Carnival Cruise Line Resumes Sailing Out Of New Orleans
Carnival Cruise Line is back in The Big Easy.
The cruise line on Sunday officially returned to New Orleans for the first time since pre-pandemic when Carnival Glory set sail out of the Erato Street Cruise Terminal on a Bahamian cruise.
The ship, which has recently been decked out with Carnivals new hull art, continues a long tradition of sailing out of New Orleans for Carnival, a cruise line that launched its first year-round program out of New Orleans in 1994 and has since carried more than 4 million guests out of the city.
Glory will soon be joined by Carnival Valor later this spring, which will sail four- and five-day cruises to Mexico. With Valor and Glory both operating out of New Orleans, Carnival expects to carry 400,000 passengers annually from the city, making it the largest operator out of The Big Easy.
“Carnival Cruise Line has been a part of the New Orleans community for more than 25 years and we’re absolutely thrilled to provide our guests an opportunity to get Back to Fun, while supporting the local economy in one of our most popular homeports,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Carnival is the number one cruise operator from New Orleans with the greatest variety of cruise choices and itineraries and we are so happy to bring our unique brand of fun back to this fantastic city.”
Private Cruise Island Enhancements
NCL Norwegian expanded the companys plans for its Bahamian privately-owned island Great Stirrup Cay and the exclusive luxury resort destination Harvest Caye . Harvest Caye port features a large-sized swimming pool, private beach, shallow lagoon , private cabanas available for rent, as well as a huge flora and fauna diversity.
Great Stirrup Cay was last enhanced in 2014 and by 2017 spring features several new offerings and amenities .
Ncl Cruise Cancellation Policy
Since January 2016, NCL adjusted the companys final payment and cancellation policies. Under the new cruise cancellation policy, booked NCL customers will incur penalties further from departure date when canceling.
Before 2016, NCL cruise itineraries 6 days or longer, canceled 56 to 75 days prior to embarkation date guaranteed full deposits back. Under the new cancellation policy, final payment for itineraries 6 or more days is due 90 days prior to departure date . Cancellation penalties start 89 days prior to departure date.
NCLs cruise deposit schedule also shifted. Previously, for itineraries 6 to 9 nights long, booked customers had to put down a USD 250 pp deposit. After January 2016, that was changed to USD 250 pp for itineraries 7 to 9 days, and USD 100 pp for itineraries 2 to 6 nights long.
Final payments for holiday cruises are now due 120 days prior to departure dates, only excluding cruises on the ship Norwegian Sky.
Don’t Miss: Boat Trip To Hawaii From California
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.
Review Of Norwegian Cruise Line
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, NCLHs entire fleet is with an expanded cancellation policy. All bookings on pre-scheduled itineraries were given the option to cancel without penalties.
Eventually, NCLH canceled all NCL cruises leaving between March 14, 2020, and July 2021. Operations resumed in July-August 2021.
Next are listed all NCL ships and their scheduled first departure dates/homeports in 2021 BLISS , BREAKAWAY , DAWN , ENCORE , EPIC , ESCAPE , GEM , GETAWAY , JADE , JEWEL , JOY , PEARL , SKY , SPIRIT , STAR , SUN , PRIDE OF AMERICA .
- In late-March 2021, NCL canceled through October-November all voyages scheduled for the ships ENCORE , JEWEL , Sun , BLISS , JADE , JOY , GEM .
- In early-April 2021, NCL announced new schedules for the ships JADE , JOY and GEM . Previously the boats were planned to restart as follows JOY , GEM , JADE . JOYs ex-Greece program was canceled in May. GEMs ex-Dominicana program was canceled in June.
- In late-May 2021 were canceled JOYs Caribbean roundtrips from Montego Bay Jamaica and BLISS Alaskan program from Seattle .
- In late-June were delayed the restarts of 5 ships . These cancellations affected DAWNs Mediterranean schedule and STARs Europe-Iceland-UK .
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Month To Cruise Alaska
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.
More Cruise Lines Are Planning Trips From New Orleans See What’s Coming Back And What Isn’t
The Carnival Glory cruise ship docks after Hurricane Ida in New Orleans, La., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. ORG XMIT: BAT2109031658290152
More cruise ship operators are setting plans for sailings from U.S. ports in the coming months, including the four lines that left regularly from the Port of New Orleans before the COVID-19 pandemic.
That’s offered some hope to local port and hospitality officials, even if all of the ships that once plied the Mississippi River before heading towards tropical destinations aren’t yet staging a return locally.
Cruise ship traffic from the port resumed last month, when Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Glory restarted its Caribbean cruise sailings from Sep. 19, a few weeks later than expected because of Hurricane Ida.
On another positive note, a second Carnival vessel, the Carnival Valor, will resume sailing from Nov. 1 with four- and five-day round-trip cruises to Cozumel and Progreso in Mexico, Vance Gulliksen, Carnival spokesman confirmed. Like its sister ship Glory, the Valor will be running at about 70% passenger capacity, which normally is just under 3,000 on each ship.
