Day Cruises From New Orleans

Cruise From Home And Relax

Everyone knows that a cruise vacation is one of the most relaxing, hassle free vacations you can take. Imagine if you also didn’t have to worry about traveling to start your vacation but could just drive up to a port near your home and get onboard your luxury cruise ship. Here at CruiseExperts.com we’ve made it easy to see which cruises start close to home. Get started with our Home Port widget by clicking on your home port below.

Last Minute Cruises Can Sometimes Be The Cheapest Cruise Deal

Sometimes, but not always, the cheapest cruise deal is a Last Minute Cruise. You won’t get a wide selection of stateroom categories or a chance to select your stateroom location but if your schedule is flexible you just might find a cheap cruise price on a last minute cruise. Last minute cruises are cruises leaving in the next 90 days. The cruise line really wants to fill those last few staterooms and sometimes will offer them at a discount cruise price in exchange for you giving up your right to a full selection of cabin categories or deck locations. CruiseExperts.com makes it easy for you to poke around and see what’s available in last minute cruise deals. View our Last Minute Cruise Deals by clicking here and give it a try. This is one of our most popular website features.

Pre And Post Cruise Options In New Orleans

Cruising from New Orleans is like adding another port of call to your itinerary. Many cruise passengers stay a few days before or after their cruise to experience the citys culture, cuisine and nightlife. Here are some suggestions:

The French Quarter: Occupying the same six by thirteen block area laid out in 1722, its the only intact French Colonial and Spanish settlement remaining in the United States. Walk down Bourbon Street lined with numerous bars, jazz clubs. Linger in Jackson Square, , and marvel at its historic buildings the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States and The Cabildo, site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase. From the beautiful architecture to art galleries, museums, and restaurants, the French Quarter has something for everyone.

Plantation Tours: One excellent one to consider is the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. Enjoy a Grand Southern Mansion surrounded by the Souths most beautiful gardens. Catch a glimpse of the way life was in the early 1800â²s when sugar was king and Houmas House was the largest sugar plantation in the world.

Audubon Aquarium & Zoo: This is one of the countrys top-ranked zoos offering an exotic mix of animals from around the globe in natural habitats. At the aquarium, walk beneath the vivid Caribbean Reef, feed a stingray, or become an Adventure Island explorer and journey the Mississippi River.

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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.

Day/7 Night Cruises Out Of New Orleans Louisiana

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Back To Sea: Disney Fantasy Resumes Sailings From Florida

After 18 months, a second Disney Cruise Line ship has resumes sailings from Florida. Disney Fantasy set sail from Port Canaveral on Saturday evening for a four-night cruise to the Bahamas.Disney Fantasy Sailing at a reduced capacity, Fantasy will stop twice at Disneys private island Castaway Cay and have one day at sea. The double-dip itinerary was rare prior to the shutdown but

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Best Cruise Deals And Discounts Sorted By Your Dream Destination

Sometimes it’s all about the destination and that is certainly true of cruise destinations. The cruise port you depart from and the amazing cruise ports you visit define your experience as much as what cruise line or cruise ship you sail on. At CruiseExperts.com we understand that and have sorted these cruises by the places you’ll visit on your cruise vacation. So whether it’s a cruise to Alaska, a Caribbean cruise, cruises to Hawaii, a cruise to the Bahamas or Bermuda or a cruise to Mexico you’ll find it easily with the help of our destination wizard. Maybe you’re looking for a cruise vacation that’s just a little different like a Panama Canal cruise, a Transatlantic cruise, cruises to Europe, a Tahiti cruise with a tour of the South Pacific, a down under adventure with an Australia / New Zealand cruise or even a fall foliage cruise through Canada and New England. Whatever âfloats your boatâ get started by selecting your dream destination on our cruise search page.

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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.

New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure

• Take a New Orleans Swamp Tour and Wetlands Adventure! See the Cajuns of the Bayou living and surviving in harmony with the swamps. Here, the waterways are their highways. From the relaxed comfort of our covered New Orleans Swamp Tour Boats, you will drift slowly past a 2000 year old Indian Burial Mound, a Cajun cemetery and Fishing village! You…Read more

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What Hotels In New Orleans Provide Parking Or Shuttle Service

If you plan to arrive in New Orleans a day or two before your ship leaves , you wont have any trouble finding a place to stay as there are hundreds of hotels located all around the city.

For those driving to the port, book your stay at a hotelthat provides parking. This eliminates to need to also secure parking.

