6 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in New Orleans

There is probably no other city in the world quite like New Orleans. Perhaps it is the depth of its history, the influence of Creole culture, the music of jazz, or its unique Afro-Caribbean traditions that make it so unique and special.

It is one of the most visited cities in North America, a destination that attracts thousands of tourists every season, both from the local area and from all corners of the globe. As a result, upon arrival, there are hundredsof activities to see, do and enjoy, even on a short trip.

One of these activities is a vibrant cruise on the waters of the Mississippi, accompanied, if you can, by delicious food and good music. So, if you're ready to enjoy a cruise in New Orleans, keep reading the information I have for you today!

In the city of New Orleans, you will find an interesting historical cruise option. This takes passengers on a journey through 300 years of the city's history; an expert local guide narrates the most important historical aspects while showing the places that played a leading role in those events.

In addition to the guidance of an expert guide, a very striking aspect of this excursion is the length of the experience. The tour usually lasts only two hours, so it can be easily integrated into a short itinerary, even if you are only spending one day in New Orleans.

Please note that specific aspects of the experience may vary slightly depending on the company you book with. However, the options I am familiar with usually offer the historical tour at two different times every day, practically all year round. The first cruise departs at approximately 10 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

Drinks are usually offered, but you will have to pay an additional amount on top of the base fare and prove that you are of legal drinking age.

Useful information

• Price: From £39 for an adult ticket. Children aged 6 to 12 pay around £15 and children under 5 go free.
• Duration of the tour: The tour usually takes 2 hours to complete. Participants are generally asked to be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the agreed boarding time.
• Recommended if... You want to admire the city of New Orleans from a different perspective, as well as learn interesting historical details while observing the surrounding landscape.

Another excellent cruise option in New Orleans is the one that combines a tour of the Mississippi River. Cruises can depart from the French Quarter, so it may be a good idea to extend your excursion with a tour of the French Quarter before or after the cruise.

In addition to the tour, which narrates aspects of the city's history, this type of experience usually includes a lunch or brunch menu and a live music show, giving visitors the complete experience of the best of the city.

Please note that, depending on the company organising the experience, the brunch option may only be available on weekends. As for the food, it is usually an informal menu option, freshly prepared and served buffet style.

Entertainment includes live jazz musicians. Cruises usually depart between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to serve lunch during the trip.

Useful information

• Price: Adults pay approximately £45 for the experience, while children between 6 and 12 years old pay approximately £22 each.
• Duration of the excursion: You should allow approximately 2 hours for the tour. You must be at the port of embarkation half an hour before departure time.
• Recommended if... you are only going to be in the city for a few days, for example 3 days in New Orleans or less. This type of tour allows you to enjoy many of the activities most valued by visitors in a single experience.

If you've spent the day exploring the area around New Orleans, an excellent option for the evening is to hop on one of the many live jazz cruises that sail along the Mississippi River.

Sail along the river while enjoying the wonderful views of the city and the night-time landscape of New Orleans.

Always remember that the specific details of the experience may vary slightly depending on the company you book with. However, most of them usually offer drinks on board, which are not included in the ticket price.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best things to do in the city after sunset, and I recommend that my fellow travellers combine it, whenever possible, with a ghost tour of New Orleans or a tour of the city's cemeteries for a truly immersive experience!

Useful information

• Price: Adults pay around £45, children aged 6 to 12 pay £24 and children under 5 go free.
• Duration of the tour: You should allow approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes for the experience.
• Recommended if... You are looking for alternative night-time entertainment in the city. This tour is entertaining and very popular with travellers exploring the city, so you will meet other adventurers like yourself.

Another excellent option for things to do in New Orleans at night is to take a night cruise on the Mississippi River with the option of dinner and jazz music. This is a very popular activity that allows travellers to admire the beauty and charm of this magical city from the water.

Although the specific details may vary depending on the company you choose for your excursion, most night cruises usually depart from the French Quarter area at around 7pm.