Also Check: How Much Does An Alaskan Cruise Cost
Almost Half The Fleet Is Back
Carnival Glory is not the cruise ship restarting today, September 19! Carnival Dream becomes the third Carnival cruise ship to resume operations out of Galveston, Texas.
With both ships sailing today, eleven Carnival cruise ships are now back in service, which is almost half the fleet. More vessels will continue to resume through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. When it comes to New Orleans, it will just remain with Carnival Glory and Valor, with both expecting to carry 400,000 passengers annually, more than any other cruise operator from the city.
Feel free to discuss this topic and all things cruise at our new boards. A place where readers can ask questions, help their fellow cruisers and general cruise discussions on cruise lines and ports.
And if you like, feel free to cast your vote in the 2021 Cruise Ship Awards covering a range of categories, including best cruise ship and best cruise line.
Two P& O Cruise Ships To Sail The Caribbean
P& O Cruises plans to have two ships sailing the Caribbean before the end of the year. The cruise line has experienced a hugely successful summer return with the launch of its newest flagship Iona and its popular summer seacations onboard Britannia. The cruise line is ready to expand its cruises and has chosen to do this in the Caribbean with Britannia and Azura.
Britannia will set off on her transatlantic voyage from Southampton in southern England on October 22. The vessel will take 14 days to sail to the Southern Caribbean island of Barbados before she starts the first of a series of 14-day cruises in the Caribbean.
Azura will be the second ship sailing the Caribbean for the UK-based cruise line. Starting December 10, the cruise ship will also be sailing from Barbados on 14-day itineraries that include ports of call such as Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, Dominica, and Martinique.
P& O Cruises are not yet sailing with the entire fleet and will not do so this year. Aurora is currently scheduled to return in February of next year and Arcadia is scheduled to return to sailing in March of next year.
Plenty to look forward to and this will be the first chance British cruisers will be able to enjoy a cruise in the Caribbean since the suspension started in 2020.
You May Like: Dress Code On Seabourn Cruises
Don’t Miss: What Cruise Lines Leave From Cape Liberty Nj
Port Nola Welcomes The Return Of Carnival Cruises
NEW ORLEANS Carnival Cruise Line announced that the Carnival Glory will depart on Sunday, Sept. 19 from the Erato Street Cruise Terminal on a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas. The week-long voyage will be the first sailing from New Orleans since an industry-wide pause in operations that began in March 2020.
Local business leaders are cheering the news at a time when the city needs a few wins. Brandy Christian, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, said the return of Carnival is a positive development for the local economy.
We are proud to welcome Carnival Glory back to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal for the first oceangoing cruise from New Orleans since the pause in operations in March 2020, she said. We value our longtime partnership with Carnival Cruise Line, and we applaud their commitment to exceeding health and safety requirements in order to protect our community, guests and crew. Approximately 90% of our states cruise guests travel from out of state, with 73% spending a day or two in the New Orleans area either before or after their cruise. Carnivals return to Port NOLA is a boost to our local economy as passengers once again are able to experience two vacations in one when they sail from our vibrant city.
Carnival Glory To Resume Sailing On September 19 After Housing Emergency Workers
Carnival Cruise Line said Tuesday that Carnival Glory will sail from Port of New Orleans on Sunday, Sept. 19 on a seven-day cruise to The Baha
Though cruise ship sailings have been slowly resuming since the CDC regime was agreed in June, there have been setbacks for the industry, including the death of one passenger in August who had contracted COVID-19 while on a cruise from Galveston, Texas to Belize.
Also, more recently, dozens of passengers who had been on an American Queen Voyages river cruise that departed from Port Nola tested positive for the virus.
The CDC had been reluctant to lift restrictions on the cruise-line industry because it said that the conditions onboard, with so many people in close proximity for an extended period of time, was conducive to spreading the air borne disease.
You May Like: How Much Is Disney Travel Insurance
Rough Sailing In The Gulf Of Mexico
Something else to consider when it comes to cruising fromNew Orleans is the roughness of the trip. While many cruises will eventuallymake their way to the Caribbean, coming from New Orleans they must first travelthrough the Gulf of Mexico.
During certain times of the year, the Gulf of Mexico can bea much rougher ride than sailing through the Caribbean. This is due to any coldfronts coming across the Gulf. For that matter, cruising in the winter out ofNew Orleans might come with some especially rocky riding.
This isnt so much a safety issue, as the waters in the Gulfarent going to rock enough to tip your cruise ship. But if you get seasickeasily, or are would rather ride through smoother waters, its certainlysomething to consider.
