Best of Times Proudly Presents
New Orleans & Caribbean Escape Cruise
Six Destinations...One Great Trip!
April 9th - 23rd, 2010
Special Twist!!
Sail From New Orleans & End in Boston
Join
us on this wonderful 15 Day & 14 Night escape to New Orleans, Western/Southern
Caribbean, and Bermuda. A fun-filled 3 days awaits in New Orleans where
we start our trip. Stay in the famous & luxurious accommodations of
the Hotel Monteleone, a magnificent 4-Star Property. We tour the area from
the French Quarter to the stately, graceful old homes of the Garden District
to the giant oaks that stretch across Esplanade Avenue or drip with ghostly
Spanish moss in City Park, and the Plantation of Oak Alley. Known for its
music, dancing, and food we stretch the limits of our senses as we explore
New Orleans the Best of Times way! Then board our cruise ship for a wonderful
7 Night Cruise on the Norwegian Spirit. The beaches. The shopping. The snorkeling.
The rainforests. Sure, there's a lot to see and do. There are also an indiscriminate
number of beachfront palm trees, ideal for napping. Relax. It's the Caribbean
with Freestyle Cruising. Your vacation.... your way!
THE BEST OF TIMES DIFFERENCE
- 13-day/12-night cruise on the NCL Spirit
- 2-Night stay in 4-star Hotel Monteleone (located in the French Quarter)
- All Touring & Meals in New Orleans as per itinerary
- Airfare from Logan Airport
- Transportation to Airport and Back to Local Pick-up Location *
- Travelers Insurance by TravelSafe Insure-A-Group
- Best of Times Professional Tour Director throughout trip**
- Best of Times Private Cocktail Party with Extra Surprises
- All Luggage Handling Costs Included
- All Driver Gratuities Included for transfers
- Payment of all port charges
New Orleans
Take a close look at Hotel Monteleone. You'll see a hotel that combines
a legendary history of hospitality with a vibrant contemporary flair and
a location that puts you at the very heart of all that is the French Quarter
in New Orleans.
From the Grand Lobby to the world-class cuisine to the welcoming comforts of your private retreat, this is your place in New Orleans. Family-owned and operated for over a hundred years, Hotel Monteleone takes pride in a hard earned reputation for excellence and continues to strive to provide a unique travel experience.
The hotel has long been a favorite of writers - in the Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway mentioned Hotel Monteleone in, Night Before Battle. Whether truth or fiction, our history is rich in stories.
In 1886, Mr. Monteleone bought a 64-room hotel on the corner of Royal and Iberville streets in New Orleans' world famous French Quarter. That was only the beginning of an amazing historical landmark that is one of the last great family owned and operated hotels in the city. Since 1886, four generations of Monteleones have dedicated themselves to making their hotel what it was and still is- a sparkling jewel in the heart of the French Quarter.
All rooms are newly refurbished in beautiful earth tones, conveying a sense of comfort, warmth and relaxation. All have new marble and granite bathrooms and plush amenities. High ceilings and ornamental moldings enhance the French Quarter ambience.
From the rooftop pool to the plush robe in your room, we make sure Hotel Monteleone makes your time in New Orleans even more memorable. You'll notice an attention to detail only possible with family ownership and operation. We've spent over a century preparing for your visit, so prepare to be pampered.
New Orleans, Louisiana
This is one of the few cities in America (if not the only one) where you
do not feel as if you are in America. It may sound cliché to call
New Orleans magical and seductive, but it's the truth. Every one of your
senses is engaged from the moment you arrive. To call New Orleans picturesque
is not doing it justice. Music flows from every doorway or is played right
in the street. Jazz, Cajun, blues, whatever--you'll find yourself moving
to a rhythm, and the very streets seem to dance along with you. There are
delicious smells in the air, which seems to carry a whiff of the Caribbean.
The moist, honeyed air caresses your skin and almost seems alive.
