Getting to the ship on time can sometimes be as challenging as getting to the church on time. In some places, it's becoming easier.
Like New Orleans.
With a mushrooming cruise ship industry that includes ships from Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, there's a shuttle service (Hotard Motorcoach) from neighboring
states. Mushrooming industry? Now the fastest-growing cruise port in America, New Orleans accounts for five per cent of all embarkations in the U.S.
The shuttles bring passengers to the port from three places in Louisiana, two in Mississippi and one on Alabama (Mobile).
The three principal ships going in and out of The Big Easy are Norwegian's Jewel, Carnival's Dream (as of April) and Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas. That's 8,500 passengers a week. Or between 300,000 and 400,00 a year.
And here's the best part: The cost is $50 per person ($30 for kids). Round-trip. From our recollection, the $100 a couple would spend on the shuttle is likely to be less than the cost of parking for a week.
That doesn't include the gas.
Nor the stress.
Celebrity Constellation
5 nights
March 31, 2014
Fort Lauderdale (return): Cozumel, Key West
Inside: $269
Cost per day: $53
www.celebritycruises.com