Boat Tours and Cruises in New Orleans

It is unlikely that there is another city in the world like New Orleans. It may be due to the depth of its history, the influence of Creole culture, jazz music or its unique Afro-Caribbean traditions that make it so unique and so special.

It is one of the most visited cities in North America, a destination that attracts thousands of tourists every season both from the local territory and from all corners of the globe. Consequently, upon arrival there are hundreds of activitiesto see, do and enjoy even on a short trip.

One such activity is a vibrant cruise on the waters of the Mississippi accompanied, if you can, by great food and music. So, if you are ready to enjoy a New Orleans cruise, keep reading the information I have for you today!

In the city of New Orleans you will find an interesting historical cruise option. This one takes crewmembers on a journey through 300 years of the city's history; an expert local guide narrates the historical highlights while showing the places that served as the protagonists for those events.

In addition to the guidance of an expert guide, a very striking aspect of this excursion is the duration of the experience. It is a tour that is usually only 2 hours long so it can be integrated into a reduced travel itinerary. Even if you are only in New Orleans for one day.

Keep in mind that the specific aspects of the experience may vary slightly depending on the company you hire. However, the options I am familiar with usually offer the historic tour at two different times every day, virtually year-round. The first cruise departs at approximately 10 am and the second at 2 pm.

Drinks are usually offered but you will have to pay an additional amount to the base fare and prove you are of legal age.

Useful information

• Price: From 39€ the adult entrance ticket. Children from 6 to 12 years old pay about 15€ and children under 5 are free.
• Duration of the tour: The tour usually takes 2 hours to complete. Participants are generally requested to be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the agreed boarding time.
• Recommended if... You want to admire the city of New Orleans from another perspective, as well as learn interesting historical details while observing the surrounding scenery.

Another excellent New Orleans cruise alternative is to combine a tour of the waters of the Mississippi. Cruises can depart from the French Quarter so it may be a good idea to extend your excursion with a tour of the French Quarter before or after the cruise.

In addition to the tour, where aspects of the city's history are narrated, usually this type of experience includes a lunch or brunch menu and a live music show; giving the visitor the full experience of the best the city has to offer.

Please note that, depending on the company organizing the experience, the brunch option may only be available on weekends. As for the food, it is usually a casual menu option, freshly prepared and served buffet style.

Entertainment includes live jazz musicians. Cruises usually depart between 11 a.m. and 12 noon to serve lunch during the voyage.

Useful information

• Price: Adults pay approximately 50€ for the experience, while children between 6 and 12 years old pay approximately 25€ each.
• Duration of the excursion: You will need to reserve approximately 2 full hours for the tour. You should be at the port of embarkation half an hour before departure time.
• Recommended if... you will be in the city for a few days, for example 3 days in New Orleans or less. This type of tour allows you to enjoy in a single experience many of the activities most valued by visitors.

If during the day you did some sightseeing around New Orleans, an excellent option for an evening plan is to board one of the many cruises with live jazz music that cross the waters of the Mississippi.

Sail on the waters while enjoying the wonderful views of the city with the New Orleans nighttime scenery.

Always remember that the specific details of the experience may vary slightly depending on the company you hire. However, most of them usually offer the option of drinks on board the boat, not included in the entrance fee.

Undoubtedly, one of the best activities to do in the city after sunset and that I recommend to my traveler friends to combine, whenever possible, with a ghost tour of New Orleans or a tour of the cemeteries of the city, to live the full immersive experience!

Useful information

• Price: Adults pay about 50€, children from 6 to 12 pay 24€ and children under 5 get in for free.
• Duration of the tour: You should reserve approximately 2 hours 30 minutes for the experience.
• Recommended if... You are looking for evening entertainment alternatives in the city. This tour is entertaining and highly sought after by travelers exploring the city so you will meet other adventurers like yourself.

Another excellent alternative of activities to do in New Orleans at night is to attend a night cruise on the waters of the Mississippi with the option of dinner and Jazz music. It is a very popular activity that allows travelers to admire the beauty and charm of this magical city from the waters.

