Let’s get this straight: cruises ships are a $21 billion industry in the U.S. That explains why almost 14.13 million Americans took a cruise in 2019 alone.
But what goes on behind-the-scenes on a cruise, anyway? Read on to see what working on a cruise ship is really like.
Do You Get Days Off Working on a Cruise Ship?
According to Brian David Bruns, who wrote the explosive tell-all Cruise Confidential, there are literally no days off when you are working on a cruise ship.
Although Bruns had never boarded a boat before he applied to become a waiter on a Carnival cruise ship, he never thought that life on a cruise ship would be so demanding.
What happens next is crazy: Bruns would be the first American waiter ever to finish his cruise ship contract with Carnival without throwing in the towel.
Bruns reveals that pay is minimal and he was constantly working at least 80 hours a week, which he places closer to 100 hours a week.
How do you adjust to such a long work week? Brun shares that it’s super hard to get used to working such long hours. At the same time, he also says that you barely have the time to think about your hectic schedule.
What’s it like to be an employee on a cruise ship? Believe it or not, there’s a lot of training involved before you’re ready to work full-time on a cruise ship.
That’s why it’s so important for new cruise ship staff to take training classes to set sail for their future careers. But here’s the kicker: the training period is over three months long depending on the cruise line.
During that time, they’ll learn about how to do their specific job on the ship through group activities.
Once they’re done training, cruise ship employees have to sign a lengthy contract, which can last for up to nine months. Of course, no days off includes holidays too!
However, if an employee is given a long contract, then they can usually take a two-month break or more to live their life on land. But it’s rare that any staff members even take this vacation!
Is Working on a Cruise Ship Hard?
In a nutshell: cruise ship work is actually really difficult. To be honest, it’s already hard enough to work at a restaurant on land. But at sea, it’s a whole other story.
In fact, most cruise ship servers have to take care of up to 30 diners at the exact same time. Plus, the kitchen is more than 100 yards away from the floor.
How do you get through a shift? Bruns dishes that you basically have to sprint to get through your shift. By the time that you clock out of work, it feels like you just left the battlefield.
No wonder why so many employees quit before they finish their contracts! Despite this fact, there have been cruise ship employees who lasted 10 years or more aboard the boat.
Plus, there’s room to get promoted too. Even though most staff members start out at the bottom of the ranks, they can move up as time goes on. Pro tip: employees that stick it out are guaranteed flexible contract and job security.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
That’s why a lot of family members choose to work together on the same cruise ships too. Want to know the best part?
As a cruise ship employee, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see the world as part of your job. In spite of this, staff members are only given a couple of hours per day to explore their new surroundings!
How do cruise ship employees deal with such a hectic job? Bruns says that a lot of cruise staff member use alcohol to keep their spirits up. Sometimes, employees would even party until the morning.
Get this: most cruise ships will actually give their employees free drinks after work too! Nevertheless, this sort of behavior starts to add up. The result? A much higher alcohol tolerance!
Do Cruise Ship Staff Date Each Other?
Here’s the deal: it’s highly likely for a cruise ship employee to date another staff member.
Surprisingly, there’s no risk of getting canned for dating a coworker when you work on a cruise ship. The only rule? A cruise ship employee is never allowed to date a cruise ship guest!
As long as you stick to the rules, many cruise ship workers have brief relationships with their fellow employees. Sometimes, these relationships last for months at a time.
But wait – there’s more. With so many cruise ship employees dating each other, some of them even end up getting married!
This is no secret to cruise ship companies, who actually allow married employees to work together on the exact same ship. Not to mention sharing a cruise ship cabin together too.
That being said, it’s very common for cruise ship employees to have two different relationships: one on sea and one on land.
Nonetheless, most cruise ship relationships can begin and end very quickly. Why? Since staff members don’t have any time away from their partner, it’s easy to get over the honeymoon phase!
Do Cruise Ship Employees Live on the Ship?
Since cruise ship employees work around the clock, they’ve got to live on the ship and adjust to cruise ship life. But that doesn’t mean that it’s the typical “room and board” experience.
Incredibly, many cruise ship employees share tiny cabins on the boat. Bruns claims that his room aboard the ship was so small, that he couldn’t even do a push up in it.
Imagine trying to get ready for the day at the same time as your bunkmate! That’s not all. When you work on a cruise ship, your roommates come from all around the world. Nonetheless, they usually don’t stay onboard the same ship for too long.
Amazingly, Bruns divulges that you could have a different bunkmate by the time that you finished one shift at work.
He continues that you can’t even tell who your roommate is anymore when the curtain is closed in your bunk! Although cruise ship employees live together, that doesn’t exactly mean that they’re all on the same level.
Incredibly, there’s a hierarchy of staff members at sea, with officers at the top of the list. That’s because they often receive the best meals, drinks, rooms, and outfits. They get more time off than regular staff members as well.
Yes, you read that right. As if that’s not enough, most officers don’t even talk to lower-ranking cruise ship workers. The proof?
Higher ranking cruise ship employees live on the higher floors of the boat, while employees with less clout have to live on the bottom levels of the ship. We’re not through yet.
Cruise ship employees even have to dine according to their ship ranking. That means that there are three different dining halls:
The officer’s mess hall
The employee’s mess hall
The crew’s mess hall
Crazy, right?
Do Cruise Ship Employees Get Free Food?
You might be wondering: do cruise ship employees get free food? Luckily, those that work aboard a cruise ship are guaranteed an endless supply of free food. As a matter of fact, there’s even a special kitchen that prepares the crew members’ meals.
What do cruise ship staff members eat while they work? Crew meals range from burger and fries to regional dishes from around the world.
Do cruise ship employees’ eat their guests’ leftover food? We can’t emphasize this enough: the staff members on a cruise ship never eat their guests’ leftover food. That’s because they have 24/7 access to all the food that they could ask for.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
What if a crew member is too busy to take a meal break? Fortunately, there are laws in place to make sure that every cruise ship employees get to take breaks for meals and snacks.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the food is tasty! Shockingly, lower-ranking cruise ship employees like waiter and bartenders are given the worst grub on the boat.
Some former cruise ship employees even disclose that they were given strange things to eat like rubbery chicken and stewed fish heads.
Still not convinced? Former cruise ship employee Ruthie Darling told Thrillest Magazine that the crew members were often offered chicken feet and pork knuckles for their meals!
The bottom line is mess halls for cruise ship employees are not for the faint of heart!
How Much Do Cruise Ship Employees Make?
This truth is most cruise ship employees are getting paid a lot of cash to put up with life at sea.
Astonishingly, Darling discloses that many cruise ship staff members get paid about $4,000 per month but that’s depending on the cruise line. To top it off, the standard paycheck comes in cold, hard cash. Not bad for not having any expenses to pay for!
The best part? Depending on where you come from, many cruise ship employees don’t even have to pay taxes on their income.
How is this possible? Because cruise ship workers make their money on international waters, which makes the laws a little blurry.
Naturally, a cruise ship employee’s cash starts to add up over time. Amazingly, some crew members are eventually able to save up enough money to buy their own homes!
What’s it Like to Work on a Cruise Ship?
In reality, it’s very lonely to be an employee on a cruise ship. Even though you’re surrounded by thousands of guest and coworkers, Bruns shares that it can still be an isolating experience.
It gets worse as Bruns calls his time working aboard the Carnival cruise ship as the loneliest he’s ever felt in his entire life.
Why does this matter? Because dozens of other cruise ship members are coming and going every couple of days. As a result, staff employees hardly know one another by the time that they finish out their contracts.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
How do you get used to such a high employee turnover? Bruns’ advice: you either work through it until the end of your contract or quit before your contract is up.
But there’s still hope. Bruns shares that it’s easier than ever to make friends with other cruise ship employees from all over the globe.
Although the ship travels all over the world, most cruise ship employees get to experience different cultures through the friendships they make with international workers.
Even though talking about religion and politics is normally frowned upon, that’s usually what most cruise ship workers spend their time talking about.
Incredibly, there can be up to 60 unique nationalities of cruise ship employees working on the same vessel!
Working on a Cruise Ship Is a Crazy Experience
Still curious about working on a cruise ship? Let us explain: most cruise ship members work every single day of the week. That includes holidays.
So, when they do have time off, they often make the most of it partying at the various crew bars aboard the ship.
To cope with all of the hard work, cruise ship employees usually form tightknit relationship and friendships with one another.
But with such a high turnover, it’s very hard to keep in touch with all your newfound friends. That doesn’t stop some cruise ship workers from getting married to each other though!
It’s also common for entire families to work aboard the same cruise ship. However, most people quit before their contract is up. If you can stick it out, it’s worth it for the crazy experience!
You are in luck if you are cruising to this tropical gem of Kauai, Hawaii. There are plenty of things to do in such as hiking canyons and rugged mountains. Viewing gorgeous waterfalls and landscapes. Or exploring the only navigable river in Hawaii and of course exploring the local’s culture and food.
Rightly named as the Garden Isle, this
island is covered with lush jungles, deep valleys, rugged mountains, and
stunning beaches.
It’s no wonder all major cruise lines make a stop here, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Princess.
As you can see, a visit to this island
means lots of activities and fun. But to get the most out of your short stop
here, you must plan wisely. Hopefully, this list of 30 things to do in
Nawiliwili, Kauai, helps you achieve just that.
Where is Nawiliwili (Kauai), Hawaii?
Nawiliwili named so after the wiliwili
trees that used to line its harbor is Kauai’s main harbor. It is located 1.9 miles southeast of
Lihue, Kauai’s main town, on the Island’s Northwestern side. Discovered in 1778
by Captain James Cook as Kauai’s heart, it’s the island’s cultural center.
Lying at the mouth of Hule’ia Stream,
Nawiliwili is a fishermen’s bay that used to be the island’s main source of
livelihood over 300 years ago.
