New Orleans Cruises

Cruise Marketplace has cruises departing from New Orleans. The ingredients have come together like a delicious gumbo. Start with the Mississippi River, then add the historic French Quarter, world class restaurants, an arts district, and shopping - all within walking distance of the port's cruise terminal complex.

"A cruise itinerary which begins and ends in New Orleans offers passengers two vacation experiences in one trip," said Gary LaGrange, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans . "Most passengers will spend a couple of days in New Orleans either before or after their cruises." More than 11 million people visited New Orleans in 2004. Call CruiseMarketplace today to book your cruises departing from New Orleans. 1.800.826.4333.

What is so special about cruises departing from New Orleans? In the past decade the growth of New Orleans' cruise industry has been phenomenal. The number of passengers embarking or making a port of call has grown from 80,000 in 1993 to 734,643 in 2004. The port's infrastructure has grown with the passenger totals. Forty-seven million potential passengers live within a 500-mile radius of New Orleans.

In the past four years, more than $9 million has been spent to upgrade the two cruise terminals at the Julia Street Wharf. New enhancements include an air-conditioned, elevated passenger gangway; expanded customs and baggage area; covered and lighted walkways and a vehicular drive in/drop off area. The two terminals combine for 35,000 square feet of check-in/waiting area, 46,000 square feet of baggage area, a 2,600 foot long berth (for three vessels) and 140,000 square feet of ship loading space. Cruise Marketplace books cruises departing from New Orleans - 1-800-826-4333.


The $37 million Erato Street Cruise Terminal opened in September of 2006. Located adjacent to the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. The building includes a 1,000-vehicle parking garage and state-of-the-art passenger services.

The Port is presently in the planning, design and engineering stages of developing an additional cruise terminal on the Poland Avenue Wharf, in the Bywater Area below the French Quarter.

While much of New Orleans' downtown district feels the same as ever following the Katrina aftermath, there are still a few key developments as a result. Call CruiseMarketplace today to book your cruises departing from New Orleans. 1.800.826.4333.

Always one of America's more gracious and welcoming cities -- for vacationers, particularly -- New Orleans and its citizens (and by that I mean everyone from folks in the tourism sector to shopkeepers and restaurateurs) seems almost desperate for you to visit. One shop owner in Riverwalk Marketplace, upon selling me a can of Cafe du Monde coffee, asked me anxiously if I'd had a good trip -- and then implored me to "spread the word". She wasn't the first, either.

In a twist on the cliche "what's old is new again," the city's classics -- Brennan's, the fabulous Hotel Monteleone, the aforementioned Commander's Palace and Aquarium of the Americas -- are among those that are back and even better than before due to recent (and unplanned) renovations. As one Hotel Monteleone staffer told us, "we completed our $70 million renovation in November 2004 ... however Katrina remodeled the 16th floor for us. We now have a brand-new, state-of-the-art fitness center, pool deck and pool." Cruise Marketplace books cruises departing from New Orleans - 1-800-826-4333.