New OrleansCruise Port
Cruising out of New Orleans? This page gets you to the gangway. Find your terminal, park or book a room near the river, and plan the ride in from the airport.
Bon voyage from New Orleans
- Terminals
- 2
- Cruise lines
- 3
- Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean
- Nearest airport
- MSY
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, 16.2 mi, about 25 minutes
- Port parking
- From $180
- Quoted for a 7-night sailing; 2 port-run lots, prices vary by date
Last checked
Terminals by cruise line
New Orleans has two cruise terminals, side by side on the Mississippi next to the Riverwalk mall. Your cruise line decides which one is yours. Carnival uses Erato Street. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian use Julia Street. Check the terminal on your cruise documents before you drive.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
Cruise lines
Carnival
Carnival's terminal, with its parking garage built on top. Coming in on Port of New Orleans Place, it's the first one, just past the bridge pier.
1100 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130
Julia Street Cruise Terminal
Cruise lines
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian
Mostly Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, plus the odd visiting ship. It sits between Erato and the Riverwalk mall.
920 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130
| Terminal | Cruise lines | Address | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erato Street Cruise TerminalCarnival's terminal, with its parking garage built on top. Coming in on Port of New Orleans Place, it's the first one, just past the bridge pier. | Carnival | 1100 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130 | Map of Erato Street Cruise Terminal |
| Julia Street Cruise TerminalMostly Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, plus the odd visiting ship. It sits between Erato and the Riverwalk mall. | Royal Caribbean, Norwegian | 920 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130 | Map of Julia Street Cruise Terminal |
Hotels the night before
Spending the night means a late flight can't cost you the ship. Every hotel below is in the Warehouse District, a walk from the Julia Street terminal. "Check rates" opens the hotel on Booking.com. The other link opens the hotel's own page.
Hotel
The Riverfront Hotel
A converted warehouse a block from the Convention Center, and the shortest walk on this list to Julia Street. No cruise package or shuttle.
- 0.33 mi walk to Julia Street Cruise Terminal, about 7 min
Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton New Orleans Convention Center
All-suite tower on Julia Street itself, so you walk straight down Julia to the terminal. Breakfast is included; parking is valet only.
- 0.37 mi walk to Julia Street Cruise Terminal, about 8 min
Hotel
SpringHill Suites New Orleans Warehouse Arts District
A former molasses warehouse on St. Joseph Street, a walk to Julia Street. Breakfast is included. No cruise package.
- 0.44 mi walk to Julia Street Cruise Terminal, about 10 min
Hotel
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
The big Hilton at the foot of Poydras, joined to the Riverwalk mall you walk through toward the terminals. Its Cruise Package discounts self-parking to $24 a day, with late checkout; it doesn't say the parking runs through your cruise, so ask.
- 0.49 mi walk to Julia Street Cruise Terminal, about 11 min
Hotel
Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center
On South Peters by the Convention Center, with a rooftop pool, a walk to Julia Street. No cruise package on its offers page.
- 0.52 mi walk to Julia Street Cruise Terminal, about 11 min
Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans-Convention Center
Across from the Convention Center. The one hotel here that says it runs a free shuttle to the port, and it offers extended cruise parking at $22 plus tax a night. Breakfast is included.
- Free shuttle to the terminal
- Park-and-cruise package
- 0.66 mi walk to Julia Street Cruise Terminal, about 14 min
New Orleans cruise parking
The port runs a garage for each terminal. Carnival parks on top of Erato Street; Royal Caribbean and Norwegian park at 100 Poydras and ride a shuttle over. Both open at 9 a.m. and take cards only. Pay at the gate, or reserve online for $1 more a day; reservations can't be refunded.
Port garage prices are the published 7-day rate. Fulton Garage shows its daily rate and a 7-night total for mid-November 2026.
