We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
Louisiana · Mississippi River
The city of jazz and Mardi Gras, a streetcar ride from the ships.
Hear jazz in the French Quarter, eat beignets at Cafe du Monde and tour the National WWII Museum. Mardi Gras World, where parade floats are built, is a short walk from the ships.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
See History
Warehouse District
The port puts it a 5-minute cab ride from the terminals. It is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; adults pay $37 and seniors $34, with the USS Tang submarine experience included.
Plan Your Visit (opens a new tab)Unwind Riverfront
1 Canal Street, on the river
About half a mile from the Julia Street terminal at the edge of the French Quarter. It is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more than 3,600 animals from more than 250 species.
Visit the Aquarium (opens a new tab)Taste Beignets
French Market
Beignets and coffee at the original French Market stand, open since 1862, from 7:15 a.m. to 11 p.m. (midnight on Friday and Saturday). A second branch is in the Riverwalk, next to the terminals.
See Cafe du Monde Hours (opens a new tab)Explore Mardi Gras
Port of New Orleans Place
Kern Studios builds parade floats in this working float den. It is about 0.4 miles from the Erato Street terminal.
See Tour Times (opens a new tab)Skip the excursion desk
Ocean ships use two terminals side by side on the river, Erato Street and Julia Street, about 1 to 1.2 miles from Jackson Square. River ships use the Thalia and Orange Street wharves, farther from the French Quarter.
| Cruise line | Ships | Wharf | Distance to Jackson Square |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | All ships | Erato Street Wharf | About 1.2 miles |
| Royal Caribbean International | All ships | Julia Street Wharf | About 1 mile |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | All ships | Julia Street Wharf | About 1 mile |
| American Cruise Lines | River ships | Thalia Street Wharf | About 1.4 miles |
| Viking | Viking Mississippi | Orange Street Wharf | About 1.8 miles |
From the port's tentative schedule to April 2027. Terminals can change; your boarding pass shows yours. Source: Port NOLA vessel schedule.
Both terminals are on the Riverfront Streetcar line; Julia Street is the closer one to the French Quarter.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is about 13 miles west of the terminals in a straight line.
Carnival passengers park at the Erato Street Garage, on top of the terminal: $120 for 4 days, $135 for 5, $160 for 6 and $180 for 7. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean passengers park at the 100 Poydras Garage: $120 for 4 days, $135 for 5 and $180 for 7, with a free shuttle to the Julia Street terminal. Reserving adds $1 a day, but space is limited and the port recommends it. Both garages open at 9 a.m. and take cards only. Rates as the port listed them on 22 October 2026.
If you do one thing here
The one-hour guided tour walks you through the float den, with a 15-minute film and a slice of king cake. You can walk there from the terminals along Port of New Orleans Place.
Tours leave every 30 minutes, from 9:30 a.m. to the last at 4:30 p.m. A free shuttle runs from 10 pick-up points downtown. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mardi Gras Day.
New Orleans records far more crime per resident than Louisiana or the US. The rates count residents only, not the city's many visitors.
Crime figures: FBI Crime Data Explorer, calendar year 2023 (the latest year New Orleans reported; NOPD's own data pages show no newer citywide totals, checked 22 October 2026), New Orleans Police Department and Louisiana reporting agencies, per resident; our sums. The US rate is the FBI's own national rate. Walking distances: OpenStreetMap coordinates, straight line. Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 normals at New Orleans airport.
Make it part of your voyage
Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian sail from the two riverfront terminals, with river cruises from nearby wharves.
At the Erato Street and Julia Street cruise terminals on the Mississippi River, near the French Quarter. River ships use the Thalia and Orange Street wharves.
Carnival uses Erato Street. Norwegian and Royal Caribbean use Julia Street. American Cruise Lines uses Thalia Street and Viking uses Orange Street, per the port's schedule.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal is at 1100 Port of New Orleans Place. Julia Street Cruise Terminal is at 920 Port of New Orleans Place. Both are in New Orleans, LA 70130.
A taxi costs a flat $36 for one or two passengers, or $15 each for three or more; the terminals are inside the flat-fare zone. The RTA Airport Express 202 bus is $1.25 but stops at Union Passenger Terminal, not the cruise terminals.
The meter starts at $3.50 and adds 30 cents every 1/8 mile. Trips to or from a cruise ship, luggage included, are $14 for one passenger or $8 each for two or more, or the meter if higher. From the airport to the French Quarter is a flat $36 for one or two.
For a 7-day cruise, $180 at the Erato Street Garage (Carnival) or the 100 Poydras Garage (Norwegian and Royal Caribbean). Reserving adds $1 a day.
Yes, for Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. A free shuttle takes passengers and luggage from the 100 Poydras Garage to the Julia Street terminal.
Yes. Jackson Square is about 1 mile from the Julia Street terminal and 1.2 miles from Erato Street in a straight line, 20 to 25 minutes on foot. The Riverfront Streetcar from Julia Station is $1.25.
Recorded crime is above the Louisiana and US rates per resident. In 2023 the violent crime rate was 2.3 times Louisiana's and 3.5 times the US rate. The figures cover the whole city.
The port lists Mardi Gras World, the National WWII Museum, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, which has more than 60 stores.
Yes. An operator at the terminal handles luggage storage and transfer. Call 504-471-0080 for rates.
June 1 to November 30. An average season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