Hotels with parking availability during your cruise are:

• 3.5 miles from the port

• Free parking for cruise duration

Transportation In New Orleans

New Orleans cruises are convenient since you can walk to most attractions in the city, but if you need to get somewhere faster or arent comfortable walking long distances, you have several options for transportation. Taxis are often waiting outside the cruise terminal and there are taxi stands throughout the city. You can also find cheaper transportation in the form of New Orleans streetcars, which zip around the city and have multiple stops in the French Quarter. For a historic mode of transportation, board the St. Charles Line, which is the oldest continually operating streetcar line in the world.

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New Orleans Kayak Tours

Want a more intimate excursion on the water? Try kayaking!

Explore the swamps of New Orleans, or paddle down Bayou St. John neighborhood inside the city with the safety of a guide at a beginner level pace.

Ratings for this kayak tour company are very impressive. New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours has received an overall score of 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Only a half dozen customers have seen fit to give them a negative review, and their comments dont represent the typical experience with this service.

An overwhelming majority of reviews for this service are incredibly positive, recommending this trip to anyone who wants to stay active while discovering the swamps of Louisiana.

Although couples are the most likely audience to leave great reviews, guests who bring their friends along for the journey also enjoy these tours.

Tours Offered

• Bayou St. John Tour

Located inside the city, the Bayou St. John is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans.

Learn the history of the homes and landmarks, originally settled by Native Americans, and later used for French trading routes.

• Honey Island Swamp Tour

This is the crowd favorite!

Located 40 minutes outside the city, this tour takes you deep into the swamp bayous to see an abundance of wildlife amongst abandoned boat homes.

This tour is popular for its serene setting and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

Youll weave through cypress trees and experience wildlife on this wetlands kayaking trip.

Never Kayaked?

Prices

Duration

Vip: Steamboat Natchez Dinner Cruise With Private Boat And Engine Room Tour

• The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. Indulge in a luxurious evening in New Orleans on the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS — the newest vessel to the French Quarter riverfront — with this Viator Exclusive. After being welcomed aboard with a Champagne cocktail, go on a private boat and pilot…Read more

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Hotels Within Walking Distance From The Port Of New Orleans

If its just you and maybe one other person traveling, its possible that you would rather stay at a hotel where you can walk to the port. This way, you dont have to worry about finding a shuttle, taxi, or some other way of getting to the port. All you need are your own two feet.

Related: 26 Ideal Hotels Near Port of New Orleans

The list below are all located less than a mile from thecruise terminal, and are excellent hotels to stay in before or after yourcruise. All are reasonably priced and offer all kinds of amenities to make yourstay the best hotel stay ever.

The last two on the list, the Hampton Inn and the HiltonGarden Inn, do offer shuttle service to and from the cruise port. Just in caseyou decide last minute that a shuttle would be a very nice thing to have.

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Helpful Cruise Line Information

If you’ve cruised before you probably have a favorite cruise line. Here at CruiseExperts.com we make it easy for you to sort through the cruise line of your choice for the best cruises at the best discounts on your favorite cruise line. Choose from the best cruise lines in the world including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, Crystal, Azamara, Oceania, Viking, Avalon, and Disney. You can be confident that you’ll get the cheapest cruise price possible with concierge like service from our cruise experts here at CruiseExperts.com. View information on your favorite cruise line.

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Faq About Cruising From The New Orleans Cruise Port

Where do cruises leave from New Orleans?

The Port of New Orleans is located at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place. Cruise ships will leave from either one of two terminals: Julia Street and Erato Street .Once the cruise ships leave the Port of New Orleans, itll take about 7-8 hours to travel along the Mississippi before getting to the Gulf of Mexico and international waters.

Where is the best location to stay in New Orleans?

Any of the hotels within walking distance are great places to stay. However, our top recommendation is the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, located at 2 Poydras St.Why that one? First, it is super close to the cruise port . But the amazing thing about them is while many hotels charge extra for the park & cruise packages, this hotel automatically gives you a 20% discount on your room just for being a cruise traveler.They also provide you with cruise parking at a heavily discounted rate of $13 per night , which is a steal. They dont have a shuttle for the port, but being so close to the terminal you arent going to need it.

How Long is a Typical Cruise from New Orleans?

The average length of a cruise shipping out from New Orleans is 7 nights. There are a select few that are either shorter or longer, but 7 nights is the typical cruise length.

