It took me by surprise when I learned that I would be transferring to another ship mid-cruise with Bermuda Star Lines.  I had recently joined the Vera Cruz in Tampa when the Chief Purser explained that I would be signing on to the Queen of Bermuda later that week.  The move would take place while both ships were anchored off of the port of Cozumel and my new port of origin would be New Orleans.   Another port, another city to be explored.

Little did I know that the Crew Purser position would leave me with limited time to visit this amazing city.  I was in charge of customs and immigration for the ship, so while we were docked, I was processing the paperwork and contracts for the officers and crew in preparation for sailing.

Close to the port was the Riverwalk Marketplace (now the Riverwalk Outlets), an elaborate shopping plaza and food court which was perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat.  The dining area was located upstairs and there were quite a few options for lunch, including some of the local Cajun and Creole cuisine.

On days where I had an extra hour or two, I would stroll away from the food court and enjoy my lunch at the Riverwalk Fountain, located in the Spanish Plaza nearby.

Each week I yearned to meet up with friends in the French Quarter.  They told me about all of the shops and restaurants that they had visited which only made me want to jump ship and check them out for myself.

The time had finally come when I had completed my contract and I would be taking a six week break to visit family and friends.   The ship’s agent knew how much I wanted to see New Orleans so he arranged my travel itinerary so that I would have a few hours to spend here before catching my flight.  I was more than excited to finally venture out past the confines of the Riverwalk and to explore “The Big Easy” for myself.

With my long list of historical sites and points of interest in hand, what better way to start my exploration than to visit The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France?  One of New Orleans’ oldest cathedrals and most notable landmarks, it is the perfect showcase of the city’s French architecture with its elegant spires, clock tower and extravagant courtyard.

Approaching the cathedral straight on was enough to take my breath away.  Taking center stage in the square is a statue of General Andrew Jackson sitting atop his bronze horse.  Beautifully designed after the spectacular Place des Vosges in Paris, I would have never guessed that public executions took place here in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  Today it is a popular location for artists, fortune tellers and tarot card readers.

Soon it was lunchtime and my shipmates highly recommended that I visit Pat O’Brien’s in the French Quarter. I was offered a lovely seat by the fountain in the courtyard and I placed an order for gator bites and the restaurant’s signature drink, the Hurricane.  I was beginning to feel miles away from civilization.  I wasn’t sure if it was the rum from the Hurricane or the relaxing atmosphere of the outdoor garden.

After paying my bill, I enjoyed strolling the streets of The French Quarter. I knew that Bourbon Street was close by and I couldn’t resist taking a few photos.  During the daylight hours, New Orleans seems like a sweet, southern hospitality kind of town with a rich history and fabulous restaurants.  It’s when the sun goes down that the French Quarter comes to life and continues on until the early hours of the morning.  The streets are packed with tourists collecting beads and enjoying frozen drinks with names such as High Octane and Mind Eraser.

I had only a couple of hours until I needed to catch a taxi to the airport, so my final stop brought me back to The French Market.  Our ship’s agent would bring us beignets and coffee from Café du Monde and it was that time in the afternoon when I was ready for a café au lait and a last stroll through the shops. I could smell the fresh seafood and the local Cajun and Creole spices for which New Orleans is known.  I placed my order for some jambalaya and enjoyed every bite before saying goodbye to The Big Easy.

Is there a place where you have traveled that brings back fond memories?  Maybe it was a childhood vacation spot a business trip that you frequented?  I would love to hear about that special place if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading my post about New Orleans and wishing you many Happy travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Spanish Plaza
2 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA  70130

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France (also known as St. Louis Cathedral)
615 Pere Antoine Alley
New Orleans, LA  70116
Telephone:  504 525 9585

• Admission Fee:  Free, with the option to leave a donation
•  Hours:  Open daily from 8:30AM to 4PM with daily mass held at 12:05PM.
•  Amenities:  Gift shop, can light candles for a charge of $2,
•  Guided Tours and Informational Booklets:  Self-guided brochures are available for a $1 donation.  Guides are available for groups with a prior reservation.
• Length of Visit:  1 hour
• Tips for Your Visit:  The cathedral may be closed on Saturdays due to weddings, so check their website to inquire if a wedding is on the schedule.  Please respect fellow visitors who may be entering the cathedral for prayer and refrain from taking photos during mass.

Where to Shop:

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
500 Port of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA  70130
Telephone:  504 522 1555

• Open:  Monday – Saturday: 10AM – 9PM; Sunday: 10AM – 7PM

French Market
700 – 1010 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA  70116
Telephone:  504 522 2621

• Hours:  The market is open daily from 9AM to 6PM.   The Farmer’s Market is open from 10AM to 6PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
•  Amenities:  Shopping, food, crafts bazaar, flea market and live entertainment
•  Length of Time to Spend at The French Market:  2 – 3 hours

Where to Stay:

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
621 Saint Louis St.
New Orleans, LA  70130
Toll Free Number:  866 538 9295

This hotel is located in the middle of all of the action in New Orleans!  It is an absolutely beautiful property with a rooftop terrace, outdoor pool and balconies with a street view!

