Hotels near port - New Orleans

Wish I could remember the hotel name we stayed at in 2015. It was in the business district just above the cruise port and a block and a half from the french quarter.

There is so much to see and do in New Orleans. The Audobon Zoo is the BEST! There is a great Children's Museum if you have kids with you. You can ride a street car Uptown and tour the Garden District. The Mardi Gras museum is always fun. I am from there, but often hit up these spots when I visit now.

New Orleans is the Devil's Playground...(which I why I think I like it)

but it might not be a great place for less mobile people-feet are going to hurt after a few days in New Orleans

I cannot imagine that seeing the sights in New Orleans would not be on everyone's agenda. We have sailed out of there 3 times and it has been terrific each time.

We cruise out of NO regularly..have for years, on both CARNY and NCL ..I gather seeing the "sights" in NO itself isn't on your agenda. We always arrive the day before, (for the same reason as you) and always drive it. You have a whole bunch of options .. If you fly, stop knocking yourself out, stay at the airport and get a cab to the pier. Theres a zillion of all over the airport and on your return they line up to the horizon after you debark. Its flat rated. Some motels offer a shuttle, one way or both ways. Doesn't do much for me. Back in the day waiting for some motel shuttle never made me happy. If you drive, you have mo better options. we used to stay over the nite b4 at HAMMOND, MS. good motels all over, hot full breakfasts, easy run down to NO, leave as early as you feel comfortable. mebbe 2 hours out all told. (Nowadays we stay at the HI downtown, because their rates include at least a weeks worth of indoor secure parking. Then we cab over to the pier..$20..You wont find that most places. ) On the other hand, since you're using CARNY, they have a parking BUILDING (NCL had it back in the day)….its attached to the terminal. its $140 for the week. Traffic right at the entry point is a zoo, but they've been doing this for years and years. Pay by machine upon entry, the redcaps take your luggage, check your paperwork, you pay the obligatory tip and walk like a human to the terminal ..all indoors from the time you pay...and wait... Ask any questions you like...

We are still up in the air on parking as we're not sure if we are flying in yet or not.

We would like to be closer to the port if possible. It makes us feel better on embarkation day if we are close to the cruise terminal :)

You want cheap or close? you need parking or no?

InterContinental is a good option-a short walk to French Quarter and close to pier. A lot of the better hotels in the Business District can be had cheap on bidding sites with a little bit of investigation