NEW ORLEANS CRUISE TERMINAL

There are two terminals at the Port of New Orleans so it is important to know which terminal your cruise ship will be using or you might try to drop your luggage off at the wrong one. Thankfully there are lots of staff around to help guide you to the right location so don’t be afraid to ask questions, if only to confirm you are indeed in the right place.

If you are using a GPS or map program (we use Here WeGo), input one of the following addresses to find your terminal:

Julia Street Terminal: 920 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130

Erato Street Cruise Terminal: 1100 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130

View a map of the cruise terminals from the Port of New Orleans.

PASSENGER & LUGGAGE DROP OFF

EMBARKATION: Luggage drop-off at parking lots is provided on a limited basis (indicated on the parking lot signage). For faster service, you can drop off your luggage and companions at the terminal first.

DISEMBARKATION: When returning you can either retrieve your vehicle and return to the terminal to pick up your companions and luggage in the loading area, or take your luggage and companions to your parking lot to retrieve your vehicle.

There is a baggage transfer service recommended by the Port of New Orleans (Rush it Courier Service) that will transfer your bags from the cruise terminal to the airport. This could be handy if you have later flights and want to explore New Orleans after your cruise without having to worry about finding a place for your bags. For more information about this service and to get rates, please call (504) 471-0080.

The area next to the cruise terminal is for loading and unloading only so you should be prepared to unload/load quickly to allow others to do the same.

TAXIS: As to be expected there is a high demand for taxis during peak disembarkation hours and they may not be readily available. Please account for this wait time in your plans for departure day, especially when booking a flight home.

PORTS OF CALL FOR SHIPS DEPARTING NEW ORLEANS

Basseterre, St. Kitts  |  Belize City, Belize  |  Cococay, Bahamas  |  Costa Maya, Mexico  |  Cozumel, Mexico  |  Freeport, Bahamas  |  Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands  |  George Town, Cayman Islands  |  Harvest Caye, Belize  |  KeyWest, FL  |  Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan  |  Montego Bay, Jamaica  |  Nassau, Bahamas  |  Ocho Rios, Jamaica  |  Progreso, Mexico  |  Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico  |  Roatan, Honduras  |  San Juan, Puerto Rico  |  St. Thomas/Charlotte Amalie, USVI

*Please Note: These scheduled ports of call are not guaranteed as the cruise line may make changes to their itineraries due to weather or other reasons. 

MONEY MATTERS

CURRENCY

The currency of the United States is the US Dollar (USD) which is divided into 100 cents. It is printed on paper bills in the following denominations: $1, $2 (uncommon), $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. It also includes the following coins: 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), and 25¢ (quarter). There are 50¢ pieces and dollar coins but they aren’t common.

TIPPING

Although it’s not mandatory, tipping is customary in the United States and some service industries will expect a tip for a job well done. Visitors from outside the country may also be surprised at how much is tipped as it can be quite a bit more than in, for example, European countries.

RESTAURANTS: It is customary to offer your waiter or waitress a tip between 15-20% depending on the level of service they provided. Usually, you will find the service is very attentive (refilling your drinking, checking on your party etc.) but if the service isn’t great you can leave a smaller tip or even no tip. Typically service that doesn’t warrant a tip does warrant speaking with a manager to voice your dissatisfaction. If you are dining with a large group (usually 8 or more) the restaurant may add an 18% service charge to your bill automatically so check for this before you add your tip. This is usually indicated at the bottom of a menu if the restaurant does this, or it will be indicated on your bill.

BARS: A tip of 10-15% is appropriate at a bar. In some places, you’ll find a “tip jar” on the bar and others you can give the tip to your server directly.

TAXIS: A tip of 10-15% of your fare is customary, especially if your driver helps you with your luggage.

Paying with a credit or debit card is very common and in most restaurants, bars, and even taxis,  you’ll be able to add a tip to the total on the machine when you settle the bill if you don’t have cash. This is so common that many credit card machines now even have buttons with 15% / 18% / 20% on them so it will calculate the tip for you if you choose that option. You are always given the option to select the amount you’d like to tip, or you can opt not to put the tip on your card and give a cash tip instead.

BANKS & ATMS

Finding an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) will not be too difficult in New Orleans.  We’ve pinned several ATMs that are near the terminals to the map below.

Generally, in the US, you will find ATMs at banks (some may have drive-thru ATMs), in grocery stores, gas stations, and in pharmacies (of which two common ones are CVS and Walgreens).

