Carnival Liberty - November 29, 2026 (14 Nights)

Steeped in history and famous for its French colonial influence, New Orleans has always had a magnetic draw for visitors. And the city has recovered marvelously from the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. Downtown is once again vibrant, the antique shops, fine restaurants and sporting venues are once again full, and the new cruise terminal located on the riverfront in downtown is first-class. If you are thinking of taking a cruise to the Western Caribbean, how about mixing in a little Cajun, Creole and French culture and making New Orleans your departure point? It's the perfect way to kickoff your cruise or a relaxing - yet energetic - way to end it.

Visitors to New Orleans on a cruise itinerary will find the new Erato Street Terminal adjacent to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This modern dock facility serves vessels of the NCL, Carnival and other cruise lines, and there is easy access from the terminal to the Riverwalk shopping complex. Here you can find plenty of gift stores, clothing boutiques and a number of ATMs. Taxis can be found both at the shopping center or can be called for pickup at the terminal itself.

One cannot visit New Orleans and not spend time in the famous and historic French Quarter, the area's main tourist attraction. Here you can find anything French, and along the popular Bourbon Street there is no end to the fine restaurants, shops and street performers. The jazz clubs are present on every block and the French Market is a must-see with its variety of produce, ready-made sauces, soups and spices. The beautiful Saint Louis Cathedral is worth two dozen photographs and the flea market is a delight for families with children. Everything from stuffed boa constrictors to voodoo magic necessities can be found here. And if you are in town during Mardi Gras, which is observed the week before Ash Wednesday, you are in for a real treat. Away from the French Quarter, visitors can take a stroll through the Garden District with its incredible mansions and manor homes. Close to it is the popular Magazine Street, with its never-ending antique shops, odd bookstores and small cafes. If you want to head into the wilds, check out the amazing Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, the largest urban refuge in the nation. Just 20 minutes from downtown on Highway 434, this fantastic natural area has walking trails, boat tours and guided bird watching trips.

If you've ever wanted to watch the experts craft a beautiful crepe on the backside of the crepe pan, over an open flame, it is suggested you head to New Orleans. The finest in Creole style cuisine, Cajun delights and the best Southern cookery in the nation is found in the many excellent restaurants located throughout the city. Popular with residents is the Cafe du Monde, with several locations in the central districts. Visitors will enjoy the fresh roasted coffee and snack items on the menu here. The famous "New Orleans Lunch", which is another way of saying that the meal can last all afternoon, is perhaps best enjoyed at Galatoire's at 209 Bourbon Street. Every type of soup and stew is offered along with plenty of bread, pan-fried shrimp and the largest choice of drinks in the city. And there are so many smaller establishments with emphasis on French, Cajun or Creole cooking that it would be impossible to mention them all.

Taxis in New Orleans have set rates between the popular destinations. This includes to and from the airport as well as from the downtown area to the cruise terminal. The famous streetcars also have set prices and the destinations are clearly marked at the loading areas. The streetcars connect the French Quarter with Canal Street, with smaller branching lines running to the various neighborhoods. The Riverfront Streetcar leaves from the Erato Cruise Terminal and heads directly along the river and through part of the downtown.

The weather in New Orleans is warm and sticky during the summer, and tends to be chilly and damp in the winter. However, visitors should be ready for both clear skies and rainy conditions at any time of the year. For those wanting to stay in touch or need Internet/WiFi connections, there are a good number of cafes that offer WiFi in the city. Most hotels have Internet access near the lobbies. The cruise terminal itself does not have telephone clusters or Internet connection facilities.

The very word Aruba conjures up visions of paradise in people's minds. And it's no wonder, since this fascinating island in the southernmost part of the Caribbean has long attracted visitors to its sparkling white sand beaches. One of the most popular cruise stops in the region, Aruba dazzles with its historical architecture, secluded seaside resort villages and the friendliness of the native inhabitants. Renowned nightlife, spectacular shopping and, most of all, the feeling that you are truly in a timeless world of unlimited pleasure opportunities makes Aruba an amazing place for those who want the very best in tropical entertainment.

Cruise vessels arrive in the capital city of Oranjestad and anchor at a modern port facility directly in front of the central business district. The terminal is complete with information centers, souvenir shops and interactive kiosks, and there is a well-defined taxi area outside the facility. Many of the historical downtown buildings, restaurants and bars are located on the main avenues running from the waterfront to the center of the town.