Where to Eat:

Acme Oyster Bar  – affordable seafood!
735 Iberville Street
Telephone: 504 522 5973

Try the oysters or a local po-boy sandwich or if you have a bigger appetite, the New Orleans Medley allows you to try a sampling of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans & rice and grilled smoked sausage.

Brennan’s – upscale Creole cuisine since 1956
417 Royal Street
Telephone:  504 525 9711

This is one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans not only because the food is so fabulous but its courtyard and patio are picturesque and remind me of dining at a southern plantation. During a recent visit, I ordered the Roasted Oysters prepared with smoked chili butter and a manchego cheese crust.  For my entree, I decided to order a selection from the starters section and could not wait to try the New Orleans BBQ Lobster.  The wine list is extensive with over 30,000 bottles on site!  We ordered a bottle of Bartolo Mascarello.  Save some room for their signature dessert which is the Bananas Foster and is world-renowned!

Court of Two Sisters – Jazz brunch buffet, expensive
613 Royal Street
Telephone:  504 522 7261

Once a home for a Louisiana governor, this restaurant is one of the most accommodating eateries in New Orleans with four dining rooms and a French menu to die for.  David had been begging me to try the Turtle Soup and it seemed as though every restaurant we visited, it was on the menu.  I started out with the Turtle Soup Au Sherry, which was actually quite good, but I will probably not order it again.  At least I can say I tried it and I hope he doesn’t encourage me to try the Frog Legs!  For my main entree, I could not pass up the Vegetarian Lasagna to save some room for the Creme Brulee!

Commander’s Palace, Creole and Jazz brunch buffet
1403 Washington Avenue
Telephone:  504 899 8221

A New Orleans landmark, this restaurant is the epitome of Creole and Louisiana cuisine! It is here that I first experienced Creole gumbo and Crawfish. Note that there is a dress code for Commander’s Palace.

Many people visit New Orleans to experience Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants and here are the links to these wonderful establishments as well!  I have not had the pleasure of visiting his restaurants as they are usually booked far in advance!  It is best to call ahead for reservations!

NOLA
534 St. Louis Street
Telephone: 504 522 6652

Meril
424 Girod Street
Telephone:  504 526 3745

Emeril’s New Orleans
800 Tchoupioulas Street
Telephone:  504 528 9393

Emeril’s Delmonico
1300 St. Charles Avenue
Telephone:  504 525 4937

What to Eat :

• Crawfish Etoufee  – shellfish over rice, using a technique called “smothering”
• Andouille Gumbo – a stew consisting of a strong-flavored stock with meat or shellfish, a roux, celery, bell peppers and onions. Andouille is a type of spicy sausage usually included in gumbo.
• Jambalaya– a dish of meat and vegetables mixed with rice
• Beignets – fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit and topped with confectioner’s sugar
• Zapp’s Potato Chips!– a thick cut, kettle style potato chip that includes cajun and creole spices.  My favorite flavor is the spicy cajun crawtators!

Where to Drink: 

Pat O’Brien’s Bar
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA  70116
Telephone:  504 525 4823

• Hours:  The bar opens daily from noon; the piano lounge show typically begins at 6PM and the courtyard is available from 11AM;  The kitchen is open until 10PM.
• Amenities:  Restaurant, bar and live entertainment
• Tips for Your Visit:  Try Pat O’Brien’s signature drink, The Hurricane.  Additional specialty drinks on the menu include The Cyclone, Bloody Mary, Pat O’s Lemonade, Mint Julep, Skylab, Rainbow, Pat O’s Rainstorm, Category 5 Margarita, Fuzzy Leprechaun.  For a small fee you can keep the souvenir cup, which your server will carefully wrap up for you.  The piano bar is extremely fun to sing along with the dueling pianos and check out the flaming fountain at night, which is absolutely spectacular!

What to Read: 

• New Orleans, DK Eyewitness Travel, by Marilyn Wood
• A Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
• Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice
• The Axeman of New Orleans: The True Story, by Miriam C. Davis
• Voodoo Dreams, by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Photo Guide for New Orleans:

• French Quarter:  The architecture is absolutely stunning, so look for the Creole houses with wrought-iron balconies.  Some of the most beautiful buildings in the Quarter include St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Ursuline Convent, as well as the Cabildo.
• Jackson Square:  The square is located in front of St. Louis Cathedral and was once the location for public execution.  Today, there are musicians and tarot card readers that provide local entertainment and are accustomed to photographers shooting their pics.
• Food photos are a must in New Orleans, so order a muffaletta, beignet or plate of oysters and shoot away.
• Garden District:  With million dollar homes lining the street of St. Charles, you will want to hop on the streetcar to explore these amazing homes and their spectacular architecture.
• Cemeteries of New Orleans:  While St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is home to some of the most famous mausoleums and interesting history, there are several cemeteries which are also accessible by tour.  These cemeteries include St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, Metairie Cemetery, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Charity Hospital and Katrina Memorial Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery.
• Frenchmen Street is the new Bourbon Street just across the esplanade from the French Quarter.  A safe option for exploring New Orleans at night, visitors can browse a local art market, listen to local music at one of the amazing clubs and explore the fabulous street art throughout this district.

Disclosure:   Please note that the information provided in this post was correct at the time of posting but is subject to change.   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.