GETTING AROUND NEW ORLEANS

Unless you’re planning to head outside the city to visit plantations or things like that you could get away without renting a car for a stay in New Orleans. The city is flat, with lots of great architecture, that makes walking and biking enjoyable – just do be prepared for the heat if visiting from late spring to early autumn.

One really great way to get around, that is much fun as it is practical, is to use the streetcars. There are five different lines that all run to the downtown area from different parts of the city. For fares (including one to multi-day passes) please click here.

For a journey that’s as fun as the destination, you could also take the Canal Street/Algiers Ferry that offers great views of the city from the Mississippi River. This will take you between Algiers Point, a historic neighbourhood, to the French Quarter. The cost is only $2 and is about a thirty-minute ride. Click here for a schedule.

Taxis are also plentiful, but for short distances, a pedicab might be a fun, environmentally friendly way to see the city. Many of the drivers are also licensed tour guides that might share some interesting stories and history with you on the ride.

NEW ORLEANS WEATHER

In general, you’ll find the summers are long, hot, and oppressive while the winters are short, cool, and windy. It is also wet and partly cloudy year-round.  The best times to visit New Orleans for warm-weather outdoor activities are from late March to mid-May and from late September to mid-November.

The hottest part of the year is from mid-May to mid-September with average daily high temperatures above 87°F (31°C). The cooler part of the year is the beginning of December to the end of February with average daily high temperatures below 69°F (21°C).

NEW ORLEANS VISITOR’S CENTER

The New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is a great place for even more, in-depth, information about many treasures found in New Orleans.

LOCATION: 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

PHONE: 1-504-566-5011 or toll-free in the USA 1-800-672-6124

HOURS OF OPERATION:  Please note hours may be seasonal and subject to change so best to give them a call before visiting to confirm they are open.

For the Official New Orleans Visitor’s Guide that includes coupons for dining, tours, museums, and more, click here to sign up to receive one by mail or instant download.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

With over 130 festivals a year, there is a celebration for everything and a very good chance that you’ll be able to join in the fun if you stay for a visit pre or post-cruise.

Undoubtedly the most famous of all of their festivals is Mardi Gras (held in February or March) where you can throw beads, watch the parade, and enjoy some king cake but for other festivals some ideas include:

Jazz & Heritage Festival (April-May) – Enjoy two weekends of every music genre from jazz and gospel to R&B and rock on the multiple stages at the festival.

Bastille Day (July 14) – On July 14, 1789, the prison fortress in Paris known as the Bastille was stormed which set of the French Revolution, an event that had an impact on France and its colonies, such as New Orleans. Today in the city’s historic Faubourg St. John neighbourhood this important date in history is commemorated.

Voodoo Music & Arts Experience (October) – Very much a part of New Orleans history and culture, this festival features music, interactive art, carnival rides, and Tarot card readings.

DINING

Dining in New Orleans is something you should definitely plan for in your agenda and budget because they have some absolutely delicious dishes here to try. With more than 1,000 places to eat in the city, you’re sure to find something to please everyone’s palate.

Some famous New Orleans restaurants you might want to try include:

Commander’s Palace Restaurant: Called the “quintessential New Orleans dining experience” they are loved by locals and visitors for their creole dishes, especially with shrimp or crawfish. The James Beard Foundation voted it the best restaurant in the whole of the United States in 1996. I’d say they know a thing or two about dining!

Gumbo Shop: Casual atmosphere to get all the New Orleans favourites – red beans and rice, shrimp Creole, jambalaya, and of course, gumbo!

Café du Monde: This is THE place to go for a snack while in town. They specialise in beignets which are a delicious doughnut-type thing served hot and drowning in powdered sugar. You can grab a table and stay for coffee or take a bag to go. Just be sure to get napkins as they are messy! 

SHOPPING

Making your first walk down Bourbon Street you may be inclined to believe New Orleans is all tourist shops selling cheap t-shirts and other souvenir type items but New Orleans does offer more if you are looking to do a little shopping before or after your cruise.

Magazine Street: Originally named for a warehouse that Spanish Governor Miro built to house Kentucky tobacco and other exports, this is the Garden District’s premier shopping street. It is lined with antique stores, art galleries, boutiques, and craft shops among the 19th-century brick storefronts and cottages.

Royal Street: For French Quarter architecture and Southern charm, Royal Street is a good choice. It’s only a block away from Bourbon Street, but lacks the party atmosphere and instead is home to family-owned antique shops and art galleries. For added enjoyment, you’ll be able to enjoy the street musicians and buskers that entertain day and night and visit some historic city landmarks.

MAP

The map below shows the points of interest mentioned above in relation to the cruise terminal.