Port NOLA Breaks Cruise Passenger Record
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), the sixth largest U.S. cruise port and the only port in the country that offers both ocean-going and river cruising, set a new record in 2024 with more than 1.2 million cruise passenger movements.
Port NOLA’s two cruise terminals at Erato Street and Julia Street are located within the heart of the city, steps away from the city’s French Quarter.
“We are grateful to our cruise and hospitality partners, including New Orleans & Company, for their role in helping Port NOLA achieve a record-breaking number of passengers,” said Port NOLA President & CEO Beth Branch. “These valued partnerships continue to drive strong demand and promising growth projections for both ocean-going and river cruising from Port NOLA. We look forward to building on this momentum for another successful year in 2025.”
Ninety percent of New Orleans cruise passengers travel from beyond Louisiana, with 70 percent of those guests spending one or two days in New Orleans either before or after their cruise, generating more than 300,000 hotel room nights and more than $125 million in local spending.
“Our team at New Orleans & Company works daily to ensure New Orleans remains a highly popular cruise destination for both travelers and the cruise lines,” said Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “We salute our partners at the Port of New Orleans for a second consecutive year of passenger growth. These results, like tourism, do not just happen. It is the result of innovative strategies and years of relationships.”
Among recent accomplishments, Carnival Cruise Line finalized a five-year agreement for two year-round vessels sailing from New Orleans and marked its 30th year of cruising from the city. Royal Caribbean returned with Brilliance of the Seas. Port NOLA offered sailings on six homeported river vessels, including from American Cruise Lines and Viking. Norwegian Cruise Line has signed a five-year agreement with the port.
Additional port calls are coming in 2025. On January 16, MSC’s luxury cruise ship, Explore II, made its inaugural call at Port NOLA. Later this year, Port NOLA will welcome P&O’s Ventura, a Carnival Corporation subsidiary, as well as SAGA Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery.