Lowest quote, shuttle included
Fulton Garage (New Orleans Parking)
ShuttleCovered costs extraPrivate
Free shuttle; about 0.7 mi on foot
Walk to the terminal
Erato Street Parking Garage (official)
WalkCoveredPort
On top of the terminal; elevator down to check-in
Lowest quote, shuttle included
100 Poydras Garage (official)
ShuttleCoveredPort
Shuttle to the Julia Street terminal
Port of New Orleans lots
| Lot | To the terminal | Cover | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Erato Street Parking Garage (official)Over 1,000 spaces on the terminal roof. Porters take bags in the garage.For Erato Street Cruise Terminal+ More− LessOther lengths: 4 days $120; 5 days $135; 6 days $160; 8 days $200; 14 days $350. Height limit is 7 ft 6 in on most floors. Louisiana disabled veterans with a 50% rating park free for up to 7 days; don't reserve online. The port's published rate for a 7-day cruise, paid at the gate; reserving online adds $1 a day. Rates by cruise length: 4 days $120; 5 days $135; 6 days $160; 8 days $200; 14 days $350. | WalkCoveredOn top of the terminal; elevator down to check-in | Covered | $1807 nights | Reserve at the port → for Erato Street Parking Garage (official) |
100 Poydras Garage (official)Over 500 spaces; the shuttle carries you and your bags to Julia Street.For Julia Street Cruise Terminal+ More− LessAlso 4 days $120 and 5 days $135. Height limit is 6 ft 6 in; call Laz Parking if your vehicle is taller than 6 ft 4 in or longer than 22 ft. The old Hilton 'Whale Lot' is no longer used for cruise parking. The port's published rate for a 7-day cruise, paid at the gate; reserving online adds $1 a day. Also 4 days $120 and 5 days $135. | ShuttleCoveredShuttle to the Julia Street terminal | Covered | $1807 nights | Reserve at the port → for 100 Poydras Garage (official) |
Private lots nearby
| Lot | To the terminal | Cover | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fulton Garage (New Orleans Parking)Convention Center garage; covered spaces cost $17.00 a day.For Erato Street Cruise Terminal+ More− LessThe 7-night quote was $101.50 plus a $5.00 service charge and $12.78 tax. Its booking form lists only Carnival sailings. Rooftop (open-air) rate; covered spaces are $17.00 a day. Quote for Carnival Liberty, Nov 8–15, 2026: $101.50 plus a $5.00 service charge and $12.78 tax. | ShuttleCovered costs extraFree shuttle; about 0.7 mi on foot | Covered costs extra | $14.50a day | Check rates → for Fulton Garage (New Orleans Parking) |
Getting there
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) is the airport, about 16 miles from the terminals. Taxis wait outside Baggage Claim Door 7; the airport's flat fare downtown is $36 for one or two people. Uber and Lyft use the middle curb. Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian all sell sailing-day transfers.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport MSY
The airport for the port, with taxis, rideshares and cruise-line transfers.
- Distance
- 16.2 mi
- Drive
- about 25 minutes
Ways to the port
- Taxi · $36 — Flat fare to the Central Business District or French Quarter for up to two passengers; $15 a person for three or more. Taxi zone outside Baggage Claim Door 7; credit cards accepted. Operator site →
- Uber and Lyft — No fare is published. Middle curb outside Baggage Claim: Lyft from Doors 7–9, Uber from Doors 9–11. Operator site →
- Bus: RTA Airport Express (202) · $1.25 — From Baggage Claim Door 2 to downtown (Elk Place at Cleveland, Union Passenger Terminal), not to the terminals. Operator site → for RTA Airport Express (202)
- Cruise-line transfer: Carnival — Sailing-day transfer; flight must land by 1:00 p.m. Buy up to two days before sailing. Price not shown. Operator site → for Carnival
- Cruise-line transfer: Royal Caribbean — Sailing-day and debarkation-day transfers; book about two weeks ahead with your flight details. Price not published. Operator site → for Royal Caribbean
- Cruise-line transfer: Norwegian — Book in online check-in with your flight, at least 4 days before sailing. Price not published. Operator site → for Norwegian
Pre-book a private airport transfer
A driver booked ahead beats waiting at the curb with bags. Check that MSY and your date are covered before you count on it.