Carnival Cruise Lines on Thursday extended the moratorium on sailings from the Port of New Orleans through August, despite the resumption of some sailings starting in July from Florida and Texas.

Sample The Flavors Of The Old South

The Lower Mississippi overflows with charm, history and hospitality. Explore historic estates, and visit notable Civil War sites. Sample the bustling French-flavored port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Sway to the tempos of Dixieland jazz, gospel and blues. Savor gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as traditional Southern fare. Join us, and see why local Cajuns say, Laissez les bons temps rouler .

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Canal Street/algiers Point Ferry

In operation since 1827, this ferry travels across the Mississippi River along Canal Street and ends at the second oldest neighborhood of New Orleans Algiers Point.

Unlike the paddlewheeler or steamboat, the ferry offers a cheap trip across the river from Canal Street. Just ask the locals who use this as their commute!

Once you arrive, consider taking our self-guided walking tour of Algiers Point.

This company has received a 4 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor.

There are a few negative reviews, but most of them seem to come from customers who were expecting the typical tourist experience.

Although they dont offer the same range of services as a boat tour or cruise, its clear that a lot of their customers are more than pleased with the transportation they provide.

Cost :

• New Orleans Museum of Art
• + 18 other attractions and tours

New Orleans Cruise Guide

New Orleans is a popular departure port for cruises sailing to the tropical islands of the Caribbean, and the historic Panama Canal. Nicknamed Big Easy for its vibrant jazz and street music scene, this is a lively city to explore before embarking on a Carnival, Crystal, Disney, Norwegian or Royal Caribbean cruise, which all port here.

If youre lucky, you can catch a cruise before or after the two-week festivities of Mardi Gras, that typically occur between February and March, 47 days before Easter. Mardi Gras is the biggest carnival of the year that shows off the citys rich traditions, with crazy costumes, intricate masks, and ‘throws’ to catch and collect. If youre missing it, dont fret – theres always something going on in the city. Carnival season begins on January sixth and hundreds of festivals follow, so youre almost guaranteed to be part of the action.

When youre done exploring the lively New Orleans, continue the party onboard a cruise, available all year round from this port.

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Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

An overwhelming majority of reviews for this jazz cruise are very positive .

Some reviewers have even described their band as magnificent, suggesting that the music played onboard was absolutely wonderful.

Some customers feel that the experience is a bit too touristy, but they are definitely in the minority.

Most guests leave excellent feedback stating that they loved this musical trip on the Natchez. This activity is particularly popular among couples.

NOTE: For the time being, this boat will be replaced by the Riverboat City of New Orleans, but the service will remain the same, and the prices remain mostly unchanged as of August 2022.

What Youll Experience:

• 1,000 passenger paddlewheeler on the Mississippi River, with a 24-foot paddlewheel
• Costumed re-enactor recounting history/stories of Louisiana’s most historical places and events
• Disembark for a guided tour of Chalmette Battlefield by National Park Rangers from the Battle of New Orleans

Duration: 3 hours

• Departs at 10 am and 2 pm daily.

Cost:

Lunch is only purchasable onboard.

• Adult $39 $59 with lunch
• Child $15 $24 with lunch
• Child Free $5 with lunch
• Infant Free $10 with lunch
• Get more information or to purchase tickets.

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

TIP: It is also included at no extra charge with the purchase of either the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass and the Go City New Orleans Pass.

New Orleans 1 Day Powerpass

Experience popular New Orleans attractions at a fraction of the cost. A 1-Day New Orleans Power Pass grants complimentary or discounted admission to more than 26 attractions. You won’t get bored during your Crescent City trip – there’s something for everyone.

If you’re a wildlife fan, bring your Power Pass to Audubon Zoo to see white tigers and more than 2,000 animals over 58 acres. More of a history buff? Enjoy the free admission to the National World War II Museum, which recounts the American experience during WWII through artifacts, exhibits, and films. The Cajun Pride Swamp Tour is the perfect activity for adventurous types, taking you up close to alligators and other Louisiana critters as you navigate the famous Manchac Swamp hundreds of residents were swept to their deaths here during the New Orleans Hurricane of 1915.

Complimentary admission is just one perk of your New Orleans discount pass. If you’re visiting New Orleans, you want to make every moment count. Your New Orleans attraction pass will let you skip the lines at many locations, saving you time to see more of what the Big Easy has to offer. Each New Orleans sightseeing pass comes with a complete guide to help you plan your day.

Attractions include:

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