Kauai Port Information
Cruise ships dock at Nawiliwili Harbor, Southeast of the island. Out of all the ships that dock on this island, NCL’s Pride of America is the only one allowed to dock for over 24 hours. The rest can only dock daily within sunrise and sunset.
There are two beaches near the port, Nawiliwili
and Niumalu beach park. Head north of the port, to find the popular Kalapaki
Beach which is located near the Marriott resort. A vibrant resort area with shops
and restaurants.
A block away from Nawiliwili is the
Aloha Center, which also features restaurants, art studios, and souvenir
stores. This is the go-to place for booking helicopter tours.
The Top Things to Do in Kauai
The best way to explore Kauai is on a road trip. There are car rental places in town. Free shuttles from the port drop you off at the car rental agencies. Or in the shopping district, which features stores such as Walmart, Hilo Hattie’s, Kmart, and others. Let’s take a look at what you can do during a cruise ship port of call.
1. Drive to Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” is one of Kauai’s most popular attractions. Waimea meaning reddish water draws its name from the canyon’s red soil. It is found on Waimea Canyon drive, Southwest of Kauai.
The 10-mile long and 3000 feet deep canyon
is covered with green vegetation, brown and red soil, complimented by red dirty
waterfalls.
Stop at the PuuKa Pele and Puu Hinahina lookout points to enjoy spectacular views of deep valley gorges, rough crags, ocean, and mountains. Hike the popular Canyon trail which branches off cliff trail. It will take you roughly 2-3 hours to hike the 3.4-mile roundtrip.
Some of the highlights on this trail
include the 800 ft Waipio falls. Another highlight is on the Northern Coast
where you will find the Kalalau overlook and Kokee State Park.
2. Visit Kauai Coffee Plantation
Kauai Coffee Plantation is the largest coffee farm in the United States. The plantation has over 4 million coffee trees, planted on 3100 acres making it produce more than half of Hawaiian coffee.
You can take a self or guided tour of
the plantation to learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted. Then
sample all the flavors of coffee brewed in this farm. With a chance to buy
whatever you liked most at the end of the sampling.
Kauai coffee plantation located southwest of Kauai, on the way to Waimea, or Kokee State Park. This plantation is a nice place to stop by, learn about coffee and sample some. The plantation’s gorgeous views alone are worth a visit. The coffee plantation charges a fee of about $60 to tour the plantation.
3. Taste Local food
Kauai has some of the best Hawaiian traditional dishes. Try out Poi a staple food in Kauai, poke, Lomilomi Salmon, Loco moco, or the Kalua pig cooked overnight in an earthen oven. Not forgetting Spam musubi, and Saimin, the most popular comfort food on the island.
You can find these foods in most restaurants on the island. Some popular restaurants near Nawiliwili include Duke’s Kauai, Gaylord at Kilohana, NOM Kauai, Hamura Saimin Stand, and others. With the number of activities available in Kauai, you are bound to get hungry.
4. Check Out the Menehune Fishpond
Menehune Fishpond, also known as Alekoko Fishpond is a freshwater pond that cuts across a portion of Huleia river. It is believed that the fishpond was built in one night by the Menehune people. Menehune are mythical Hawaiian people, believed to be very little in stature and sort of mischievous.
You can view the fishpond from Alekoko
Scenic Overlook on Hulemalu road. This fishpond can also be explored with a
kayak. Note, however, you can only kayak past the entrance of the fishpond but
not into the refuge.
The pond is located near Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, half a mile away from Nawiliwili harbor. You can take a look at the tour here.
Wailua River State Park is a lush valley that is best known for Wailua River, Hawaii’s only navigable river. This river is the beginning of many adventures on the island. You can go river tubing, kayaking, motor boating or waterskiing on it. This park is located at Kapaa, the eastern side of Kauai.
Wailua River, Kauai
Other than adrenaline-pumping activities, you
can hike to two breathtaking waterfalls found along the river. The Wailua and
Opaeka’a waterfalls make Wailua state park a very popular attraction on the
island.
Another highlight of the river is the geological wonder of the fern grotto cave. Stop at the amphitheater looking cave and take some snaps. In the end, you can enjoy a riverside picnic and buy gifts at their gift shop.
6. Visit
Kamokila Village
If you have time to spare or are a history buff. Then a visit to the traditional Kamokila Hawaiian Village will round up the trip to Wailua River nicely. This 4-acre village is an open-air museum where you can learn about the different traditions, rituals, and lifestyles of the ancient Hawaiians. Find out more details here.
7. Spot the Sleeping Giant
Can you spot the sleeping giant? Located on
the west side of both Wailua and Kapaa towns, Nounou mountains are famous for
the sleeping giant. A shape of a man lying on his back on the mountain’s crest
is what gives rise to the name of the site.
There are two hike trails to the top of Nounou
mountains, the east, and the west trails. The east is more hiked and easier
than the shorter but steeper west trail.
Though a somewhat challenging hike, it’s well
worth it for the rewarding 360-degree views at the top. It takes an average of
2.5 hours to hike this mountain and there is plenty of parking.
8. Observe the Spouting Horn
One of the most photographed sites in Kauai is the Spouting Horn. It is a blowhole that was formed by years of wave action on the coastline’s lava rock shelf.
Water spouts out of a narrow opening above the
rugged lava rock coastline. This can spout as high as 50 feet into the air.
Producing a hissing and roaring sound in the process.
There is an interesting story behind the sounds made by the blowhole. According to legend, a giant lizard used to protect the area. It was one day tricked by a young boy to enter a narrow tube, where it got stuck. The breathing and hissing of the lizard are what is believed to be the roaring sound of the spouting horn today.
Spouting Horn, Kauai
The spouting horn is located on Kauai’s
southern coast in Koloa district on Lawai road. It has ample parking and is
easily accessible from the parking lot. There are vendors in the area too. You
can grab a souvenir or two to remember the place by.
You can spot whales on the drive from Poipu
during their season from December to April.
9. Shopping in Kauai
Kauai has as diverse a shopping arena as it’s landscape. There are many shopping outlets strewn all over the island. Which means that whichever side of the island you fancy to explore, you will get something to remember the place by.
Shopping centers near Nawiliwili, include
Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Kilohan, coconut coast, and others. You can get
plenty of souvenirs, clothing and personal effects from these shopping areas.
Get an aloha shirt, jewelry, Kauai crafts and ceramics from any of these
places. Some shopping malls like Anchor Cove even offer a free trolley for cruisers.
10. Polihale State Park
Visit the northernmost park on Kauai’s west side. Polihale State Park is a must-visit place while in Kauai. This remote beach marks the end of the northern beaches as it’s bordered by the rugged Na Pali Coast to the north.
Polihale is the largest beach on the
island, featuring sand dunes of over 100 feet high. This is a great place to
enjoy sunrises and sunsets, a good tan or a picnic. The waters of the beach are
not safe for swimming, snorkeling or surfing except at the western edge in the
Queen’s pond.
Enjoy incredible views of the Na Pali
ridges and views of Niihau (the forbidden island) on the horizon.
A 4-wheel-drive is required to visit
this beautiful park. The 5-mile long
dirt road, that leads to the park is difficult to drive on when wet, with some
areas spotting deep sand.
This hidden park is located off
Kaumuali’i highway south of Kauai. Remember to carry water and food, there are
no restaurants nearby.
11. Cool off with Shave Ice
Shave Ice is a popular Hawaiian dessert made up of ice in the form of snow with syrup and toppings. This sweet treat was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants who came to work in sugar plantations.
Some of the best spots to grab this treat include Rip Tides Shave Ice and Snack in Lawai, Wailua Shave Ice in Old Kapaa Town, Fresh Shave in Kalaheo, Waikomo Shave Ice in Poipu, Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei, Ono Shave Ice in Kapaa Town and Shave Ice Paradise in North shore.
These places serve different types of ice like fine shave ice, classic flavors, tropical syrup, organic syrup and some with chunkier consistency. After a long day in the heat, shave ice is a tasty way to cool off.
12. Go to Makauwahi Cave Reserve
Makauwahi Cave Reserve is the largest limestone cave in Hawaii. This site is important to archaeologists, geologists, and paleontologists due to its abundance of fossils.
The cave is entered through a narrow opening where you have to crawl to get into the cave. Inside the cave is a brightly lit circular opening. The circle opening is surrounded by fossil-rich sedimentary rock that is the basis of archaeological explorations.
Located in Kalaheo, this 17-acre living museum
preserves extinct Hawaiian native plants and animal species.
It’s a great place to learn thousands of years of history, some dating back to before human colonization of the Hawaiian Islands. The cave is also a nature reserve with plenty of native flora, a turtle habitat, and a sanctuary for many rare species.
Take a guided tour of the caves, which run from 10 am to 4 pm daily. There is no cost to enter the museum but they accept donations.
13. Visit Kauai Beaches
Kauai has some of the best beaches in Hawaii and they are all unique in their own way. Some of the closest beaches to the cruise port include Kalapaki, Niumalu, and Hanamaulu beach parks.
Kalapaki Beach
Kalapaki is actually one of the most popular beaches on the island and one of the safest to swim in. It is protected from the ocean by a breakwater. You can swim, snorkel, and surf on this beach.
However, if you are looking for nicer secluded beaches, you should move away from the port further north or south. Some great beaches on these ends of the island include Poipu, Tunnel, and Ke’e Beach.
14. Explore Kauai Museum
Kauai, Hawaii’s oldest island, is rich in history. Kauai Museum showcases the island’s natural history in the Wilcox Building and a two-story lava rock structure.
The museum features exhibitions, artifacts,
interactive displays, and old photographs. The best way to experience this gem
is through a guided tour. However, a DIY tour is also allowed and the exhibits
showcase detailed descriptions, making it easy to learn.
You can also watch a film and learn about the geological formation of Hawaii Island, Captain Cook’s period, and the Hawaiian Monarchy.
The gift shop at the museum has interesting
souvenirs and books. For an entry fee of only $15, a visit to this museum is
highly recommended.
