Dinner & Dancing River Cruises
River cruises take on an even more romantic feel as the sun goes down, with evening dinner and dancing tours that make for a great date night with someone special or a perfect, floating backdrop for a celebration with family and friends.
In New Orleans, the deluxe 800-passenger paddle wheeler Creole Queen offers a daily Mississippi River Dinner Jazz Cruise with live music and a lavish Creole feast. After dinner, you can enjoy a signature Louisiana cocktail and take a stroll on the deck or a spin on the dance floor.
The renovated 2,500-passenger Riverboat Louis Armstrong operates as a floating jazz club and restaurant, with three interior levels and an open air deck that offers the best views from the river. Fun fact: The boats name was inspired by the jazz greats own life story. Too young to play trumpet in the city’s bars, Armstrong instead played on the docks near where steamboats stopped along the Mississippi River, eventually making his way on board.
Day : Nottoway Plantation La
Nottoway is the Souths largest, most glorious remaining antebellum mansion, with a rich history dating back to 1859. In a fabulous location along the Great River Road, this White Castle of the South transports visitors back to an era of glory and grandeur. Set among a natural backdrop of vibrant gardens and 200-year-old oak trees, the mansion boasts three floors and 64 rooms, and flaunts an incredible 22 white square columns. The most popular room among guests is the White Ballroom, which is painted entirely in white with elaborate gold décor throughout. Rooms are trimmed in custom plaster frieze made from Spanish moss, clay, plaster and mud, and are all original to the house. And as if that werent enough, this immaculate mansion was constructed with 365 openings one for each day of the year. Nottoway Plantation captivates all with a brilliant blend of true Southern hospitality, history and mystery.
Included Shore Excursions
Premium Shore Excursions
Life in the Bayou Cajun Swamp Tour: Nottoway
Today we explore a true Cajun Experience in the back bayous and swamps of Louisiana. Just down the historical River Road that beautiful Nottoway Plantation resides on, lays an oasis. Flanked by cypress and lush greens, Manchac Swamp offers a glimpse into what settlers of this area found upon arrival to southern Louisiana.
All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.
Transportation: Provided
Paddle And Wheel Combo By Gray Line
This combo package is a great buy, and with a total of about 4 hours, you can see the city and take a cruise full of historical information.
You save $7/adult with the combo ticket.
This combination pairs the daytime historical cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez and the Super City Bus Tour .
With an overall rating of 4 ½ stars on TripAdvisor, Gray Line New Orleans is very well received.
In particular, both of the services offered through this combo ticket are positively reviewed by their customers.
Much like the Steamboat Natchez, the Super City Bus Tour also enjoys mostly positive ratings.
Although there are a few negative reviews for both tours, they arent indicative of any significant problems. This combo deal is most popular among couples.
Youll Experience
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Reserve Now & Pay Later
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Make a reservation
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Enjoy your experience
Your payment will be processed one day before the end of the free cancellation period specified in the product’s cancellation policy, based on Pacific time. For example, if you book an experience in Paris with free cancellation up to 1 day before, scheduled to start at 1pm on Saturday October 5, your payment will be processed on Thursday October 3 at 1pm Pacific Time if your experience in New York City has the same cancellation policy and is scheduled to start at 3pm on Saturday October 5, your payment will be processed on Thursday October 3 at 3pm Pacific Time .
If there is no start time set on the experience, payment will be processed at midnight Pacific time. For example, if you book an experience in Paris with free cancellation up to 1 day before, for Saturday October 5, your payment will be processed around 9am Paris time on Thursday October 3.
*Up to 9 days depending on the booking/product
Steamboat Natchez: The Last Authentic Steamboat In New Orleans
Take a behind-the scenes look at the majestic Steamboat Natchez, and experience New Orleans hospitality at its best with a cruise down the Mighty Mississippi River.
No visit to The Big Easy is complete without a steamboat ride down the Mississippi River. So whether youre in the area now or planning for next years Mardi Gras, youll want to experience a New Orleans riverboat cruise.
Built in 1975, the Steamboat Natchez, owned by The New Orleans Steamboat Company, is the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. Its currently under renovation, but you can still enjoy the same experience of a grand paddle wheeler on its sister vessel, Riverboat City of New Orleans. Revel in live Jazz, craft cocktails and local cuisine, all while getting beautiful views of the city.
And while we wait for the Steamboat Natchez to set sail again , lets take a look back at a behind-the-scenes video aboard the majestic Steamboat Natchez that was filmed prior to the pandemic. Join us for an amazing time as we cruise down the Mighty Mississippi River. Watch the video above, or read the full transcription below.
