Table Of Content
To ensure you have plenty of time, we recommend not scheduling a flight before noon from New Orleans on the day your ship returns. Below, we dive into everything you need to know about taking a New Orleans cruise, including parking, transportation, things to do, and much more. It will give you everything you need to know before cruise day to enjoy your trip. Cruises to New Orleans bring you to the heart of the city, where you’ll find a pulsating world of jazz, Mardi Gras, vibrant cuisine, glorious architecture, and joyous multiculturalism.
New Orleans Cruise Port Guide
Here, you’ll find historic homes and grand, sometimes charmingly faded mansions built by some of the city’s famous residents. Ancient oak trees festooned by Spanish moss curve dramatically over the sidewalks, adding to the leafy atmosphere. While you’re here, explore Magazine Street, lined with top-notch boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
Best Deals to New Orleans, Louisiana
There is a refreshment stand and a small store selling souvenirs and personal items in the cruise terminals at Port NOLA. The Julia Street Cruise Terminal Parking Facility is located next to to the terminal. Passengers are directed to drop off their luggage at one of four doors at the terminal where porters collect it. The Erato Street Cruise Terminal Parking Garage is located on top of the terminal. There are porters to assist passengers inside the garage with transporting luggage to the ship.
More Tips About the Port of New Orleans
There is a taxi stand right outside the terminal and the drive takes about 20 minutes. New Orleans cruises often range from 6-9 nights providing cruisers with a variety of different entertainment and dining options. It seems nothing can dampen the spirits where the good times roll, the jazz is cool and the food is hot. Get in on the action in the world-famous Vieux Carre, better known as the French Quarter, with its Dixieland sounds and Bourbon Street banter. Tour the charming Garden District or just stroll along the Mississippi.Looking for a cruise from New Orleans? Western Caribbean cruises are also offered later in the summer.
New Orleans Cruise Port Facilities?
Julia St. Cruise Terminal is located just a little bit farther downriver, next to The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk shopping complex. Most commonly, cruises from New Orleans go to exciting destinations such as Caribbean - All, Caribbean - Western, Europe - All, Panama Canal & Central America, and Spain. Hop on the historic St. Charles streetcar— the world’s oldest in continuous operation— for a relaxing ride from bustling Canal Street to the oak-lined Garden District. You’ll pass downtown scenes and antebellum mansions en route to Audubon Park, a beloved green space and home to the city zoo. No visit to New Orleans is complete without a walk through the French Quarter. Stroll along the Mississippi River and through the French Market.
The city was founded in 1718 by French colonists and handed to Spain in 1760, after which time it flourished as a port. Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, New Orleans became part of the U.S. The National WWII Museum vividly tells the story of war, while the Contemporary Arts Center offers rotating exhibits of painting, sculpture, film, and photography. Mardi Gras World isn’t a museum, as such, but provides a fascinating insight into the work behind those dazzling Mardi Gras floats. Sazerac House, with its own distillery, takes you through the history of the city’s cocktail culture. The easiest and fastest way to get from Louis Armstrong International Airport to the Port of New Orleans is by taxi.
Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels
Primarily serving Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, the terminal is just a few minutes walk from the French Quarter, and a number of restaurants, hotels, and shops. The Port of New Orleans has two terminals that serve cruise ships. They are located right next to each other, on the bank of the river and tucked behind the convention center. And judging by the numbers, lots of people are taking advantage of the Port of New Orleans as a starting point for their cruise. Each year hundreds of thousands of people take cruises from the city, making it the sixth-largest cruise port in the U.S. While that might be just a fraction of the largest ports in the world like Miami or Port Canaveral, it’s a substantial amount for a port outside of Florida.
Disney Magic cruise ship sets sail from New Orleans for first of many trips to Caribbean - NOLA.com
Disney Magic cruise ship sets sail from New Orleans for first of many trips to Caribbean.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:14:01 GMT [source]
Top-Rated Cruise Hotels Near the Port of New Orleans
The Port of New Orleans has been making waves as a hot departure point for affordable cruise vacations to the Caribbean. We’re talking destinations like Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, Key West, Nassau, and Costa Maya — not to mention the top-rated Royal Caribbean private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk puts stores such as Neiman Marcus Last Call, Coach and Tommy Bahama within minutes of the cruise terminal; it's even connected by an elevator. Thanks to the port's central location, you're a 10-minute walk or a streetcar ride away from the French Quarter, with its endless array of shopping, music and dining options.
Port NOLA Reports 1.2 Million Cruise Passengers in 2023 - Cruise Industry News
Port NOLA Reports 1.2 Million Cruise Passengers in 2023.
Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
If you prefer to spend your day in the water, dive Belize’s Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Or hit the trails on an outdoor adventure through the nearby rainforests. This private island destination by Royal Caribbean was always a hit among cruisers, but now it’s one of the top-rated cruise destinations to sail to in the world. Unless your plan is to just kick back and soak up the sunshine — in that case, you’ll find plenty of tranquil shoreline to unwind along, not to mention the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas. Most of the older city neighborhoods were laid out following the crescent-shaped Mississippi River; the city's main nickname is the Crescent City.
There are souvenir stands, a refreshment outlet, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and an ATM in the terminal itself. Julia Street Cruise Terminal is located in the midst of shops and restaurants; it’s right next door to Riverwalk Outlets, which is packed with places to eat, shop, and drink. Parking at the Port (Recommended)The most convenient spot to park? The Erato Terminal has parking literally above the check-in and boarding area. The Julia Street Terminal has a parking lot just a two-minute walk away. Depending on the length of your cruise, you’ll pay around $22-23 per day.
There is no direct public transit link between the airport and Port NOLA. However, the E1 and Airport Express buses shuttle passengers between the airport and Downtown. The express bus is usually faster and has two stops within a 10-minute drive of the New Orleans cruise port. Both buses depart from the outer curb outside the Ticket Lobby on Level 3. Royal Caribbean offers lots of affordable cruises to The Bahamas from New Orleans.
With one of these hotels, it’s nice to stay and then not have to worry about getting to the port on cruise day. For a full list of New Orleans hotels with cruise shuttles or walking distance to the ship, click here. Julia Street TerminalNew Orleans’ other terminal is the Julia Street Terminal, located just north of the Erato Terminal.
You can also rent a bicycle and explore 100 miles of cycle lanes, zip around by ferry, or summon a pedicab and take in the sights while chatting to your “driver”. The Port of New Orleans is within walking distance of dozens of shops and restaurants. French Quarter bars, restaurants and shops are all within a 10-minute drive of the Port of New Orleans.
Taxis can drop off and pick up passengers directly in front of their desired terminal at Port of New Orleans. A line of taxis is always waiting for passengers during debarkation. Direct shuttles to and from Port NOLA charge a flat rate that includes 3 bags per person. Tickets can be purchased online or on arrival at the ticket booth located in the Baggage Claim area. Magazine Street spans six miles of boutiques and antique shops.
Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. The Port of New Orleans, also known as Port NOLA, is the sixth-largest cruise port in the U.S. It has two adjacent terminal complexes and is located a short 10-minute drive from Canal Street and the French Quarter. Both major cruise lines and smaller lines sail from the port to various destinations, like the Caribbean, the coast and the inland river system.