15. Visit the Kauai Plantation Heritage Railway
Sugarcane farming is an important history in Kauai. Back in the day, it’s was the island’s number one economic activity. There are still hundreds of acres of sugarcane plantations on the island today.
To preserve the rich history and heritage of
these plantations, the Kauai Plantation Heritage Railway was built. This railway cuts through the main sugar
plantations of the island.
Set in an old-fashioned-mahogany-made train,
the heritage tour of the plantations is one of the most interesting things to
do on the island.
There are two heritage railways in the island
These are Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum and Kauai Plantation Railway
Kilohana. Both located on Kaumualii
Highway, Lihue.
These heritage tours feature narrated history
by the train’s conductor, riding through acres of plantations and orchards.
With brief stops to enjoy the views, feed pigs, sheep, and goats.
At the Grove Farm, you get to tour the old
Wilcox home of the wealthy family that owned the plantation. A lot of
interesting history to learn here. The home and surrounding buildings are
maintained in their original state.
16. Kokee State Park
Kokee State Park is a 4,345-acre plateau, roughly 4200 ft above sea level. The stunning park is located northwest of Kauai, just beyond Waimea Canyon is known for its hiking trails and flourishing vegetation. With over 45 miles of hiking trails cutting and winding through the park’s forests, a visit to Kokee makes for a great day in port.
Hike up to Waimea Canyon view and Kalalau lookout point. Enjoy the incredible views and take advantage of the photo ops. Other popular trails include Awaawapuhi trail and Nualolo trail. These trails take you 3000 feet above sea level for gorgeous views of the adjacent valleys and cliffs.
Kokee State Park
Other than hiking, you can enjoy one of the many park festivities, such as the Queen Emma Festival held every October. Or weave things out of banana vines collected from the banana poka plants.
Kokee also has a natural history museum that provides more information about the park. This is the best place to get an overview of the landscape. Park facilities such as restrooms and picnic areas are available. Kokee has a $5 to $ 40 parking fee.
17.Cycle
at The Kapaa Bike Path
Kapaa Bike Path is also known as” Ke Ala Hele Mekalae” which means a path that goes by the coast is one of Kauai’s most popular attractions.
The 7-8-mile-long path starts at Lihi Park in Kapaa and ends at Ahihi Point. This paved path winds along the coast and makes for a beautiful walk or ride. Mostly used by bikers, the path is also available for walkers, joggers, roller bladers, strollers, and skaters.
Rent a bike and go bike riding along this
famous Kauai bike path. Along the path are restaurants like the Kapaa Food
Truck Court. Enjoy the food, the gentle breezes, and the scenic views on the
horizon. You can also spot whales breaching here during
winter and late fall.
18. Kayaking Adventures
Kauai has the only navigable rivers in Hawaii, making kayaking on this island a delight. One of the most popular kayak adventures takes place on Wailua River.
However, there are many other kayak adventures
and the one on Hule’ia river is exceptional. It gives you a chance to see waterfalls
and fern-covered valleys.
Enjoy a 2-mile downwind paddle on the Hule’ia
river. At the river’s shallow water, you will be required to tie your Kayaks.
And take a short hike through the lush fern-covered jungle trail to a waterfall
and pool.
You can cool off in the swimming hole beneath
the waterfall or enjoy the rope swing. In the end, enjoy a picnic lunch at the waterfall.
Then head back in a relaxed atmosphere as a motorized canoe takes you back.
19. Explore National Tropical Botanical Garden
You cannot visit one of Hawaii’s lushest islands and not explore its flora. Kauai has a National Tropical Botanical Garden. A not-for-profit organization that collects, studies, and preserves native and exotic plant species in Kauai and Florida.
What this organization has done, is to create beautiful
botanical gardens in the south shore of the island. The McBryde and Allerton
gardens located next to each other in the Lawa’i valley are simply
breathtaking.
McBryde Garden is more of a conservation research area. It has the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian native plants. You can take a self-guided tour to explore Hawaiian native plants. Take a biodiversity trail that explains the evolution of plants from 450 years ago.
Allerton Garden, on the other hand, is a landscape architecture masterpiece that is named as one of the’ 50 places to see in a lifetime’ by the National Geographic Traveler. Take a guided tour of the beautiful gardens. Explore its exquisite architecture and interesting water features. All the while, exploring bright, scented flowers in the garden. You are guaranteed to come out with some pretty instagram worthy photos.
20. Take a Helicopter Tour
Kauai’s dramatic landscape is best seen on a helicopter tour. In fact, this is a must-do while in Kauai, because it’s the only way someone with limited time on the port can see all the island’s highlights in a short time.
Another reason to take this tour is that it
takes you to places that are otherwise inaccessible by foot or car. A helicopter
tour takes you around the island. To the mountains, Waimea Canyon, the scenic
Na Pali coast, along the coastlines through the valleys and above dormant
volcanoes like Mount Waialeale.
The best time to take a Kauai helicopter tour is in the morning when the weather is calm or during the day for the best lighting. It’s recommended to choose a doorless experience as opposed to a closed aircraft, for the best views and photos. Most of the tours last 60-90 minutes long and the charges vary from $190 to $350.
21. Go Ziplining
Fly over valleys, descend down mountainsides or glide over tropical forests, it’s your pick. A ziplining adventure in Kauai will offer these and much more.
Kauai, aptly named the Garden Isle, is not short of beautiful landscapes and amazing ecosystems. A zipline adventure is a great way of checking out the island’s highlights from a bird’s-eye view. Experience a rush of adrenaline as you zoom past mountains, waterfalls, and over forest canopies.
There are several ziplining adventure
companies in Kauai and they all have something for everyone. Of course, they
take safety very seriously and in some of these companies you can even combine
ziplining with kayaking.
22. Cruise Through the Tree Tunnel
On your way to Kauai’s south shore, to Koloa and Poipu, you’ll get a chance to drive through one of the most scenic highways on the island. The tree tunnel is the eucalyptus-lined Maliuhi Road, otherwise known as the gateway to the south.
Tree Tunnel, Kauai
The eucalyptus trees that line the road on
each side, touch at the top creating an archway. A mesmerizing tunnel that
looks like a drive from the movies.
The Tree Tunnel is also known as Highway 520.
It’s 3-mile long and accessed off highway 50 from Lihue. The eucalyptus trees
were planted in 1911 by a pineapple baron. They are 500 in number and have
survived hurricanes before.
23. Kauai Waterfall Off-Road Adventure
Kauai is a land of waterfalls. As
such, there are many adventures tailor-made to explore these beautiful nature
surprises and one of the most recommended is the Kauai Waterfall Off-Road
Adventure.
The Kauai Waterfall Off-Road Adventure is a 23-mile off-roading adventure that takes about 4 hours to complete. The ATV tour begins near old Koloa sugar mill and goes through lush tropical forest and the historic half-mile long cane haul tunnel. The tour has a brief stop at famous movie
sites, great for photography.
This ATV tour also doubles up as a
history tour. It goes to the mountains where you can see World War 2 bunkers
and learn about their history.
At the end of the adventure, you can cool
off at the Kahili waterfall. Then enjoy a picnic lunch. Remember to carry your
swimsuit, towel, and water-friendly shoes. The tour will provide the other needed
equipment.
24. Go on a Tubing Adventure
Go on the Kauai tube flumes adventure.
The Tube Flumes on the island are 5 tunnels that once irrigated acres of the sugar
plantation. Located deep in the green heart of the island is the site of this
adventure.
You will take a four-wheel drive tour
through Kauai inland up to Lihue plantation.
When you arrive at the launch site you
will be briefed about safety and issued with the safety equipment. Then start
your tubing adventure. Relax and enjoy as you float down several open channels
and tunnels that used to irrigate the plantations.
Wonder at the engineering prowess of ancient Hawaiians, who created these flumes in 1870. Hand-digging the canals you see on site.
At the end of your adventure, you will have a tasty picnic lunch and an opportunity to swim in the natural pool that is nearby. This once in a lifetime adventure costs around $116.
25. Ninini Point Lighthouse
A quick stop from the cruise port is the Ninini Point light House which was built in 1906.
The white tall structure is hard to miss as it stands tall at the end of a cliff north of Nawiliwili. This is a tranquil place to just relax, enjoy the views, and take in the ocean’s breeze. Though, the lighthouse’s inside is off-limits, it’s grounds offer a 180-degree view of the surroundings.
Ninini Point Lighthouse
Ninini Point is a lovely place to have a picnic. Lie on the warm lava rocks and watch planes and boats come and go. You can spot whales from this point during winter or late fall. While you are there, take a short walk on the shoreline and check out the outstanding views of the Bays.
26. Horseback Tour
Take a horseback tour to explore Kauai. This type of tour will take you through sugarcane plantations, waterfalls, streams, across foothills, past secluded beaches, and bays. Or towards the coast, along bluffs, and botanical gardens.
Some of these tours will include stopovers to
have picnics, swim, take photos, and soak in the views. There are a variety of horseback tours on the island. You can choose any horseback tour ranging from short to lengthy tours. Or from gentle to strenuous depending on your needs. This guided tour will take about 2 to 5 hours.
27. Kauai Movie Tour
The beautiful landscapes of Hawaii have long been Hollywood’s go-to place for shooting high profile adventure movies. Luckily, you can explore these sites on a movie tour while in Kauai.
Visit movies sites of Hollywood films and TV
shows such as “Jurassic Park”, The Lost World, Six days and seven nights,
Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasy Island, Lilo and Stich, and many others.
There are several movie tour companies. Offering a range of experiences but the most common is watching movie scenes at the exact location they were filmed at. Other than this, the guides give interesting information about the movies and the actors along the way.
27. Take a Photography Tour
Explore Kauai through a camera with a tour which is perfect for photographers. In this tour, you will be taken to picturesque spots and the less-seen and less-photographed areas of Kauai. You will be guided to the best angles and techniques to maximize the quality of your photos.
In these tours, you take photos while on a
drive, hike, walk, private or even honeymoon tour. You can buy or rent a camera
and photography tools that will enhance your photographs.
