Port of New Orleans
Helpful Information
Cruise Lines in New Orleans
Questions Frequently Asked
Port of New Orleans Officially Reopens For Cruise Ships
The New Orleans cruise port officially reopened after sustaining considerable damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Cruise ships began returning to the Mississippi River port when Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun arrived October 15 and docked at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal.
Norwegian Sun docked at Erato Street Cruise Terminal
Other cruise ships that will homeport at the port are Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas; and Carnival’s Fantasy and Carnival Triumph (beginning August 2007). In addition riverboats Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen owned by Majestic America Line and RiverBarge Excursion Lines’ River Explorer also will use the port for river cruises.
The past decade has witnessed the phenomenal growth of New Orleans' cruise industry. The number of passengers embarking or making a port of call grew 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. More than 11 million people visited New Orleans in 2004, the year before the hurricane struck.
Today officials are hopeful that the passenger numbers will increase now that the port has resumed operations. New Orleans is popular as a port designation. 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.
Port officials are gearing up for the industry’s return, as well. The cornerstone of the new cruise experience in New Orleans is the $37 million Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage, located adjacent to the two existing Julia Street cruise terminal berths. The new structure is designed to handle the industry’s largest class of cruise ships. It features a 90,000 square-foot terminal and a more than 1,000-vehicle parking garage and additional drop –off and pick-up lanes help to improve traffic flow for both the Erato Street and Julia Street terminals. “Parking accommodations are more user friendly. There are additional drop-off and pick-up lanes and overall improved traffic flow for both the Erato Street and Julia Street terminals,” Robert Jumonville, Director, Cruise & Tourism Division for the port pointed out. “With the addition of a professional parking management firm, we feel the overall customer experience is greatly enhanced.”
Port officials are also aggressively moving forward with plans to further expand cruise capacity. “We have begun engineering and design concepts for the conversion of the Poland Avenue Wharf into a new cruise terminal,” Jumonville said. “The addition would give us the opportunity to market to more cruise lines. We would have the ability to handle three large cruise ships each day.”
Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, said cruise industry officials and travel agents throughout the world are brimming with excitement about the full-time return of cruising in New Orleans. “We have proven to be a very popular point of embarkation for cruise customers,” LaGrange said. “Prior to the events of 2005, the Port was on target to break the one million-passenger mark this year. Cruising from New Orleans is like adding another port of call to your itinerary. Many cruise passengers stay a few days before or after their cruise to experience the city’s culture, cuisine and nightlife.”
The Julia Street Cruise Terminal Complex is located within the same building as the RiverWalk Shopping Mall, a world class mall with everything from a food court to Victoria's Secret, Gap and Limited. Shop until it's time to board the ship. The cruise terminals are all on the RiverFront streetcar (trolley) line, with two stops adjacent to the cruise terminals. For $1.25 per ride visitors can take a ten minute trip to the Aquarium of the Americas, IMAX Theater, Harrah's Casino or the French Quarter for a few hours of entertainment before or after your cruise. "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."
”The importance of the return of the cruise industry to New Orleans cannot be overstated,” added Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is another tremendous milestone in the city’s recovery of the hospitality and tourism industry, sending another important signal to the world that New Orleans is open for business and is still a world-class destination.”
Perry explained the entire tourism industry would realize the return of regular cruising in New Orleans. “The ripple effect the industry has impacts a wide sector with a direct impact on our economy,” he said. “Airport traffic increases, hence more skycaps and front line personnel. Airport shuttles and taxis are busier, hotel rooms are filled and restaurants and music venues benefit from those who choose to stay a little longer here to enjoy the sites, tastes and sounds that make New Orleans America’s most authentic, culturally rich city.”
Helpful Information
Port of New Orleans Website: http://www.portno.com/cruise_info.htm
Airport Transportation
The Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is approximately 17 miles from the cruise terminal complexes. Please allow approximately 45 minutes travel time. There are three basic means of transportation from the airport to the cruise terminal.
The following numbers and rates are as of August 1, 2005 for transportation between the airport and the cruise terminal complexes:
Airport Shuttle - (504) 522-3500
Kiosks in the baggage area of the airport, walk up service $13 per person.
Airport Limousine - (504) 305-2450 -
Kiosks in the baggage area of the airport, walk up service. Rates start at $35 for one or two passengers.
Taxis - Flat fee of $28 for the first two persons, $12 per person for three or more, plus a $1 fuel surcharge per trip (not passenger).
