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Mississippi River Dinner Jazz Cruise

Step on board and cruise with us into the night where the sleepless activity of America's busiest port buzzes. The sounds of a lively jazz band fill the air as you enjoy a lavish Creole buffet in elegantly appointed dining rooms. See details

Historical River Cruise

View the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and be entertained by a historian narrator with a detailed description of New Orleans landmarks, history, vessel information, and river lore. See details

Weekend Jazz Brunch

Enjoy delicious brunch delicacies as you cruise down the Mighty Mississippi River while listening to the lively sounds of a traditional New Orleans Jazz band See details

Creole Queen 4th of July Fireworks Cruise

Princess Tiana's Riverboat Experience

Creole Queen Haunted Halloween Cruise

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Phone 504.529.4567 or 1.800.445.4109 Corporate Office: 4220 Howard Ave. New Orleans , LA 70125 Departure Location: 1 Poydras St. New Orleans , LA 70130

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New Orleans Visitors Guide

Mississippi River Cruises from New Orleans

Overnight riverboat cruises are available on the Mississippi. Five ships offer the Mississippi River cruises.

American Cruise Line offers Mississippi River cruises on several ships including the American Serenade , American Melody , American Splendor and American Heritage . Two of the ships are authentic paddlewheel riverboats.

The American Queen Steamboat Company also offers overnight Mississippi River cruises on two ships: the American Queen and the American Countess . These big modern ships are luxury cruisers.

Viking River Cruises offers Mississippi River cruises.

Mississippi River cruises visit Oak Alley Plantation, St Francisville (Louisiana), Natchez (Mississippi), Vicksburg (Mississippi), Baton Rouge (Louisiana) and other interesting ports on the river.

See our choices for the best Mississippi River cruise reviews . Learn from the experiences of other passengers.

Click on a ship name for more information. Take an overnight cruise up the Mississippi River to the heart of America.

Riverboat City of New Orleans

Welcome Aboard

The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking some time off for renovations - check back soon for updates as to her return.

RESERVATIONS

Please enable javascript in your browser to book The newest addition to the New Orleans Riverfront & sister vessel of the Steamboat NATCHEZ, the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS operates sightseeing, lunch, Sunday Brunch, and Dinner Jazz cruises down the Mississippi River.

Experience a spirit of adventure aboard the newest vessel to the French Quarter riverfront, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS as she takes you on a journey down the mighty Mississippi.  See captivating views of the French Quarter fade into the distance as the joyful tunes of traditional jazz carries you down the river.  Stroll the multiple decks, explore the beautiful refinished interiors and savor the leisurely two-hour cruise that will give you panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the many unique sites along the way, with live narration.

JAZZ LUNCH & SUNDAY BRUNCH CRUISES The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is home to the "Best" Lunch/Brunch cruises on the Mississippi River.  Fun and scenic, our cruises feature live jazz music, New Orleans style cuisine, and a cash bar for cocktails.  

DINNER JAZZ CRUISES In a city full of great places to dine, dinner aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is truly a unique dining experience.  Our dinner features a buffet of New Orleans classics in a relaxing atmosphere for enjoying a memorable evening on the Mississippi River.  Sip a refreshing cocktail while live Jazz brings refined sophistication to our onboard entertainment. 

WEDDINGS The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is a perfect venue for your special occasion.  - Did you know our Captains can officiate your wedding?  Check out our wedding page for more details!

SPECIAL OCCASIONS Celebrating something special?  Let us know - we specialize in proposals, anniversaries, and birthday parties.

The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is uniquely New Orleans - WELCOME ABOARD!

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

New Orleans Steamboat Cruises

This post compares the various different riverboat tours, paddleboat tours, and cruises available to you in New Orleans to help you choose the right one from you. 

• Meet the Boats
• Daytime/Lunch Cruises
• Evening/Dinner Cruises
• Public $2 Ferries

Combination Packages

• Swamp + Airboat Tours
• Things to Do in New Orleans

Disclosure:  While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

If you are considering purchasing tourist concession packages, keep in mind that some of these cruises are included at no additional cost in several New Orleans tourist attraction concession passes . 

The two most popular cruises are aboard the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler and Steamboat Natchez (details below), but you can hop on a ferry for just a few dollars.

Each offers a variety of cruises to choose from.

We narrowed down our favorites and compiled a list that describes each trip based on experience type, ticket price, and duration.

NATCHEZ STEAMBOAT

The Natchez Steamboat is the ninth boat with the name.

The current boat boasts modern safety mechanisms within a classic, exquisite oak exterior.

It was recently rennovated and is back to cruising down the Mississippi River on a daily basis!

Take part in her adventure with daily two-hour jazz cruises, including a daytime cruise or an evening cruise . You can cruise with or without lunch or dinner.

Listen to the Captain and crew, some of whom have been with the ship since the 1975 maiden voyage, operate like the seamen of a time gone by. 

This company has received a  4 out of 5 stars  average rating on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( read the reviews ). 

RIVERBOAT CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

This is the newest addition to the New Orleans Steamboat Company, and it took over for the Steamboat Natchez while that vessel was under repair.

Just like the Steamboat Natchez, this boat is also a paddlewheeler, so functionally, very little will change.

The Riverboat City of New Orleans operated all the sightseeing, lunch, brunch, and dinner Jazz cruises for the New Orleans Steamboat Company during the last few years while the Steamboat Natches was undergoing repairs.

Rest assured that even aboard this new vessel there is plenty of room across its multiple decks to accommodate plenty of guests and fill in for its sister boat.

CREOLE QUEEN PADDLEWHEELER

Built in 1983 with the esteem and allure of the late 1850s paddlewheelers, the Creole Queen features an enormous 24-foot paddlewheel and modern amenities for elegance and safety.

Browse the list of tours below to pick which experience is best for you; gather on the 1,000-passenger deck for live music, dancing, a history lesson, or maybe enjoy lunch or dinner.

This vessel's review profile is a tad lower than its competitor's but still good with an overall average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( read the reviews ).

DAYTIME CRUISES WITH OPTIONAL LUNCH

There are basically two different cruises to choose from, one from each company.  

The main differences seem to be that the Creole Queen includes a stop at Chalmette Battlefield at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

It is also included at no extra charge with the purchase of either the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass or the Go City New Orleans Pass .

The Steamboat Natchez offers jazz music on the lunch cruise during the high season. 

Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

An overwhelming majority of reviews for this jazz cruise are very positive ( read the reviews ).

Some reviewers have even described their band as “magnificent,” suggesting that the music played onboard was absolutely wonderful.

Some customers feel that the experience is a bit too touristy, but they are definitely in the minority.

Most guests leave excellent feedback stating that they loved this musical trip on the Natchez. This activity is particularly popular among couples.

What You’ll Experience:

• Live narration of the history of the area
• Live jazz concert
• Steam Engine room open to visitors
• Lunch (optional) in the dining area onboard

Duration: 3 hours total, 2-hour cruise

• Departs at 11:30 am and 2:30 am
• Adult - $39    $55 with lunch
• Child - $16     $25 with lunch
• Child (2-5) Free    $11 with lunch
• More information or to book .

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Creole Queen -  Historical River Cruise

This vessel has a daytime destination, Chalmette Battlefield at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

• Highly Recommended for history buffs!
• Battle of New Orleans
• 1,000-passenger paddlewheeler on the Mississippi River, with a 24-foot paddlewheel
• Costumed re-enactor recounting history/stories of Louisiana's most historical places and events
• Disembark for a guided tour of Chalmette Battlefield by National Park Rangers from the Battle of New Orleans

Duration: 3 hours

• Departs at 10 am and 2 pm daily.

Lunch is only purchasable onboard.

• Adult $39   $59 with lunch 
• Child (6-12) $15   $24 with lunch
• Child (3-5) Free   $5 with lunch
• Infant (2 and under) Free   $10 with lunch
• Get more information or purchase tickets .

TIP: It is also included at no extra charge with the purchase of either the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass or the Go City New Orleans Pass .

Evening Jazz Cruises with Optional Dinner

Below is a brief comparison of the two paddlewheel boats that cruise the Mississippi River every evening. 

For a more in-depth look, including what's on the menu, read our post on NOLA dinner cruises . 

Steamboat Natchez - Mississippi River Jazz Cruise (optional Dinner)

Unlike their harbor cruise, this boat trip will take you down the Mississippi River.

Ratings for this excursion are similarly excellent, but it’s worth noting that not everyone was thrilled with the food selection ( read the reviews ). 

NOTE: Although this cruise was being offered on the Riverboat City of New Orleans for the last year or two, the newly rennovated Steamboat Natchez is once again the vessel you'll be riding during this outing!

What You’ll Experience

• Ride on the Creole Queen paddle wheeler
• Live jazz music
• Lavish buffet-style dinner | cash bar cocktails
• New Orleans skyline along the French Quarter
• Boards nightly at 6 pm and sails from 7-9 pm.
• $95 with dinner
• $41 with dinner
• $20.25 with dinner

Included free with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass  (dinner is extra).

Creole Queen Evening Cruise (optional Dinner)

Just like their other services, the evening cruise offered by this company is also highly rated.

There are a few negative reviews, but they are overshadowed by positive comments (read the reviews).

• Ride on the Creole Queen paddlewheeler.

Cost (does not include dinner):

• $52 - Adult
• $26 - Child (6-12)
• Kids under 6 are FREE

Cost (includes dinner):

• $95 - Adult 
• $40 - Child (6-12) 
• $15 - Child under 5
• Kids 2 and under are FREE

Get more information or to book . 

CANAL STREET/ALGIERS POINT FERRY

In operation since 1827, this ferry travels across the Mississippi River along Canal Street and ends at the second oldest neighborhood of New Orleans; Algiers Point. 

Unlike the paddlewheeler or steamboat, the ferry offers a cheap trip across the river from Canal Street. Just ask the locals who use this as their commute!

Once you arrive, consider taking our self-guided walking tour of Algiers Point .

This company has received a 4 out of 5 stars  rating on TripAdvisor. 

There are a few negative reviews, but most of them seem to come from customers who were expecting the typical tourist experience.

Although they don’t offer the same range of services as a boat tour or cruise, it’s clear that a lot of their customers are more than pleased with the transportation they provide.

Cost (cash only):

• Pedestrian $2 each way
• Senior (65+) $1
• Children (2 & under) Free
• Sunday - Thursday | 6:15 am - 8:45 pm
• Friday - Saturday | 6:15 am - 10:45 pm

Get more details on their website .

As we have stated above, the Go City New Orleans Pass  and the Sightseeing Pass, are all-inclusive tourist attraction passes, including one free daytime ride on the Creole Queen.  

Included in the cost of the pass is free entry into 25 other popular New Orleans attractions including:

• National World War 2 Museum
• City Bus Tour
• Swamp Tour Plantation House Tour
• New Orleans School of Cooking
• Audubon Zoo
• Audubon Aquarium
• Mardi Gras World Museum
• New Orleans Museum of Art
• + 18 other attractions and tours

Paddle and Wheel Combo by Gray Line

This combo package is a great buy, and with a total of about 4 hours, you can see the city and take a cruise full of historical information.

You save $7/adult with the combo ticket.  

This combination pairs the daytime historical cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez and the  Super City Bus Tour  (video below).