You can also buy photos from the camera shop.
All photo tours are guided by experienced personnel Kauai photographers. Carry
with you, your Kauai memories.
29.
Explore Na Pali Coast
If you can only do one thing in Kauai, then visiting the Na Pali coast is a must. This 17-mile long coast features sharp rugged mountain ridges, valleys, cascading waterfalls, sea caves, and beautiful tropical beaches. The most inviting thing is perhaps the colors of this mountainous coast. The deep green, with specs of brown against the turquoise blue of the ocean, is in itself an attraction enough.
Na Pali Coast
Na Pali Coast is one of the most difficult coasts to access. You can explore the coast by boat, hiking through treacherous trails or by air. Boat tours can take up to 6 hours. But its all worth it, for the incredible views and features of this majestic coast. Visiting the Na Pali coast is a must-do. Bring your camera, trust us – you will thank us later.
30.
Visit Hanalei Valley
Discover where most of Kauai’s famous taro plant comes from
on a visit to the Hanalei Valley, on the island’s north shore. The valley is
located in Princeville area off of Highway 56.
Look for the Hanalei Valley Lookout, a pull off the road. This is one of the most
photographed sites in all of Kauai. And you will get to see why, when you
visit.
The views of the valley below covered with taro pads flanked
by lush mountains in the background are worth the trip there.
Best Time to Travel to Nawiliwili, Kauai
The best time to visit Kauai is simply anytime. The weather on the island remains relatively stable all throughout the year.
The winter season runs from November to
Mid-April. This is usually the high peak season and also the wettest. But
that’s what keeps this island lush, so it’s a good thing.
Peak season runs from June to August, it’s good for activities but also crowdy. Low season runs from April to June and September to mid-December. This is considered the best time to visit the island in terms of good weather. It’s also cheaper and less crowded. The island experiences highs of 80 during summer and lows of 60 during winter.
There
you have it, 30 things to do in Kauai, Hawaii During a Cruise. As mentioned,
Kauai is a beautiful green island, probably the most popular of the Hawaii
islands. There is plenty to do and this list is not nearly exhaustive. Just
take your time, plan well, and book your adventures in advance.
Carnival has finalized an agreement to build a new cruise port in the located on Grand Bahama Island near Freeport.
Carnival to Build New Cruise Port Near Freeport
The cruise company which owns some of the world’s major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America has completed an agreement to build a major cruise port on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas which is expected to cost the cruise company around $100 million.
The news was announced by Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis on Monday and according to the Cayman Compass.
The plan for a new major cruise port on the island has been in the works for some time but only now an agreement has been completed. The future port is expected to bring around 1,000 jobs which will, in turn, push up the economy.
The port is set to be one of the largest in the world and a major hub of cruise activity for all Carnival Corporation’s owned cruise brands. It is expected to feature two berths for any mega cruise ship on order, including the new generation Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) powered vessel, which Carnival has on order.
There has been good support for the project according to the Prime Minister, and it will help local Taxi operators and businesses. Environmental groups are also not in opposition to the future cruise port. There could be more than 1 million cruise ship passengers visiting the port annually.
No specific details about the port have yet been revealed but the cruise company has confirmed more details are coming soon. We should be able to know more about the completion dates and what will be part of the overall development which is to be much more than a port.
The port will be located near Freeport, a current port that cruise lines use. Near that is the popular Grand Bahama shipyard which is used for many cruise ship dry docks. Freeport is located just 110 miles from the Miami coast.
Carnival along with several other major cruise lines is also included in a new port development at Grand Cayman, the much-apposed project has been given the go-ahead. The nearby Nassau cruise port is also set for a major new development by Global Ports Holdings, more details and renderings are right here.
Figuring out how to get to the New Orleans cruise port terminal doesn’t have to be a difficult decision. It all boils down to where you are coming from, how many people you are traveling with, and how much money you are willing to spend to get you and your group there.
You do want to take into account what the traffic and weather could be like, and how that will affect your traveling plans. New Orleans is a bright and busy city, and the traffic around the airport and cruise terminal can get a little testy, especially if you’re new to the area.
Below we’ve compiled everything you need to know about how to get to the New Orleans cruise terminal. This includes travel tips, transportation options, and various costs that you should consider.
Address & Directions
First, address and directions. If you’re driving your own
car, a rental, or paying someone to drive you, you will at least need to know
where the terminal is located and a basic of idea of how to get there.
The New Orleans Cruise Terminal is located on the
Mississippi River, close to the center of New Orleans. It is near both The
French Quarter and the Garden District of New Orleans.
The airport closest to the New Orleans cruise port is the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Driving from the airport to the cruise port will take anywhere between 25-40 minutes, depending on how bad traffic is.
Directions from the airport to the cruise terminal:
Exit the airport and follow signs for I-10 East
Take exit 234A to U.S. 90 W
Take exit 11C to Tchoupitoulas. This is the last exit before crossing the Mississippi River, so if you cross the river you went too far.
Follow the ramp down, and turn right onto Tchoupitoulas Street
Turn left onto Henderson Street
Proceed 2 blocks, then turn left onto Port of New Orleans Place (after the railroad tracks)
You’ll come up to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal first. The Julia Street Cruise Terminal is just beyond that.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal (Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line)
Located at 1100 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA
70130, Erato Street Cruise Terminal is the first one you’ll see when arriving
at the port. If this is your terminal, there is no need to go any further.
The parking garage is located on top of the terminal, and there is an access ramp to get there just beyond the terminal drop-off area. Parking is $20 per day from August 1st through March 31st and $22 from April 1st through July 31st.
Inside the terminal you will find check-in kiosks, a spacious waiting area, baggage area, an elevated loading ramp, customs, and a souvenir shop.
If your cruise is shipping from the Julia Street Cruise
Terminal (Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruises only), the address you’ll need
is 920 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130.
Parking is available at the adjacent lot, and it costs $20
per day year round. The parking lot is secured, lit, and patrolled 24/7 by
security guards.
Inside the terminal are check-in desks, ATMs, souvenir
stands, a refreshment stand, elevated loading ramp, and a baggage area.
Additional Parking Information
The cruise terminal does also provide parking for oversized
vehicles like RVs or buses. This lot is located behind the Julia Street
Terminal Parking lot, and is $40 per day.
Parking right at the port is probably the most convenient option, but if you’d rather spend a little less on parking, we recommend security a spot through either New Orleans Parking ($10 or $12.50 per day) or New Orleans Cruise Ship Parking ($14 per day). You’ll still be super close to the port, you’ll get a shuttle from the parking lot to your cruise terminal, and you’ll save money on parking costs.
Renting a Car
After flying into New Orleans, probably the easiest way to travel to the cruise terminal is by renting a car. You don’t have to worry about waiting for someone to come pick you up, worry if they’ll help you with your luggage or not, and you’ll have full control over your drive. Renting a car can also be a great option if you’re traveling with your family and just want to keep things as simple as possible.
The only downside is that renting a car can also be the most
expensive travel option from the airport to the cruise port.
After your flight lands, make your way over to the airport’s
rental car facility, located just outside the West Terminal Baggage Claim area,
and is within walking distance from all concourses.
For renting a car that will take you to the New Orleans
Cruise Terminal, you will want to choose one of four options: Enterprise,
Hertz, Avis, or Budget. These are the only rental car companies located near
the cruise terminal.
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to car rental prices
is that whether you have a car for just an hour or two, or a full 24 hour
period, you will be paying the same price. So, to get the most out of your car
rental, we recommend arriving at least a day before your ship leaves.
Also, the New Orleans airport is a high demand area when it
comes to obtaining a rental car, so you should book your car in advance to
avoid any issues.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise is one of the most popular rental car companies around, and as such there are more than a dozen locations in and around New Orleans. The one that is closest to the cruise port is on 1019 Baronne Street, New Orleans, LA 70113, and their phone number is 504-593-9068.
Prices are going to vary depending on the time of year you
are traveling and the type of car you choose. Be prepared to spend anywhere
between $80 and $120, including taxes and fees.
Hertz
Hertz has a location in New Orleans that is literally within walking distance of the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. Located at 901 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130. Drop your car off here and then simply walk to your terminal if you wish. If you have a lot of luggage, though, you should be able to call a cab or Uber easily enough to drop you off at your terminal.
Once again costs will vary. Including fees you may be
looking at a total cost of $100 and up.
Avis Rent-A-Car
If Julia Street is your terminal, Avis is a good choice as they have an office at 2 Poydras Street, just down the road from the Julia Street Cruise Terminal.
Avis is also the cheapest option so far, compared to Enterprise and Hertz. Including taxes and fees, the total cost for our estimate came out to $60.59. As with the others, prices can vary depending on the time of year. However, if you’re not looking to spend a fortune on a rental car, Avis would be an excellent choice.
Budget Rent-A-Car
The Budget location by the cruise terminal is actually in
the same building as Avis, at 2 Poydras Street. You can easily walk to either
cruise terminal from here, or get on the light rail streetcar at the Poydras
Street stop and take that directly to Julia Street.
Budget is just a little bit cheaper than even Avis, and give
you the option to prepay online and save money. The only prepay price we found
for an economy car, including taxes and fees, was $52.10 ($56.79 to pay at
pickup).
Taxis
Getting a taxi to take you where you need to go is probably
one of the most common modes of travel between the airport and the cruise
terminal.
And the best thing is you can pick one up right as soon as
you land. No need to book ahead a time or call anyone. Just make your way to the
taxicab booths, which are located outside of baggage belts 1 and 14. Depending
on how busy it is, you may have to wait in line to get a taxicab.
The cost for a taxi from the airport to the cruise terminal
will be $36 for up to 2 passengers, including luggage. If you have 3 or more
needing a ride in the taxi, you’ll be paying about $15 per person.
Rideshare Options
Taxis may be the most convenient way to travel from the
airport, but it can be a bit expensive when compared to ridesharing options
like Uber or Lyft.
