New Orleans: "She's Back... and Better than Ever!"

The last five years, to put it mildly, have been a rough patch for one of America's greatest cities.

Jazz remains the heart and soul of New Orleans

Photo Courtesy New Orleans CVB

Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, both residents and tourists fled New Orleans, leaving a relatively small, but doggedly determined, group of locals to rebuild the city and bring it back to its former glory. In fact, the French Quarter, Garden District and other tourist-centric areas of the city saw little damage directly from the storm, with negative public perception and a lack of employees (to wait tables and staff shops) the biggest struggles the city’s tourist sector faced to rebound.

Five years later and by all accounts, that long-awaited rebound is well underway. Tourism is steadily increasing, with the raucous bars of Bourbon Street and the quaint antique shoppes of Royal Street all happily reporting improved business.

 Bourbon Street: America's Ultimate Party, every day & every night

Photo Courtesy New Orleans CVB

Even recent events in the Gulf of Mexico have done little to chase tourists away, despitethe many TV newscasts originating from the city. Other than a dearth of local seafood, there’s been essentially no impact to New Orleans from the tragic oil spill; ever resilient, Cajun chefs have turned to other Creole ingredients and long-forgotten recipes to replace the missing seafood, offering new choices that are giving the city’s culinary scene a bit of a minor makeover.

 Beignets and Cafe au Lait: A Classic New Orleans Combination

Photo Courtesy New Orleans CVB

 

"You can’t keep New Orleans down," said one frequent visitor, who returned to the Big Easy earlier this year for the first time since 2005.  "She's back... and better than ever!"

The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar transits the heart of the Garden District

Photo Courtesy New Orleans CVB

 

The recent announcement from Norwegian Cruise Line that the Norwegian Spirit will be home-porting in New Orleans year-round beginning in late 2010 gave further proof that the city is, in fact, ready to reclaim it's designation as one of the leading destination cities in the southern United States.

 Plants hanging from wrought iron balconies and horse-drawn carriages in the French Quarter

Photo Courtesy New Orleans CVB

In celebration of a reborn New Orleans, Online Vacation Center is bringing back one of our most popular Value Inclusive Packages - a 9 night Cruise & Stay deal that includes a deluxe 2 night precruise hotel stay and a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise.

On select dates this fall and winter, your vacation begins when you check in to the deluxe Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel (or similar), centrally located on Canal Street - steps from both the French Quarter and Central Business District attractions. You'll have two days and nights to shop, take in the revelry of Bourbon Street and to visit the Aquarium of the Americas, the Audubon Zoo and more. We'll even include New Orleans coupons designed specifically for cruise passengers that are good for shopping, dining and sightseeing discounts.

Astor Crowne Plaza: Where the Central Business District Meets the French Quarter

Photo Courtesy Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans

After your time in the crescent city, board the Norwegian Spirit for a 7 night cruise to Western Caribbean gems like Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel and more. Onboard, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility of NCL's Freestyle Cruising concept, which offers a casual atmosphere, no fixed dining times for dinner and a choice of restaurants.

 The Norwegian Spirit will sail 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruises from
New Orleans, year-round Photo Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

It’s a 9 night cruise & stay vacation for one low price... and it's only from Online Vacation Center!

IF YOU WANT TO GO 9 Night Cruise & Stay Packages 2 Nights in New Orleans +  7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise Available for Sailings November 14, 2010 through  April 3, 2011 9 Nights from $589! That's just $66/night! Call Online Vacation Center at 800-780-9002 or Click Here  for Details or To Book Online