With an overall rating of 4 ½ stars on TripAdvisor, Gray Line New Orleans is very well received.

In particular, both of the services offered through this combo ticket are positively reviewed by their customers.

Much like the Steamboat Natchez, the Super City Bus Tour also enjoys mostly positive ratings.

Although there are a few negative reviews for both tours, they aren’t indicative of any significant problems. This combo deal is most popular among couples.

You’ll Experience…

• French Quarter
• Jackson Square
• Cabildo and Presbytere Museum
• Historic Cemeteries
• Bayou St. John
• Besthoff Sculpture Garden
• Tulane and Loyola University
• 2-hour cruise with a guided history of the region
• Adult $78 
• Child (6-12) $35.50
• Child (5 and under) Free 
• You save $7-$11/adult by purchasing together.  You don't appear to save anything for a child ages 6-12.

Get more information and purchase tickets .

NEW ORLEANS KAYAK TOURS

Want a more intimate excursion on the water? Try kayaking!

Explore the swamps of New Orleans, or paddle down the Bayou St. John neighborhood inside the city with the safety of a guide at a beginner-level pace.

Ratings for this kayak tour company are very impressive. New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours has received an overall score of 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Only a half dozen customers have seen fit to give them a negative review, and their comments don’t represent the typical experience with this service.

An overwhelming majority of reviews for this service are incredibly positive, recommending this trip to anyone who wants to stay active while discovering the swamps of Louisiana.

Although couples are the most likely audience to leave great reviews, guests who bring their friends along for the journey also enjoy these tours.

Tours Offered

• Bayou St. John Tour (Beginner)

Located inside the city, Bayou St. John is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans.

Learn the history of the homes and landmarks, originally settled by Native Americans, and later used for French trading routes.

• Honey Island Swamp Tour (Beginner)

This is the crowd favorite!

Located 40 minutes outside the city, this tour takes you deep into the swamp bayous to see an abundance of wildlife amongst abandoned boat homes.

• Manchac Mystic Kayak Tour (Beginner)

This tour is popular for its serene setting and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

You’ll weave through cypress trees and experience wildlife on this wetlands kayaking trip.

Never Kayaked?

No problem! The extent of physical skill needed is the ability to paddle, and a lesson is provided at the beginning of the tour.

The company provides all of the necessary equipment for your trip, but since you will be on the water for 2 to 2 ½ hours, you will want to be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and maybe even a hat for shade on the water.

• Bayou St. John Tour  $49 per person
• Honey Island Tour  $59 per person without transportation
• Manchac Mystic Tour - $59 per person without transportation
• Extra $20 for transportation from French Quarter only for Honey Island and Manchac Mystic Tours

Tours last 2 to 2 ½ hours

Transportation adds 40 minutes each way outside New Orleans via car/shuttle for Honey Island Swamp and Manchac Mystic tours.

KAYAK-ITI-YAT TOURS

The categories (beginner, intermediate & intermediate to advanced) are based on distance, the necessary level of athleticism and exposure to variables/natural elements.

None of the tours require previous kayaking experience.

There are no shuttle transportation costs as all of their tours launch from the city and are reachable by public transportation, bike or a cheap cab ride.

• Big Easy Bayou (Beginner, 2 hours) $49 per person

Best for first-timers and non-athletic travelers.

This two-hour tour of Bayou St. John is a great way to see the neighborhood and see some wildlife in a relaxed atmosphere.

This is a history-based tour with culture, current events, ecology, and all things relevant to Bayou St. John, its surrounding neighborhoods, and New Orleans.

• Pontchartrain (Intermediate, 4 hours) $84

Looking for something more active? Check out this four-hour lake tour that runs the length of Bayou St. John and back!

Bonus, you’ll exit the kayak to stretch and walk over to Pontchartrain Lake, and maybe even take a quick swim!

Like the Big Easy Bayou above, expect to learn about the history and culture of the area.

The Big Easy Bayou is your best option for this company, and the only one recommended for beginners.

Looking for more options? Consider looking at New Orleans Kayak Tours (above) for more newcomer-friendly trips.

Before you book...

WARNING: There is NO exiting these tours halfway through and the Bayou Bienvenue 3 hour tour has no bathroom breaks. Be sure you are committed before you buy your tickets.

This tour company is featured in several top travel recommendations for New Orleans, and explorers wishing to see more than Bourbon Street have given it rave reviews!

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Take a 2 hour, 30 minute cruise down the great Mississippi River aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. Enjoy a narrated tour with a licensed historian describing 300-years of New Orleans history; from the founding of the city by the LeMoyne Brothers to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. During your cruise the vessel will dock at Chalmette Battlefield for a 1-hour excursion. Enjoy a guided tour and talk by a National Park Ranger about the battle of New Orleans, while taking in the sweet breeze and delicate waves along the river. Delight in a cash bar and/or a satisfying Creole lunch option available on the boat while viewing the famous French Quarter and Port of New Orleans from the river .

Description

Stop At: Chalmette Battlefield, 1 Battlefield Road, Chalmette, Louisiana 70043

Disembark at the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, where you can tour the Chalmette Battlefield including the Malus-Beauregard House and the Chalmette Monument before re-boarding for the return cruise.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Chalmette Battlefield is located in the Jean Lafitte National Park, making it an exciting and special addition to your river cruise!

Duration: 30 minutes

• Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
• Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
• Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (Approx.)
• Return Details: Returns to original departure point

What's Included

• Local guide
• All Fees and Taxes
• Restroom on board
• 1-Hour at Battlefield
• Alcohol (Cash Bar)

What To Bring

• Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
• Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.

Additional Info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• No outside food or beverages are allowed on board.
• Bags are checked before boarding the vessel to ensure safety during the cruise.
• Subject to favorable weather conditions. If altered or canceled due to poor weather, cruise may remain dockside in the event of unfavorable sailing conditions.
• Due to limited capacity, refund requests made less than 24 hours prior to departure will NOT be considered. This includes missing the attraction for any reason. However, your ticket is transferable and valid for up to one year.

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
• This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
• This activity requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Average 4.53 out of 5 stars based on 1,412 traveler reviews collected by Cool New Orleans and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

Still have questions?

We’re here to help. Call Us , " data-help-center="text-us"> Text Us , or Live Chat to speak with a Destination Specialist Product code: C-88100P1

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• Facebook Fan Page  is a public profile named Cool New Orleans specifically created by the Company on the Facebook social network.
• Personal Data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. For the purposes of GDPR, Personal Data means any information relating to You such as a name, an identification number, location data, online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity. For the purposes of the CCPA, Personal Data means any information that identifies, relates to, describes, or is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with You.
• Cookies  are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device, or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses.
• Device  means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone, or a digital tablet.
• Usage Data  refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit).
• Data Controller , for the purposes of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), refers to the Company as the legal person which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Data.
• Do Not Track  (DNT) is a concept that has been promoted by US regulatory authorities, in particular the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), for the Internet industry to develop and implement a mechanism for allowing Internet users to control the tracking of their online activities across websites.
• Business , for the purpose of the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), refers to the Company as the legal entity that collects Consumers’ personal information and determines the purposes and means of the processing of Consumers’ personal information, or on behalf of which such information is collected and that alone, or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of consumers’ personal information, that does business in the State of California.
• Consumer , for the purpose of the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), means a natural person who is a California resident. A resident, as defined in the law, includes (1) every individual who is in the USA for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, and (2) every individual who is domiciled in the USA who is outside the USA for a temporary or transitory purpose.
• Sale , for the purpose of the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), means selling, renting, releasing, disclosing, disseminating, making available, transferring, or otherwise communicating orally, in writing, or by electronic or other means, a Consumer’s Personal Information to another business or a third party for monetary or other valuable consideration.

Collecting and Using Your Personal Data

Types of data collected.

Personal Data While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:

• Email address
• First name and last name
• Phone number
• City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal code, Country

Usage Data Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service.

Usage Data may include information such as Your Device’s Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.

When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device You use, Your mobile device unique ID, the IP address of Your mobile device, Your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser You use, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.

We may also collect information that Your browser sends whenever You visit our Service or when You access the Service by or through a mobile device.

Information from Third-Party Social Media Services The Company allows You to create an account and log in to use the Service through the following Third-party Social Media Services:

If You decide to register through or otherwise grant us access to a Third-Party Social Media Service, We may collect Personal data that is already associated with Your Third-Party Social Media Service’s account, such as Your name, Your email address, Your activities or Your contact list associated with that account.

You may also have the option of sharing additional information with the Company through Your Third-Party Social Media Service’s account. If You choose to provide such information and Personal Data, during registration or otherwise, You are giving the Company permission to use, share, and store it in a manner consistent with this Privacy Policy.

Tracking Technologies and Cookies

We use Cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on Our Service and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze Our Service.

You can instruct Your browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if You do not accept Cookies, You may not be able to use some parts of our Service.

Cookies can be “Persistent” or “Session” Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close your web browser. Learn more about cookies in Wodu’s  “What Are Cookies”  article.

We use both session and persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below:

• Necessary / Essential Cookies Type: Session Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services.
• Cookies Policy / Notice Acceptance Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website.
• Functionality Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website.
• Tracking and Performance Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Third-Parties Purpose: These Cookies are used to track information about traffic to the Website and how users use the Website. The information gathered via these Cookies may directly or indirectly identify you as an individual visitor. This is because the information collected is typically linked to a pseudonymous identifier associated with the device you use to access the Website. We may also use these Cookies to test new advertisements, pages, features, or new functionality of the Website to see how our users react to them.

For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookie Policy .

Use of Your Personal Data

The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our Service , including to monitor the usage of our Service.
• To manage Your Account:  to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user.
• For the performance of a contract:  the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service.
• To contact You:  To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application’s push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, products or contracted services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation.
• To provide You  with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information.
• To manage Your requests:  To attend and manage Your requests to Us.

We may share your personal information in the following situations:

• With Service Providers:  We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, to advertise on third party websites to You after You visited our Service, for payment processing, to contact You.
• For Business transfers:  We may share or transfer Your personal information in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of Company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our business to another company.
• With Affiliates:  We may share Your information with Our affiliates, in which case we will require those affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. Affiliates include Our parent company and any other subsidiaries, joint venture partners or other companies that We control or that are under common control with Us.
• With Business partners:  We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions.
• With other users:  when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside. If You interact with other users or register through a Third-Party Social Media Service, Your contacts on the Third-Party Social Media Service may see Your name, profile, pictures and description of Your activity. Similarly, other users will be able to view descriptions of Your activity, communicate with You and view Your profile.

Retention of Your Personal Data

The Company will retain Your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use Your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies.

The Company will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods.

Transfer of Your Personal Data

Your information, including Personal Data, is processed at the Company’s operating offices and in any other places where the parties involved in the processing are located. It means that this information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of Your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from Your jurisdiction.

Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer.

The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information.

Disclosure of Your Personal Data

Business Transactions If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

Law enforcement Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency).

Other legal requirements The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

• Comply with a legal obligation
• Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company
• Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service
• Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public
• Protect against legal liability

Security of Your Personal Data

The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Detailed Information on the Processing of Your Personal Data

Service Providers have access to Your Personal Data only to perform their tasks on Our behalf and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

Analytics We may use third-party Service providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service.

• Google Analytics Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network. You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js, and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page:  https://policies. google .com/privacy?hl=en .

