New Orleans is a vibrant city known for its history, jazz music, and food – but did you know that the Port of New Orleans is also a central cruise hub for the Southern United States? Over 1.2 million passengers come and go out of the Port of New Orleans.
New Orleans has several major cruise lines in port at various times throughout the year. Whether you want a weeklong escape from your job or a quick hop onto a fun ship for the weekend. New Orleans is a great place to cruise out of.
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What to look out for when you book your New Orleans cruise?
When booking a cruise out of New Orleans, you want to be mindful of some of the festivals and activities that may be going on in downtown New Orleans. A popular time to cruise is during Mardi Gras or Spring Time, which includes the French Quarter Fest.
Popular events like these may raise the prices of hotels close to the New Orleans cruise port. You must factor in costs like this, or you could stay close to the Louis Armstrong International Airport.
What is the best month to cruise out of New Orleans?
Even though some cruise lines operate all year out of the Port of New Orleans, the best months to cruise out of New Orleans are between November to April. These months are ideal because if offer an excellent combination of pleasant weather and various cruise ship availability.
How can I find last-minute cruise deals from New Orleans?
As a general rule, the prices of cruises will fluctuate the closer you get to sailing. If the particular cruise ship is not full, many cruise lines will decrease the price at the last minute.
If you want a last-minute deal sailing out of New Orleans during the prime of summer is your best bet for booking a cruise. Sunset Chasers Travel Agency can help you weigh the pros and cons of any last-minute cruise deals.
What are the best cruises from New Orleans?
Disney Cruise Line and Viking are the best cruises to sail out of New Orleans. Disney Cruise line will allow you to sail the Gulf of Mexico, while Viking will lead you up and down the Mississippi River.
Do you need a passport to cruise from New Orleans?
Generally, when a U.S. Citizen embarks on a Western Caribbean Closed-loop cruise from New Orleans, they do not need a passport.
Sunset Chasers Travel Agency strongly encourages all cruise passengers to get a passport in case of an emergency.
Ocean Cruises from New Orleans
Four major cruise lines depart from New Orleans throughout the season. They are Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. All cruise lines have a varied schedule. When a cruise ship leaves New Orleans port, it can take about seven hours to get into the Gulf of Mexico!
Many guests will not notice how slowly the boat is going because they are too busy enjoying the sail away party, their first dinner, or even one of the shows on board.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruises are known as the Fun Ships. Carnival sails out of New Orleans year round and offers 4-8 day cruises on the Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, and Carnival Liberty. Carnival might be the ship for you if you only want to spend a few days at sea!
Carnival offers traditional Western Caribean and Eastern Caribean cruises so that guests can visit destinations such as Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize, Cozumel, Mexico; Mahogany Bay, Key West, Freeport, Nassau, Grandy Cayman, and Montego Bay. Suppose you are looking for a more extended vacation. In that case, you may be interested in one of the longer Carnival Journeys Cruises that sail through the Panama Canal.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line sails out of New Orleans for only a few months of the year (typically December through April) and offers five and 7-day cruises out of New Orleans.
From Norwegian, you can visit Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; Rotan, Honduras and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Royal Caribbean. Norwegian also has a private Island named Harvest Cay in Belize that many guests love having on their itinerary. The Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway are sailing out of New Orleans.
Royal Caribbean International
Starting in 2024, Royal Caribbean Cruises are back in New Orleans with the Brilliance of the Seas sailing from October-March.
Guests can sail four traditional Western Caribbean routes stopping in Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamacia, Yucatan, Mexico; and Belize City, Belize. Cruise Travelers will not have access to Royal Caribbean’s private Islands.
Sunset Chasers Travel Agency has a few group rates available on Royal Caribbean sailing out of New Orleans!
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line may be the perfect Cruise out of the Big Easy for families seeking a Magical Vacation! Even though the Disney Magic only sails out of New Orleans briefly, this might be one of my favorite New Orleans Cruises.
Guests can sail on 4, 5, or 7-night cruises outside New Orleans. They can sail to Cozumel, Mexico; Progresso, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Falmouth, Jamacia.
Mississippi River Cruises from New Orleans
Many of our younger readers must realize that you can sail up the Mississippi River from the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. Three leading cruise liners sail the Mighty Mississippi: American Cruise Line, American Queen Voyages, and Viking River Cruises.
American Cruise Line
​American Cruise Line is one of the River Cruises that focuses on the Personalized Cruise experience carrying only 100-200 cruisers. The American Heritage is the samples ship with a New Orleans-style paddleboard o the back of the cruise ship.
You can even take a Complete Misssippi river Cruise lasting 22 days traveling from New Orleans to St Paul.
American Queen Voyages
American Queen Voyages, formally known as American Queen steamboat company, sails year-round from Crescent City. There are six different itineraries sailing the lower Mississippi, and quite a few are from New Orleans.
You can either start your Mississippi Cruise in New Orleans and sail to Memphis, Tennesse, or start in Memphis, Tennesee and end your trip in New Orleans. ​
Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises is the newest cruise line in the New Orleans Market. Viking. Cruisers can expect to sail out of New Orleans on an 8-day or 12-day cruise on the Viking Mississippi.
Do note that Viking River Cruises requires full payment one year in advance to save your cabin.
Check out our blog post: When is the best time to go on a Viking River Cruise?
Are there any Christmas cruises from New Orleans?
New Orleans has a few Christmas Cruises sailing out of its ports. Of course, these will be different from those in Europe. Still, American Queen Voyages makes a special stop in Nottoway, Louisiana, for guests to participate in a Christmas Market and bonfire.
Do any cruises stop in New Orleans?
There is a handful of sailing on the Celebrity Constellation that sails out of Tampa that makes a stop in New Orleans. In 2024 the Celebrity Constellation has a 3-night overstep during Mardi Gras, which is perfect for those wanting to spend Mardi Gras in New Orleans without getting a hotel.
What is the best Cruise to take out of New Orleans without kids?
If you want to sail a cruise line without children, the best cruise company to sail on is a Mississippi River Cruise. Many of the River Cruises are longer, and the cruise itineraries happen all year round, so you can make sure you go sailing when your kids are in school. If you want an Ocean Cruise, try picking a longer itinerary in January or May to avoid other guests with children.
How do I book a Cruise out of New Orleans?
Suppose you are looking to book a cruise out of New Orleans, or you have additional New Orleans cruise questions. In that case, we ask that you contact Sunset Chasers Travel Agency today! We would love for you to visit our hometown of New Orleans and have an excellent travel experience.
Since we are Locals of the area, we can give you the dos and don’ts of bourbon street and find the best hotel for you to stay at before embarking on your Cruise!