Perfect Day At Cococay
This private island destination by Royal Caribbean was always a hit among cruisers, but now its one of the top-rated cruise destinations to sail to in the world. Recently reimagined with all new attractions, including a helium balloon ride and the tallest waterslide in North America, Perfect Day at CocoCay brims with so much to see and do, you really have to go with a game plan. Unless your plan is to just kick back and soak up the sunshine in that case, youll find plenty of tranquil shoreline to unwind along, not to mention the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas.
You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Galveston
Ncl Cruise Cabin Upgrades
In February 2017, NCL started a new cruise cabin upgrade program that allows already booked passengers to bid for upgrades to higher-category staterooms.
- The new Norwegian Upgrade Advantage program was tested and approved by a group of top travel agencies. The entire system is automated and dont require travel agent intervention and pays commissions on the enhanced fare.
- NCLs senior sales VP Camille Olivere commented: After final payment guests can bid on an upgrade and theres a little dial that will show them in red, yellow or green the likelihood their bid is going to be accepted. When NCL offers the cabin upgrade to the guest we email the travel agency of record, so they see the guest has been offered the ability to upgrade, and if the bid is accepted we notify the agency. The agency has to do absolutely nothing.
- Once the passengers bids are accepted, they are assigned to an available higher-level stateroom interior to oceanview, oceanview to balcony, balcony to a suite or to The Haven accommodation. However, they cant choose the exact stateroom to which they are assigned.
Names Of Carnival Cruise Ships Sailing From New Orleans
Names of Carnival Cruise Ships Sailing From New Orleans
If you are heading to the Big Easy to embark on your next ocean voyage, Carnival Cruise Lines offers several excursions to exciting ports of call. The cruises run year-round from the historic Port of New Orleans, which has been welcoming ships since the early 1700s. Carnival Cruise ships departing from New Orleans feature state-of-the-art facilities and a wealth of entertainment options.
Carnival Cruise Lines has been an industry-leader since launching in 1972. The company is the worlds largest cruise operator and the originator of the Fun Ships concept, which allows passengers to visit exotic destinations aboard glitzy, floating resorts. The cruise liner was initially known for its party atmosphere. However, it has since transitioned into a more family-friendly cruiser that offers amenities for travelers of all ages. Carnival Cruise Lines offers multi-day voyages from New Orleans to destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico aboard the Conquest and Triumph cruise ships.
Recommended Reading: What Cruise Lines Leave From Mobile Alabama
Msc Cruises Receives Approval To Sail From New Homeport In Florida
MSC Cruises has received approval from the CDC to restart cruises on MSC Divina on September 16. It will be the first time that the cruise line has sailed out of Port Canaveral as the ship will offer three, four, and seven night cruises.MSC Divina will be the cruise lines 11th cruise to resume cruises and their second out of a U.S. port.After officially resuming cruises from the U.S. with
Cruises From New Orleans On Hold In Wake Of Hurricane Ida
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The comeback of cruising out of New Orleans is on hold for now, thanks to Hurricane Ida.
With electricity, drinking water and fuel still scarce across much of Louisiana in the wake of the storm, cruise giant Carnival has canceled a sailing out New Orleans scheduled for Sunday that would have been its first from the city in 17 months.
River cruise lines that operate Mississippi River sailings out of New Orleans also are steering clear of the city for now. Both American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company will be operating river cruises in the coming days out of more northerly Mississippi River ports in Mississippi and Tennessee instead of New Orleans.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter.
The Carnival sailing on Sunday the line canceled, on the 2,980-passenger Carnival Glory, would have been the first ocean cruise out of New Orleans by any line since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic in March of 2020.
The vessel had been scheduled to operate a seven-day voyage to the Bahamas that would have featured calls at Bimini, Freeport and Nassau.
Carnival said passengers on the canceled sailing would receive a full refund of their cruise fare.
Also Check: Chase Ultimate Rewards Cruises
Are There Any Off
You cant beat the convenience and ease of parking right atthe cruise terminal. All you have to do is park and then walk right to theterminal to board your ship.
But what if spending $140 for a week of parking isnt inyour travel budget? Or you dont want to spend $40 a night for your RV or bus?
Well, luckily for you, New Orleans has a few off-siteparking options with drastically lower costs that will be much easier on yourbudget.
You May Like: Average Price For 7 Day Cruise
Ncl Cruise Ship Lifeguards
In April 2017, NCL Norwegian Cruise Line announced the company will employ certified lifeguards on some of its vessels and fleetwide . The news made NCL, the 3rd major cruise company with lifeguards onboard its ships following Disney and Royal Caribbean.
- The onboard lifeguards are stationed only at the family pools during scheduled swimming pool hours. This staff will be American Red Cross trained and certified.
- NCL will also offer complimentary swim vests for both adults and kids. Parents can obtain safety vests at the Lido Decks towel station during daytime hours.
You May Like: How Much Does An Alaskan Cruise Cost
Read Also: Which Cruise Lines Depart From Galveston