Email Marketing We may use Your Personal Data to contact You with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials, and other information that may be of interest to You. You may opt-out of receiving any, or all, of these communications from Us by following the unsubscribe link or instructions provided in any email We send or by contacting Us.

Behavioral Remarketing The Company uses remarketing services to advertise on third party websites to You after You visited our Service. We and Our third-party vendors use cookies to inform, optimize, and serve ads based on Your past visits to our Service.

• Google Ads (AdWords) Google Ads (AdWords) remarketing service is provided by Google Inc. You can opt-out of Google Analytics for Display Advertising and customize the Google Display Network ads by visiting the Google Ads Settings page:  http://www.google.com/settings/ads . Google also recommends installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on –  https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout  – for your web browser. Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on provides visitors with the ability to prevent their data from being collected and used by Google Analytics. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page:  https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en .
• Microsoft Advertising (Bing Ads) Remarketing Bing Ads remarketing service is provided by Microsoft Inc. You can opt-out of Bing Ads interest-based ads by following their instructions:  https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads . You can learn more about the privacy practices and policies of Microsoft by visiting their Privacy Policy page:  https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/PrivacyStatement .
• Twitter Twitter remarketing service is provided by Twitter Inc. You can opt-out from Twitter’s interest-based ads by following their instructions:  https://support.twitter.com/articles/20170405 . You can learn more about the privacy practices and policies of Twitter by visiting their Privacy Policy page:  https://twitter.com/privacy .
• Facebook Facebook remarketing service is provided by Facebook Inc. You can learn more about interest-based advertising from Facebook by visiting this page:  https://www.facebook.com/help /1649686938 37950 . To opt-out from Facebook’s interest-based ads, follow these instructions from Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/help /5681374933 02217 . Facebook adheres to the Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioural Advertising established by the Digital Advertising Alliance. You can also opt-out from Facebook and other participating companies through the Digital Advertising Alliance in the USA  http://www.aboutads.info/choices/ , the Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada in Canada  http://youradchoices.ca/  or the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance in Europe  http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/ , or opt-out using your mobile device settings. For more information on the privacy practices of Facebook, please visit Facebook’s Data Policy:  https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation .
• AdRoll AdRoll remarketing service is provided by Semantic Sugar, Inc. You can opt-out of AdRoll remarketing by visiting this AdRoll Advertising Preferences web page:  http://info.evidon.com/pub_info/573?v=1&nt=1&nw=false . For more information on the privacy practices of AdRoll, please visit the AdRoll Privacy Policy web page:  http://www.adroll.com/about/privacy
• Perfect Audience Perfect Audience remarketing service is provided by NowSpots Inc. You can opt-out of Perfect Audience remarketing by visiting these pages: Platform Opt-out (http://pixel.prfct.co/coo) and Partner Opt-out (http://ib.adnxs.com/optout). For more information on the privacy practices of Perfect Audience, please visit the Perfect Audience Privacy Policy & Opt-out web page:  https://www.perfectaudience.com/privacy/index.html .

We may provide paid products and/or services within the Service. In that case, we may use third-party services for payment processing (e.g. payment processors).

We will not store or collect Your payment card details. That information is provided directly to Our third-party payment processors whose use of Your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy. These payment processors adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of payment information.

• Stripe Their Privacy Policy can be viewed at  https://stripe.com/us/privacy .

When You use Our Service to pay for a product and/or service via bank transfer, We may ask You to provide information to facilitate this transaction and to verify Your identity.

GDPR Privacy

Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data under GDPR We may process Personal Data under the following conditions:

• Consent:  You have given Your consent for processing Personal Data for one or more specific purposes.
• Performance of a contract:  Provision of Personal Data is necessary for the performance of an agreement with You and/or for any pre-contractual obligations thereof.
• Legal obligations:  Processing Personal Data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the Company is subject.
• Vital interests:  Processing Personal Data is necessary in order to protect Your vital interests or of another natural person.
• Public interests:  Processing Personal Data is related to a task that is carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the Company.
• Legitimate interests:  Processing Personal Data is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Company.

In any case, the Company will gladly help to clarify the specific legal basis that applies to the processing, and in particular whether the provision of Personal Data is a statutory or contractual requirement, or a requirement necessary to enter into a contract.

Your Rights under the GDPR The Company undertakes to respect the confidentiality of Your Personal Data and to guarantee You can exercise Your rights.

You have the right under this Privacy Policy, and by law, if You are within the EU, to:

• Request access to Your Personal Data.   The right to access, update, or delete the information We have on You. Whenever made possible, you can access, update, or request the deletion of Your Personal Data directly within Your account settings section. If you are unable to perform these actions yourself, please contact Us to assist You. This also enables You to receive a copy of the Personal Data We hold about You.
• Request correction of the Personal Data that We hold about You.   You have the right to have any incomplete or inaccurate information We hold about You corrected.
• Object to processing of Your Personal Data.   This right exists where We are relying on legitimate interest as the legal basis for Our processing and there is something about Your particular situation, which makes You want to object to our processing of Your Personal Data on this ground. You also have the right to object where We are processing Your Personal Data for direct marketing purposes.
• Request erasure of Your Personal Data.   You have the right to ask Us to delete or remove Personal Data when there is no good reason for Us to continue processing it.
• Request the transfer of Your Personal Data.   We will provide to You, or to a third-party You have chosen, Your Personal Data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. Please note that this right only applies to automated information which You initially provided consent for Us to use or where We used the information to perform a contract with You.
• Withdraw Your consent.   You have the right to withdraw Your consent on using your Personal Data. If You withdraw Your consent, We may not be able to provide You with access to certain specific functionalities of the Service.

Exercising of Your GDPR Data Protection Rights You may exercise Your rights of access, rectification, cancellation, and opposition by contacting Us. Please note that we may ask You to verify Your identity before responding to such requests. If You make a request, We will try our best to respond to You as soon as possible.

You have the right to complain to a Data Protection Authority about Our collection and use of Your Personal Data. For more information, if You are in the European Economic Area (EEA), please contact Your local data protection authority in the EEA.

Facebook Fan Page

Data Controller for the Facebook Fan Page The Company is the Data Controller of Your Personal Data collected while using the Service. As the operator of our Facebook Fan Page, the Company and the operator of the social network Facebook are Joint Controllers.

The Company has entered into agreements with Facebook that define the terms for use of the Facebook Fan Page, among other things. These terms are mostly based on the Facebook Terms of Service:  https://www.facebook.com/terms.php .

Visit the Facebook Privacy Policy  https://www.facebook.com/policy.php  for more information about how Facebook manages Personal data or contact Facebook online, or by mail: Facebook, Inc. ATTN, Privacy Operations, 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States.

Facebook Insights We use the Facebook Insights function in connection with the operation of the Facebook Fan Page and on the basis of the GDPR, in order to obtain anonymized statistical data about Our users.

For this purpose, Facebook places a Cookie on the device of the user visiting Our Facebook Fan Page. Each Cookie contains a unique identifier code and remains active for a period of two years, except when it is deleted before the end of this period.

Facebook receives, records and processes the information stored in the Cookie, especially when the user visits the Facebook services, services that are provided by other members of the Facebook Fan Page and services by other companies that use Facebook services.

For more information on the privacy practices of Facebook, please visit Facebook Privacy Policy here:  https://www.facebook.com/full_data_use_policy .

CCPA Privacy

Your Rights under the CCPA Under this Privacy Policy, and by law if You are a resident of California, You have the following rights:

• The right to notice.   You must be properly notified which categories of Personal Data are being collected and the purposes for which the Personal Data is being used.
• The right to access / the right to request.   The CCPA permits You to request and obtain from the Company information regarding the disclosure of Your Personal Data that has been collected in the past 12 months by the Company or its subsidiaries to a third-party for the third party’s direct marketing purposes.
• The right to say no to the sale of Personal Data.   You also have the right to ask the Company not to sell Your Personal Data to third parties. You can submit such a request by visiting our “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” section or web page.
• The categories of Personal Data collected
• The sources from which the Personal Data was collected
• The business or commercial purpose for collecting or selling the Personal Data
• Categories of third parties with whom We share Personal Data
• The specific pieces of Personal Data we collected about You
• The right to delete Personal Data.   You also have the right to request the deletion of Your Personal Data that has been collected in the past 12 months.
• Denying goods or services to You
• Charging different prices or rates for goods or services, including the use of discounts or other benefits or imposing penalties
• Providing a different level or quality of goods or services to You
• Suggesting that You will receive a different price or rate for goods or services or a different level or quality of goods or services.

Exercising Your CCPA Data Protection Rights In order to exercise any of Your rights under the CCPA, and if you are a California resident, You can email or call us or visit our “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” section or web page.

The Company will disclose and deliver the required information free of charge within 45 days of receiving Your verifiable request. The time period to provide the required information may be extended once by an additional 45 days when reasonably necessary and with prior notice.

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

We do not sell personal information. However, the Service Providers we partner with (for example, our advertising partners) may use technology on the Service that “sells” personal information as defined by the CCPA law.

If you wish to opt out of the use of your personal information for interest-based advertising purposes and these potential sales as defined under CCPA law, you may do so by following the instructions below.

Please note that any opt-out is specific to the browser You use. You may need to opt-out on every browser that you use.

Website You can opt-out of receiving ads that are personalized as served by our Service Providers by following our instructions presented on the Service:

• From their “Cookie Consent” notice banner
• Or from their “CCPA Opt-out” notice banner
• Or from their “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” notice banner
• Or from their “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link

The opt out will place a cookie on Your computer that is unique to the browser You use to opt out. If you change browsers or delete the cookies saved by your browser, you will need to opt out again.

Mobile Devices Your mobile device may give you the ability to opt out of the use of information about the apps you use in order to serve you ads that are targeted to your interests:

• “Opt out of Interest-Based Ads” or “Opt out of Ads Personalization” on Android devices
• “Limit Ad Tracking” on iOS devices

You can also stop the collection of location information from Your mobile device by changing the preferences on your mobile device.

“Do Not Track” Policy as Required by California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA)

Our Service does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

However, some third party websites do keep track of Your browsing activities. If You are visiting such websites, You can set Your preferences in Your web browser to inform websites that You do not want to be tracked. You can enable or disable DNT by visiting the preferences or settings page of Your web browser.

Children’s Privacy

Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If You are a parent or guardian and You are aware that Your child has provided Us with Personal Data, please contact Us. If We become aware that We have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 13 without verification of parental consent, We take steps to remove that information from Our servers.

Your California Privacy Rights (California’s Shine the Light law)

Under California Civil Code Section 1798 (California’s Shine the Light law), California residents with an established business relationship with us can request information once a year about sharing their Personal Data with third parties for the third parties’ direct marketing purposes.

If you’d like to request more information under the California Shine the Light law, You can contact Us using the contact information provided below.

California Privacy Rights for Minor Users (California Business and Professions Code Section 22581)

California Business and Professions Code section 22581 allows California residents under the age of 18 who are registered users of online sites, services, or applications to request and obtain removal of content or information they have publicly posted.

To request removal of such data, and if you are a California resident, You can contact Us using the contact information provided below, and include the email address associated with Your account.

Be aware that Your request does not guarantee complete or comprehensive removal of content or information posted online and that the law may not permit or require removal in certain circumstances.