Ports you'll visit from New Orleans
New Orleans cruises head south into the Western Caribbean. Carnival runs 4- and 5-night trips to Mexico and week-long loops to Jamaica, the Caymans, Honduras, Belize or the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian sail week-long Western Caribbean cruises. Cozumel is on all three lines' lists.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Cozumel
Which pier you'll dock at, plus plans for 2, 4 or 7 hours ashore.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Belize City
Planning around the tender, plus plans for 4, 6 or 9 hours ashore.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Grand Cayman
How the tender into George Town works, plus plans for 3, 5 or 7 hours ashore.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Roatán
Which of the two terminals your ship uses, plus plans for 3, 5 or 7 hours ashore.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Costa Maya
The pier village, the beach taxi and the ruins, sized to your hours.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Montego Bay
Plans for 2, 4 or 7 hours ashore from the cruise port.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Progreso
The long pier and the free bus to the beach, plus timed plans.
Read the guide →Sailing to
Falmouth
The Georgian town beside the ship, plus plans for 3, 5 or 7 hours ashore.
Quick answers
How we checked these answers
Every answer is built from facts we checked against the sources below and cross-checked with recent port guides. Where sources disagreed, the answer says so instead of guessing a number.
- Port of New Orleans — parking and directions
- Port of New Orleans — cruise vessel schedule
- Port of New Orleans — cruise lines and itineraries
- Royal Caribbean — cruises from New Orleans
- Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans-Convention Center
- Hilton New Orleans Riverside — cruises
- New Orleans Parking — cruise parking
- Port of New Orleans — cruise FAQs
- New Orleans airport (MSY) — taxis
- New Orleans airport (MSY) — ride apps
- Carnival — New Orleans airport and pier transfers
- Royal Caribbean — getting to the port
- Norwegian Cruise Line — getting to the pier
- New Orleans airport (MSY) — public transportation
- Carnival — embarkation day help
- Royal Caribbean — when should I arrive at the cruise port terminal?
- Norwegian Cruise Line — embarkation day
Terminals & cruise lines
Which terminal does Carnival or Royal Caribbean use in New Orleans?
Carnival ships usually sail from the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans; Royal Caribbean and Norwegian use the Julia Street Cruise Terminal next door. The Port of New Orleans assigns them that way, and its 2026–27 schedule puts Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty at Erato and Mariner of the Seas and Norwegian Breakaway at Julia. Confirm the terminal on your cruise documents. See both terminals.
What cruise lines sail out of New Orleans?
Three ocean cruise lines sail from New Orleans: Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, according to the Port of New Orleans. Carnival homeports Carnival Liberty and Carnival Valor year round. Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas and Norwegian Breakaway sail the winter season, and a few other ships visit on single dates. Find your line's terminal.
Where is the cruise port in New Orleans?
The New Orleans cruise port is on the Mississippi riverfront downtown, beside the Riverwalk mall, with two terminals on Port of New Orleans Place: Erato Street at number 1100 and Julia Street at number 920. The port says both are on the riverfront streetcar line, about 5 minutes from the French Quarter. Drivers should come in from Henderson Street, not the Julia or Poydras Street ends. See the terminal map links.
Does Disney Cruise Line sail from New Orleans?
No: the Port of New Orleans' cruise schedule for October 2026 to March 2027 lists no Disney Cruise Line sailings. The ocean ships on that schedule are Carnival's at the Erato Street terminal and Royal Caribbean's and Norwegian's at Julia Street. See who sails from each terminal.
Where do cruises from New Orleans go?