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Mississippi River Gateway Cruise
On this 11-day Mississippi River Gateway cruise, cruise the Mississippi River from the banks of the Bayou to the shores of St. Louis. Embark on a modern riverboat and enjoy guided excursions to famous port cities, locally inspired cuisine, and a full array of small ship amenities.
The Best Of The Riverboat Cruises On The Mississippi
If you are looking for the best Mississippi River cruise, look no further. Join Road Scholar on this classic Mississippi River cruise where guests will board a magnificent paddlewheel riverboat and get a front-row seat to immerse themselves in the music, food, natural beauty and architectural grandeur of Dixie, historic Natchez and Vicksburg, and small river towns. Spend three days exploring the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, including a jazz show at the iconic Fritzels Jazz Club.
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United States Tour Packages
The weather in USA varies from region to region. Some regions have extreme weather while some have moderate weather. So it depends on which region of the USA, you are planning to visit. But in the majority of the cases, spring and fall are better seasons to visit most cities in the USA. Spring and fall bring very pleasant weather when its not too cold and also not too hot.
Experience New Orleans beauty and French Quarter romance aboard the Steamboat Natchez
This 2-hour tour is brought to you by the New Orleans Steamboat Company.
Included in General Ticket: Cruise, live music, steam engine museum
Not Included in General Ticket: New Orleans Cuisine Buffet, Professional Photography, Tips, Drinks
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Tours Offered: Dinner Jazz Cruise, Lunch Jazz Cruise, Combination Bus Tour/River Cruise
Price: Adult tickets starting at $36
Departure Info: Daily and nightly tours depart from 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130
| 1 Poydras Street, Riverwalk Market Place |
Information in this table is subject to change. Before booking, please reference a TripShock.com listing or call TripShock at 424-5125
New Orleans Bachelor / Bachelorette Party Boat
This Pedal Party Boat is an incredibly unique eco-experience/ booze cruise that caters to bachelor parties and is also great for birthday parties, team bonding and corporate outings, girls night out, and more. There are 12 padded pedal seats that surround a center high-top bar with built-in coolers and 4 padded benches make room for 6 additional passengers on the Bayou Boogie and 10 additional passengers on the Cajun Queen.
Our Captain and First Mate are your hosts on this amazing party boat booze cruise in New Orleans. Know that pedaling can be as easy or difficult as you wish, and we are equipped with a backup motor in case you just want to party without a workout. While some riverboat cruises explore the Mississippi, ours explores the more diverse and beautiful setting of the Bayou Bienvenue. Do one of the coolest things to do in New Orleans with our pedal party boat bike tour!
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About New Orleans Pedal Barge
Introducing the newest New Orleans experience, the citys first ever pedal party boat tour perfect for a booze cruise and/or fishing charter. Its a cycleboat! This social, active adventure is the perfect way for friends, families, tourists, fishermen and bachelor / bachelorette parties to rent a boat and enjoy a party cruise on the bayou bienvenue near New Orleans. Very similar to a swamp tour or fishing charter with a party to boot.
The Boats: The Bayou Boogie is a Coast guard certified boat with 90 horse motor
Weather: Fully covered and optional clear vinyl surround to stay warm during winter.
Cycle Capacity: Cajun Queen & Bayou Boogie= 12 Pedaler seats. Bayou Cruiser = 0 pedaler seats
Boat Capacity: Bayou Boogie=18 Cajun Queen=22
Public Tour length: 1 hr 45 Minutes
Private tour length: 1 hr 45 Minutes, Add on hours available
Drinks/Food: BYOB, BYOF. No cake or rice Cupcakes are ok.
Where: 2651 Paris Road, New Orleans, LA. a 15 minute uber ride from the quarter. Dont be late, ubers cancel, traffic can be bad, and with public tours, we cant wait for people. Please be early!
What do you see and do on this New Orleans Boat Tour? We cruise through the Bayou Bienvenue river. Customers are allowed to fish and take home the fish they catch.
Cruises On The Mississippi River
Launched in 2015, American Cruise Lines 150-passenger American Heritage is dedicated to Mississippi river cruises.
The most traveled Mississippi river cruises are between New Orleans and Memphis or St. Louis. There are also a few full-length New Orleans to St. Paul, Minnesota or reverse cruise each summer.
You can also journey east of the Mississippi river and cruise the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers.
If youre wondering if Mississippi river cruise ships have a casino, the answer is no. Overnight Mississippi river cruise ships do not have a casino.