Links to Other Websites

Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third party link, You will be directed to that third party’s site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit.

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

Log in or sign up

Welcome to cool new orleans.

Log in to add things to your wishlist and access your bookings from any device.

By creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy .

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Cool New Orleans wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool New Orleans over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Accessibility

Accessibility modes, online dictionary, readable experience, visually pleasing experience, easy orientation.

Cool New Orleans Accessibility Statement

Accessibility Statement

• www.coolneworleans.com
• June 29, 2024

Compliance status

Screen-reader and keyboard navigation.

• Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
• Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Disability profiles supported in our website

• Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
• Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
• Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
• ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
• Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
• Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

• Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
• Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
• Animations – epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
• Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
• Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
• Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
• Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

Browser and assistive technology compatibility

Notes, comments, and feedback.

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SUMMER SOLSTICE SALE

Viking Inclusive Value

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To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Your Stateroom Includes:

River-view stateroom

Bottled water replenished daily

110/220 volt outlets

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

Telephone, safe, refrigerator

Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: The Best of New Orleans

From $999 | 2 Nights

Post: Memphis Rock & Soul

Post: Grand Ole Nashville

From $1,499 | 2 Nights

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Complete Guide to Cruising from the Port of New Orleans

If you’re taking a cruise, it’s hard to think of a port city that offers as much as New Orleans. From food to culture to history, it’s not hard to see why the port likes to bill itself to cruise passengers as “two vacations in one.”

And judging by the numbers, lots of people are taking advantage of the Port of New Orleans as a starting point for their cruise. Each year hundreds of thousands of people take cruises from the city, making it the sixth-largest cruise port in the U.S. While that might be just a fraction of the largest ports in the world like Miami or Port Canaveral , it’s a substantial amount for a port outside of Florida.

Are you one of the many people taking a cruise from the Crescent City? If so, then you no doubt have some questions about what to expect come cruise day. We have you covered.

Below, we dive into everything you need to know about taking a New Orleans cruise, including parking, transportation, things to do, and much more. It will give you everything you need to know before cruise day to enjoy your trip.

In This Article...

• Distance from New Orleans Airport: 15 miles
• Number of Terminals: 2 (Erato, Julia)
• Cruise Ship Dockings Each Year: ~200 (not including river cruises)

Port of New Orleans Location

When it comes to location, we can think of no port — except for maybe Miami — that has such a great location in the middle of everything. Specifically, the terminals sit on the banks of the Mississippi River, less than one mile from the French Quarter.

You’re near downtown, Canal Street, the Convention Center (just across the street from the terminals) and more. It’s a great location to stay for a day or two before your cruise, enjoy everything the area has to offer, and then also be right near your cruise ship.

If you are flying in for your cruise, the airport is about 15 miles, or 25-30 minutes away

Driving to the port? You can use this address to guide you there:

1100 Port of New Orleans Place New Orleans, LA 70130

If there’s one drawback to the port’s location, it is that the trip from New Orleans down the Mississippi means it’s more than 70 miles until you hit the open water. While it is neat to cruise down the river, if you’re wanting to get into the wide open sea, you have some time to wait as your trip begins. 

Things to Do Near the Port

As we mentioned, the location of the Port of New Orleans means there is a lot to do right near the cruise ships. Whether you want to eat, party, gamble, learn about history, or anything in between, there’s a lot to see and do before your cruise. Below we’ve covered a few of the most interesting items…

The National WWII Museum Within walking distance of the ports (20-30 minute walk) is the epic National WWII Museum. Telling the story of the war, including the European and Pacific theaters, the museum is designated by Congress as the official World War II museum for the United States. The collection includes more than 250,000 artifacts, so if you plan to visit, be prepared to spend plenty of time in order to see everything that’s offered. Adult tickets run around $30-$40. Veterans of World War II and companions are granted free admission.

Harrah’s Casino One of the favorite things to do on a cruise is try your luck in the casino. On the ship there are all your favorite games from craps to blackjack to slot machines. But if you are in the port area, there is also a Harrah’s Casino right nearby. With about 115,000 square feet of casino, more than 2,000 slot machines and 90 tables (plus a poker room), you can no doubt find your favorite game to play.

French Quarter Of course, no visit to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the French Quarter. Perhaps the most well-known party spot outside of the Las Vegas Strip, the Quarter offers a number of bars and restaurants, along with lots of shops and historic architecture. Whether you’re wanting to have a late-night out, a great meal, or just soak in some culture, the French Quarter is what you’re looking for.

New Orleans Cruise Terminals

The Port of New Orleans has two terminals that serve cruise ships. They are located right next to each other, on the bank of the river and tucked behind the convention center.

Erato Street Terminal Sailing on Carnival? Then you’ll likely sail from the Erato Street Terminal. It’s the more southern of the two terminals, closest to the bridge when looking at the port. The terminal serves Carnival heavily, with some Disney cruises as well. While most terminals have parking nearby, the Erato Terminal actually has a parking garage above the check-in area. That makes it extremely easy to park and head to get on the ship.

Julia Street Terminal New Orleans’ other terminal is the Julia Street Terminal, located just north of the Erato Terminal. Primarily serving Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, the terminal is just a few minutes walk from the French Quarter, and a number of restaurants, hotels, and shops. Parking is in an open lot across from the terminal.

Hotels in the Port Area

For many people we recommend coming into the port city the day before their cruise. For instance, if you’re flying in there are simply too many things that can go wrong — weather, computer glitches, mechanical issues — that can delay your flight. If you are flying in on the day of your cruise, then the risk of missing the ship is too great.

That said, for just about everyone we suggest heading to New Orleans a day or two early. Even if you are driving into the port, there is simply so much to see and do in the city that adding on an extra day is well worth it.

Of course, that means you need to get a hotel if you come to New Orleans. The good news? As a tourist destination, the city offers a ton of hotel options, including many that cater to cruise passengers with perks like shuttles to the port or cruise parking. There are also a number of hotels just a short walk from the port. Here’s a few:

• Hilton New Orleans Riverside
• Residence Inn Downtown
• Springhill Suites Downtown
• New Orleans Downtown Marriott
• Hyatt Place Convention Center

If you’re interested in more hotels, you can see our list of hotels with shuttles to the cruise port and New Orleans hotels with cruise parking .

Transportation to the Port of New Orleans

Before you can start your cruise, you have to get to the port first. Fortunately, you have a number of different options on getting to the ship. Below we highlight what we think are the easiest for most passengers. You can read more details of all of your options on our port transportation page here .

Uber/Lyft To say that rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft have revolutionized how we get around would be putting it lightly. In just a few years they’ve entered markets nearly everywhere, including New Orleans. As such, we think it’s usually the best way for you to get from anywhere in the area to the cruise port. Rides will cost about $30-35 from the airport. We’ve also estimated the fares from other points of interest below:

• New Orleans Airport – $30-35
• Gretna – $15-20
• Slidell – $45-50
• French Quarter – $8-10
• Metairie – $15-20

Taxi While Uber and Lyft have put a dent in the taxi business, cabs are still a popular way to get around. They are readily available at the airport and can be called to points around the city. Fares from the airport to the French Quarter run a flat $36 for two people. If traveling with three or more, then the fare is $15 per person.

• New Orleans Airport – $36
• Gretna – $20
• Slidell – $75
• French Quarter – $12
• Metairie – $25

Hotels with Cruise Shuttles/Walking Distance We’re big proponents of staying a night or two in New Orleans given the number of things to do and see in the city. The great news is that many hotels cater to cruise passengers — and more than just the hotels right near the port. One perk they offer is transportation to the cruise port. Others are located right within walking distance of the cruise port. 

With one of these hotels, it’s nice to stay and then not have to worry about getting to the port on cruise day. For a full list of New Orleans hotels with cruise shuttles or walking distance to the ship, click here .

Parking For Your Cruise

Driving to the port is the easiest and fastest way to get there. Of course, if you drive then you need to find a place to park your car while you cruise. We have a complete run-down of all your parking options here . Below we have the highlights of where you can park for your cruise.

Parking at the Port (Recommended) The most convenient spot to park? It’s right at the cruise terminal. The Port of New Orleans offers on-site parking. The Erato Terminal has parking literally above the check-in and boarding area. The Julia Street Terminal has a parking lot just a two-minute walk away. Depending on the length of your cruise, you’ll pay around $22-23 per day. Frankly, that’s expensive and puts New Orleans as one of the most expensive places to park. While convenient, be prepared to pay.

Independent Parking Lots If you want to save some cash, you can instead park at one of the few independent parking lots offering cruise parking. Rates vary depending on the lot and time of year, but are usually around $15 per day. Even so, we’d recommend simply parking at the port. For more details, see our cruise parking page .

Hotels with Cruise Parking One of the best deals in cruise parking is for passengers who plan on staying in a hotel before their cruise. As a perk designed to entice you to stay, many hotels in the area will allow you to park at their hotel while you cruise for free or at a discounted rate to what you’d pay at the port. You’ll often need to find transportation back and forth from the port, but it’s a small price to pay for the considerable savings on parking. Click here to see New Orleans hotels with cruise parking .

Frequently Asked Questions

What Time Should I Schedule a Flight Home From New Orleans? Flying in for your cruise? You already know from above that we suggest flying in the day before your trip. Not only is there a lot to do in the area, but it will also give you more time in case your flight is delayed.

As for the flight home, you can certainly fly home the day your cruise returns. Ships get in early — around 6-7 a.m. From there, it will take 2-3 hours for everyone to get off the ship. Meanwhile, it’s another 30 minutes to the airport. To ensure you have plenty of time, we recommend not scheduling a flight before noon from New Orleans on the day your ship returns.

Where Can I Sail to from the Port of New Orleans? Trips from New Orleans sail all over the Caribbean and Mexico. The most common stops are ports in Mexico such as Cozumel , Costa Maya , and Progreso . Some trips do offer cruises to The Bahamas, and there are even some longer trips that sail to ports like Aruba and Bonaire. For most people, however, you’re likely to head to Mexico and the western half of the Caribbean.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Get to the Port? There are a few public transit options depending on where you are, but for most people the best combination of convenience and cost is going to be a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. These services offer coverage all around town and you can get a ride with just a few clicks on your phone. As well, the prices are typically cheaper than taking a taxi.

Have more questions about sailing from New Orleans? Let us know in the comments below.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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The 7 Best Mississippi River Cruises for 2024

T he more than 2,300-mile Mississippi River invites travelers to discover its multifaceted heritage, with a vast range of deeply rooted culture, music and history. A cruise is a fantastic way to discover many of the riverfront cities on a single trip, from the comfort of your modern riverboat or traditional paddle-wheeler.

The following Mississippi River cruise itineraries can help you choose from cruises of various lengths and options for the Lower and Upper Mississippi. Note that all fares are listed as double occupancy (based on two people per cabin), and that they might not reflect taxes, port fees or gratuities. The itinerary availability listed is also subject to change.

American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines operates small ships accommodating between 90 and 180 passengers that are built, flagged and crewed in the U.S. – and it's the only company in the world operating a 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and cruise ships. ACL's itineraries traverse waterways across 35 states, with 11 itineraries dedicated to the Mississippi River. Cruisers can choose to sail on modern riverboats with a sleek interior design or while away their time aboard classic paddle-wheelers reminiscent of days gone by.

