The day before you sail
The French Quarter
- Beignets, Jackson Square and the riverfront.
- Live jazz on Frenchmen Street at night.
Rather book it? A French Quarter walking or food tour.
New Orleans pre- & post-cruise tours
A cruise port within walking distance of the French Quarter, with swamp tours, plantation visits, jazz, and some of America's best food nearby.
The cruise portThe cruise terminals are on the Mississippi riverfront by the Warehouse District, about a 15-to-20-minute walk from the French Quarter. The airport is about 30 minutes away.
New Orleans cruise day essentials
before you head to the ship
The terminals
Erato Street TerminalCarnival.
Julia Street TerminalNorwegian and Royal Caribbean.
Both are on the riverfront, by the Warehouse District, about 5 minutes from the French Quarter on the riverfront streetcar.
Parking
Garages are priced by trip length, and prepaid reservations are non-refundable. Cards only.
| 4 days | $120 |
|---|---|
| 5 days | $135 |
| 7 days | $180 |
Height limits are tight at 100 Poydras (6'6"). Taller vehicles should call ahead.
Flying in
Louis Armstrong International (MSY) is about 30 minutes away.
Before you sail
Arrive in your check-in window. A night in the French Quarter before you sail is easy to fit in.
Be aware
- Prepaid parking reservations are non-refundable.
Last checked November 2026. Prices change; confirm before you pay.
Spot something out of date? Tell us
Before or after your cruise in New Orleans
make a trip of it
After you get off the ship
Swamp tour
- A boat ride through the bayou to see alligators.
- Many tours finish at the airport.
Rather book it? A post-cruise swamp tour with an airport drop-off.
An extra day
Garden District and the WWII Museum
- Ride the St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District.
- The National WWII Museum is close to the cruise terminals.
Rather book it? A Garden District walking tour.
Times are approximate. Leave plenty of time for check-in before you sail, and for traffic on the way to the airport after.
Things to do before or after your cruise
Before your cruise, leave plenty of time to reach the terminal before check-in closes. After your cruise, check what time the tour starts and whether it can hold your luggage.
We earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
New Orleans tours from GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide's own search results for New Orleans, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
See all results on GetYourGuide
We earn a commission when you book through GetYourGuide links, at no extra cost to you.
Scout's notes on New Orleans
Before your cruise
The French Quarter, Jackson Square, and Frenchmen Street's jazz clubs are close to the terminals. Walking tours covering food, history, cemeteries, and ghost stories are everywhere, and the Steamboat Natchez cruises the Mississippi.
After your cruise
Swamp and bayou tours by airboat or flat boat are 30 to 60 minutes outside the city. Plantation tours along River Road take most of a day. Some combine terminal pickup with an airport drop-off.
Timing tips
Summer heat and afternoon storms are common, so morning tours are often more comfortable. Check whether a swamp tour includes hotel or terminal pickup, since most are well outside the city.
From fellow cruisers
Tips from people who've been, read by us before they go up.
No tips yet for New Orleans. Be the first.