While it is true that the specific details may change depending on the company you decide to take the tour with, most evening cruises usually depart from around the French Quarter at around 7 p.m. in the evening.

Dinner is served on board the boat and is included in the price. You enjoy a casual meal served buffet style which includes a variety of dishes, predominantly local New Orleans fare.

If you travel to New Orleans in the summer you will love taking this tour under the clear star-filled skies and being outdoors during the cool nights of the warmer months. highly recommended!

Useful info

• Price: The adult cruise costs about 89€, while children under 12 years old pay about 40€ each. The price includes dinner and some occasional drinks.
• Duration of the excursion: You should reserve about 2 hours 30 minutes for the experience. Generally participants are asked to arrive at the meeting point half an hour before departure to board the boat.
• Recommended if... all those travelers who want to make the most of their time in New Orleans, due to the time of day these tours take place you can easily combine it with other daytime tours and activities to get the most out of your vacation.

If you are going to New Orleans with children you may be interested in the VIP cruise which includes, in addition to other notable entertainment, a tour of the inside of the ship to see its inner workings.

If you book this type of experience, the adventure begins with the group being greeted with a complimentary drink. The first mate himself takes the reins of the tour and will take you on an exclusive tour of the engine room and other private areas of the ship.

Although this is an interesting experience for travelers of all ages, children enjoy this part of the excursion more than anyone else.

When it's time to set sail, you will be taken to an exclusive area where you will enjoy dinner or lunch accompanied by live jazz music.

Please note that this type of experience is done in small numbers and once or twice a day depending on the company you hire.

If you want to live this experience, I recommend you to make reservations in advance especially if you are traveling in months of high tourist influx such as November or December.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from 150€ the adult ticket. Many companies include the option of an open bar for an additional extra price.
• Duration of the excursion: You should reserve about 3 hours for this excursion.
• Recommended yes... This is a great activity to do with children but also if you have a special interest in this particular subject. Both children and adults can learn a lot about how the boats work and then sail for two hours down the river.

When it comes to New Orleans city tours you're going to find combination experiences designed to simplify your vacation planning. These experiences are offered by local tour operators that usually have several activities in their catalog of excursions.

Possibly one of the most interesting is the one that combines the traditional cruise on the Mississippi with a guided tour of New Orleans; seeking to show the city from different angles and in different facets.

It is ideal if you are visiting the city for the first time and are looking to soak in depth everything the city of New Orleans has to offer, you won't regret it!

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available starting at $75 for an adult ticket; children ages 6-12 pay approximately $35.
• Duration of tour: The experience is done in two phases the cruise usually takes 2 hours to complete while the walking tour of New Orleans can take about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Recommended if...you are looking for a way to save on your vacation and avoid planning new activities. By comparing the experience as a whole you generally save a small percentage compared to purchasing each tour separately.

Cruises in New Orleans take place aboard steamboats; traditional boats that, together with the Jazz culture, transport your senses 100 years in the past; to a time when life was different.

Like so many other cities in the world, New Orleans is a destination with a great attachment to its nearby water sources. The Mississippi River and the bayous have shaped its history, its traditions and its most deeply rooted customs; if you really want to understand why you should take this kind of experience and, if you can, complement it with a tour of the New Orleans bayous.

New Orleans is a city with a favorable climate almost any time of the year, because its geographical location, in the south of the United States, benefits it with more tolerable winters, although it is true that the summers are usually very humid.

Based on this reference, I will explain the best times of the year to take a cruise in New Orleans.

• If you go to New Orleans in summer... Try to take a night cruise if your itinerary allows it, July nights in New Orleans are cool and ideal for this adventure, while the days are very hot.
• If you go to New Orleans in spring... Possibly the best time to take a cruise on the Mississippi due to the pleasant weather. Also in the month of April in New Orleans there are music festivals of the highest level.
• If you go to New Orleans in the fall... Another great season with pleasant weather and cool temperatures. As expected, October in New Orleans is a constant party due to Halloween.
• If you go to New Orleans in Winter... Possibly the worst time to take a cruise, especially in the month of January in New Orleans where there are usually many rainy days.