ACL offers variety as well as versatility: This line boasts both the longest and shortest sailings on this list with cruises ranging from eight to 60 days in length, including The Great United States. This inaugural 60-day voyage spans four major rivers and 20 states, making it the longest U.S. river cruise in history.

Complimentary hotel and transportation packages are available from every departure city before your cruise. You can book certain premium packages for added perks, such as two nights spent next door to Graceland in Memphis – with VIP tickets and a city tour included in the price.

Music Cities Cruise

Length: Eight days

Price: Starts at $3,610 per person

Spend a week getting lost in the sounds of the Memphis blues, rock 'n' roll and country music legends on the seven-night Music Cities Cruise. A hotel stay the night before your sailing is included, but embarking in Memphis means you also have the chance to splurge on a two-night pre-cruise package near Elvis' former home Graceland .

Ports of call include Paducah, Kentucky; Dover, Tennessee; and Clarksville, Tennessee, with an overnight in Nashville and an included excursion to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Two scenic sailing days feature picturesque views of America's Heartland along the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland rivers as well as Lake Barkley.

2024 dates: In 2024, there are two available itineraries in September and November.

Grand Heartland Cruise: St. Paul to New Orleans

Length: 15 days

Price: Starts at $9,455 per person

This 15-day voyage allows you to explore America's rich history in towns along the Upper and Lower Mississippi River. The immersive voyage covers six states and 12 cities including St. Paul, Minnesota ; Dubuque, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri ; Memphis, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; and more.

Take a step back in time while visiting Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, exploring stately historic estates in Natchez and Civil War sites in Vicksburg. At the end of a busy day ashore, you'll have plenty to chat about with fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour.

2024 dates: American Heritage – ACL's traditional paddle-wheeler – and three modern riverboats set off on this journey from August to October in 2024.

Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul

Length: 22 days

Price: Starts at $14,935 per person

If you want to see the entire Mississippi in one shot, check out this multiweek sailing that begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota. Along the way, you'll sail 1,393 miles, visit 10 states and experience a staggering 20 ports of call as you tour Louisiana and then head northbound to Minnesota.

In the South, walk the battlefields of the Civil War and sample delicious Southern barbecue before listening to the rhythms of jazz, the blues and rock 'n' roll. Then, explore the small and larger cities along the upper parts of the river. Remember to take time to gaze out at the picturesque scenery and the rolling farmlands of America's Midwest before disembarking in St. Paul.

2024 dates: Three of ACL's modern riverboats sail this itinerary in May, June and August in 2024.

The Great United States

Length: 60 days

Price: Starts at $51,000

This two-month long journey – the longest domestic itinerary ever created – will check all the boxes for U.S. history and Civil War buffs, music and nature lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and beer and distilled spirits aficionados alike as the ship traverses America's iconic waterways through 20 states and 50 ports of call.

This epic journey showcases the natural beauty and living history of the U.S. from sea to shining sea. The sailing embarks in Portland, Oregon , on the Pacific Coast before traveling east to the Atlantic shore along four major rivers that highlight some of the country's most stunning coastlines. Upon arrival in New York Harbor, guests will have an unforgettable view of one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S.: the Statue of Liberty .

Passengers can follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Snake and Columbia rivers; cruise along Ol' Man River in search of Mark Twain and Elvis; see the vibrant colors of fall during peak season on the Hudson River; and take in the coastal breezes (and fresh seafood) along New England's rocky coastline.

This curated adventure also includes two flights: Jackson, Wyoming , to New Orleans as well as St. Paul to Portland, Maine , plus a land package through Glacier , Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. All-inclusive pricing covers the pre-cruise hotel stay, all flights and hotels between cruise segments, an ACL jacket and gear pack, daily excursions, all meals and beverages, gratuities and port charges, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

2024 dates: The inaugural cruise sets sail on August 16, 2024.

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Viking River Cruises

Viking is no stranger to sailing Europe's rivers; the brand is synonymous with river cruising worldwide aboard its dozens of ships. However, Viking River Cruises is a newcomer to U.S. rivers, with its purpose-built ship: the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi. Looking to carve out its own niche in the American river cruising category, Viking claims it has the region's "first truly modern cruise ship" with its distinct Scandinavian design and expansive top sun deck with an infinity plunge pool.

Viking's mostly all-inclusive fares include a complimentary excursion in each port, destination lectures and performances, beer and wine at meals, free Wi-Fi, specialty coffees and teas, and more. The line offers five itineraries ranging in length from eight to 22 days along the Mighty Mississippi. Pre- and post-cruise extensions can be added to all voyages for an additional expense.

New Orleans & Southern Charms: Round-trip from New Orleans

Price: Starts at $3,999 per person

If you don't know which Viking Mississippi itinerary to choose, start here. A round-trip voyage from New Orleans is convenient for booking flights and offers an excellent opportunity to extend your stay in NOLA. Six guided tours are included across eight days, from the historic estates of Natchez to Vicksburg National Military Park. A stop in St. Francisville gives you the chance to marvel at some of the 140-plus buildings it has on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you extend your stay in New Orleans, plan to sample the local Creole cuisine and take in some of the city's nightly jazz entertainment. In the morning, grab a beignet and a steaming cup of chicory coffee au lait at the original Café du Monde in the French Market.

2024 dates: This itinerary is available on select dates in February, November and December.

Heart of the Delta: New Orleans to Memphis

Length: Nine days

Price: Starts at $4,299 per person

Similar to its round-trip New Orleans Southern Charms itinerary, the Heart of the Delta cruise begins in New Orleans and calls on the same five ports, before sailing through the Lower Mississippi and disembarking in Memphis. Enjoy scenic views of the serpentine river route – perhaps with expert commentary or a local cooking demonstration – and then take time to explore the birthplace of the Memphis blues, which is also a center of civil rights history.

2024 dates: In 2024, this cruise is available in February, March, April, May, June and November.

America's Great River: St. Paul to New Orleans

Price: Starts at $12,999 per person

This Viking voyage sails from St. Paul to New Orleans on a two-week trip that calls on 13 ports with one day of scenic sailing. This itinerary combines the best of Viking's other Mississippi sailings for an all-encompassing Midwestern and Southern experience with 12 guided tours.

Included in the fare is a tour of Graceland; a stroll through small-town Burlington, Iowa, to see Snake Alley, deemed the most crooked street in the world; and a visit to the National Eagle Center of Red Wing, among others. For an additional fee, hop on an airboat ride through the Atchafalaya Swamp in Baton Rouge or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery of St. Louis.

2024 dates: Viking has availability for this itinerary in July, September and October.

Want to cruise the Mississippi River? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

FAQ Module : Travel - Top Mississippi River Cruises FAQs

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on America's waterways, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Most recently, she traveled on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries, specializing in cruises, for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top River Cruise Lines
• The Top All-Inclusive Cruises
• Cruise Packing List Essentials
• The Top Cruise Insurance Plans

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10 hot river cruises to book this year

There are classic river itineraries — the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhone and the Nile — that anyone who appreciates the ease and camaraderie of river cruising can book with most of the top cruise lines. But those aren't your only options.

The most exciting river cruises to book this year are the new offerings that go off the beaten path, explore an unsung river or combine a standard seven-night sailing with a novel land tour.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here are 10 new itineraries for 2024 and 2025 that are taking river cruising beyond the familiar, including several on recently launched or soon-to-debut river ships.

AmaWaterways' 7-night Wonders of Colombia and Magic of Colombia

Love South America but have already cruised the Amazon? Consider AmaWaterways ' newest ship, AmaMagdalena. Debuting in January 2025, the 60-passenger ship will sail two alternating seven-night itineraries year-round on Colombia's Magdalena River, traveling from Cartagena to Barranquilla and vice versa.

With the Wonders of Colombia itinerary , you'll board AmaMagdalena in coastal Cartagena, a popular Caribbean port on Panama Canal transits that you can now also enjoy on a river cruise. Arrive a day early or book a two-night precruise add-on to see sights such as the historic Walled City, San Felipe de Barajas Castle and the Gold Museum.

Following a sunset sail away, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes of Colombia via a local music experience in Palenque, the first "free town" in the Americas after a 1713 decree from the Spanish crown freed residents from slavery. You can also check out 19th-century Calamar on a paola (a two-person bicycle taxi) and the jazz music and local handicrafts available in Santa Barbara de Pinto and Mompox.

El Banco and Magangue round out the list of port calls before the cruise ends with a tour of the floating village of Nueva Venecia and an evening Carnival celebration in the seaside port of Barranquilla.

Choose the Magic of Colombia itinerary , from Barranquilla to Cartagena, and you'll visit the same ports, just in a different order. Rather than end your cruise with the Carnival celebration, you'll experience it on your first day. You can also book several precruise and postcruise land tours, including three nights precruise in Medellin, three nights postcruise in Panama or both.

AmaMagdalena will be joined in June 2025 by 64-passenger AmaMelodia. Both vessels will offer spacious (237- to 516-square-foot) staterooms and suites, as well as a heated pool on the sun deck and two dining options: the main restaurant, serving Latin American cuisine and Western favorites, and an intimate alfresco dining experience.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

American Cruise Lines' 15-night National Parks & Legendary Rivers

American Cruise Lines ' itineraries on the Columbia and Snake rivers in Oregon and Washington already attract travelers who appreciate the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, but now the cruise line has a 15-night National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary that takes scenic appreciation to another level.

The trip combines an eight-night cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers with a seven-night land tour to three national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The itinerary visits five states and begins or ends in either Portland, Oregon, or Jackson, Wyoming, depending on whether you do the land or cruise portion first.

What will you see on this cruise? If you start in Portland, you'll overnight before boarding one of the company's modern, 180-passenger river ships: American Jazz, American Harmony or American Song. Your first day will be spent enjoying scenic cruising along the Columbia River, with Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens as a backdrop, as you head to Astoria, Oregon. The historic seaside city is known for its beautiful Victorian houses and red trolleys.

Geology enthusiasts and anyone who remembers the devastating May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens will be fascinated by the port call in Kalama, Washington, where you can take an included guided excursion to the National Volcanic Monument. The following day will be spent cruising the Columbia River Gorge before you arrive in Stevenson, Washington, where a visit to 620-foot Multnomah Falls is a highlight. The final two days feature views of the dramatic landscapes of the Snake River in eastern Washington as you call on Richland before disembarking in Clarkston.

The guided national parks tour begins with a drive to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, for a lake cruise followed by an overnight in Kalispell, Montana. Once in Glacier National Park, you'll navigate Going-to-the-Sun Road and dine at the historic Lake McDonald Lodge.

The tour continues on to Yellowstone National Park, where your adventure guides will offer insight as you explore Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Tower Fall and Old Faithful, among other highlights. A visit to Grand Teton National Park and its Jackson Lake Lodge follows, with your final day spent admiring the park's incredible mountain vistas and abundant wildlife.

Related: The best US river cruises

American Cruise Lines' 50-night The Great United States

If 15 nights aren't enough to satisfy your wanderlust, American Cruise Lines offers a 50-night version of The Great United States program for 2025.

