip we will be happy. One thing seems to be in our favor - we are going to be onboard with some very nice people!!!

To answer the original question - yes, yes, yes we are beyond ready to cruise!!!!

packard89 · 01-27-2009, 05:07 PM

Yay!! Me too!!! What have you decided to do for excursions? In Costa Maya, we are going to Muhuahal Beach (?sp) and then back to the port to hang out at the pool area with our friends. (I had the best pina coloda there a few years ago!) Belize, going cave tubing with "Major Tom", Guatamala, I think we are going to the Las Escabos water fall, using Go With Gus tours, and Cozumel, going to Paradise Beach and then Carlos and Charlies, I've never been there before, I've been told that it's an "experience" lol

mowdoc · 01-27-2009, 10:07 PM

We will be getting a beach massage at Mahahaul (that is how I spell it but I am usually wrong) and then maybe rent a jet ski if the water conditions are good. Wifey wants to know where you got that Pina Colada?? Sounds real tasty.

Been looking at the Zip line/River tubing in Belize but not booked yet.

Cozumell will find us drinking at Senior Frogs or the like and then maybe a taxie ride around the island. Paridise beach could be in the plan that day as well.

I have not heard much to do in Santo Tomas but I will listen to anything written by someone who has done it.

mowdoc

packard89 · 01-27-2009, 11:13 PM

I don't know the name of the bar where I got the pina colada, but it was on the left of the pool and served in those crazy "foot long" cups. I had 2 and then floated back to the ship.

As far as Belize is concerned, I keep hearing good things about Major Tom. I've actually emailed him several times back and forth, he seems very nice. We have 37 peope going on his tour, we're going to have our own bus and guides. He's going to make a small fortune off of us.

And all I keep hearing about Guatemala is to wait until you get there to book anything. I'm pretty sure I'm going to us "Go with Gus tours", I've heard a lot of good things about that company. (Not here on CLF, on other boards.)

mok · 01-28-2009, 09:30 PM

We are getting excited also!! The only excursion booked is in Belize. We are going to the ruins at Altun Ha. I booked though NCL because the prices were about the same as those on the net. We plan on going to Los Escobas Waterfall in Santo Tomas. Prices seem best at the port. We have not decided on either port in Mexico. I want to go snorkeling but the wife is afraid to float around in open water. She saw Jaws at too young an age!! I am a native of New Orleans and I'll help with any questions about the city. See you soon!

mowdoc · 01-29-2009, 04:09 PM

Hey mok - I love your avitar!!

My wife and I are both dog lovers and that one is a dandy!! Please say it is your dog and not just a pic you saved on the hard drive.

I can't seem to remember to look up the name of the motel we are staying in at New Orleans but it is about two or three blocks west of Bourbon and Canal and it is on the south side of Canal. What I am driving at here is back in 2003 we had trouble finding food except for a McDonalds near this intersection. (Bourbon and Canal)

I realize this is getting off the original subject of the thread but I thought others may want this info too. If you prefer, just PM me the info if you have any to offer.

Thanks
mowdoc

mok · 01-29-2009, 09:14 PM

That is our dog Ruben. We got him from the spca about 8 yrs ago. There are plenty of places to eat around Canal St. The uptown side or the CBD, opposite the Quarter, caters more to the business crowd. They are open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays. Of course the more famous places, Emerils, Antoines, etc are open for lunch and dinner.

mowdoc · 02-11-2009, 09:54 AM

We are staying in a place called the "Lexington Suites and O". It is on the south side of Canal about 3 or 4 blocks northwest of Canal and Bourbon streets.

We like to walk and mapquest says the cruise dock is about 2 miles from this hotel. 2 miles is not much for us but my question is this - will we have problems walking to the ship on Sunday mid-day with the parade routes??? Should we just take a cab and let him worry about the side streets?? I remember the 2003 visit our cab could not take us to our hotel (Ritz Carlton) and we walked the last couple of blocks then.

Thanks for your help
mowdoc

mowdoc · 02-14-2009, 12:31 PM

OK - our hotel is named "Lexington Hotel O and Suites". I knew it didn't look right in the other post. BTW - the wife booked this place online a year ago. I asked her if she selected it for location and she said no. Must be the name huh?? (he-he) Looks like she wants a headstart before we get onboard the Spirit!!!

What do you guys think - should we try to walk to the ship on Sunday?? Will the parades mess us up??

Wifey has her work load in order and I will have my project finished at work by noon Wednesday!!! Monday is a holiday and we are off Friday to fly into NOLA!!!

This cruise is so close now I can smell it!!!!!

ANYBODY ELSE READY TO GO????????

mowdoc