Cruise Leaving From New Orleans

As Carnival Cruise Returns To No Passengers Must Be Vaccinated Or Pay Extra $150 For Testing

NEW ORLEANS Carnival Cruise Line plans on returning to New Orleans this Fall, with the Carnival Glory scheduled to leave New Orleans on Sept. 5, 2021.

This will be the first cruise ship to sail out of New Orleans since the CDC halted all cruise ships in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CDC released a conditional framework that would allow cruises to resume if certain thresholds were met, including virus mitigation procedures on board and a simulated cruise to test them before embarking with regular passengers.

Vaccinated passengers must submit their original proof of vaccination card before they can enter the ship. Those passengers must be fully vaccinated and have received the final dose of their COVID-19 vaccinate at least 14 days before departure.

Non-vaccinated customers are still allowed onboard, but must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure and take an antigen test on arrival as well as another COVID-19 test 24 hours after leaving shore, according to Carnival.

Unvaccinated customers will be charged $150 per person to cover the costs of testing, according to Carnival. Children under 2-years-old are exempt from testing requirement.

The cruise ship industry has been hard hit by the pandemic as it relies on full boats, plenty of trips and passengers are usually in crowded areas â all of which are problems with COVID restrictions.

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Culture & History Of The New Orleans Cruise Port

Theres no other city in the U.S. quite like New Orleans thanks to its unique heritage. The city was founded in 1718 by French colonists and was part of France until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 when it joined with the U.S. Since then, it has gained a multi-cultural ambiance that combines French and Spanish Creole with southern roots and an eclectic arts and music scene. The city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and took a long time to recover, but today it has gotten its groove back and is a great place to visit on a cruise.

From a cultural standpoint, youll find that locals are passionate about the citys jazz music and Creole cuisine. The other thing that defines this citys culture is the annual Mardi Gras festival, a celebration that occurs 47 days before Easter. Its one of the largest celebrations in the U.S. with parades, concerts, food, and those famous Mardi Gras beads.

New Orleans Port Facilities & Location

New Orleans cruises pull into port at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal Complex, which was originally built for the 1984 Worlds Fair that took place in New Orleans. It became a cruise terminal in 1991 and has undergone many makeovers over the decades. Today, it has an air-conditioned gangway, covered drop-off and pick-up area, and two berths that span enough space to accommodate large cruise ships. Julia Street Cruise Terminal is located right by shops and restaurants and is just a mile away from Bourbon Street.

Blount Small Ship Adventures

Blount Small Ship Adventures offers excursions aboard the Grand Caribe small ship to various regions of the south. The 12-day Gulf Coast cruise begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Petersburg, Florida, stopping in the cities of Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola, Panama City, Carrabelle and Tampa Bay. The 16-day Mississippi and Tenn-Tom Waterway cruise sails round trip from New Orleans with stops in various cities in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana. The 12-day Tenn-Tom Waterway cruise begins in New Orleans and ends in Nashville, stopping in the ports of Mobile, Demopolis, Columbus, Pickwick, Waverly, Kuttawa and Clarksville. Renovated in 2009, the Grand Caribe features new showers and bathrooms as well as furniture and decor throughout the ship. It can carry up to 96 passengers per voyage with its 48 overnight cabins, has a 180-degree vista-view lounge and an upper deck for sunning or gazing at the stars.

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New Orleans Cruise Moratorium Extended As Carnival Cruises Sail From Other States

Carnival Cruise Lines on Thursday extended the moratorium on sailings from the Port of New Orleans through August, despite the resumption of s

Were delighted that Carnival Breeze is our first ship to return operating short cruise itineraries and our second ship to resume from the Port of Galveston, said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy in a press release. Short cruises are very popular with our guests roughly half our fleet operates cruises of five days or less so we are excited to broaden our itinerary offerings to include these convenient and affordable getaways.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and riverboat companies American Cruise Lines and the American Queen Steamboat Company sailed from the Port of New Orleans. Carnival is the largest cruise ship operator in the U.S. with 14 ports and sailed two ships from New Orleans, the Glory and Valor, each of which carries about 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew.

In 2019, 1.18 million people took cruises through New Orleans, making it the nations sixth-largest port and generating $125 million in local spending, according to a 2019 report by the Port of New Orleans.

Tony McAuley contributed to this report.

Cruises From New Orleans: The Pros And Cons

Your pros and cons on cruises from New Orleans with plenty of travel tips for your cruise vacation. With nearby hotels, parking and Mississippi River.

New Orleans has a lot going for it in terms of sightseeingopportunities, various attractions, and great food. The New Orleans Cruise Portalso tops the list and is a great homeport of choice for cruises going to theCaribbean or Mexico.