The 2025 sailing encompasses three cruises. It takes the 15-night National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary described above and adds a 21-night Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans to St. Paul, Minnesota, aboard 180-passenger American Serenade, which will call on 21 ports in six states. Along the Mississippi, you'll have a chance to visit Civil War battlefields in Vicksburg, Mississippi; Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri; and the landmark Gateway Arch in St. Louis. You can also enjoy legendary blues music on Beale Street in Memphis.

That segment will be followed by a 14-night, 14-port cruise along the coast of New England on 125-passenger American Pioneer (debuting in 2025). The ship will sail round-trip from Boston and visit scenic coastal ports in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including the quintessential New England islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

Tour options will include visits to the Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay Harbor and Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, an SUV adventure along the dunes of Provincetown on Cape Cod and a tour of the gilded mansions of Newport in Rhode Island.

In total, you'll check off 15 states from your must-visit list during this river cruise. That's an impressive number of destinations to visit in a single trip.

Avalon Waterways' 7-night Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro

Portugal's Douro River Valley is beloved by oenophiles. Over the past few decades, it has also attracted river cruisers seeking a relaxing itinerary punctuated by sleepy small towns and the daily enjoyment of local food and wine.

In March 2024, Avalon Waterways added the Douro River to its offerings when it debuted 102-passenger Avalon Alegria sailing an itinerary called Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages Along the Douro . The seven-night cruise is round trip from Porto, where there's time at the start and end of your cruise to explore this colorful city's historic port-wine cellars, churches and bridges (including the Ponte de Dona Maria Pia, designed in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel).

Noteworthy stops range from an afternoon call on Porto Antigo, with included excursions to monasteries and churches in Braga and Guimaraes, to a call at Peso de Regua, where sightseeing and wine tasting go hand in hand. You'll even have an opportunity to add an optional excursion from Pinhao to the elaborate 18th-century Baroque palace Casa de Mateus (of rose wine fame).

Save time for the onboard activities, too. After a full-day excursion from Barca d'Alva to Salamanca, Spain — a city known for its mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles — you can learn how to paint azulejos (Portugal's famous blue-hued handmade tiles) or enjoy a pastry-making demonstration on the ship the next morning.

Related: The best river cruises in Europe

CroisiEurope's 7-night A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys

Germany is known for its scenic river valleys, and a new itinerary from French river cruise line CroisiEurope doesn't skimp on beautiful vistas. Called A Cruise Through Four Exquisite European Valleys , the seven-night, round-trip sailing departs from Strasbourg, France, and visits the Rhine, Neckar, Moselle and Saar river valleys.

The ship for this itinerary, 81-passenger Elbe Princesse II, is one of CroisiEurope's three paddle river boats. It normally navigates the Elbe River between Berlin and Prague. However, from July to October 2025, the ship will be cruising the Rhine and its tributaries.

This river cruise kicks off on the Saar River, famous for the Great Bend at Mettlach (the river equivalent of a hairpin turn), and overnights in the town of Saarburg, Germany. After a morning scenic cruise onto the Moselle River, you'll visit Trier, Germany, known for its ancient Roman structures and its photogenic medieval buildings, before continuing on to Cochem, Germany, where you can enjoy an afternoon visit to the hilltop Reichsburg Castle.

Larger cities like Koblenz, Germany, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers and home to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, are also on the itinerary. The trip features a stop in wine-centric Rudesheim, Germany, as well, so you can sample some vino and enjoy a ride on a scenic train while in the Rhine Valley.

The final day calls on a trio of German ports on the Neckar River. In the morning, you'll visit Mannheim and disembark for a coach transfer to Heidelberg, home to pink-hued Heidelberg Castle, historic churches and atmospheric beer halls. You'll then reboard Elbe Princesse II in Heidelberg and sail to Eberbach, a medieval city with an abundance of half-timbered homes and ancient fountains. The ship will overnight as you enjoy a final gala dinner before disembarking in Strasbourg the next morning.

Riverside Luxury Cruises' 11-night Danube and Main River Discovery

With the March 2024 debut of 110-passenger Riverside Debussy, Europe-based newcomer Riverside Luxury Cruises has added more than a half-dozen new three- to 21-night itineraries, with options on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers. In October 2024, the ship will sail an 11-night Danube and Main River Discovery itinerary from Budapest to Frankfurt that combines the highlights of two rivers and visits four countries: Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.

You'll embark Riverside Debussy in Hungary's capital before cruising past the illuminated Hungarian Parliament Building on your way to Bratislava. The capital of Slovakia is home to a hilltop castle, a walkable pedestrian zone and pubs serving local beer.

The next day, discover the history and artistry of Vienna with visits to its Hapsburg-era palaces, 16th-century St. Stephen's Cathedral and numerous museums. Charming Durnstein, Austria, is known for its medieval castle and a riverfront abbey with a pretty blue-and-white spire, while the golden-hued abbey in nearby Melk, Austria, celebrates the flavor of apricots in preserves and liquors.

As you reach Passau, Germany, which sits on the confluence of three rivers, you'll enter Bavaria and discover a walkable city with a domed 17th-century Baroque cathedral. The next day on the Main River (a Rhine tributary), you'll tour Regensburg, Germany, including its UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center, before spending two days exploring Nuremberg, Germany, which has a notably complex history.

Rounding out the cruise are calls on Bamberg, Wurzburg and Wertheim, Germany, with bustling Frankfurt — where historic remnants of the Middle Ages meet modern skyscrapers — serving as the departure port.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

Scenic's 66-night Scenic Cruising Through Europe

If you have two months to spare, a fascination with history, a love of fine wines and a generous budget, you can explore the rivers of Europe in one epic trip with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. The new 66-night Scenic Cruising Through Europe journey — available on two dates in 2025 ( May 4-July 9 and Aug. 16-Oct. 21 ) — explores more than a half dozen major rivers and waterways and calls on almost 60 ports in 13 countries.

The first part of the journey begins in Bucharest, Romania, with an overnight in a luxury hotel before you set sail on one of Scenic's 163-guest Space-Ships from Giurgiu. You'll cruise the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers all the way to Belgium and the Netherlands, then backtrack along the Rhine to Basel, Switzerland, taking some time to explore towns along the Moselle River.

This portion of the trip will take 36 days, and you'll explore ports in Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. You'll spend two days each in Budapest, Vienna and Amsterdam, and scenic highlights include Austria's Wachau Valley and Germany's Rhine River Gorge, with its many hilltop castles.

After a flight from Zurich to Paris, you'll start the next leg of your trip when you board 124-passenger Scenic Gem for a 10-night cruise on the Seine River. Visit historic Rouen and Honfleur or take excursions to Claude Monet's home and gardens at Giverny and the WWII beaches at Normandy.

Next, you'll fly from Paris to Bordeaux and board 149-passenger Scenic Diamond for a 10-night journey along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers in the heart of France's Bordeaux wine region.

On day 57, you'll fly from Bordeaux to Porto, Portugal, to board 96-passenger Scenic Azure on the Douro River for the final 10-night leg of your trip. You'll explore the legendary port cellars of Porto, taste wine amid the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and venture into Spain for a day trip to Salamanca. Your river cruise — and this epic 66-night journey — concludes back in Porto with an overnight, allowing you more time to experience this exceptional city.

Tauck's 13-night Romantic Capitals: Prague to Paris

Tauck's newest river offering in Europe for 2025 is its 13-night Romantic Capitals: Prague to Paris itinerary. This multiriver and land journey is available from April to October on Tauck ships Joy and Savor.

You'll start your journey with two nights at the Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel and enjoy ample time to take in sights such as Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge. You'll then transfer to Regensburg, Germany, for a nine-day cruise to Trier along the Main, Rhine, Moselle and upper Danube rivers, as well as the Main-Danube Canal.

Ports and cities visited on excursions include Frankfurt, Koblenz, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim and Boppard, Germany. Exclusive experiences available to Tauck guests range from a private reception and dinner at Schlosshotel Kronberg near Frankfurt to a visit to the legendary Nurburgring racetrack near Koblenz.

You'll continue your trip on land with a quick stop in Luxembourg for a walking tour of its capital city. Afterward, you'll board a train to Paris, where your journey will conclude with a two-night stay at L'Hotel du Collectionneur.

Uniworld's 13-night Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has added a new 13-night Cruise & Rail: Paris to Istanbul itinerary to its 2025 journeys. The two-week cruise offers you the chance to experience these two legendary cities, visit landmarks along the Seine River and then travel by luxury sleeper train for five nights from Paris through six additional countries to Istanbul. A 14-night reverse itinerary from Istanbul to Paris is also available.

If you begin your journey in Paris, you'll board Uniworld's 128-passenger Joie de Vivre for a seven-night Seine River cruise. Highlights include visits to Claude Monet's home and gardens at Giverny and Normandy's medieval capital, Rouen, known for its 11th-century cathedral and Joan of Arc history. A second stop in Rouen gives you a choice of excursions to the beaches of Normandy. This portion of the trip concludes with a stop at Versailles and an overnight in Paris.

You'll then transfer to Gare de Lyon and board the Golden Eagle Danube Express. First stop: the vineyards of Champagne for a tasting. The next day, the majestic scenery of the Austrian Alps are a daytime highlight, while dinner and a private classical concert in Vienna are on the evening agenda. After a morning exploring the city, you'll be back on board as your train heads to Postojna, Slovenia, where you'll enjoy a nighttime tour of the intricate Postojna Caves.

A visit to the Serbian capital of Belgrade rewards you with a traditional feast, while the next day's stop in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, offers architectural and archeological gems in a city dating back 7,000 years. Upon disembarking in Istanbul, you'll spend a night at the luxurious Four Seasons Sultanahmet and have time to explore nearby sights, which include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

Viking's 10-night Rhine & Main Explorer from Nuremberg to Basel

Viking 's newest itinerary for 2025 is the 10-night Rhine & Main Explorer , which cruises from Nuremberg to Basel (or vice versa) from May to November and visits cities in Germany, France and Switzerland. It's a new mix of ports for Viking, including some lesser-known historic towns in Germany's Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria regions.

You'll board one of the cruise line's 190-passenger Viking Longships in Nuremberg, where an overnight offers time to learn about the city's medieval structures and past as a staging ground for Nazi rallies. More medieval architecture awaits in Bamberg, famous for its river-spanning Altes Rathaus (Town Hall) and its rauchbier (smoked beer). If wine is your preferred spirit, you're in luck, as Wurzburg, a city in Germany's Franken wine region, is also on the itinerary.

As you continue your cruise, you'll see the vibrant half-timbered houses and sample the hearty Bavarian cuisine (think: bratwurst and pork knuckle) of Marktheidenfeld, Germany. A visit to bustling Frankfurt, which provides a stark contrast between historic and modern Germany, is also in order after an afternoon spent sailing past the Main River's castle-topped hillsides.

France's Alsace region gets its turn when you call on Strasbourg, known for its beautifully preserved Old Town encircled by the Ill River. The itinerary also includes a stop across the Rhine in Breisach, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest and a town full of vineyards. You'll end your journey with a full day of exploring charming guild house-lined Marktplatz, history-rich streets and more than 40 museums in Basel.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Sun princess: the best dining, amenities and more on princess cruises' newest ship.

Sun Princess features an updated layout, delicious new restaurants and plenty of spaces to be entertained.