The beauty of getting a ride with Uber or Lyft, is that you
just have to download the app to your smartphone and book a ride through there.
New Orleans and the airport is a busy enough area that you will have no problem
finding a ride.
The minimum cost for an Uber from the airport to the New
Orleans Cruise Terminal is $34.65 and is good for up to 4 people (unlike
getting a taxi). Lyft can cost anywhere from $32 to $36 for their basic
service.
So, if you’re travelling with 3-4 people and you stick with
the basic car services from either Uber or Lyft, you’ll be saving money with
them as opposed to taking a cab.
Shuttle Options
Shuttles can be hit or miss when it comes to cost and
convenience, and it all depends on what shuttle service you choose. We’ll
provide you with all of the options available, and let you decide which would
be best for your group.
Cruise Line Shuttles
The four major cruise lines that ship out from the New
Orleans Cruise Terminal all offer shuttle service for passengers cruising with
them. To secure a spot, you must make arrangements with your cruise line ahead
of time, and the shuttles are only available the day of the cruise. They
will pick you up from the airport and bring you directly to your cruise
terminal, and they will even assist you with your luggage.
Cruise Line Shuttles can be extremely convenient for cruise
travelers, but the price is where most people decide to go a different route.
For example, Disney charges $25 one way per guest, or $50
round trip. Norwegian charges $20 per person one way, and Carnival is $23.99
per person one way.
If you are cruising by yourself or with one other person,
these prices really aren’t that bad, and is much cheaper than taking a cab or
even an Uber.
But for a family or four or more, you’re looking at paying almost $200 or more round-trip, just for shuttle transportation to and from the cruise port. If that’s the case for you, we recommend choosing something else.
So, much like the cruise line transfers, the airport shuttle
is only going to save you money if you’re travelling with just yourself and
maybe another person.
The airport shuttle will take you to anywhere you need to go
in New Orleans, including the cruise port, for $24 per person, one way. This
includes no more than 3 bags per person.
If you happen to be training with an insanely large group
(50 or more), you can get a special group rate for the airport shuttle, but you
will need to call ahead of time to get more information about that. The phone
number is 1-866-596-2699.
Independent Shuttles
If a shuttle is really what you need, but you don’t want to be paying per person prices, why not try independent shuttle companies. Many of them will give you rates for the amount of people you’ll be traveling with, which can save you money on large groups of 5 or more people.
Here are a few suggestions to look into:
Super Shuttle
Once you’re at the SuperShuttle website, you’ll be presented with a form where you’ll input your travel details. Where to be picked up, dropped off, your arriving and departing flight dates and times, and the amount of people traveling.
Click submit, and you’ll be presented with a list of
options. Some options may be a shared ride, where you and your group will share
the shuttle with others going the same way, or a non-stop ride that takes you
directly to your destination with no interruptions.
Of the options we were given with the details we used, the
cheapest was a shared ride. The round-trip cost for a group of 4 people came
out to $91.20. So, depending on how many people you have traveling, and the
options presented to you, expect to pay between $90 and $140 for a round trip
booking.
SuperShuttle also has an app you can download for either Android or iOS. If you create an account, you can earn rewards for your choice of airline every time you book a ride with SuperShuttle.
NOLA Airport Shuttle
NOLA Airport Shuttle offers one-way transportation either from or two the airport. They have flat rate prices no matter where you need to go.
Those prices are:
1 person: $24
2 people: $18 per person
3-6 people: $16 per person
7 or more: $15 per person
You can book a shuttle online, or by giving them a call at 504-377-8146.
GO Airport Shuttle
GO Airport Shuttle is a lot like SuperShuttle. The offer shuttle service from just about any airport and will take you anywhere you need to go. They also have an app for android or iOS, and if you become a Frequent Rider, you can earn rewards for either American Airlines AAdvantage or United MileagePlus.
The prices come out to be $24 per person, no matter how many people are in your group, which is right on par with the cruise line transfers. As such we suggest you go with someone else unless you’re traveling alone.
Airport Shuttles
AirportShuttles.Com offers some very decent prices for cruise travelers trying to get a ride to the cruise terminal from the airport. You can select a car to come pick you up, or a limo, or a shuttle, whichever you want. But you can get an economy sedan that will hold up to 4 people, including luggage, for $68 one way. Or you can get a van that holds up to 6 people, luggage included, for $94 one day.
Just book your car ahead of time, and they’ll meet you at the airport when your flight gets in. If you decide to make it round-trip, they’ll also be waiting at the cruise terminal for you when your ship comes back, ready to take you back to the airport so you don’t miss your flight home.
Burton Transit
This locally-owned transportation service is a good option for cruises out of the Port of New Orleans. They offer a shared shuttle service which is $30 if traveling single or up to $24 for multiple passenger bookings. A privet shuttle service is ideal for groups and more unique experience is $60 for a single passenger or $30 per person for multiple passenger bookings.
There is also a chartered service for cruises which can be handy when taking advantage of New Orleans before or after a cruise. There are different vehicle types and it’s catered towards what you need with multiple drop-offs and pick-ups throughout the city.
Travel Tips to New Orleans
Here are some tips for traveling to New Orleans for your cruise. Follow these suggestions should help eliminate a lot of travel stress so that you can fully enjoy your vacation:
Know ahead of time how you plan to get to the cruise port, where you plan to park (if driving yourself), and where you plan to stay if you arrive in town the night before.
Have a backup plan in mind, just in case something goes wrong. Even if that means having extra money in your travel budget for contingencies.
Always know where your identification is, and always have it at the ready. You will need it at the airport, at the hotel, and at the cruise terminal. You will also need to have your cruise information (proof of purchase) readily available.
If you arrived a day early, take some of the extra time to explore the city a little. There are various city tours that help you be able to see a lot of the city in a very short amount of time.
No matter what you do, HAVE FUN!
FAQ for Transportation to New Orleans Cruise Port
How far is cruise port in New Orleans from airport?
The airport and cruise port in New Orleans are only about 15 miles apart from each other. On a good day with light traffic, it will only take about 25 minutes to drive the distance. In heavy traffic, however, you may be looking at a 35-40 minute drive. Be sure to plan accordingly when choosing flight times.
What’s the cheapest way to get to the Port of New Orleans?
The answer to that question is contingent on how many people you will be travelling with. If it is just yourself, and you are cruising with one of the four major cruise lines (Norwegian, Disney, Royal, or Carnival), arrange to be picked by their cruise transfer.
For 2-4 people, the cheapest way to get to the Port of New
Orleans, if travelling from the New Orleans airport, is by Uber or Lyft. You
can get a cheap ride for up to 4 people, including luggage, and there should
always be drivers available.
If your group consists of 5 or more passengers, you have a few options. You could book separate Uber or Lyft rides (which might be the easiest option), or you can plan ahead and book a shuttle. SuperShuttle or NOLA Airport Shuttle have decent prices for large groups.
When should I arrive in New Orleans for my cruise vacation?
For any cruise, we highly recommend arriving at least a day
before your cruise leaves. This gives you a buffer of time just in case there
are any flight delays or cancellations. This can also keep you from getting
caught in heavy traffic between the airport and the cruise terminal and missing
your boat.
Additionally, having an extra day also gives you time to sightsee a bit, maybe even visit Mardi Gras World which is right next to the cruise port.
Conclusion on How to Get to the New Orleans Cruise Terminal
Hopefully, after reading this article you have a better idea of the options available to you for transportation to the New Orleans Cruise Terminal. Though it is up to you how you get there, our top recommendation is riding with Uber or Lyft. It’s the most convenient, is cheap, and can easily cater 2-4 people and their luggage without a problem.
A passenger has gone overboard one of the newest Princess cruise ships which is currently based out of Shanghai, China.
Passenger Overboard Majestic Princess
According to the site Shine, a 45-year-old Chinese man jumped overboard the Majestic Princess cruise ship which is operated by Carnival-owned Princess Cruises.
At the time the man went overboard the large Royal-class vessel was around 60 nautical miles from Jeju Island in South Korea, located south of the mainland. Princess Cruises has confirmed that the guest went into the water at around 7:48 PM Chinese time which is ship time. The man was seen jumping overboard after checking CCTV footage.
The wife alerted crew members of her husband overboard and as procedure, the ship turned around to begin an immediate search. Majestic Princess launched its own assets of two lifeboats and nearby vessels also helped in the search. As expected the Coast Guard was also involved in search efforts from South Korea and Japan.
This must be an extremely worrying time for the man’s family. Our thoughts go out to them during this difficult time.
The Princess cruise ship is currently based out of Shanghai, China and is scheduled to arrive back into its homeport Saturday morning, August 10. The ship which has been purpose-built for the Chinese market will sail a repositioning cruise from Hong Kong, China to Sydney, Australia departing on August 31. The ship will be based down under almost all year-round.
Majestic Princess which is also named 盛世公主号 (Shèng Shì Gōng Zhǔ Haò) in Chinese is a 143,700 gross tons cruise ship with a guest capacity of over 3,500 at double occupant. There are 1,780 cabins on board.
Two passengers missed the cruise ship in St. Maarten and didn’t look too happy when it was moving away from the pier.
Passengers Miss the Cruise Ship
Two cruise ship passengers from Freedom of the Seas just missed the ship by moments on Monday in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Royal Caribbean ship was just moving away from the pier as the two of them looked annoyed with themselves.
The officers on the bridge had a perfect view of them and no doubt waited as long as they could. It wouldn’t be fair on other guests if the ship departed late. One crew member from the bridge decided to wave a large hand with “bye” on.
The cruise line has confirmed the giant waving hand was towards the crew members on Anthem of the Seas which was docked on the other side of the pier.
Royal Caribbean Stated:
We would never be disrespectful to our guests. Our crew member was not directing her wave to our guests on the pier. She was waving at our sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, which was also in port and scheduled for departure. The gesture was one of respect and nautical camaraderie between crew members on two ships.