However, an option would be to take a taxi from the ship if the port that you are at has a nearby casino. Just dont miss the boat!
Disclosure: I was a guest of American Cruise Lines aboard American Heritage. As always, all opinions are my own. It was a wonderful week and I heartily recommend this cruise.
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Im the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the world on waves and wheels, collecting recipes along the way. I hope my articles and photos entertain, advise and inspire you to travel the world without flying. Take a breathstop for a local meal and a glass of wine along the way.
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Memories To Last A Lifetime
As a USA River Cruises guest, you will experience unique perspectives of some truly stunning landscapes. Onboard, youll find luxurious accommodations, and the crew will work to ensure your stay is as comfortable, safe, and memorable as it can possibly be. Every aspect of your experience from spectacular bays to sugary beignets has been expertly crafted specifically for your enjoyment.
Youll never forget a single moment.
Book your vacation with USA River Cruises Now!
Am Cruise W/ Lunch Second Seating
Live commentary in English. 12:15-1:15PM Lunch Seating
- Scenic jazz cruise on the Steamboat NATCHEZ
- What’s excluded Beverages
Know Before You Book
- Children 5 and younger are complimentary for the cruise only children 1 and younger are complimentary for the cruise with lunch.
- The boat is wheelchair accessible only on the main deck, where food, bar service, and restrooms are located.
- Check-in is 30 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
- Please Note: Should the Steamboat NATCHEZ become unavailable for her yearly Coast Guard inspections and/or general maintenance, all cruises during this time will take place on her sister vessel – the newly renovated Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS.
What you can expect
Welcome aboard the newest vessel to the French Quarter riverfront, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS!
The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. Youll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat addition to our family. Make sure you check out all four decks. The top deck view is a site to see!
The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, uniquely New Orleans – welcome aboard!
Cleaning and safety practices
- High-touch surfaces cleaned and disinfected
- Vehicles and venues cleaned with disinfectants
Safety measures
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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
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.
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
Absolutely Perfect In All Ways
My Friend and I went on the Riverboat Twilight and it was the most perfect/awesome adventure! From reserving our trip to our final walk to our car after the two day cruise, all was perfect! Staff are amazing, from the Captain to the servers, to the musical entertainers. The food is suburb and generous! Everything is very well organized, from our luggage/hotel in Dubuque/seating for meals, free shuttles in Dubuque, etc! The scenery and info along the way from the captain was wonderful! This was an absolutely perfect two day cruise, and we are going again in Mid October as we loved it so much!!.
Karen V Pella, Iowa
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Usa River Cruises: Your Destination Awaits
Our booking agents are ready to answer any questions you may have and to accommodate any and all special needs.
Each member of our staff is uniquely qualified to customize the trip of a lifetime. Most of us have taken these cruises ourselves and are intimately familiar with every detail of the journey, making us the best possible resource for you.
USA River Cruises specializes in rail trips and small-ship cruises. This means our ships typically hold fewer than 900 passengers more often than not its much fewer than that!
Were based in Vancouver, Washington, just across the mighty Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Thus, our passion began locally, with ships on the Columbia. However, we have grown to appreciate river cruise vacations all over the United States as well as all over the world!
Our agents are friendly and responsive most have personal experience on board many of our ships. Thats why USA River Cruise agents are the small-ship cruising and cruise vacation experts.
- May 15, 2023,June 19, 2023
St. Paul to New Orleans
New Orleans to St. Paul
St. Paul to New Orleans
New Orleans to St. Paul
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Shipboard Shows Dining Excursions: What To Expect
To ensure social distancing, the open seating for dinner was scrapped. Instead, there were two seatings so there was plenty of space between guests. We were assigned to the same table each night better for contact tracing.
There also were two shows in the evenings to keep the size of the crowds down. At the end of each performance in the show lounge, we were asked to quickly depart so that the theater could be fogged with an antiviral mist before the next performance.
There was no self-service, whether it be at breakfast or lunch buffets or the Duchess popular Perks room, where there is coffee, juice, ice cream, popcorn and fresh-baked cookies. There were plenty of ways to indulge ones sweet tooth you just had to wait for someone to serve you.
As far as shore excursions, American Queen Steamboat Company has temporarily halted its hop-on, hop-off buses that allowed passengers to explore port towns on their own. As a replacement, we were taken on more conventional bus tours with a guide so that our groups could be more insulated.
Bierdz said COVID-19 protocols are constantly changing on the companys boats, so its best to check with the cruise line before departure to see what rules are currently in place when you sail.
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