Sun Princess Review

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Key Takeaways

• Sun Princess' fresher, more modern design may appeal to a younger crowd than the line normally caters to.
• Incredible dining options abound, including The Catch by Rudi and the new Spellbound dinner and magic show.
• New Cabana Mini-Suites feature indoor-outdoor cabana areas and spacious balconies.

As a travel writer who cruises with all the major lines, I was excited to travel through the Mediterranean on the new Sun Princess cruise ship in May 2024. I traveled with my mother to celebrate her 76th birthday shortly after the new ship's February debut in Rome . The itinerary we sailed was a unique, one-way offering that departed from Athens, Greece , with visits to ports like Bar, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; and Messina and Naples, Italy .

A true marvel of modern engineering and ship architecture, Sun Princess boasts a maximum guest capacity of 4,300 and room for 1,600 crew. The Sphere-Class vessel is 1,133 feet long and 200 feet high, with a breadth of 139 feet and 21 total decks. There are 2,157 staterooms, including 80 unique suites with extra space for guests.

Standout features include a three-floor main dining area, the Princess Arena with capacity for 990 guests and a 250-person entertainment space known as The Dome. Read on to learn everything there is to know about the Sun Princess cruise ship, including my own take on the dining and entertainment options available to cruisers.

Find your perfect cruise

Sun Princess itineraries for 2024 and 2025

Holly Johnson

While Sun Princess is scheduled to cruise the Mediterranean through September 2024, the ship will cross the Atlantic on its way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida , by October for the winter cruise season.

From this new homeport, Sun Princess will offer seven-day Caribbean cruises with the stops in Honduras, Belize , Mexico, the Bahamas , the Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos through March 2025.

Sun Princess will then embark on a 14-day Spanish Passage voyage in March 2025, which ends in Barcelona, Spain , and repositions the ship for its summer in the Mediterranean. At that point, cruisers can book a range of lengthy Mediterranean options over various dates, which include stops in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Italy, France, Spain and more.

Who should sail on Sun Princess?

While most people may think of Princess Cruises as a cruise line for baby boomers, Sun Princess aims to attract a younger, livelier crowd. This is immediately apparent when walking around the ship's common areas; Sun Princess boasts bold color schemes, endless windows, sparkling lights and a more modern central piazza than other Princess ships.

While my Mediterranean sailing largely consisted of adult travelers, Sun Princess will likely attract more families on its Caribbean itineraries. The ship's layout is ideal for parents with children of all ages, and amenities geared specifically toward kids abound. It all starts with the ship's Park19 family area, which features a huge climbing structure, a splash zone, a recreational court, a jogging court and more. Sun Princess also has three dedicated youth clubs: Firefly Park Kids Club (ages 3 to 7, with a separate play area for babies and toddlers 6 months and older), Neon Grove Tweens Club (ages 8 to 12) and The Underground Teen Lounge (ages 13 to 17).

What's interesting about Sun Princess is that it still has so much to offer more mature travelers, including couples who want to enjoy a romantic, upscale vacation. This is shown in the ship's elevated dining venues, expansive casino and luxurious spa. Sun Princess also offers the Sanctuary Collection of rooms and suites, which offer more amenities and spaces to relax on the ship.

Travelers who book a room in the Sanctuary Collection get their pick of a nicer selection of rooms, a premium beverage package, access to a private restaurant and pool deck and a more personalized experience overall. Think of the Sanctuary Collection suites as an alternative to MSC Cruises Yacht Club cabins – the biggest difference being that the venues available to cruisers in these cabins are spread throughout the ship.

The stateroom

I stayed in one of the new Cabana Mini-Suites on the Sun Princess, which I would book again in a heartbeat. These rooms are a take on the classic balcony cabin most cruisers expect, but with a twist. In addition to an outdoor balcony, Cabana Mini-Suites have a separate indoor-outdoor cabana-like area with a flat-screen television.

This extra space means the new Cabana Mini-Suites are much longer from one end to the other than a traditional balcony stateroom. The additional space is nice to have whether you want more room for storage or a separate place to read or relax while your cabinmate naps. My mom sat in our cabana area and read several times while I showered and got ready for dinner, and she even took a nap out there while I worked on my computer in our stateroom.

Regardless of the stateroom you book, know that Sun Princess cabins feature soft, neutral tones and plenty of closet space. Power outlets are abundant, and there are all kinds of nooks and crannies for storage. Cabin types on Sun Princess include the following:

Interior Cabins (136 to 145 square feet)

Basic interior rooms offer a queen bed or two small twin beds, a flat-panel television, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom with a shower. These are the most affordable cabins on the ship, and they work best for guests who just want a place to relax and sleep.

Premium Oceanview (212 square feet)

Ocean-view cabins have slightly more space than interior rooms, but they still lack a balcony. These rooms feature a queen bed or two twin configurations, a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Deluxe Balcony (235 square feet, including balcony)

Balcony cabins offer more space than ocean-view rooms due to the addition of a spacious balcony with outdoor seating. Balcony cabins can also come in a queen bed or two twin configuration and have a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Mini-Suite (303 square feet, including balcony)

Mini-Suites are essentially large balcony cabins with more storage space, more closet space and more floor space. These rooms have all the amenities of other cabins but include two flat-screen televisions (one for the bedroom area and another for couch viewing).

Cabana Mini-Suite (329 square feet, including balcony and cabana)

These rooms add the indoor-outdoor space of the cabana adjacent to the outdoor balcony. The cabana area has seating for several people and its own flat-screen television (in addition to the in-room TV).

Signature Suites (304 to 636 square feet, including balcony)

Signature Suites range in size and include larger balconies with premium furniture, two flat-screen televisions, a more spacious bathroom with a separate tub and shower, and dedicated sleeping and living areas.

Signature Sky Suites (1,262 square feet, including balcony)

Princess Cruises Signature Sky Suites are the largest staterooms across all Princess vessels, and they have all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Standout features of Sky Suites include separate living and dining areas; huge, luxurious bathrooms; and Nespresso coffee machines.

(Note: Sanctuary Collection rooms are dotted throughout the ship and consist of balcony-, mini-suite- and suite-category accommodations.)

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Best amenities on Sun Princess

Since my itinerary on the Sun Princess cruise ship included multiple port stops, I didn't get to experience everything the ship had to offer. However, what I did experience was worth it – from the nonstop entertainment in the piazza to over-the-top dining features. Some of my standout experiences include:

Part dinner and part magic show, Spellbound by Magic Castle is bookable for an additional charge. The experience begins with a small group dinner with drink pairings, then moves to a hidden bar area of the ship, where the magic begins. The bar itself features magical artifacts and vintage curiosities, a "ghost" pianist, and an incredible drink menu designed to wow and delight guests. Some drinks were served in cages, golden owls and elaborate chests with dry ice.

Magic came in the form of intriguing card tricks and disappearing acts at the bar, plus a separate stage area where crowd participation helped facilitate the illusions. I don't want to give anything more than that away – you must simply experience it for yourself. Though I thought Spellbound was slightly cheesy at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and show and feel it was worth the added cost.

The Dome on the Sun Princess is part pool area and part stage. Guests can swim in a unique indoor-outdoor pool by day and watch entertainers dance in the evening, with alluring lighting effects and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

I watched an acrobatics show in The Dome from the comfort of a padded lounge chair and thought the venue was the place to be.

Princess Arena 

The Princess Arena is a circular stage area that holds up to 990 guests. Shows on offer include multifaceted stage productions and acrobatic features with plenty of surprises.

Fitness center

The Sun Princess' fitness center was huge and featured a range of treadmills, stair climbers, weights and machines to choose from. I never had trouble securing a treadmill at any time, even though I've had to wait and fight crowds for machines on other cruise ships.

I also loved the expansive walking track on the ship, which was constantly in use by both serious exercisers and cruisers walking leisurely to enjoy the views. I used the walking track every morning for at least an hour; I found it much more spacious and usable than other ship walking tracks, which are often congested and never quite wide enough.

The ship also features a Fitness Studio with guided classes, but I did not use it during my trip.

Sun Princess features five large pools and nine hot tubs. There are two pools on the lido deck, plus an indoor-outdoor pool in The Dome, a Sanctuary pool (for Sanctuary Collection guests only) and a wake-view infinity pool.

Medallion services

Princess MedallionClass is one of the coolest and most convenient amenities at sea. In place of a traditional cruise card, Princess gives you a small wearable device to bring with you around the ship and on shore. The medallion tracks your physical location on the ship, which allows you to order services and deliveries on board no matter where you are. Medallion delivery options range from food and drinks to extra pillows or bottled water.

I ordered room service through my medallion multiple times and hot, fresh food arrived in my cabin in less than 20 minutes. Meanwhile, drinks were delivered to our cabin and elsewhere on the ship in less than five minutes.

MedallionNet

Princess' Wi-Fi at sea (MedallionNet) is the fastest internet service I have ever used on a cruise ship. The internet was fast and reliable enough for me to complete some work while on board, which is not the norm on cruise ships.

Best dining venues Sun Princess

Sun Princess features 30 dining and bar options, many of which are included in the base cruise fare. Complimentary dining venues on Sun Princess include three traditional dining rooms, The Eatery (a take on the classic buffet, but with staff service), a café for coffee and light bites, The Lido (serving up salads, pizza and more) and the Promenade Dining grill.

Specialty dining options for an extra charge range from O'Malley's Irish Pub to a sushi spot to steak, seafood and Italian restaurants. For an extra special experience, head to Love by Britto to indulge in fine dining, or opt for Umai hot pot or teppanyaki venues. Meanwhile, bars on Sun Princess include Bellini's Cocktail Bar, Sea View Bar, The MIX and more.

My personal favorite dining experiences included:

My Spellbound dinner was excellent, even though the menu is fairly brief. I enjoyed a delicious shrimp cocktail and seafood entree, followed by a vegan dessert (I'm allergic to dairy and the ship happily accommodated). What stood out for me with Spellbound, at least food-wise, was the eclectic selection of drink pairings offered with the meal. It started with a caprese salad cocktail that tasted like tomatoes and balsamic vinegar in a strange, delicious way, then moved on to the spooky concoctions offered in the Spellbound bar.

Crown Grill

Crown Grill, a specialty dining venue, is not unique to Sun Princess, but it is the cruise line's most popular steakhouse brand. My mom and I had a delicious meal here for her birthday that included a Mediterranean-style spiny lobster cake, Chilean sea bass and a huge (surprise) birthday cake delivered to our table.

The Catch by Rudi

The Catch by Rudi is the ship's specialty dining seafood restaurant. Here, I dined on a delicious shrimp cocktail and the catch of the day (a grilled dorado filet). Everything was fresh and the meal was exceptional from start to finish.

I loved The Eatery, the ship's buffet-style dining option. The main difference between this venue and more traditional cruise ship buffets is that you're served by staff instead of serving yourself, which I prefer. The Eatery featured a rotating selection of exceptional main courses (seafood, chicken, beef and ethnic options), salads, appetizers and delicious desserts. It even had a vegan section and an easy-to-find selection of gluten-free offerings.

Best excursions on Sun Princess

The best excursions on Sun Princess vary depending on where you're going on your cruise – the Caribbean or various Europe destinations. Here's an overview of some excellent excursions offered aboard Sun Princess, a few of which I did myself.