We regret the inconvenience our guests experienced due the late return to the pier. Guests are encouraged to be back by all-aboard time. Departure times are routinely announced onboard, posted in shipboard newsletters and at gangways to keep our guests informed at all ports of call.
All the attention was on the two that missed the ship and the bridge would not have made the situation even worse for them, just funny timing for sure! Everything was caught on video and posted on social media by Cruceros Puerto Rico:
Hoy dos pasajeros del FREEDOM OF THE SEAS, llegaron tarde para abordar el crucero y se quedaron en la isla de St. Maarten. A hora tendrán que tomar un vuelo hasta el próximo destino del barco.Es importante estar pendientes a las horas de embarque en sus viajes, así evitarán malos ratos.Próximo destinos: St. Kitts#crucerospuertorico ??#cruceristasdeborinquen #StMarteen #Caribe #FreedomOfTheSeas
Passengers on the other ship are going crazy shouting things like “you missed it!” along with whistling and cheering. This is a common thing when people miss their ship, we’ve often covered passengers running down the pier trying to catch the ship and some take it better than others!
A port worker was with the two guests and stayed with them as they began walking back away from Freedom of the Seas. They will now have to try and fly to the ship’s next port of call in St. Kitts which is around 81 KM south in the Eastern Caribbean. They might even have to fly to one of the other ports or even simply fly back to the United States. However, all the belongings are still onboard.
It’s not a laughing matter when someone misses the cruise ship departure but they should be responsible for making sure they always stay on ship time and are aware of the back onboard time. Cruise lines often remind passengers vigorously of the back onboard time and ship time.
The 154,400-ton Freedom of the Seas was scheduled to depart Philipsburg, St. Maarten at around 5:00 PM. The ship is currently sailing a 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise and is calling at St. Kitts today. Other calls include Antigua, St. Lucia and then Barbados before returning back to its homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico on August 11.
We hope this will help any newbie cruisers out there on the seriousness of not missing the ship as it can ruin a cruise vacation.
If you’ve never visited New Orleans before, taking a cruise
out of the New Orleans Cruise Terminal is the best way to do so. It gives you
an excuse to travel to the Big Easy, the home of Mardi Gras and Cajun cooking.
New Orleans is a big city, and the cruise port is very
popular, so you should know what to expect before arriving.
From the history, terminal information, to parking, transportation,
and dining options, this article will give you everything you need to know
about the New Orleans Cruise Terminal and the surrounding area.
History of the New Orleans Cruise Terminal
The year 1803 is when the United States government bought
the colony of Louisiana from the French for $15 million.
This event came to be known as The Louisiana Purchase, and
due to the colony’s easy access to commerce and travel along the Mississippi
River, easily doubled the size of the United States at the time.
Over the years the Port of New Orleans serves to provide an
economic boost to the region, until the Civil War when the port is closed and
goes unused for over a decade.
The port is finally reopened in the late 1870s and the next
hundred years is spent growing the port and adding cruise terminals. It isn’t
long before the New Orleans Cruise Terminal becomes one of the most popular
ports for both the transportation of goods and passengers.
Where is the New Orleans Cruise Terminal?
The New Orleans Cruise Terminal is located right in the
center of the city. The French Quarter is just a short drive away, as is
downtown New Orleans. Nearby cities are Gretna to the south and Metairie to the
northwest.
A few landmarks to lookout for if you’re driving to the port
are The National WWII Museum on Magazine St and The Louisiana Children’s Museum
on Julia Street.
How you get to the port largely depends on which terminal
you need to go to.
Julia Street Cruise Terminal, located at 920 Port of New
Orleans Place, serves ships from Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal at 1100 Port of New Orleans
Place serves ships from Carnival Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Lines.
If you happen to be cruising with a different company, your
boarding information will tell you which terminal you need to go to.
Where Can You Park?
There are three parking options located right at the port. Each terminal has their own parking area and there is a lot adjacent to the Julia Street Parking lot that provides parking for oversized vehicles (RVs, buses, etc.).
Ideally, unless you have a bus or an RV, you will want to
park in the lot or garage for your terminal, as it will make boarding much
easier on you and your family.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal Parking
The garage for the Erato Street Cruise Terminal is located
above the terminal. As you approach the terminal you will see a circular ramp
that will take you up to the garage.
SeaCaps will take your checked baggage directly to the ship
for you, then once you park just take the convenient elevator down to the
terminal to board.
Parking is $22 between April 1 and July 31, and $20 between August 1 and March 31. To be allowed access you must have your boarding information printed out and available to show. The garage is secured, well-lit, and patrolled by security officers 24/7.
Julia Street Cruise Terminal Parking
If you’re arriving to the terminal from the south, drive
right past the Erato Street Cruise Terminal to get to the Julia Street
Terminal.
Stop at the terminal first and SeaCaps will assist you with
your luggage and passengers, then you’ll be given directions to the uncovered
parking lot located right next to the terminal.
After you park a shuttle will take you back to the terminal
if you need it. Just like the Erato Street Garage, this parking lot is
patrolled 24/7, well lit, and secured. Parking at Julia Street is $20 a day year-round.
Oversized Parking
If you know you’ll be driving an oversized vehicle, you will need to make reservations in advance to park at the oversized lot located on Poydras Street next to the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. Check the port website for more information.
After offloading all luggage and passengers at the appropriate terminal first, someone will direct you to the oversized lot, or you can call for Mustafa Yucesoy at 504-609-9559 to assist you. The cost for oversized parking is $40 per day year-round.
Overflow Parking
During the spring and summer cruise seasons there tends to
be a much higher demand for parking.
If this is the case for you upon arriving, you will likely
be directed to one of various overflow parking sites located around the city.
The port will also provide shuttle transportation to and from these overflow
parking lots.
Are There Any Off-Site Parking Options?
You can’t beat the convenience and ease of parking right at
the cruise terminal. All you have to do is park and then walk right to the
terminal to board your ship.
But what if spending $140 for a week of parking isn’t in
your travel budget? Or you don’t want to spend $40 a night for your RV or bus?
Well, luckily for you, New Orleans has a few off-site
parking options with drastically lower costs that will be much easier on your
budget.
New Orleans Parking
New Orleans Parking offers parking at one of four locations
right next to the New Orleans Cruise Port, and all of them are significantly
cheaper than parking on site.
Three of these options is with Fulton Place Parking, the best
place to park in New Orleans whether you’re going on a cruise, or just need to
park in town for the day.
For cruise passengers you can park on the garage rooftop
(uncovered), a covered level of the garage, or in their oversized lot.
Be sure when you’re making your reservation online to select
“cruise parking” to get the appropriate results.
The three Fulton lots do provide shuttle service, but ONLY
for Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal passengers.
Prices for Fulton are:
Rooftop: $10 per day (plus $5 service fee and sales tax)
Covered: $12.50 per day (plus $5 service fee and sales tax)
Oversized lot: $16 per day per space the vehicle takes up (plus $5 service fee and sales tax)
The fourth location you can book parking at through New Orleans Parking is the Cummins Parking Lot. $12.50 per day (plus sales tax and a service fee), and they provide shuttle service to and from the cruise port. To book your spot in advance visit https://neworleansparking.com/.
New Orleans Cruise Ship Parking
New Orleans Cruise Ship Parking isn’t as close to the port, but they do provide free shuttle service to and from the cruise port. To park here you must book in advance at http://www.nocruiseshipparking.com.
Parking costs $14 per day. If you will be staying in a hotel
that doesn’t provide parking, New Orleans Cruise Ship Parking will charge you
$30 the night you stay at the hotel, and then $14 each night after that. And
they’ll gladly shuttle you between the hotel, parking lot, and cruise port.
What Types of Cruises Can You Take from the New Orleans Cruise Terminal?
The New Orleans Cruise Terminal offers Caribbean cruises
through Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Disney.
The average length of these cruises is 7 nights, but some are shorter at 4 or 5 nights. Carnival and Royal have year-round cruises, while Norwegian and Disney are seasonal.
You can also take cruises along the Mississippi River from the New Orleans Cruise Terminal. These cruises are provided through American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company and can last anywhere from 7 nights to 21 nights long. For more information about ships and itineraries, visit the port itinerary page.
Transportation Options to the New Orleans Cruise Terminal
If you’ve decided that driving to New Orleans and trying to
find parking is just too much work, there are other ways of getting to the
cruise port.
First, the best way to get to New Orleans is to fly. The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is only about 15 miles from the New Orleans Cruise Terminal. So by car or taxi, it should take roughly 20-25 minutes to get to the cruise port.
Cruise Line Shuttles
Many of the major cruise lines offer shuttle transfers for
their passengers either from the airport, or from whatever hotel they happen to
be staying in.
While this can be extremely convenient, this is the single most expensive way to get to the cruise terminal unless you’re traveling by yourself.
For example, Disney charges $25 one way per guest. So
even if it’s just two of you, that’s $100 round trip. $200 for a family of
four.
To learn more about transportation options with the cruise
lines at the Port of New Orleans, click one of the links below:
Renting a car for just a few hours is a great way to get
from the airport to the cruise terminal, and you don’t have to worry about
parking anywhere during your cruise.
It’s important to note that the only car rental companies
with rental stations near the New Orleans Cruise Terminal are Avis, Hertz, and
Budget. All three of them are also located at the airport so you can pick up
your car shortly after arriving.
Renting a car one way will give you control over your
transportation options to the cruise port. Be prepared to pay about $60 to rent
a car for a day.
Taxis
Taxis are really easy to pick up from the airport and
they’ll drive you right up to your cruise terminal. What makes these easy is
you don’t have to book anything in advance, and they’ll easily take 1-2 people
from the airport to the cruise terminal for a flat rate of $36.
If your group consists of 3 or more people, taxis will
charge you an extra $15 per person, so you might want to try something else for
larger groups.
Uber/Lyft
Ridesharing services are the prime way to travel around any
city these days, and New Orleans is no exception.
