The Trekking Pawns' Diary

Ahoy, fellow travelers! We recently embarked on the Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Getaway, and what an adventure it has been so far. From the moment we stepped aboard, the ship's vibrant energy and welcoming atmosphere set the tone for an unforgettable journey.​ First Impressions and Exploration Upon boarding, our excitement led us to explore the ship's many offerings. The Getaway boasts 18 decks, with 14 accessible to passengers, housing a myriad of amenities and activities. We were particularly impressed by the 27 dining options and 22 bars and lounges available . The layout felt familiar, reminiscent of our previous voyage on the NCL Encore to Alaska. Key areas such as the restaurants, buffet, casino, and the exclusive Haven area were situated similarly, making navigation a breeze. ​ CruiseMapper +1 cruisebrothers.com +1 Welcome Aboard Event Our evening kicked off with the "Welcome Aboard" event, where Cruise Director Emma greeted all guests with infec...

  Stepping Back in Time at Oak Alley Plantation Our trip to New Orleans was filled with vibrant energy, rich history, and, of course, delicious food. But we also wanted to take a step back in time and visit one of the most iconic plantations in Louisiana: Oak Alley Plantation . Renting a car gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, though we had a little unexpected twist when picking up our rental. We originally planned for a small, fuel-efficient car, but when we landed at midnight, the only option left was a massive Cadillac Escalade ! With no other choice, we embraced our luxury ride and hit the road. (We booked our car off Expedia and got $20 off if we downloaded the app!) The drive to Oak Alley Plantation was smooth and easy, taking us west along the scenic River Road. As we approached the plantation, we were immediately struck by the breathtaking canopy of 28 Virginia Live Oak trees lining the original entrance. It was a picture-perfect moment—the kind that instantl...

Our stay at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in New Orleans was nothing short of spectacular! Nestled in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District, just three blocks from the French Quarter, this hotel perfectly captures the essence of the city's rich history and culture. Old 77 Hotel From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the hotel's unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Housed in a building dating back to 1854, originally serving as a coffee warehouse and later a chandlery, the hotel has retained much of its original character with exposed brick walls and thoughtfully curated décor. Old 77 Hotel (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  Our room was a delightful retreat, featuring large windows that bathed the space in natural light, stylish décor, and artwork by students from the New Orleans Center for Creative A...

 (Photo: We enjoyed around Jackson Square at night, lots of artists and fortune tellers!) If you’ve been following along, you might remember us asking around and blogging about safety in New Orleans before our trip. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, especially at night, so we decided to drive around in the rental car the city during the day to get a feel for the different neighborhoods. And you know what? It was actually quite nice! (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  Daytime Exploring & First Impressions As we made our way through the city, we didn’t see too much that made us feel uneasy. The only places where we noticed homeless encampments were near a bus stop and the public library by Tulane Medical School. Other than that, the city seemed lively, charming, and full of character. A Bourbon Street Stroll... Before Dar...

  (Photo: We loved the quality of the Chicken!) We know it’s a fast food spot, but we just had to try Raising Cane’s while in New Orleans! If you’ve read our previous posts, you’ll remember that this chicken chain actually originated right here before expanding across the country. Seeing locations everywhere made it impossible to resist—we had to see what the hype was all about! First Impressions Walking in, the vibe was fun and inviting —it had that Red Robin-style décor , but with a New Orleans twist , featuring local sports team memorabilia . The menu was straightforward and simple , which we appreciated. No overwhelming choices—just chicken done right. The Food We ordered: The Chicken Sandwich Combo 🍔 The Chicken Fingers Combo 🍗 The food came out fast, fresh, and hot —exactly what you want from a fast food spot. The chicken was top-notch , just like Chick-fil-A quality, with a crispy, well-seasoned breading and tender, juicy meat. The fries? Pretty standard , but the ...

New Orleans is known for many things—jazz, Mardi Gras, Creole cuisine—but one of its sweetest claims to fame? Beignets! We couldn’t leave without trying this deep-fried, powdered-sugar-dusted pastry, so we decided to compare two of the city’s most talked-about spots: Café du Monde and Beignet Café . (Photo: Original Cafe du Monde ! We went at 10 pm and this place was packed! Opened until midnight.) (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  (Photo: Nice cozy place inside Cafe Beignet , out of the cold.) Beignet Café – A Cozy First Try Our first attempt at Café du Monde didn’t quite go as planned (more on that later), so our first actual beignet experience was at Beignet Café . We chose it because of its good Google reviews and the promise of live music, plus we were looking for a warm indoor spot since the chilly night air wasn’t ideal for out...

After finishing The Seamstress of New Orleans and experiencing the city for ourselves, one thing became very clear—Mardi Gras isn’t just a day or an event. It’s a way of life. From the moment we stepped off the plane, reminders of the festival were everywhere: airport decorations, signs at car rental counters, and beads hanging from balconies long after the parades had ended. (Photo: We took this photo Sunday morning after all the wild parties were done. During the day, you can see the beautiful architecture and decorations on the balcony.  At night there were people having a grand time throwing beads into the streets. The French Quarters was definitely an experience!)  Reading the book, we loved how this short passage captured the spirit of Mardi Gras: "Alice saw the continued concern on his face. She felt a need to divert him. ‘I beg your pardon, Mr. White, but what is Mardi Gras?’ "Oh, Mardi Gras. It’s quite a festival, I believe. In New Orleans, each year to begin the s...