Day 1 - Depart Boston & Arrive New Orleans
Upon our arrival in New Orleans we begin with our Super City Tour. Travel
Through Three Centuries of history, legends and romance as you encounter
"The City That Care Forgot!" Absorb the sights & sounds of
historic Jackson Square, home of the Cabildo and Presbytere Museums. Visit
one of our historic cemeteries, referred to as "Cities of the Dead,"
and learn about this unique above ground burial system. Marvel at stories
of voodoo and piracy on Bayou St. John, the waterway used by Jean Lafitte
and his band of pirates, as we make our way to the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.
View the longest bridge over water in the world, the Lake Pontchartrain
Causeway. Follow the path of the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, the oldest
continuously operating passenger railway system in the world (until service
was disrupted by Hurricane Katrina). See the homes of former Kings &
Queens of Mardi Gras, stately mansions and the world-famous, exclusive Garden
District. View Tulane and Loyola Universities across from Audubon Park,
home to one of the top five zoos in the nation, The Audubon Zoo. After our
mid-afternoon check-in to the hotel take some time to relax and unwind before
our evening activities. Tonight enjoy our Crescent City Nights Tour, an
evening as a native New Orleanian, and meet people from around the world
on this intimate tour of dining and music in the French Quarter! The evening
begins with a three course dinner at Tujague's Restaurant, a New Orleans
tradition since 1856 and the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans. Our
tour guide leads on a stroll along world famous Bourbon Street on our way
to a local nightclub to enjoy native jazz music. Enjoy a complimentary cocktail
as we listen to the sounds of New Orleans music. The evening winds down
with another local tradition - Café Au Lait & Beignets (chicory
coffee and French doughnuts). We return to our hotel for a delightful evenings
rest. (D)
Day 2 - New Orleans
Wake up today well rested and enjoy a Full American Buffet Breakfast at
the hotel. We then head out to partake in our Oak Alley Plantation Tour.
Feel the gentle breeze of Southern hospitality on a tour that takes you
back to the glory of the Old South! Experience a bygone era in one of the
South's most beautiful settings-Oak Alley Plantation, built in 1839. Marvel
at the unbelievable quarter-mile long alley of 28 magnificent Oak trees,
each over 250 years old. Perhaps the most photographed plantation ever,
Oak Alley has been the setting for such motion pictures as "Interview
with a Vampire", "Primary Colors" and the wedding of Bo and
Hope from the daytime soap opera, "Days of our Lives". Our guided
tour will reveal the fascinating stories of the home and its history.
View the Majestic Cypress Trees in Louisiana's swamps bordering the Mississippi River. Enjoy the included magnificent buffet luncheon at Oak Alley Plantation. This afternoon we arrive back to the French Quarter and our hotel. Take time to to enjoy the amenities of the property or explore the area at your own pace. This evening is to enjoy as you please. There are plenty of dining options in and around the Monteleone. (B, L) Note: Due to the historic nature of the plantation, access to the second floor is by stairs only. No photography is allowed inside the plantation home.
Day 3 -New Orleans
Wake up today and enjoy another Full American Buffet Breakfast at the hotel.
After Breakfast and a leisurely morning Welcome to the Fun, Food & Folklore
of The New Orleans School of Cooking! Experience our three hour long Hands-on
class and learn how to cook New Orleans style. These classes include preparation
of 4 to 5 menu items, along with recipes, a New Orleans School of Cooking
Apron, as well as House Red and White wines, Abita Beer, iced tea and coffee.