Both Uber and Lyft provide rides from the airport to the New
Orleans Cruise Terminal. From Uber you’ll be looking at paying $34.65, and from
Lyft the cost would be $32-$36.
One of the best things about taking Uber or Lyft is the
price covers up to 4 people riding in the same car.
What Hotels in New Orleans Provide Parking or Shuttle Service?
If you plan to arrive in New Orleans a day or two before your ship leaves (which we highly recommend that you do), you won’t have any trouble finding a place to stay as there are hundreds of hotels located all around the city.
Must-Try Restaurants Near the New Orleans Cruise Terminal
Even if have just a few hours to kill before your ship takes off, you are likely going to be hungry. Why not spend some of that time sampling some of the excellent cuisines that New Orleans has to offer?
Here are some restaurants within walking distance of the
cruise terminal. Most of them are located right in the French Quarter, so
you’ll get a unique blend of French and Cajun cooking that you’ll only find in
Louisiana.
So park your car, then head on over to one of these amazing
places for a tasty treat you won’t forget.
Barcadia Bar & Grill: Step into some nostalgia in this casual bar and arcade room, featuring dozens of arcade games from the ’80s. Serving some of the best burgers and sandwiches around, this is a great place for the kids in your group (or the kids-at-heart) to enjoy.
Cochon Butcher: Both a local butcher and sandwich shop, Cochon has delicious food to offer any meat lover. They work with a large network of local farms to provide their customers with the freshest fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Try a Cajun Pork Dog on Pretzel Bun, Moroccan Spiced Lamb on
Flatbread (with cucumbers, tzatziki, and chili oil), or their Le Pig Mac.
Ugly Dog Saloon & BBQ: If BBQ is your favorite, then be sure to stop by the Ugly Dog Saloon. Serving customers in the Warehouse District since 1998, they serve Cajun smoked sausages, St. Louis style ribs, and spicy alligator chili. This isn’t your normal BBQ joint.
They bring a little extra flavor and kick to everything they
serve. You may want to have your favorite antacids on standby when you eat
here.
Emeril’s: Heard of Chef Emeril “BAM!” Lagasse? This is his flagship restaurant, located right in the heart of New Orleans. Expect to pay roughly $30 per person here, but your taste buds will thank you.
This restaurant serves New Orleans Barbequed Shrimp, Flash Fried Creole Marinated Calamari, and a double-decker burger that Emeril’s named the “Who Dat” Burger.
What Are Some Fun Things to Do in New Orleans?
In addition to excellent dining and food options, there are
plenty of sightseeing opportunities to take advantage of near the New Orleans
Cruise Terminal.
Shopping
Shopping is by far a favorite tourist past time. Whenever
you visit a new place, you want to take something home that reminds you of
where you visited. Often this results in the phenomenon of arriving home with
more than you left with.
But having items you bought in far places that you’ll never visit again can hold memories of family vacations, or serve as trophies that you traveled to cool places.
New Orleans has many souvenirs to offer tourists visiting for their cruise. The French Quarter especially, which is easily within walking distance of the port, has the French Market.
Six blocks of shopping that also covers roughly three centuries of New Orleans and Louisiana history. This can be a great place to get your retail therapy going while remaining close to the port.
Mardi Gras World
This fun attraction educates you on the history of Mardi Gras and what it means. It’s available year-round with floats, tours, and King Cake. And the best part is they’ll pick you up from anywhere for free! Just call them at 504-361-7821 when you’re ready to visit and they’ll come to get you. Find more details right here.
The National WWII Museum
Just a few blocks down the road from the cruise port is an extensive National World War II Museum down on Magazine St. Learn more about World War II than you ever did in school and what it really means to people today. They have numerous exhibits, movies, and lectures to tell the story.
The museum also has a restaurant on campus that embraces the
history and memories of the WWII era called BB’s Stage Door Canteen, complete
with entertainment. Be sure to stop in here for a history lesson or two and get
some lunch while you’re there.
City Tours
Don’t know what you want to do in New Orleans? That’s okay!
If you’re new to the city, it can be tough to know where to go and what to see.
One way to experience New Orleans is to go on a tour. There
are various types of tours that will take you to various areas of the city.
They have everything from rides on the bayou, cemetery tours, carriage rides,
walking tours, and more.
Conclusion on Must-Know Things About the New Orleans Cruise Terminal
New Orleans is a city that’s full of life, spice, and fun.
If you’ve never been before, we highly suggest arriving a day or two before
your cruise leaves to fully experience everything the city and cruise port has
to offer you.
Giving yourself a buffer of time can also come in handy
should there be any flight delays, traffic, or any issues with the cruise ship.
From details about the cruise port, to parking, hotels, and
things to do in the area, it is important to be informed before you arrive in
the city. Plan as much as you can ahead of time, but also allow for the chance
to have some spontaneous fun while you’re there.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is a fun place to visit for its food and culture and is filled with history. It’s no wonder that so many people decide to take a cruise from the Port of New Orleans, as it gives them a chance to visit the home of Mardis Gras and spicy New Orleans cuisine.
If you choose to drive to New Orleans rather than fly, one piece of logistics you now have to figure out is where to park your car while you’re on your cruise. Finding the right parking lot can be tricky, as it all comes down to whether you prefer convenience or paying cheap rates.
How Much is Parking at the Cruise Terminal in New Orleans?
As of July 1, 2023, the prices at the cruise terminal are $25 a day for regular vehicles. From what we’ve seen of other cruise ports, that’s not a bad price if you can fit it into your budget.
Still, there are many options in the area that offer prices
as low as $10 or $12 per day, so you might want to look at those if you wish to
save money on your trip.
In this article, we’ll go into more detail about parking at the New Orleans Cruise Terminal, some off-site parking lots, and nearby hotels that offer either free or discounted parking for cruise passengers (which might be your best option).
There may not be many parking options available, but you
should be able to find something that fits with your plans.
Cruise Terminal Parking
Cost: $25 per day ($40 for RVs, oversized vans, or buses)
There are three on-site official parking lots available to passengers cruising out of the Port of New Orleans. If your cruise is with Carnival or Disney, you’ll park at the Erato Street Terminal, and if it’s with Norwegian or Royal, you’ll park at the Julia Street Terminal.
If you are with a different cruise line, you’ll park at whichever terminal is listed on your cruise ticket.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
1100 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Erato Street Cruise Terminal is for cruises with
Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line. It has over one thousand covered
and secured spaces and offers luggage assistance. There is an elevator that
will take you from the garage to the embarkation deck.
The garage is climate controlled and ADA-compliant and is located only five minutes from the French Quarter and I-10. If you arrive too early to check-in, this makes it super easy to stop into the city for lunch or a little bit of sightseeing before your ship leaves.
SeaCaps luggage assistance will take your checked luggage directly to the ship when you arrive.
Till the end of July 2019, parking prices were $22 per day. On August 1, 2019, until March 21, 2020, the parking rate was $20 per day. Since July 1, the new rate is $25 for a regular vehicle. Make sure you have your cruise boarding information ready, or you won’t be able to enter the garage.
Julia Street Cruise Terminal
920 Port of New Orleans Place, New Orleans, LA 70130
The Julia Street Cruise Terminal is where you’ll go if you’re cruising with either Norwegian Cruise Lines or Royal Caribbean International. The parking lot is directly adjacent to the terminal and also offers luggage assistance through SeaCap, which will take your luggage to the ship for you.
The Erato Street Cruise Terminal Complex is located on one
side, while the Riverwalk Outlet Collection is on the other. The French Quarter
and I-10 are both also nearby, so there are plenty of places to go do some
shopping or sightseeing should you be too early to check-in.
When you arrive at the port, you’ll drive past the Erato
Street Terminal to get to Julia Street. Someone should be there to direct you
to the drop-off area for luggage and passengers, then you’ll be shown how to
get to the parking lot.
Parking at the Julia Street Terminal is $20 a day year-round. Even though it’s located right next to the terminal, there is shuttle service available should you need it.
Oversized Vehicles, RVs and Buses
If you’ll be arriving with an oversized vehicle, you won’t be able to park at either Erato Street or Julia Street Terminals. Instead, there’s a special lot for RVs and buses located on Poydras Street, which is next to the Julia Street Cruise Terminal.
It’s highly recommended that you drop off all luggage and
extra passengers at your appropriate terminal first (whether it’s Erato or
Julia). Then call Mustafa Yucesoy at 504-609-9559 to direct you to the
oversized parking lot area.
The Julia Street Terminal should be within walking distance from the oversized lot, while shuttle service is provided for the Erato Street Terminal. The cost for oversized vehicles is $40 per day, and reservations must be made ahead of time with Mustafa Yucesoy.
Overflow Parking
If both Erato Street or Julia Street parking lots are full
(which can happen during the spring and summer), you may be redirected to
overflow parking lots that are located near the cruise terminals. You won’t
have to pay anything extra, and shuttle transportation to and from these
parking lots will be provided.
Off-Site Parking Options
Parking right at the port may be extremely convenient, but
it is also costly, running you a minimum of $140 per week just to park (twice
that if you have a bus or RV).
Luckily, there are a couple of options nearby for New Orleans cruise parking, with multiple lots available and amenities for cruise passengers. All of these have steep discounts and are great cheap alternatives to parking at the official port.
Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line
New Orleans Parking
Price: $10/$12.50 per day, more for oversized parking
New Orleans Parking is an excellent alternative to parking
at the official port. They have multiple parking lots located around the city,
two of which are within walking distance of the New Orleans Cruise Port.
A word of advice: When you go to their website to check on
rates, be sure to select “Cruise” from the dropdown where you put in your
dates. This will give you the most accurate results possible.
Fulton Place Parking – Garage Rooftop
This option is ONLY for cruise parking and is clean, safe, and secured with 24-hour attendance. Be sure to bring a printed copy of your parking reservation upon arrival, or you won’t be allowed to park.
Shuttle transportation is provided only for passengers cruising with Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal and runs every 5-10 minutes between 7 AM and 3 PM.