Cruises from New Orleans head to the Western Caribbean, and every line calls at Cozumel. Carnival runs 4- and 5-night trips to Cozumel and Progreso, and 7-night loops to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Roatán, Belize City, Key West or the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean's week-long trips call at Grand Cayman and Jamaica, and Norwegian lists Costa Maya, Roatán and Belize City. See guides to the ports.
Hotels
Which hotels near the New Orleans cruise port have a shuttle?
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans-Convention Center is the one hotel on this page that says it runs a free shuttle to the cruise port, and it sells extended cruise parking at $22 plus tax a night. Hilton New Orleans Riverside has a Cruise Package with self-parking at $24 a day and late checkout, but no shuttle. The other hotels nearby are a walk from the terminals instead. See the hotels.
Can I walk to the New Orleans cruise terminal from my hotel?
Yes, if you stay in the Warehouse District: six hotels on this page are within about 0.7 miles on foot of New Orleans' Julia Street terminal. The Riverfront Hotel is closest at 0.33 miles, about 7 minutes; Embassy Suites is 0.37 miles. Carnival's Erato Street terminal is about 0.2 miles farther. Hampton Inn & Suites runs a free port shuttle if you'd rather not roll your bags. Compare the walks.
Parking
How much is parking at New Orleans cruise port?
Parking at the New Orleans cruise port costs $180 for a 7-day cruise at either port garage, according to the Port of New Orleans: $120 for 4 days, $135 for 5 days, and at Carnival's Erato garage $160 for 6, $200 for 8 and $350 for 14. Reserving online adds $1 a day. The private Fulton Garage charges $14.50 a day on its open roof or $17.00 covered. Compare the lots.
Where do you park for a cruise out of New Orleans?
For a New Orleans cruise, Carnival guests park in the port's Erato Street garage on top of their terminal, and Royal Caribbean and Norwegian guests park at the port's 100 Poydras Garage and take a shuttle to Julia Street. Both are covered and open at 9 a.m. Reservations aren't required, but the port recommends them because space is limited. Fulton Garage, a private lot, runs a free shuttle for Carnival sailings. See the parking table.
Do disabled veterans park free at the New Orleans cruise port?
Yes, if you're a Louisiana disabled veteran: the Port of New Orleans gives free parking for up to 7 days to Louisiana residents with at least a 50% service-connected disability. Since August 1, 2025, it doesn't extend to spouses or other family. Show proof, such as a VA letter or a DV plate, before you park, and don't reserve online: prepaid parking isn't refunded. See port parking.
Getting there
How far is the cruise port from the airport in New Orleans?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is about 16 miles from the New Orleans cruise terminals, roughly a 25-minute drive without traffic. Taxis, rideshares and cruise-line transfers all run from there. See getting there.
How much does a taxi cost from New Orleans Airport to the cruise port?
A taxi from New Orleans airport costs a flat $36.00 to the Central Business District or French Quarter for one or two passengers, the airport says, or $15.00 a person for three or more. Taxis wait outside Baggage Claim Door 7 and must take credit cards. Uber and Lyft pick up on the middle curb; the airport doesn't publish their fares. See getting there.
Is there a shuttle from New Orleans airport to the cruise terminal?
Yes: Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian all sell transfers from New Orleans airport to the cruise terminal on sailing day. Carnival's needs a flight landing by 1:00 p.m. and is bought up to two days ahead; Norwegian's must be booked at least 4 days before sailing. None publishes a price. The RTA Airport Express bus runs downtown for $1.25 but doesn't stop at the terminals. See getting there.
Embarkation day
What time should I arrive at the New Orleans cruise terminal?
Arrive at the New Orleans cruise terminal at the check-in time your cruise line gives you; the port's garages open at 9 a.m. Carnival guests pick an Arrival Appointment in online check-in, Royal Caribbean guests a slot in the Royal app, and Norwegian asks you not to come more than an hour before your eDocs time. At Erato, porters take bags in the garage; at Poydras, the shuttle carries them. See parking.