If youre not sure whether you should choose the New OrleansCruise Port, or cruise from somewhere else, consider the pros and cons we haveprovided here just for you. There are many excellent reasons why you shouldcruise out of New Orleans, but you will also need to take a few other factorsinto consideration as well.

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Caribbean Cruises From New Orleans Louisiana

See a view of the Gulf at the start of your cruise, and then enjoy one of three perspectives of the Caribbean. Ideally positioned for this itinerary, New Orleans offers its own unique sights, perfect for a pre-cruise vacation, and then begins a route to the Eastern or Western Caribbean.

Additionally, more and more cruise lines continue to use New Orleans as a port. Along with two stalwart contemporary lines, two luxury lines have started calling this port home in recent years.

American Queen Steamboat Company

American Queen Steamboat Company offers a variety of cruises lasting four to 12 nights aboard its American Queen steamboat. Several cruise itineraries are round-trip from New Orleans, while some are one-way with an end destination of Memphis or St. Louis. Types of cruises available include history and culture, blues and barbecue, spring pilgrimage, big band music, Dixie festival and holiday voyages. According to the company website, the American Queen is the largest boat of its kind ever built, with six decks and staterooms ranging from 80 to 500 square feet. While cruising, you can enjoy nightly entertainment shows, dancing, calliope concerts and excellent cuisine from culinary director and chef, Regina Charboneau.

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The Top 3 Cons Of Cruising From The Port Of New Orleans

Unfortunately, even the absolute best cruise port isnt perfect. Every location offers something different that can make visiting or cruising less than 100% amazing.

Thankfully, New Orleans only has a few cons for cruisepassengers, some of which are unique to just the Port of New Orleans. Whetheror not these cons are deterrents is entirely up to you and the overall cruiseexperience you wish to have.

Stunning Views Of The Mississippi River

One of the most amazing things youll find if you visit NewOrleans is that the port, and various places around the city, offer amazingpanoramic views of the Mississippi River.

Riverwalk

Located right next door the Julia Street Cruise Terminal isthe Riverwalk, which stretches all the way from the Julia Street Cruise Port,all the way to the Canal Street Ferry Terminal.

From any place on the Riverwalk you can stand to takepictures, or just take in the views of the river. The Riverwalk is also home toThe Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, which features various shops andrestaurants. Some of the shops youll find there are:

The Riverwalk also has various events that you can participate in while visiting. To find out about any events taking place during your vacation, visit .

Woldenberg Riverfront Park

If you travel just a bit further past the Canal Street Ferry, youll find yourself in the Woldenberg Riverfront Park, which runs alongside the river in the French Quarter.

There was a time when inhabitants of New Orleans were cutoff from using the river for various reasons. But in the 70s and 80s, theWoldenberg Riverfront Park was put in between the city and the river, offeringa mile-long stretch of grassy park starting at the Canal Street Terminal andending somewhere around Clay Street.

Jackson Square

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Park & Cruise Hotels Near The Port Of New Orleans

The following list of hotels all have some sort of package for cruise guests that either offer parking during a cruise, shuttles to and from the terminal, or both. For more New Orleans parking tips check our dedicated article.

Parking only:

• Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome 8 nights free
• The Queen Anne Hotel 7 nights free, must bookminimum of 2 nights for package
• Prytania Park Hotel 7 nights free, must bookminimum of 2 nights for package
• Prytania Oaks Hotel 7 nights free, must bookminimum of 2 nights for package
• Holiday Inn New Orleans West Bank Tower Freeparking for entire cruise duration
• Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter 7 nightsfree
• Maison St. Charles 7 nights free, $15 eachadditional night
• Ramada by Wyndham Metairie New Orleans Airport Free parking for entire cruise duration

Parking & Shuttle:

• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Metairie 7 nights free, one-way shuttle only
• Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport 14 nights free, one-way shuttle only
• Courtyard Marriott New Orleans Westbank/Gretna Parking for entire cruise duration, roundtrip shuttle
• Comfort Suites Harvey New Orleans West Parking for entire cruise duration, roundtrip shuttle

Shopping Near The New Orleans Cruise Port

Shopping is located just a few blocks from the cruise terminal. Within a short walk, youll come to the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, where youll find discounts on popular brands like Coach, Gap, and Steve Madden. There is also a Nordstrom Rack and Neiman Marcus Last Call.

For some upscale shopping, head to the Shops at Canal Place. Located along a gorgeous part of Canal Street, the shops encompass a number of beloved brands, like Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers, BCBG, J. Crew, Vineyard Vines, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co.

For more classic souvenirs, take a walk around Forever New Orleans, a large gift shop with items centered around the city of New Orleans.

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What Cruise Lines Depart From New Orleans

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Ever fancied booking yourself onto one of the cruises from New Orleans? Whether you live close to the port already or you want to explore the vibrant city that is a true melting pot of cultures before you set sail, you have plenty of choices when it comes to cruise lines.