If you’re cruising with a different cruise line, you’ll need
to find your own transportation. However, the lot is only a block away from the
terminal so it’s easy enough to walk there.
Daily rate for the rooftop is $10 per day plus a $5 service
fee and sales tax, so for one week you’ll be looking at a total of $83.40
(which is a steal compared to the official parking prices). No oversized
parking allowed.
Fulton Place Parking – Garage Covered
Down below the rooftop parking is the covered lot at just
$12.50 per day. With the service fee and sales tax, the total cost for a week
would be $103. Everything else about this lot is just as it is for the rooftop
lot.
Fulton Place Parking – Oversized Uncovered Lot
This lot, which is directly across the street from the
Fulton Parking Garage, is meant for oversized vehicles (large vans taller than 6
feet 7 inches, RVs, and buses).
Pricing is a little different for this lot. The cost is $16
per day per space that your oversized vehicle takes up. For example, if your RV
takes up two normal parking spaces, you would be paying $32 per day, plus tax
and a $5 service fee.
If your car takes up more than that, we recommend using the
official port’s oversized parking.
Shuttle service runs the same here as from the other lots:
Only to Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean.
Cummins Parking Lot
This open lot has 24/7 security and can be used for cruise or city parking. This lot is also just a block from the port, and the shuttle runs from 7 AM to 3 PM every day.
There is no stipulation about which cruise lines this lot provides a shuttle for, so if you want shuttle transportation for a cruise line that Fulton doesn’t include, this lot is a good alternative. Pricing is $12.50 per day, so the total for a week (with service fee and tax) would be $103.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option and don’t mind being
a little farther away from the cruise port, New Orleans Cruise Ship Parking
provides an excellent alternative, complete with a free shuttle to the port.
This lot is small but secured, and you must reserve your
spot ahead of time on their website or over the phone. Parking costs $14 per
day.
They even offer parking if you’ll be staying at a hotel the
night before your cruise. The first night costs $30, and then it’s $14 per
night after that. They will provide you with a shuttle to the hotel, from the
hotel to the cruise port, and then from the cruise port to your parking spot
upon your return.
ParkingPanda.com/SpotHero.com
Price: Starts at $12 per day
SpotHero Website: https://spothero.com (and then search for Port of New Orleans)
Parking Panda, which is run by SpotHero, is a directory of
all of the parking lots in the New Orleans area that you can book for the
duration of your cruise. When you book your parking with them, your receipt and
parking pass will come from SpotHero.
Booking through either site is like using a directory for
finding flights and hotel deals, and sometimes you can get discounts that you
wouldn’t get otherwise.
The link above will take you directly to their list of
available parking lots near the Port of New Orleans, and all you need to do is
put in the dates you’ll need parking for.
We put in a random week to get an idea on prices. The
cheapest option that came up was for $84, which comes out to about $12 per day,
and then the rates go up from there.
Some of the more expensive options include valet parking and
cost even more than parking at the port, so unless you really like valet
parking, we suggest sticking with the cheaper options.
Both ParkingPanda and SpotHero have mobile apps with which you can book your parking if you prefer. You can download the apps from your phone’s app store.
Just like ParkingPanda and SpotHero, ParkWhiz is a service
through which you can book your cruise parking anywhere in the city.
Here we found a couple of cheaper options than the other two had, the cheapest being $35 for 7 days of parking. The next one up from that was $70 for a week. These are excellent rates and certainly worth checking into if you’re trying to stay on a budget for your trip. ParkWhix also has an app right here.
Hotels with Cruise Parking
While New Orleans Cruise Ship Parking offers hotel parking, there are numerous hotels in the area that provide free or discounted parking just for booking a room with them. A few of them even provide a shuttle to the port on cruise day.
If you need a place to stay and don’t want to have to pay
extra for cruise parking, consider staying at one of these hotels.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
This hotel is literally within walking distance of the cruise port, which is why you won’t find a shuttle from this hotel. While they don’t have a specific cruise package, they do cater well to cruise passengers.
First, you get a 20% discount on your standard rate room. You also get a huge discount on parking at the hotel. Their parking rate is normally $44 per night, but cruise passengers only pay $13, which is so much cheaper than official port parking.
Average starting rate: $170
Distance from port: 0.3 miles
Shuttle: No
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center
Another great hotel right near the port, they have a cruise package that gives you a big discount on parking ($14 per night plus tax), as well as a shuttle to and from the port.
Average starting rate: $110
Distance from port: 0.6 miles
Shuttle: Yes
Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome
The Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome hotel has a “Port of New Orleans Cruise Package” that provides 8 nights of parking for free during your cruise. No shuttle, but they are only about a mile from the port so if you don’t have a ton of luggage, walking to your terminal is a possibility.
Average starting rate: $104
Distance from port: 1 mile
Shuttle: No
Maison St. Charles
Book your stay at Maison St. Charles using their Park & Cruise package for 7 nights of free parking. You can park for additional nights if you need to, but each extra night will cost $15.
Average starting rate: $111
Distance from port: 1 mile
Shuttle: No
Garden District Hotel Collection
These three hotels located in the Garden District are only
about 1.3 miles from the cruise port. Each one offers a unique hotel experience,
allowing you to enjoy staying in historic buildings, with service that will
make you feel like a guest at someone’s house rather than a standard cookie
cutter hotel room.
The hotels in this collection are The Queen Anne Hotel, Prytania Park Hotel, and Prytania Oaks Hotel. All three are located on Prytania Street, a very short drive from the New Orleans Cruise Port.
To book their cruise package you must stay a minimum of two
nights, and you get free parking for up to 7 nights.
Average starting rate: $91 – $115 (depending on
which one you go with)
Distance from port: 1.3/1.5 miles
Shuttle: No
Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter
The Wyndham in the French Quarter hotel is in a great location if you want to do some dining or shopping in the French Quarter, and it’s very close to the cruise port as well. Their cruise parking package will let you park your car there for 7 days.
Average starting rate: $144
Distance from port: 1.5 miles
Shuttle: No
Courtyard Marriott New Orleans Westbank/Gretna
To get their cruise parking package, you need to give them a call ahead of time and book over the phone at 504-366-1010. The cruise package will provide free parking during your cruise and complimentary shuttle service. More booking details can be found here.
Average starting rate: $107
Distance from port: 3.5 miles
Shuttle: Yes
Holiday Inn New Orleans West Bank Tower
Their Family Cruise Package at Holiday Inn West Bank Tower comes with free parking during your cruise, and a hot breakfast buffet.
Average starting rate: $85
Distance from port: 4 miles
Shuttle: No
Comfort Suites Harvey – New Orleans West
A nice affordable option, book with their cruise package for free parking and shuttle to and from the cruise port. Find booking details right here.
Average starting rate: $89
Distance from port: 8 miles
Shuttle: Yes
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Metairie
This hotel’s “Cruise and Park” package provides 7 free nights of parking and one-way transportation to the terminal. The shuttle is free for up to 4 people, and $10 for each additional person. More details about the Country Inn & Suites can be found here.
Average starting rate: $86
Distance from port: 8.5 miles
Shuttle: Yes (one way)
Extended Stay America – Metairie
In order to get free parking during your cruise, just let the front desk know at the hotel when you check-in and they’ll tell you where to park. They don’t provide shuttle service to the port, so you’ll need to secure your own transportation.
Average starting rate: $76
Distance from port: 9.5 miles
Shuttle: No
Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport
If your cruise is going to be longer than a week, this hotel will give you 14 days of free parking with their Park & Cruise package. They do also provide transportation to the port but only one way. You’ll need to find other transportation upon returning.
Average starting rate: $159
Distance from port: 14.5 miles
Shuttle: Yes (one way)
Conclusion on Parking Near the New Orleans Cruise Port
As you can see, there are many options to choose from when
it comes to finding parking for your car during your cruise.
If you prefer convenience over anything else, parking right at the port is going to be your best option. You don’t have to walk far, depending on which of the three lots you’re in, and there’s shuttle service if you need it.
Also, if the official lots do get completely filled, they
have overflow lots available, so you’ll never have to worry about having to
find parking at the last minute.
The official port can be a little hard on the budget,
however, so if you want to save money for souvenirs and food, there are plenty
of options near the port with significant discounts.
And lastly, should you decide to stay in a hotel the night before your ship leaves, many hotels in the area provide free or discounted parking for cruise passengers. Wherever you decide to park your car, be safe and have fun.
Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers have been injured during a vehicle accident in St. Maarten in the Eastern Caribbean.
Freedom of the Seas Passengers Injured
While the Royal Caribbean cruise ship was docked at Philipsburg, St. Maarten yesterday there was a vehicle accident which according to Cruceros Puerto Rico involved cruise visitors from Freedom of the Seas.
According to a video posted on social media by local authorities, a minivan can be seen half into the water in Marigot Bay which is located on the French side of the island known as St. Martin.
According to the local Police, the minivan ended up in the water while doing a maneuver at the seafront and several people were clearly injured. There were no reports of any deaths. You can view the footage below:
Video accident today Saint Martin. Tourists and cab flip into the sea.
It’s not clear if the cruise passengers were on a shore excursion at the time or just using general transportation. There was a delayed departure from the Caribbean island due to the accident. The ship arrived in St. Maarten at 8:00 AM on Saturday and was originally scheduled to depart at 5:00 PM.
It is also known that three local youngsters were involved in rescuing those in the vehicle before emergency services arrived. They have been called heroes of the day by Police in Marigot.
Freedom of the Seas is arriving back at its homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico today after completing a week-long southern Caribbean cruise. Port of calls included Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and then finally Philipsburg, St. Maarten which is where the accident occurred.
The large Royal Caribbean cruise ship is 154,000 gross tons and a guest capacity of over 3,700 at double occupancy. The vessel joined the fleet in 2006 as the first in its class.
We have reached out to the cruise line for further details and how the accident has impacted passengers. We’ll update the post shortly.