And of course after all your hard work is done, sit down and enjoy! This
is a wonderful experience and has received rave reviews. Following our meal
we head to our ship to begin the rest of our journey...a 12 Night Exotic
Caribbean Cruise on board the NCL Spirit. (B, L, D)
Caribbean Escape Cruise
Our Cruise Itinerary At A Glance:
| Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Sun | New Orleans | 5:30 PM | |
| Mon | At Sea | ||
| Tue | Costa Maya | 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Wed | Santo Tomas | 8:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Thu | At Sea | ||
| Fri | At Sea | ||
| Sat | Aruba | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Sun | Curacao | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Mon | At Sea | ||
| Tue | At Sea | ||
| Wed | Hamilton | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Thu | At Sea | ||
| Fri | Boston | 8:00 AM | |
Costa Maya
With acres of unspoiled coastal land, vast natural resources and rich historic
and cultural influences, Costa Maya offers visitors true insight into the
essence of Mayan culture and the heritage of the Mexican Caribbean. Costa
Maya has the largest concentration of Mayan archeological sites and existing
Mayan population in Mexico. The palm-lined beaches of Uvero, one-of-an-kind
dive destinations, exciting adventures, sights and flavors of Costa Maya
make for an unforgettable experience.
Santo Tomas - Santo Tomás de Castilla is one of the most important
port cities in Guatemala. This port was originally settled in the 19th century
by Belgian pioneers. Don't miss exploring the remains of Copan, once the
most artistic city of the Mayan world. Situated on Bahia de Amalique, this
city is close to the Mayan City of Quirigua. Think how the great stone temples
of Tikal in the Petan Jungle got there, visit and imagine.
Aruba
Located on the picturesque southern coast, Oranjestad is the historic Dutch
capital of Aruba, where the traditional, tall, multicolored houses combine
carved wooden doors and typical Dutch tiles with open-air patios. Aruba
is filled with miles of powder soft beaches that curve like an Aruban smile
along the western shores, soft and white and fringed with palm trees, sloping
gently toward the calm transparent turquoise of the Caribbean. With perfect
temperatures and low humidity you will find a little piece of heaven here.
Curacao
Curaçao is the largest of the six islands that comprise the Netherlands
Antilles. It gained autonomy from the Netherlands in 1954, but the Dutch
influence is still very visible in Willemstad's architecture and culture.
With the growth of the oil industry in Curaçao in the early 20th
century, workers and their families came to the island from more than 50
countries, providing a varied and vibrant population. Everyone should experience
the sights, sounds and energy of this unique destination.
Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the hub of Bermuda, serving as both its capital and commercial
center. Locals refer to it simply as 'town' - 'going to town' means, without
a doubt, going to Hamilton. Fort Hamilton is a substantial hilltop fort
with a bird's-eye view of Hamilton Harbor. It is one of a series of fortifications
erected in the mid-19th century during a period of rising tensions between
Britain and the USA. The city's pulse is located in Front Street, a harborfront
road lined with turn-of-the-century Victorian buildings in bright pastel
lemon, lime, apricot, and sky blue.
The NCL Spirit
Decks: 13
Guests: 1,966
Crew: 882
Gross Tonage: 75,338
Restaurants: 9
Bars & Lounges: 10
Full Service Casino
Hot Tubs: 4
Swimming Pools: 2
15 Days / 14 Nights
April 9th - 23rd, 2010
| Category | Accommodations | Double Fare | Single Fare |
| K | Inside Stateroom (no window), |
$1,999 | $3,199 |
| D | Oceanview Stateroom (picture window) Queen Size or 2 Lower Beds, Deck 5 |
$2,199 | $3,599 |
| BC | Oceanview w/ Private Balcony Queen Size or 2 Lower Beds, Decks 10, 11 |
$2,499 | $4,199 |
| BA | Oceanview w/ Private Balcony Queen Size or 2 Lower Beds, Deck 11 |
$2,579 | $4,299 |
3rd/4th Third or Fourth Person Occupancy Rate 1999
Add $400 per person for Taxes, Transfers, & Government Fees
Additional Cabin Categories Are Available Upon Request - Prices are per person based on double occupancy.
Deposit
$600 per person Is Due Upon Registration. Deposit Early to Guarantee Your
Space.
Final Payment is Due by January 15th, 2010
*Groups with less than 10 paying customers may be asked to drive to a Best of Times Designated Pick-Up Location instead of their own.
** There is a minimum requirement of 20 paying customers from Best of Times
on the trip to have the services of a Best of Times Professional Tour Director.
For Reservations or Further Information Please Call Best of Times 1.800.343.8999