Dinner is served on board the boat and is included in the price. You will enjoy a casual buffet-style meal featuring a variety of dishes, with an emphasis on local New Orleans cuisine.

If you are travelling to New Orleans in the summer, you will love taking this tour under the clear, starry sky and being outdoors during the cool nights of the warm months. Highly recommended!

Useful information

• Price: The cruise for adults costs around £89, while children under 12 pay around £40 each. The price includes dinner and some drinks.
• Duration of the excursion: You should allow around 2 hours and 30 minutes for the experience. Participants are generally asked to arrive at the meeting point half an hour before departure to board.
• Recommended if... you want to make the most of your time in New Orleans. Due to the time these tours take place, you can easily combine them with other daytime tours and activities to get the most out of your holiday.

If you are travelling to New Orleans with children, you may be interested in the VIP cruise, which includes, among other notable entertainment, a tour of the ship to see how it works.

If you book this type of experience, the adventure begins with a welcome drink for the group. The first officer himself takes charge of the tour and takes you on an exclusive tour of the engine room and other private areas of the ship.

Although it is an interesting experience for travellers of all ages, children enjoy this part of the excursion more than anyone else.

When it is time to set sail, you will move to an exclusive area where you will enjoy dinner or lunch accompanied by live jazz music.

Please note that this type of experience is for a small number of participants and takes place once or twice a day, depending on the company you book with.

If you want to enjoy this experience, I recommend booking in advance, especially if you are travelling during the busy tourist months of November or December.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from €150 per adult ticket. Many companies include the option of an open bar for an additional price.
• Duration of the excursion: You should allow around 3 hours for this excursion.
• Recommended: Yes. It is a great activity to do with children, but also if you have a special interest in this particular topic. Both children and adults can learn a lot about how boats work and then sail for two hours down the river.

When it comes to city tours in New Orleans, you'll find combined experiences designed to simplify your holiday planning. These experiences are offered by local tour operators who usually have several activities in their tour catalogue.

Perhaps one of the most interesting is the one that combines a traditional Mississippi River cruise with a guided tour of New Orleans, seeking to show the city from different angles and in different facets.

It is ideal if you are visiting the city for the first time and want to immerse yourself in everything New Orleans has to offer. You won't regret it!

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from £75 per adult ticket; children between 6 and 12 years old pay approximately £35.
• Duration of the excursion: The experience takes place in two phases: the cruise usually takes 2 hours to complete, while the walking tour of New Orleans can take around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Recommended if... you are looking for a way to save money on your holiday and avoid planning new activities. When comparing the experience as a whole, you generally save a small percentage compared to purchasing each tour separately.

Cruises in New Orleans are aboard steamboats, traditional vessels that, together with the jazz culture, transport your senses 100 years back in time to a period when life was different.

Like so many other cities in the world, New Orleans is a destination with a strong attachment to its nearby water sources. The Mississippi River and the swamps have shaped its history, traditions and most deeply rooted customs. If you really want to understand why you should try this type of experience, complement it with a tour of the New Orleans swamps.

New Orleans is a city with a favourable climate almost all year round, as its geographical location in the southern United States means it enjoys more tolerable winters, although it is true that summers tend to be very humid.

With this in mind, here are the best times of year to take a cruise in New Orleans.

• If you're going to New Orleans in summer... Try to take a night cruise if your itinerary allows it, as July nights in New Orleans are cool and ideal for this adventure, while the days are very hot.
• If you go to New Orleans in spring... This is possibly the best time to take a cruise on the Mississippi due to the pleasant weather. In addition , in April, New Orleans hosts some world-class music festivals.
• If you go to New Orleans in autumn... Another great season with pleasant weather and cool temperatures. As you might expect, October in New Orleans is one big party due to Halloween.
• If you go to New Orleans in winter... Possibly the worst time to take a cruise, especially in January in New Orleans, where there are usually many rainy days.