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.
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.
Downtown New Orleans Is Within Walking Distance Of The Cruise Port
Another advantage that the New Orleans Cruise Port has above others is its proximity to downtown New Orleans. No matter which terminal youre parked at, just take a few steps toward the city and youll land right on downtown streets.
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Once downtown, you can go anywhere you want and not miss athing. Youll find three main districts downtown: the Warehouse District, theGarden District, and the French Quarter. Inside each district youll findrestaurants, museums, and attractions that you should visit.
Garden District
About 2-3 miles southwest of the terminal is the GardenDistrict. Take a stroll up and down the streets of this gorgeous district andlet the peaceful vibes melt away any stress you may have. Within youll findVictorian structures still standing, gorgeous mansions, and a variety of cafes,shops, and museums.
Here are a few locations you should visit in the GardenDistrict:
- Surreys Café and Juice Bar
- New Orleans Ballet Theatre
- The Dryades Theater
Warehouse District
The Warehouse District is directly across the street from the Julia Street Cruise Terminal and has a lot to offer anyone walking up and down its streets.
Also called the Arts District, you should expect to findmany museums and art galleries here, along with numerous shopping and diningopportunities. This district is described as a place where the past and thepresent meet up for drinks while the future texts Im on my way.
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Port Of New Orleans Loses $21 Million Without Cruises But President Predicts Fall Return
NEW ORLEANS – The Port of New Orleans services four major cruise lines: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney. The docks are empty and have been for over a year when the CDC held up U.S. operations because of the coronavirus.
This coming year we were due to have 338 cruise ship calls and about 1.5 million passenger moves for the year, said Brandy Christian, Port of New Orleans President and CEO. I think for the regional economy, annually thats about $250 million in spending.
Christian says the port has lost $21 million in direct revenue. We typically collect fees for both parking and a passenger fee for using the cruise terminal.
The CDC laid out plans for safe returns, but most cruise liners are waiting.
Disney Cruise Line and Carnival canceled all cruises from U.S. Ports through the end of May. Norwegian cruises through June. Two Royal Caribbean cruises will resume this summer but not any sailing out of New Orleans.
Theyre trying to do it very smart, very safe. I think thats why theres a pause, said Don Redman with AAA Louisiana. Yes, they can start having cruises now but they dont want to yet.
Redman says cruise lines took a big hit with COVID-19.
I think most of them are hesitating to plan anything. You might actually see some cruises developing, even by the end of this year, 2021, said Redman.
Christian says from communications shes had with cruise liners, theyre hopeful the city could see all cruising ships return by the fall.
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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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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:
- Sunglass Hut
- Haagen Daas
- Nordstrom Rack
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
Carnival Cruises From New Orleans Louisiana
New Orleans in Louisiana is a legendary party destination. People who have partied at Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras can vouch for that.
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.
Perhaps this is why Carnival Cruise Lines has four cruises departing from New Orleans port .
Note: NOLA is a shorter way of referring to New Orleans and Louisiana.
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Cruises From New Orleans Canceled Due To Hurricane Ida
Cruise Line & Cruise ShipCarnival Cruise LineLaurie Baratti September 03, 2021
Due to Hurricane Ida‘s ravagement of The Big Easy, Carnival Cruise Line has been forced to cancel a voyage, which was scheduled to depart New Orleans on Sunday, that would have been the first ocean cruise to set sail from the city in nearly 18 months.
The 2,980-passenger Carnival Glory had planned to become the first vessel to depart from the Crescent City on Sunday, September 5, one week after the Category 4 storm struck the city. As of today, electricity has been restored in some areas, but the vast majority of the metro remains without power, according to NOLA.com.
The Carnival Glory had been slated to sail a seven-day voyage from New Orleans to the Bahamas, with calls in Bimini, Freeport and Nassau, The Points Guy reported. In a statement, Carnival told the outlet that the decision to cancel Sundays sailing was made after local officials conducted a post-storm assessment of the area.
The channel to the cruise terminal remains closed, and New Orleans is under emergency management, Carnival wrote in its statement. We will provide our guests and travel advisor partners with additional information as it becomes available.
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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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Cruises Out Of New Orleans Louisiana
| There are 152 cruises that depart from New Orleans, LA in the year 2022. Just two cruise lines offer cruises that leave out of New Orleans in 2022 – Carnival and Norwegian .You can see New Orleans cruise schedule for 2022 in the table below. Be sure to look at the $/Day column to find cheap New Orleans cruise deals in 2022. |
| Departure |
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.
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Traveling To The New Orleans Cruise Port
The Louis Armstrong International Airport is approximately 17 miles from the cruise terminal complex. Allow approximately 45 minutes travel time. Shared shuttle service to the pier is $13 per person and can be arranged at the kiosk located in the baggage area of the airport. Taxis are always lined up outside and charge a flat fee of $28 for the first two persons, $12 per person for three or more.
The Julia Street Cruise Terminal Complex building includes a four level, 1,000 car garage that offers the passenger convenient covered parking in a fully secure environment. Parking cost $14 per day, cash or credit card. Porters greet the passenger on the first floor of parking and check their luggage before parking. After parking, the passengers take the central elevators direct to the second floor embarkation deck to check in and board the cruise ship.
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.
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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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Carnival Cruise Line Cancels First Return Sailing From New Orleans
Carnival Cruise Line cancels the first return cruise of Carnival Glory out of New Orleans due to the impact of Hurricane Ida.
With the state of Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Ida, including New Orleans, Carnival Cruise Line has cancelled its first return sailing out of the Port of New Orleans on September 5, 2021.
The Best Cruises From New Orleans
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Bourbon Street, New Orleans
Getty
One appeal of taking a cruise from the Port of New Orleans is being able to take advantage of pre-cruise or post-cruise stays in a city unparalleled for its unique mix of cuisine, entertainment, and laid-back Louisiana lifestyle.
The Big Easy offers visitors the chance to stroll along the historic French Quarter, which is always brimming with nightlifeor discover the galleries and museums in the Arts District. You can even take a streetcar ride on the oldest continuing operating line in the world. Of course, this might include stops to sample a beignet at the famed Café du Monde or chomp on a fried oyster po’ boy.
New Orleans is a wonderful city for cruisers, says Colleen McDaniel, senior executive editor of Cruise Critic. The port offers easy embarkation and disembarkation so passengers can spend their time doing things they love rather than waiting in lines.
Here are some of the best cruises embarking from New Orleansthe sixth largest cruise port in the America and a perfect departure point for a Caribbean cruise.
Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises | Ship: Crystal Symphony to Miami
Crystal Symphony
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
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Carnival Cruise Lines Preps Ships But Has No Firm Date For Renewed New Orleans Sailings
Carnival Cruise Lines is preparing its ships to resume sailings from New Orleans following the decision last week by the Centers for Disease C
But the company confirmed on Thursday that the Glory, which had been booked out for August reduced-capacity sailings, will now not be sailing that month. Previously, passengers have been offered either full refunds or the chance to book future cruises with some additional on-board credit.
As well as the expected sailings from Florida and Texas, Carnival said it would also be resuming some ship routes out of Seattle and Long Beach, California.
“Carnival will continue to ramp up more ships and homeports in September and beyond, bringing hundreds of crew on board each week to be vaccinated, complete CDC-mandated quarantine and then begin work to prepare for guests and the return to guest operations,” the company’s Thursday statement said.
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
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