Corfu, Greece 

Catamaran Coastal Cruise & Swim: This easy excursion lets you see Corfu from the sea and get out into the water for some snorkeling and swimming. I picked this excursion so we could relax for one day and avoid a lot of walking, and it delivered. A delicious lunch with an open bar was served on board as we sailed around the island taking in some of Corfu's most beautiful sights.

Naples, Italy

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Cruise: No trip to this region of Italy is complete without a stop in the Amalfi Coast . This excursion was a long one (eight to nine hours) with lots of walking and bus time, but the views of this dynamic coast and time spent in Amalfi and Sorrento made the travel time well worth it.

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Island Vibes & Beach Swim: This relatively short excursion includes a narrated bus trip throughout the island of Grand Turk, highlighting some of the island's top sights. A beach break at picturesque Governor's Beach is included.

Princess Cays, Bahamas

Princess Cays Coastal Cruise: Princess Cruises' private island offers a range of bookable activities, from banana boat rides to snorkeling tours. This coastal cruise is another option that takes you along the shores of Eleuthera in a 40-foot Reef Princess boat.

Overall impressions of Sun Princess

If you're considering a cruise on Sun Princess, you should know that this isn't your traditional Princess ship. The look and feel of this vessel are younger and livelier compared to other Princess ships I have sailed on. Gone are the hallways filled with cruisers knitting and playing cards; in their place, you'll find dancing, entertainment, music and activities around the clock.

When it comes to Sun Princess dining, every meal I had on board was either very good or excellent. You don't even have to opt for an extra-cost specialty dining venue to get a good meal. The Eatery and the regular dining rooms feature fresh, seasonal foods that are more than enough for the average palate to enjoy.

Caribbean itineraries on offer later this year (and into 2025) start at around $660 per person for an interior cabin, and Princess features an endless roster of sales throughout the year. If you're looking for a new cruising experience and want to give Princess a try (or another chance), Sun Princess is more than worthy of your consideration.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers all aspects of family travel, including all-inclusive resorts and cruises with both boutique and major cruise brands. Johnson has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has cruised in destinations throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic Circle, and the Middle East. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who runs the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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Local News | As ships grow and seas rise, can Baltimore’s…

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Local News | As ships grow and seas rise, can Baltimore’s port use new bridge to raise the roof?

It’s a once-in-a-century opportunity, a decision that will define the vertical limits of the corridor for decades. Determining an optimal height for market and societal needs generations from now requires collaboration from state and federal entities, harbor pilots, and Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. — as well as predicting the size of ships and the rise of sea levels over the decades to come.

The Bay Bridge near Annapolis opened at roughly 185 feet in 1952. When another span was added in 1973 and the Key Bridge constructed in 1977 in Baltimore, each was built to about the same height. To date, that’s been sufficient for the Port of Baltimore’s cargo and cruise industries.

But with an eye to the future, owners of other bridges leading to East Coast ports have raised — or are considering raising — their bridge clearances, despite the high costs of doing so.

Potential builders submitted proposals by a Monday deadline to replace the Key Bridge , which collapsed March 26 when it was stuck by a container ship. The state of Maryland will select a winning team by the end of summer. That means that during the 150-year period from 1952 to well past 2100, this is likely to be the most opportune time to make a permanent change to Baltimore’s “ceiling.”

Too low and it could jeopardize the port’s future commerce, if shipping lines redirect cargo to rival ports with higher clearances. Too high and it needlessly increases construction costs and potentially makes for more dangerous conditions for vehicle drivers on the bridge deck.

Increasing the shipping channel’s ceiling also means computing its floor: Chesapeake Bay waters are expected to rise between 3 and 5 feet by 2120, according to a federal task force on sea-level rise. That’s higher than the global average.

The new Key Bridge, projected to open in 2028 and cost $1.7 billion, will be built to have a minimum of a 75-year life, although some engineers project it will stand at least 100 years. Meanwhile, the older of the two Bay Bridge spans only has about 15 or 20 years of life left so it, too, will need to be replaced. A new Bay Bridge almost certainly would be made to the same height as the new Key Bridge and that span would, similarly, be built to last more than 75 years.

Vertical clearance — the space between the water and the bottom of a bridge’s roadway — is one of many factors that will be decided as state officials work with a selected Key Bridge builder.

“We’re in the middle of that process right now — looking at the market today, the future market, what’s happening in the industry, and what makes sense for the Port of Baltimore,” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said in an interview earlier this month.

The Key Bridge was knocked down after the cargo ship Dali lost power and smashed into a support pier, killing six road workers and partially blocking the shipping channel for months. The calamity illustrated the importance of planning — or at least trying to — for the future; the bridge wasn’t built with 100,000-ton ships in mind and was ill-prepared for vessel strike. It prompted a National Transportation Safety Board investigation into what went wrong and a Coast Guard probe into national port infrastructure.

Rebuilding the Key Bridge with the same, 185-foot clearance would probably suffice for the immediate future. But as public entities along the East Coast spend millions and billions to stretch out their spans and dredge channels deeper to accommodate larger vessels, planning likely will call for a taller bridge.

Big ships, rising tides

There are few things physically stopping container ships themselves — which doubled, then tripled and now have increased ten-fold in capacity since the 1960s — from growing. In fact, there is an economic incentive for them to get bigger.

But external factors could stall their growth. It’s not unlike semitrucks in the U.S. They could be built longer than 53 feet, but external factors (various states’ laws) limit them, said Jean-Paul Rodrigue, a Texas A&M University professor whose research focuses on transportation and logistics.

In the case of cargo ships, it isn’t laws that could restrict their size, but infrastructure. For one thing, there are barriers directly below and above them. Most shipping channels into ports are no deeper than 50 feet, and bridges often set a maximum height.

Capt. Jeffrey Monroe, a master mariner and education director for the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives, said that as ships have grown, “we began to dig deeper.” Baltimore’s channel has been 50 feet deep since the 1970s, but Charleston recently deepened its channel to 52 feet and New York/New Jersey is studying the possibility of dredging to 55 feet.

“Then we began to realize that now our biggest limitation is not the depth of the channel,” said Monroe, who consulted on a project to greatly increase the vertical clearance of the Bayonne Bridge, which connects New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. “Our biggest limitation is the infrastructure that flies over the top of it.”

Aside from channel depths and bridges, there are limitations to international shipping. The narrowness of a vital shipping channel near Singapore, the Malacca Strait, as well as the width of the Panama and Suez canals would complicate efforts to make ships larger.

But there are already ships built today that can’t fit into the Port of Baltimore. And it’s not just bridge height that limits them. Channel dimensions and the “capacities of a container terminal” also determine the size of a ship that a port can handle, said Richard Scher, spokesperson for the Maryland Port Administration.

“It’s about accommodating the right-sized ship, more than just a big ship,” he said in a statement.

Monroe also noted that logistical concerns mean it would not behoove many East Coast ports to aim to receive ships much larger than they already do. But “never say never,” he added. If it was up to him, he’d make the new Key Bridge 225 feet tall, to give “optimal flexibility.”

But there’s another vertical limitation on a ship’s way into the port: BGE power lines that run parallel to the Key Bridge and have a vertical clearance of 214 feet.

When asked about the potential height of the new bridge, Wiedefeld’s first thought were those cables: “It starts with the BGE line, that’s a certain height,” he said.

Before BGE erected those lines between 2020 and 2022, it received input in 2018 from the port administration “regarding current and potential future clearance requirements for shipping vessels,” BGE spokesperson Stephanie Weaver said in a statement. BGE is in “close communication” with officials regarding the reconstruction of the Key Bridge, she added.

Another variable is that, even if the Port of Baltimore never receives any ships taller than the ones it does now, the rising sea adds a challenge.

“That’s a whole ‘nother issue to weigh in, as well,” Wiedefeld said of Bay waters rising. “That’s definitely part of the analysis. You have to look at that.”

William Sweet, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oceanographer, used to live in Annapolis and frequently took a sailboat under the Bay Bridge. Bay waters are just about guaranteed to rise a foot over the next 30 years, Sweet said.

Unless swift changes are made to carbon emissions, they’re expected to rise at a faster rate after that. A century from now, Bay waters are projected to be up at least 3 feet, and could be more than 5 feet higher. It depends on factors well beyond the Chesapeake Bay, including, Sweet noted, if ice sheets in Antarctica “become unhinged.”

“It could be higher,” he said of the Bay waters rising.

Building bridges to last a century requires educated guesswork. For example, decades from now, vehicular traffic patterns could look much different, noted Norma Jean Mattei, a University of New Orleans engineering professor and member of the White House’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council. The Bay waters are no different.

“The world gets fuzzier the further out you go,” she said, “and bridges are one of those pieces of infrastructure that we design for longer life.”

East Coast bridges grow

In a way, bridge height is simply a multibillion-dollar-industry version of keeping up with the Joneses. When recently discussing the possibility of  replacing a bridge in Savannah, Georgia , with a taller one, local officials there referenced the high vertical clearances of bridges leading to New York/New Jersey, a competing port.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is looking to increase the height of that Savannah span, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, which is 185 feet tall — the same as Maryland’s Bay Bridge.

“As the fastest-growing port in the nation, the Port of Savannah is a significant economic engine for the Savannah region, Georgia, and the rest of the Southeast,” a spokesperson for Georgia’s transportation department said in a statement. “Potentially stifling future growth, however, is the Port’s accessibility to larger ships.”

Georgia also is considering replacing the bridge — which opened only 33 years ago — with a span that has 230 feet of vertical clearance.

A neighbor to the north of Baltimore already has changed a bridge’s height. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey increased the clearance of the Bayonne Bridge from 150 feet to 215 feet — a project that cost $1.7 billion.

“We raised the Bayonne Bridge in 2019 knowing that container ships were only growing bigger and demand for goods was only getting stronger,” port director Bethan Rooney said in a statement. “It paid off soon after, when the pandemic drove cargo volumes to numbers we weren’t expecting to see for another 10 years.”

Another New York-area bridge has even higher clearance: Big ships can easily fit under the 228 feet afforded by the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The 1,200-foot container vessels that call on New York typically have an air draft of about 175 feet to 195 feet, said James Mercante, president of New York’s Board of Commissioners of Pilots.

Cruise ships can come in even higher. The MSC Meraviglia, which sails under the Verrazzano, is 214 feet tall, according to the cruise line.

How tall the new Key Bridge will be remains undetermined, but one potential builder suggested a height of 213 feet in a May news release.

The Association of Maryland Pilots also might have hinted at the measurement its members prefer. The pilots, who guide large ships in Maryland waters, declined to comment for this article. But a representative discussed the possible height of a replacement Bay Bridge during a 2023 meeting of the Baltimore Harbor Safety and Coordination Committee — a joint industry-government advisory panel. Minutes from the meeting said pilots “have recommended a minimum bridge height of 228 ft, but preferably higher.”

Whatever height is chosen would not alter shipping traffic into Baltimore immediately, since the Bay Bridge remains 185 feet tall. Increasing the current Bay Bridge’s height would not be logical nor feasible, given its age. But “those bridges are basically coming to end of life, regardless,” said Wiedefeld, the transportation secretary.

The older of the two Bay Bridge spans has about 15 to 20 years left, he said. So, it’s possible that the Chesapeake Bay will see two new bridges in the coming decades; in doing so, the corridor’s ceiling might be altered for the next century.

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