New Orleans might not be a big cruise port like those in Texas or Florida, but you still have some of the biggest ocean cruise lines homeporting there. There are some fascinating river cruise options as well.

Heres a look at the cruises out of New Orleans that you can book for 2023, 2024 and beyond.

Carnival Glory To Cruise From New Orleans

Currently in drydock in France, Carnival Glory is undergoing upgrades to help make it more compliant to the CDCs protocols for cruise ships. The cruise line is also in the process of vaccinating the crew in preparation for the first cruise from New Orleans set to embark on August 1st. When it sails, the ship will only be at 70% capacity to adhere to the CDCs guidelines for social distancing.

Per the CDC, Carnival must also have an agreement in place with Port NOLA prior to sailing which outlines the procedures and protocols should an outbreak occur on one of the first sailings back. Last week, Carnival received approval from the CDC for their agreements with several other ports like Galveston, TX, PortMiami and Port Canaveral.

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New Orleans Cruise Lines

Seven cruise lines operate out of New Orleans: American Cruise Line, American Queen, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Viking River Cruises. Take your pick and enjoy a voyage on a New Orleans cruise ship.

Carnival Cruise Line specializes in affordable cruises to the coast of Mexico from New Orleans. 4-, 5- and 7-day cruises sail to ports like Cozumel, Progreso and Jamaica. They also offer cruises to the Bahamas. Departures all year-round on “fun ships.”

Norwegian Cruise Line makes 7-day western Caribbean cruises leaving from New Orleans. You’ll visit Costa Maya, Belize, Roatan Island and Cozumel. A Norwegian “Freestyle Cruise” offers a variety of exciting restaurants, a relaxed dress code and lots of choices of things to see and do. Norwegian also offers a 15-day Panama Canal cruise to Los Angeles.

Disney Cruise Line sails from New Orleans. The family cruise line offers cruises from here to Mexico and the Western Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean is a casual, fun cruise line for everyone. They have cruises from New Orleans to Mexico and the Western Caribbean.

American Cruise Line has riverboats making cruises up the Mississippi River that leave from New Orleans. Some are modern ships and one is a paddlewheeler.

The American Queen Steamboat Company offers luxury steamboat cruises on the Mississippi River out of New Orleans. Included are round-trips and one-way to Memphis.

Carnival Glory To Sail From New Orleans For First Time Since Covid

Carnival Cruise Line announced Monday that Carnival Glory will resume guest operations from New Orleans on September 5 for the first time since March 2020 and COVID-19.

Itâs one of three ships resuming operations in September, with another four set to sail in October, bringing the total number of operating ships to 15.

Currently, Carnival is operating under guidelines that say 95% of those on board must be vaccinated. While the cruise line will continue to welcome unvaccinated guests, those individuals, including children under the age of 12, must undergo pre-cruise and pre-embarkation testing and testing again before debarkation. Unvaccinated guests will also be charged a $150 per person charge to cover the costs of testing, Carnival says.

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What To See In New Orleans Before The Cruise

While your cruise from New Orleans will be the highlight of your holiday, the city has a lot to offer as well.

We suggest you reach New Orleans a few days before the start date of your cruise and take in all the history and fun the city offers.

A few of the must-experience attractions in New Orleans are the French Quarter district, Jackson Square, the National World War II Museum and St. Louis Cathedral.

In the evenings head out to the bars on Bourbon Street and the casino of Harrahs New Orleans.

If you have kids in tow, dont miss out on the streetcars.

Cruises Out Of New Orleans Louisiana

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Best Cruises From New Orleans Louisiana

New Orleans, the largest city in the US state of Louisiana, knows how to party.

Who hasnt heard of New Orleans feasting and revelry during Mardi Gras?

It is legendary.

A cruise from New Orleans is your opportunity to discover the charm, tastes and smells of the Crescent City before or after your cruise.

All you must do is reach the city a few days before your cruise is scheduled to leave the shores of New Orleans.

New Orleans Port is one of the biggest ports in the United States.

Hence, there are all kinds of cruises leaving from New Orleans. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing cruise ports in the United States.

From serving 80,000 cruise passengers in 1983, the port ended up serving one million cruise passengers in 2014.

If you can time your NOLA cruise right, you can enjoy either the Jazz Fest and before stepping onto your cruise.

Note: NOLA is a shorter way of referring to New Orleans and Louisiana.

Which Cruise Ships Depart From New Orleans

The New Orleans cruise port features two ship terminals, its primary located at Erato Street and its secondary and original at Julia Street. Each of the cruise port terminals sits on the Mississippi River a few miles south of the French Quarter and Riverwalk districts. New Orleans is the home port for several cruise operators, including three major cruise lines and four small ship companies.

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