Most people come here for the beaches and the fine weather, and there is no denying that Aruba exceeds expectations on both fronts. The climate is very mild, with ever so slight temperature variations throughout the year. The island receives less than 20 inches of annual rainfall, far less than many of the other well-known islands in the Caribbean, therefore enjoying the sun and surf is virtually guaranteed. The famous Eagle Beach is the longest stretch of white sand on the entire island and is a favorite of both locals and visitors. Only a 10 minute taxi ride from the cruise terminal, it can be crowded, but the gentle surf and multitude of nearby shops makes it a must stop while visiting the island. Families with kids will love the Butterfly Farm located nearby. Palm Beach is another popular getaway for an afternoon, featuring snorkeling and scuba lessons, a wide variety of snack shops and also a number of resort casinos. The Royal Plaza and Seaport Village Mall, directly adjacent to the cruise docks, offer the best mix of souvenir and jewelry shopping in the city of Oranjestad. Along the downtown waterfront, visitors will marvel at the Dutch Colonial architecture, and for those wanting a bit of the out-of-town adventure, check out the famous California lighthouse, located on the extreme northwest cape and offering some of the best dune surfing on the island.

On L.G. Smith Boulevard visitors flock to the Pinchos Grill and Bar, one of the most popular late night eateries in Oranjestad. While at Palm Beach, many visitors will enjoy lunch at the Pelican Grill, located on an extended pier and serving up delicious seafood platters. At the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort (at 252 J.E. Irausquin Blvd.) is the highly recommended Passions on the Beach restaurant, which is noted for its beautifully decorated seating, grilled fish and never-ending samplers.

If coming ashore from the cruise ship, walking is the preferred method for exploring the downtown. Taxis are affordable and can take visitors to all the popular beaches and casinos. Public bus service connects Oranjestad to all the other communities on the island and is a great way to see the outlying terrain. Rental cars can be reserved before the cruise and there are pickup services right at the cruise terminal.

Dutch is considered the native language of Aruba, but most of the locals speak English fluently. The currency unit is the Aruban florin, and there are plenty of banks and ATMs for exchanging and withdrawing. Most of the larger hotels have Internet cafes and easy long distance calling operations. The Royal Plaza Mall has the largest Internet cafe on the island, just a few blocks from the cruise terminal.

Cozumel is Mexico's most famous tropical island resort and is located off the coast of the Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. Every year hundreds of cruise ships ferry travelers, honeymooners, and adventure seekers alike from all over the world to this beautiful Caribbean island. Ancient Mayan ruins and natural reefs compliment Cozumel's immaculate coastline. You don't even need to travel far from the port to walk along the island's near-perfect beaches or explore its lush tropical landscape.

Three piers serve cruise ships passing through Cozumel. The primary docking terminal lies at Punta Langosta, located on the shores of the island's only city, San Miguel de Cozumel. But the International Pier and Puerta Maya to the south of Punta Langosta also see plenty of cruise ship traffic throughout the year. No matter where you arrive and disembark for the day, Cozumel's prime attractions are very accessible on foot, or by taxi, which is the most useful way to get around the city.

If you happen to be in the mood for an adventure, look no further than the San Gervasio Mayan ruins only a few miles east of San Miguel. In fact, Cozumel is home to many ancient Mayan landmarks that are over 2,000 years old. But the San Gervasio ruins take the prize as the largest ancient structures left standing on the island. The Plaza del Sol is another attraction you have to see while docked in Cozumel. This retail complex provides cruise ship travelers with plenty of opportunities to find the perfect souvenir. Locally known as 'zocalo', Plaza del Sol houses shops, which sell jewelry, clothing, handcrafted products as well as other memorabilia. One of the most popular activities on the island is the Palancar Reef. From San Miguel follow the shoreline south on the Rafael E. Melgar Boulevard in order to find Cozumel's world-renowned snorkeling and diving waters. Water sports like sailing and surfing have a strong following as well on the island's long, pristine beaches. You can take part in all kinds of outdoor activities while on Cozumel. For example, Chankanaab National Park services over a million visitors each year. Both snorkeling and diving, especially into the infamous underwater Chankanaab Caves, are very popular activities in Cozumel.

While there are a number of restaurants within walking distance of the cruise ship terminal, a short taxi cab ride into the heart of San Miguel can give you a better feel for the wide range of dining options. Mexican and Caribbean cuisines are the most common ones. Cozumel's fresh seafood is very popular and is a major attraction in town and out on the beach.

Once you set foot on Cozumel, many of the island's best amenities are located within walking distance from the dock. But a large number of visitors opt to get around the island by taxi. If you happen to be the adventurous type, you can rent a vehicle for the day. But it is advised that first time visitors stay close to San Miguel since many of the island's inland rural roads are isolated and may be in poor condition.

While the official currency is peso, most shops accept (even prefer) US dollars. Also, almost all shops have English speakers in case you don't know Spanish. There is also a calling station (located at Plaza Orbi - Local 1, Av. Rafael E. Melgar 27) that you can use for Internet or for making an international phone call.