Lisa T:

The street cars are not only a great mode of transportation, but also quite fun. There's two sets, one that seems to travel along a river route, and the other which goes through the Garden District/Business District area. I haven't rode the ones on the river route but the Garden District cars will take you to museums, restaurants, and hotels in that area. Plus it's very interesting just to ride the route and look at all the gorgeous homes! I think it's $1.25 per trip so if you are planning on using these a lot, the $5 pass would be worth it. I do suggest if you have time just take the Garden District route (forget the actual name of it) and enjoy the scenary.

$1.25 each way, exact fare.

St Charles streetcar line.

The passes are good for both buses and streetcars. 

Here are some links of interest:

http://www.norta.com/

http://www.norta.com/routes/

http://www.norta.com/StCharles/

http://www.norta.com/passes/visitour.php

http://www.norta.com/passes/buyvisitourpass.php

Parasol's was featured on Diners, Dives and Drive-ins and would like to go there.  How close is it to the streetcar route?  Where would we get off?  The address is 2533 Constance St.

 The Magazine St Bus would get you closer - within about a block. Streetcar maybe 6 blocks. Not sure if there is a stop exactly there, but 2nd St is where you want out, so the closest stop to that, bus or streetcar.

 It certainly qualifies as a dive, in the Irish Channal and very popular at St Patrick's Day.

 If you take the streetcar, you want to make sure you are walking in the right direction (toward the river) because the neighborhood will head south very quickly after about a block in the other direction (getting into Central City area).

 You do want to be aware walking around the Parasol's area. Not paranoid, but aware.

  If you google: parasols new orleans

It will return the website, and a google map of the location which you can enlarge and print.

We will be spending the day and night in New Orleans after our cruise in November.  I have a reservation in the French Quarter at the Place D'Armes hotel.  We will be safe walking around that area, won't we??  I have been there twice before, but always for a ball tournament weekend...lots of basketball ball fans...no problems.  This will be our first time as a visitor just for the heck of it and not at a special event.

I like that hotel! You should be fine. Just like in any city, be aware of your surroundings and don't do anything silly. The Quarter is generally safe and that's a nice hotel. You'll love it.

We are looking forward to our time in New Orleans almost as much as we are for the cruise.  We have enjoyed it a lot previously....our friends have never been there so it should be a treat for them!!!  We may do a grey line tour (or something similar) to see the "sites we are supposed to see" and then just eat and drink our way through the quarter the rest of the time!!

 Your hotel is about in the middle of the French Quarter, about the safest part of the city there is. New  Orleans knows tourism and conventions pay the bills. If during the week, there may not be too many people out and about, but on weekends there will be plenty. During conventions and such, tons.

You are a block or less from Bourbon Street which is where I assume you will be spending most of your time.

 After dark, I wouldn't cross Rampart Street, but there really is no reason for you to go in that direction.

 Depending on how many you are, and what you want to do, Tours by Isabelle might interest you, I dunno. I have nothing against Greyline and haven't done either there - just throwing something else out to consider. To the best of my knowledge, Greyline did originate the Katrina tour - the local VP was one of many people who lost his house to the flood.

http://www.toursbyisabelle.com/

A map of your hotel  (I know this one says Hotel St Marie) location and area:

http://www.zydecocruiser.com/nola/pda.jpg