Cruise Frog guide
Cruises from New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans sends ocean ships down the Mississippi to the Caribbean from the Erato Street and Julia Street terminals, and river boats up the Mississippi from the foot of Robin Street.
Things to do in New Orleans, Louisiana
- The French QuarterJackson Square, Café du Monde and the balconies of Royal Street, walkable from the terminals.
- The National WWII MuseumOne of the country's best museums, ten minutes from the port.
- Garden District by streetcarThe St. Charles line past oak-shaded mansions and Lafayette Cemetery.
- Live music on Frenchmen StreetJazz and brass bands nightly, a good last night before boarding.
- Swamp tourBayous and alligators an hour out of the city.
When to go
- Jan: shoulder season
- Feb: high season
- Mar: high season
- Apr: high season
- May: shoulder season
- Jun: shoulder season
- Jul: low season
- Aug: low season
- Sep: low season
- Oct: high season
- Nov: high season
- Dec: high season
The ocean ships are busiest in winter and spring, with Mardi Gras weeks especially full. Summer is hot and humid, and the river boats slow down in the height of it.
Flying in and getting to the ship
Easy transferThe Erato and Julia Street terminals are about 15 miles (24 km) from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, 25 to 35 minutes by taxi (flat-rate to downtown) or rideshare. River boats moor nearby on the riverfront.
Rental cars: Available at the airport, but not worth it: the French Quarter is walkable and parking is tight.
The airport for New Orleans, Louisiana is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), with 3 lounges to wait in before you board.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) on Lounge FrogShips sailing from New Orleans, Louisiana
4.0 ★Royal Caribbean InternationalMariner of the Seas2003 · 139,863 GT · 3,114 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanMariner of the Seas is the fifth and last Voyager-class ship, a second-generation design that entered service in November 2003 with American Paralympic athlete Jean Driscoll as…3.8 ★Viking River CruisesViking Mississippi2022 · 12,621 GT · 386 guests · MississippiViking Mississippi is a 386-guest, five-deck river ship built for the Mississippi by Edison Chouest and registered in the United States; it entered service in 2022 as Viking's…
3.7 ★Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Liberty2005 · 110,000 GT · 2,974 guests · Caribbean · BahamasCarnival Liberty is a Conquest-class ship built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and christened in Civitavecchia in July 2005 by actress Mira Sorvino. She was the first Carnival ship…
3.7 ★Carnival Cruise LineCarnival Valor2004 · 110,000 GT · 2,980 guests · Caribbean · BahamasCarnival Valor is a Conquest-class ship of about 110,000 gross tons, built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and christened in Miami in December 2004 by journalist Katie Couric. She…Ships that call at New Orleans, Louisiana
Ships based elsewhere whose Mississippi sailings regularly stop here. Calls vary by sailing, so check the itinerary.
American JazzAmerican Cruise Lines
American MelodyAmerican Cruise Lines
American SerenadeAmerican Cruise Lines
American SymphonyAmerican Cruise Lines
American SplendorAmerican Cruise Lines
American HeritageAmerican Cruise Lines
Quick answers
Which cruise ships sail from New Orleans, Louisiana?
On Cruise Frog, 4 ships sail from New Orleans, Louisiana: Mariner of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), Viking Mississippi (Viking River Cruises), Carnival Liberty (Carnival Cruise Line) and Carnival Valor (Carnival Cruise Line).
Which cruise lines sail from New Orleans, Louisiana?
Royal Caribbean International, Viking River Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line sail from New Orleans, Louisiana.
What is the best-rated ship sailing from New Orleans, Louisiana?
Mariner of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), at 4.0 out of 5 in Cruise Frog's editorial ratings.
Which airport do you fly into for a cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY). Lounge Frog lists 3 open lounges there for the wait before boarding.
Related news about New Orleans, Louisiana
Nothing about New Orleans, Louisiana yet. The latest cruise news:
- We aged every ship at 10 big cruise lines. Holland America and Carnival have the oldest fleets
Cruise Frog's ship data shows how old each big line's fleet really is. Virgin's ships average about three years. Holland America's average 18.
Cruise lines
- Seabourn is going back to Egypt after more than five years, with a night in Alexandria for the pyramids
Seabourn's 2029 summer program has 166 sailings. It returns to Egypt, adds a new Gulf of Bothnia trip and brings Seabourn Encore back to Alaska.
Itineraries
- Carnival's new FunPacks run $25 to $99 a day, and drink and Wi-Fi prices go dynamic Dec. 1
Carnival bundled drinks, Wi-Fi, dining and shore trips into four FunPacks, on sale until Oct. 30. From Dec. 1, drink and Wi-Fi prices change by sailing.
Cruise lines
- Queen Mary 2's 500th crossing will leave from Liverpool, a first for Cunard since 2015
Cunard opened 93 voyages for October 2028 to May 2029. The headline act is Queen Mary 2's 500th Transatlantic Crossing, with a rare Liverpool departure.
Itineraries