Baggage Transfer Services
Rush It Courier Service operates a baggage transfer service at the cruise terminals that will deliver your baggage from the terminal to the airport. This is a perfect service for those that have later flights and want to enjoy the sights of the City after the cruise and before departing for home. A great way to extend the vacation. We are also working on a system to deliver bags from the airport to the cruise terminal on arrival, to allow those early arrivals to start their vacations early. For more information and rates, call (504) 471-0080.
Services In Cruise Terminal
Refreshment Stand
Coffee, ice cream, assorted sweets and other snacks and services
Souvenir and Curio Stand
New Orleans keepsakes and forgotten personal items
ATM
Hotel Information
The Julia and Erato Cruise Terminal Complexes are located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, and are conveniently situated close to hotels and for tourist activities. The terminals are directly behind the New Orleans Convention Center, adjacent to the warehouse district and central business district, and within walking distance of the historic French Quarter. New Orleans boasts approximately 40,000 available hotel rooms, most of them located in the downtown area or close by. Every major hotel chain, and most of the minor ones, have at least one property in the city.
For hotels that offer packages to cruise passengers, log onto:
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/travelagent. For other sites that offer hotel booking in New Orleans, log onto:
http://www.frenchquarter.com
http://www.neworleansonline.com
http://www.neworleanscvb.com
http://www.nola.com
Cruise Lines Homeported in New Orleans
Carnival’s Fantasy
Year-round
Western Caribbean itineraries
Carnival Triumph
Year round
Western Caribbean (Beginning August 2007)
NCL’s Norwegian Sun
November-March season
Western Caribbean itineraries
Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas
November – May season
Western Caribbean itineraries
Majestic America Line (River Vessels)
Delta Queen -- Mississippi Queen -- American Queen
Year round
Mississippi & Ohio River Systems itineraries
River/Barge Excursion Lines’ River Explorer
Year round
Mississippi & Ohio River Systems itineraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park? How much does it cost?
The Port of New Orleans offers two parking areas: The Erato Street Parking Garage for most vehicles (1,000 spaces) and the Poydras Street Lot for over-length vehicles (75 spaces). Cost for parking is $14 per day based on the length of cruise. Over-length vehicles will pay $28 per day. Cash or credit cards are accepted and passengers may pay in advance.
Free shuttle service is provided from the Poydras Street Lot to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. The Julia Street Cruise Terminal is located adjacent to the Erato Street Parking Garage.
What transportation is offered from Louis Armstrong International Airport?
Taxis and airport shuttle are available from Armstrong International Airport to the cruise terminals. Call 1 (866) 596-2699 for Airport Shuttle information and reservations. Typically, shuttles cost $13 per person one-way and $26 per person for round trips.
Taxis are available and cost $28 for up to two passengers and $12 for any additional passengers. There may be an additional charge for extra baggage. The airport is about 17 miles form the cruise terminal. Allow about 45 minutes travel time.
Where can I stay in New Orleans prior to or after my cruise?
New Orleans boasts about 30,000 hotel rooms representing all major chains within a 15-block radius of the cruise terminals. More up-scale hotels are located in the French Quarter about 10 minutes away and less expensive first-class hotels surround the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the Warehouse District and Central Business District nearby. For a list of hotels, visit the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau website at http://www.neworleanscvb.com.
How do I get my luggage to and from the terminal?
Those parking in the Erato Street Garage will drive into the first floor of the garage and will be met by SeaCaps who will take your checked baggage and deliver it to the ship. You will be directed to drive up to another floor for parking. The central elevators in the garage will take you directly to the Erato Street Terminal check-in on the second floor. Those parking in Erato but boarding a ship at a Julia Street Terminal will be stopped at the north end of the first floor of the Erato Street Garage and directed to take the north elevator to the ground floor where you can walk over to the Julia Street Terminal. Julia Street passengers will have their checked baggage taken in the Garage and delivered directly to the ship. Upon disembarkation, all passengers must claim their baggage and clear U.S. Customs and Immigration, then proceed to the parking garage. SeaCaps and smart carts will be available for Julia Street passengers and SeaCaps will be available for Erato Street passengers.
Is there a location to store my baggage if I wish to go shopping o explore the area prior to checking in for my cruise?
On embarkation your checked baggage will be taken from you upon arrival. On disembarkation, an advance check-in service * Rush-It Courier * provides a service to take your bags directly to the airport if you have a late flight and want to stroll around town for a while. To contact the service, call 1 (504) 471-0080.
10/2006
