Sazeracs & Starbases: Pre-Mission Jazz in the French Quarter

Felicia Baxter
Apr 1
5 min read

Must be 21 and over. Please drink responsibly. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, please contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Listen, if you’re heading out on the Star Trek: The Cruise X in 2027, you don't just "show up" at the Port of New Orleans. This isn't a cargo run to Cestus III; it’s a milestone mission. We are talking about the 60th Anniversary of Trek and the 40th Anniversary of TNG. You need a Starbase. You need a place where the air smells like expensive jasmine and the lighting makes your natural curls look like they were sculpted by a Q.

For this mission, my personal Starbase is the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, specifically a suite in The Maison Orleans. If you’ve never stayed at the Ritz on Canal Street, imagine the bridge of the Enterprise-D, but with more velvet, better cocktails, and a much higher thread count.

Black woman and Ethel Mertz in a luxury Maison Orleans suite at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.

The Davenport Vibe

Before we talk logistics, let’s talk atmosphere. Pre-cruise preparation is 20% packing and 80% mental calibration. I like to calibrate at the Davenport Lounge. There is something about Jeremy Davenport’s jazz, a mix of classic NOLA swing and effortless cool, that prepares the soul for a week on the high seas with ten thousand Klingons and a handful of Starfleet captains.

The drink of choice? The Sazerac. It’s New Orleans in a glass: rye whiskey, bitters, sugar, and that crucial absinthe rinse. It’s bold, complex, and requires a certain level of sophistication to handle, much like a diplomatic meeting with the Romulans. As I sit there with my Chihuahua, Ethel Mertz, tucked into a velvet chair, we aren't just tourists; we are officers on shore leave.

The Starbase Booking Protocol

In the world of luxury travel, how you ask is just as important as what you ask for. Since I handle travel through DAI Travel Services and as a Fora Travel Advisor, I know the back-end secrets to getting that "white glove" treatment.

When you are traveling with high-value cargo, and I’m talking about my vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk containing my Guinan and Klingon gala ensembles, you have to set the tone before you even arrive at MSY.

Here is the exact mission briefing I sent to the Ritz-Carlton team to secure our 2027 "Starbase" setup. Feel free to use this as a template for your own luxury deployments.

Subject: Luxury Suite Booking Request: Star Trek Cruise X - February 2027 (Club Level)

To: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans Reservations Team Attn: Luxury Sales / Club Level Concierge Date: March 13, 2026

Dear Ritz-Carlton Team,

I am writing to secure luxury accommodations for an upcoming stay in conjunction with the Star Trek: The Cruise X departure from New Orleans. As a frequent guest of The Ritz-Carlton brand, I am looking to establish a "Starbase" at your Canal Street property for both pre-cruise preparation and post-cruise decompression.

Requested Dates: Pre-Cruise: Thursday, February 18 – Saturday, February 20, 2027 (2 Nights) Post-Cruise: Saturday, February 27 – Monday, March 1, 2027 (2 Nights)

Accommodation Preferences:

Suite Type: I am specifically interested in a Club Level Executive Suite or a suite within The Maison Orleans. Access to the Club Lounge is a priority for my stay.
Pet Policy: I will be traveling with my small dog, Ethel Mertz (under 30 lbs). Please include the standard pet fee ($300 per stay) in the quote and ensure a pet-friendly suite is designated.
Luggage Handling: I will be arriving with a vintage Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk containing delicate specialized gala attire. I require "white glove" bell service upon arrival to ensure the trunk is handled with extreme care and delivered directly to the suite.

Special Requests:

Quiet Zone: If possible, a suite away from the elevators to ensure a peaceful environment for Ethel Mertz.
Transportation: Please provide information on private car service from MSY airport and to the Port of New Orleans on the morning of February 20.

As a FORA Travel Advisor, I am handling this booking personally. Please confirm availability for these stardates and provide a folio for review so we may secure the deposit.

I look forward to experiencing the legendary hospitality of the Davenport Lounge once again.

Best regards,

Felicia Baxter Lead Advisor, Dale's Angels Inc. felicia.baxter@fora.travel

Why This Protocol Works

If you want the "Captain’s Quarters" experience, you have to project that energy.

Club Level Priority: By specifying Club Level and Maison Orleans, you signal to the hotel that you are looking for high-touch service. This usually triggers a senior concierge to manage your file.
The "Trunk" Protocol: Mentioning the LV Steamer Trunk isn't just a flex (though it is a great one). It sets a standard for "white glove" service. The bell staff will know that this isn't just "luggage", it's a diplomatic shipment.
The Mardi Gras Buffer: February in New Orleans can be chaotic. However, the 2027 cruise departs on Feb 20. Mardi Gras is Feb 9 that year. By framing your request as a "VIP traveler" looking for "quiet luxury," you ensure the staff knows you aren't there for the leftover beads; you're there for the Starbase experience.

Mission Briefing: The Ethel Mertz Protocol

Traveling with a pet requires as much tactical planning as a boarding party on a Borg Cube. Ethel Mertz is a seasoned traveler, but even she has her limits. To keep the "First Dog" of Dale's Angels Inc. calm and collected, we follow a strict protocol.

The Quiet Zone Strategy: Always request a room at the end of the hall, away from the elevators. The "ding" of an arriving elevator is basically a red alert for a Chihuahua.
The Post-Walk Reward: After navigating the smells and sounds of the French Quarter, Ethel receives a high-value treat immediately upon returning to the suite. It reinforces that the "Starbase" is her safe zone.
The Morning Recon: We do our long walks early, 0600 hours, before the French Quarter fully wakes up. It’s quieter, cooler, and allows her to sniff the history without the crowds.
Suite Comforts: The Ritz provides pet beds, but I always bring her favorite blanket from home. It smells like our home base and keeps her "shields up" against travel anxiety.

White-glove bell service for a vintage steamer trunk and Ethel Mertz at the Ritz-Carlton.

Preparing for Shore Leave

Once the pre-stay is over, we move from the Starbase to the ship. The 2027 itinerary is a dream: Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Montego Bay. But before I can bask in the Caribbean sun, I’ll be spending my Ritz-Carlton evenings in that Maison Orleans suite, likely sipping a final Sazerac and doing a final fitting for my Guinan headpiece.

Between the private jet flight from ATL to MSY and the 48-hour "Starbase" stay, the transition into the Trek mindset is seamless. It’s about more than just a cruise; it’s about a lifestyle that values quality, adventure, and a damn good cup of coffee (or a stiff cocktail).

If you’re looking to book your own Starbase, whether it’s for a cruise or just a high-end getaway, don’t settle for a standard room. Reach out to me at DAI Travel Services. Let’s get your mission parameters sorted.

Ethel Mertz the Chihuahua enjoying pampered pet amenities at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.

I’ll be posting more about our "Shore Leave" guide for Cozumel and the logistics of the Klingon Masquerade soon. Until then, keep your frequencies open and your Sazeracs cold.

If you are ready to plan your next adventure send an email directly tofelicia.baxter@fora.travelwith Subject HELP I NEED A VACATION