Situated at the end of the Mississippi River, The Port of New Orleans is not only a huge area for global trade but one of the largest cruise ports in The United States of America! Providing Ocean and Mississippi River Cruises a place to call home, the Cruise ship Terminal ensures manageable parking.
There are a few official places to park your car in downtown New Orleans, but no worries, we will find all the parking rates and options.
Let’s get ready to park your car for your cruise vacation!
What cruise ships sail out of New Orleans
Serving over 1 million happy cruises a year, New Orleans has a small yet mighty fleet that sails out of the port nola. New Orleans services Ocean Cruises through the Gulf of Mexico, and Mississippi cruise lines sail the entire river.
The current cruise lines out of New Orleans include Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Viking Cruise Line, American Queen Voyages, and American Cruise Lines.
Is My Car Safe in New Orleans?
With the surge of recent vehicle break-ins, some areas with city parking are safer than others. When leaving on a cruise, you will want to ensure that there is nothing of value left in your car that could tempt someone to want to break into your car.
Official Port of New Orleans Parking (Recommended)
Suppose you do not have a safe place to park your car while on a cruise. The best place to park your car is at one of the official port lots. New Orleans has two main terminals, the Erato Street and Julia Street terminals, and the parking is located right outside these terminals.
The two parking lots dedicated to cruisers are the Erato Street Terminal Parking and the Julia Street cruise terminal.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal Parking
Erato Street is primarily reserved for the Carnival Cruise Line since they sail out of the Port year-round. This Parking lot is on top of the cruise terminal and has over 1,000 spaces with SeaCap luggage assistance. There is an elevator that will bring you to your Embarkation deck.
Julia Street Cruise Terminal Parking
The Julia Street Terminal parking lot is a designated port parking adjacent to the Terminal. Don’t worry about the bags! They have SeaCap luggage assistance. This Terminal also has ADA compliant passenger gangway that is in the AC.
Which Parking lot do I Park in?
New Orleans cruise port parking depends on which cruise line you are sailing out. Most regular-sized vehicles will have no problem fitting in the parking lot. Check out the graph below to find out where your designated parking space is located!
| Cruise Line | Parking Garage/Lot |
|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Erato Street Parking garage |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Julia Street Parking lot |
| Disney Cruise Line | Convention Center Parking |
| Royal Caribbean International | Julia Street Parking lot |
| River Cruises – Parking is not available for these cruises | Parking is not available for these cruises |
If the Erato Street or Julia Parking lots are full, overflow parking lots are available. This only typically happens in the Spring and Summer months when most Major cruise lines sail out of New Orleans.
The parking lots are not suited for oversized vehicles. If you have an oversized vehicle, I would recommend one of the alternate lots.
How Much is Parking at the Cruise Terminal in New Orleans?
Many cruises out of New Orleans last 4-7 days, some lasting longer.
Cruise parking at the Port is $25 per day, with the total parking costs depending on the length of the cruise. Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are taken as forms of payment.
| Daily Parking | Price for Parking |
|---|---|
| 4-day parking | $100 |
| 5-day parking | $125 |
| 6-day parking | $150 |
| 7-day parking | $175 |
| 8-day parking | $200 |
| 9-day parking | $225 |
| 10-day parking | $250 |
| 14-day parking | $350 |
If you are a Disabled Veteran with documentation of at least 50% disability, you can receive free parking for up to 7 days.
Independent Parking Lots
If $25 a day is too steep for your pocket, there are a few Independent lots that you may want to investigate.
Cummins Parking Lot – New Orleans Parking
1001 Convention Center Blvd
For $17 a day (+$5 service fee), you can park in the Cummins parking lot about a block from the Cruise Port with a complimentary shuttle service from 7 am to 3 pm. There are no in-and-out privileges.
Fulton Place Parking – New Orleans Parking
901 Convention Center Blvd
New Orleans elements get hot, and if you want to ensure your car is in a covered parking lot, look into parking at the Fulton Place Parking Garage. It costs $20 daily, and they offer a free shuttle bus service.
Machu Picchu Cruise Ship Parking
442 Jackson Avenue
Cruise passengers looking to save a lot can go to Machu Picchu Cruise Ship offers safe parking for only $14 per day! Even though it is 1.5 miles from the Terminal, they offer secured parking spaces and a complimentary 5-minute free shuttle service.
The lot is small, so you will want to make a reservation.
This location is conveniently close to Walmart, so you can pick up any last-minute sunscreen, bug spray, and wine before boarding the ship.
Hotels With Cruise Parking
Parking at hotels in New Orleans is notoriously high. You can spend anywhere from $25-$50 a night at some of the more excellent hotels in the city, and leaving a car there for a week or more is not economical.
Many guests within driving distance from New Orleans typically spend about one night in the city exploring, eating, and preparing for their cruise. Quite a few hotels also offer a hotel package for cruise parking for their guests.
Some hotels offer discounted or free parking for guests even when you stay only for a night.
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center offers a cruise package so you can park your car for $17 a night.
If you are worried about leaving your car downtown, Sheraton Metairie New Orleans will allow you to leave your car for free as a perk for staying here. You will need to catch an Uber or taxi cab to and from the Cruise port, but that should only run you $28-38 per trip.
Questions and Answers About New Orleans Cruise Port Parking
Below are some Frequently asked questions about cruise parking in New Orleans. I need help finding your question below. Make sure you
Do I need a reservation to park?
You do not need a parking reservation if you are parking in an official port parking lot. If you want to park your car at a different lot, having reservations ahead of time is best.
Is there free parking anywhere for my New Orleans cruise?
New Orleans has a high parking demand no matter the season, and finding free parking for a cruise can take time and effort. The only places that serve free parking are some hotels that require you to stay 1-2 nights for that benefit.
Can I drop off my luggage and explore New Orleans?
Passengers can drop off their luggage with their cruise lines to explore the city on embarkation day.
On disembarkation day, you must move your vehicle from the parking spots by noon to allow additional space.
Some services in new orleans allow you to drop off your luggage to continue to explore the city.
Where do I park my car during my Mardi Gras Cruise?
If you are cruising out of Mardi Gras and not partaking in the festivities, get a hotel and parking closer to the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Parking is tricky during Mardi Gras, and some hotels may need more time to limit their parking ability for cruises.
Should I park my car on the Westbank?
Some people might tell you to get a hotel and park on the west bank, but with the traffic and logistics going over the Crescent City Connection Bridge, It would be easier to park near the airport or Metairie for your New Orleans Cruise.
New Orleans Cruise Port Parking
With all the different areas in and around the Port of New Orleans, I hope you can find the perfect place to park your vehicle during your cruise!
If you are looking for a travel agent to help you plan and book your next cruise, do not hesitate to contact New Orleans Locals Sunset Chasers Travel Agency! We can book your next New Orleans or Cruise Vacation!
