The New Orleans cruise scene has experienced tremendous growth over the years. The number of passengers embarking or making New Orleans a port of call grew from 80,000 in 1993 to 734,643 in 2004 alone, and more than 11 Million people visited the city of New Orleans in 2004. Cruising the Big Easy has become popular thanks to the beautiful Mississippi, the scenic landscape and historic homes, the festive French Quarter, world class cuisine, shopping galore, and an art district that must be seen to be believed. All New Orleans has to offer is in walking distance of the port’s cruise terminal complex.
The top cruises from New Orleans include Carnival (year around), Norwegian (Nov-March) and Royal (Nov-May). Carnival Inspiration has New Orleans is the home port for Carnival’s Sensation, Sensation arrives every Friday morning, while Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas depart from New Orleans every Saturday.
Carnival offers 4- and 5-day cruises from the Port of New Orleans to destinations such as Cozumel, Mexico, and the Western Caribbean. Royal Caribbean’s cruises will take you from New Orleans to destinations such as Costa Maya, Puerto Rico, and Aruba.
Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean cruise to and from New Orleans, passengers allow passengers to enjoy two vacation experiences in one trip! For Carnival reservations log onto www.carnival.com. For Norwegian log onto www.ncl.com. And for Royal Caribbean Reservations, log onto www.royalcaribbean.com.
If you can’t spare have 4-5 days or your goal is to spend your days (or nights) cruising the Mississippi, New Orleans has a local cruise for every taste, style, and budget. Visitors can choose from a variety of cruises such as the popular Dinner Jazz Cruise, the Harbor Cruise or the Aquarium Zoo Cruise, which is great for families.
During the Dinner Jazz Cruise, passengers can enjoy the sparkling New Orleans skyline aboard New Orleans only authentic steamboat named “Natchez.” The Harbor Cruise features a two-hour cruise by day from the heart of the French Quarter, also aboard the Steamboat Natchez.
Families can enjoy a fun-filled day of cruising between the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo aboard the Riverboat John James Audubon. The cruise features seven miles of sightseeing and highlights, along with stops at the Zoo and Aquarium. For information about New Orleans cruises or to make reservations, contact the New Orleans Steamboat Company at 504-586-8777.
The port of New Orleans also offers New Orleans cruises aboard the Delta Queen Steamboat which runs year around through the Mississippi and Ohio River systems as well as the Riverbarge Excursion also year around cruising through the Mississippi and Ohio River systems.
New Orleans Cruise Terminal Info.
New Orleans Julia Street Cruise Terminal Complex is located within the same building as the RiverWalk Shopping Mall, featuring everything from a delicious food court to the Gap, Limited, and Victoria’s Secret. Passengers can shop until it’s time to board their ship or steamboat.
For $1.25 per ride passengers may also take a ten-minute trip to the Aquarium of the Americas, IMAX Theater, Harrah’s Casino or the French Quarter for a few hours of entertainment before or after a cruise. New Orleans Cruise terminals are all on the RiverFront streetcar (trolley) line, with two stops adjacent to the cruise terminals.