Few cruise ports put you this close to a great food city. The terminals are on the riverfront at the edge of the Warehouse District, a short walk or ride from the French Quarter, so a night or two in New Orleans before or after the cruise is the norm rather than the exception. Carnival is the anchor line here, with Norwegian sailing on a seasonal schedule and Royal Caribbean adding seasonal departures.
Ocean cruises head down the Mississippi and into the Gulf for the Western Caribbean. Port NOLA lists Carnival's year-round seven-night trips to ports such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Roatan and Belize City, plus a seven-night route to Key West, Freeport and Nassau, and four- and five-night Cozumel and Progreso trips. Norwegian's seven-night season runs October through April.
The river itself adds time: ships spend several hours on the Mississippi at the start and end of each trip, which makes for interesting scenery and a later arrival in open water. New Orleans is also the main U.S. hub for Mississippi River cruising, including Viking's river ship and American Cruise Lines' paddlewheelers.
Where cruises from New Orleans go
- Western Caribbean Maya ruins, barrier reef snorkeling and jungle adventures in Mexico, Central America, Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
- Caribbean Warm water, short flights and the widest choice of ships and itineraries anywhere in cruising.
- Bahamas The quick escape: short cruises from Florida to Nassau, Freeport and the cruise lines' private islands.
Cruise lines sailing from New Orleans
- Carnival Cruise Line Casual, affordable Fun Ships sailing from more US ports than almost anyone.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle cruising: no fixed dinner times, no formal dress rules, lots of restaurants.
- Royal Caribbean International Giant resort ships where the ship itself is the destination.
- Viking Small, adults-only ocean ships with Scandinavian calm and a culture-first, mostly inclusive fare.
Line schedules change by season. We confirm which ships sail from New Orleans on your dates when we quote.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| Erato Street Cruise Terminal Carnival's terminal, with the Erato Street Garage at 1100 Port of New Orleans Place. | Carnival |
| Julia Street Cruise Terminal Parking at the 100 Poydras Garage with a shuttle to the terminal. | NCL, Royal Caribbean |
Getting there
Drivers take I-10 to U.S. 90 West (Exit 234A), exit at Tchoupitoulas Street (Exit 11C), turn right on Tchoupitoulas, left on Henderson, then left onto Port of New Orleans Place. The port asks drivers not to use the Julia Street or Poydras Street entrances. From MSY, a taxi or rideshare usually takes about 25 to 30 minutes.
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: about 17 miles
Parking
LAZ Parking runs the port's cruise garages. Carnival passengers use the Erato Street Garage (1100 Port of New Orleans Place, over 1,000 covered spaces). Norwegian and Royal Caribbean passengers use the 100 Poydras Garage (over 500 covered spaces), with a shuttle to the Julia Street terminal. Both open at 9 a.m., have height limits (as low as 6 feet 6 inches at Poydras) and a 22-foot length limit. Reserving online through the port's links is recommended. Louisiana disabled veterans with at least a 50% service-connected rating can park free for up to seven days with documentation. The port does not provide parking for Viking or American Cruise Lines guests.
Where to stay the night before
The Warehouse District and Central Business District are walking distance or a very short ride to the terminals. The French Quarter is close too, though rolling luggage over its sidewalks is awkward. Hotels near the Convention Center are the most convenient on sailing day.
Season: Year-round for Carnival. Norwegian sails October through April, Royal Caribbean seasonally, and river cruises run through much of the year.
Embarkation-day tips
- Plan at least one night in New Orleans; the city is one of the best pre-cruise stops in the country.
- Check your garage's height limit if you drive a tall SUV or van; 100 Poydras is only 6 feet 6 inches.
- Follow the port's directions to Port of New Orleans Place rather than your map app's shortcut through Julia or Poydras Streets.
- Expect several hours of river sailing on the first and last days.
- River cruisers (Viking, American Cruise Lines) need to arrange parking with their line, not the port.
Cruising from New Orleans: questions
Which terminal does Carnival use in New Orleans?
Carnival uses the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean use the Julia Street Cruise Terminal just upriver.
Who runs cruise parking at the Port of New Orleans?
LAZ Parking operates the Erato Street Garage for Carnival and the 100 Poydras Garage for Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Reserve online through the port's parking page.
How far is the cruise terminal from the New Orleans airport?
About 17 miles, typically 25 to 30 minutes by car outside rush hour.
Can I take a Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans?
Yes. Viking and American Cruise Lines run river cruises between New Orleans and cities such as Memphis, with some longer routes upriver.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
