NOLA Today, Nautical Tomorrow!
By: Maggie Ballantyne, Team Lead and Travel Advisor
July 8, 2025
Did you know you can cruise out of New Orleans? In March 2023, I sailed on the Disney Magic out of Port NOLA! While Disney is not currently sailing from this port, other cruise lines I love to book for my clients such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Viking, all sail out of Crescent City.
I highly recommend (and cruise lines will agree) that whenever you are cruising, you arrive in the city you are departing from at least one night early. The ships do not wait so if you experience delays due to weather, the airline, traffic, etc. you can miss your cruise. Arriving at least one night in advance ensures you have plenty of time to pivot your travel plans in an emergency and arrive at the port in time for embarkation. For my sailing, I arrived one day prior, and I fit as much as I could into 24 hours in the city. Looking back, I wish I had given myself more time. While this was a great preview of a city that was new to me, it was not enough time to see everything!
I stayed at the French Market Inn. As someone who often travels solo, I did stay here by myself and felt very safe and comfortable. I would stay here again, and I would feel comfortable recommending it to solo travelers or families. I noticed immediately that the public cannot access the lobby or courtyard without scanning a room key. Entrances on the property are for guests only. It felt very secure. The bellman was very helpful with controlling foot traffic and assisting with bags too!
Location wise, this hotel was close to everything I needed for my short stay. It was a short 20-minute ride away from the airport, a shorter 10-minute ride to the cruise port, and it is located on a very walkable street as its right in the heart of the French Quarter. I loved walking to get iced coffee from Cafe du Monde and bringing it back to enjoy in the courtyard. The courtyard is shaded with plenty of tables and chairs. If you don’t feel like walking, this location is also attached to a coffee shop of its own! I also took the time to walk over to Jackson Square and the French Market, both easy 5 – 10-minute walks depending on your pace.
With just 24 hours to explore and enjoy the city, I tried to accomplish as much as possible in a short period of time. Almost all the activities listed below were within walking distance of my hotel. I enjoy going for long walks especially when the sun is out, so this was enjoyable for me. The weather was perfect as I was traveling in early March. I can see during the summer months someone wanting to call an uber because of heat and humidity. If you need to uber, it is very easy and inexpensive.
Here are the highlights from my 24 hours:
I tasted Shrimp & Jalapeño Cheesy Grits and Shopped in the French Market. There are so many great food booths and vendors/shops! I met an artist and had a wire-wrapped ring made in the colors purple, green, and gold to commemorate my visit. I learned that each color represents something significant to Mardi Gars: purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.
I visited the Hotel Monteleone’s Carrousel Bar for a margarita and crab w/ corn beignets. The carrousel does slowly rotate while you are enjoying a drink. This is a VERY nice hotel and another great option for a pre-cruise stay that I recommend. If it is out of your budget, it is definitely worth visiting to enjoy a cocktail and appetizer.
I shopped on Royal Street. I loved talking with local artists and supporting their businesses. I loved that while I was walking around shopping there was a jazz musician on every corner.
I watched lots of street performers as I ate beignets and drank coffee at Café du Monde! Travel Tip: This is still cash only, so bring cash or stop by the ATM a block up if needed!
I passed thru Jackson Square and walked on the river.
I explored the Art of Dr. Suess Museum.
I enjoyed the BEST appetizer while people watching from the balcony of Tableau … Oyster Pan Roast: poached oysters, fried oysters, brie, ciabatta, cherry wood bacon, honey crisp apples, Herbsaint cream. I highly recommend a dinner reservation here and will definitely be back one day!
On the morning of my cruise, I grabbed a quick Uber from my hotel in the French Quarter to the port—super easy, with plenty of drivers available. That’s one of the perks of staying in such a central spot!
Port NOLA has a completely different vibe (and layout) compared to other cruise ports I’ve sailed from. Honestly, I really liked it! The cruise terminal is right next to The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, a convenient mall along the riverfront. My driver dropped me off at the mall entrance, and I decided to walk through it to reach the terminal. Not only did it give me a break from the early morning Louisiana humidity, but it was also a fun way to kill some time browsing shops while I waited for my port arrival window.
Getting to the cruise terminal from inside the mall was simple—there are elevators and escalators, so rolling your luggage through is no problem at all. Please note that depending on the cruise line we book for you, your terminal may differ slightly. I will provide you with information and recommendations specific to your sailing. The Port of New Orleans currently has two adjacent terminals for ocean cruises and river cruises sail out of two different wharfs.
There’s no shortage of things to see and do in New Orleans. If you choose to spend a day or two here before your cruise, you’ll get a taste of the city’s history, delicious food, and nonstop music scene—there is something for everyone. With the cruise port just minutes away, it’s the perfect excuse to kick your vacation off early. After all, you’re in New Orleans... why not let the good times roll?
When you are ready to cruise, I will be here to help! Please reach out at maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com. Not only will I help find the right itinerary and cruise line for you, but I will also help you prepare for your trip by securing pre-cruise stays, transfers, providing tips and tricks for a successful vacation and more at no extra cost to you. Learn more about my travels and recommendations at www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie.
All hotel and cruise bookings discussed in this blog were booked and purchased at a retail rate (pricing available to the general public).