Port of New Orleans / Port NOLA Cruise Terminal

Port of New Orleans, commonly called Port NOLA, is one of the most convenient cruise ports for travelers in the Gulf Coast and South-Central U.S. It is particularly attractive if you're driving rather than flying, and it's unusual because it supports both ocean cruises and Mississippi River cruises.

Port NOLA recorded 1,067,407 cruise passenger movements in 2025, its ninth year exceeding one million passengers. The port currently describes itself as the sixth-largest cruise port in the United States and the only U.S. port offering both ocean-going and river cruising.

Address and Phone Numbers

There are three addresses worth knowing, because the general Port NOLA address is not necessarily where you'll board your ship.

Port NOLA administrative office

Port of New Orleans
1350 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130

• Main phone: 800-776-6652
• Cruise Manager: 504-528-3318

The port's official contact page lists 1350 Port of New Orleans Place as its main address and 504-528-3318 for its Cruise Manager.

Erato Street Cruise Terminal

1100 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130

Primary cruise line: Carnival Cruise Line

View the Erato Street Cruise Terminal on Google Maps

Julia Street Cruise Terminal

920 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130

Primary cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International

View the Julia Street Cruise Terminal on Google Maps

These are the two principal ocean-cruise terminals.

Cruise Terminals and Cruise Lines

Port NOLA has two primary ocean-cruise terminals sitting next to each other along the Mississippi River.

Carnival — Erato Street

Carnival operates from the Erato Street Cruise Terminal. The terminal has a major advantage for drivers: the parking garage is actually built above the cruise terminal. The port says it has more than 1,000 covered and secured spaces.

Norwegian — Julia Street

Norwegian Cruise Line uses the Julia Street Cruise Terminal.

Royal Caribbean — Julia Street

Royal Caribbean also uses the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. This is especially notable because Port NOLA has announced Royal Caribbean's return and future growth at the port.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney has also operated seasonal cruises from New Orleans. Its 2024 return included the Disney Magic for the winter season. Because Disney's New Orleans deployment is seasonal, check your particular sailing rather than assuming Disney uses the port every year.

Mississippi River Cruises

This is one of Port NOLA's biggest differentiators. New Orleans isn't just a Caribbean cruise port.

American Cruise Lines operates Mississippi River vessels from New Orleans, including American Heritage, American Splendor, American Jazz, American Symphony and American Serenade. Itineraries include New Orleans–Memphis, New Orleans–Vicksburg, and longer Mississippi River journeys toward St. Paul.

Viking Mississippi also operates seasonal Mississippi River itineraries between New Orleans and Memphis. River cruises don't necessarily use the same terminal as Carnival/Norwegian/Royal Caribbean, so follow the instructions for your specific ship.

Parking at Port NOLA

Parking depends on your cruise line. There isn't one universal Port NOLA parking garage serving every ship.

Carnival parking

Carnival passengers use the Erato Street Cruise Terminal Parking Garage at 1100 Port of New Orleans Place. This is a covered, secured garage with more than 1,000 spaces, directly above the cruise terminal.

Current Carnival parking rates

These are the current Port NOLA published rates (8/2026) without a reservation. Advance reservations have a $1/day convenience fee. A typical 7-night Carnival cruise costs $180 total, approximately $25.71 per day.

Garage height restrictions

The Erato garage has an 8'4" maximum height on the third floor with limited space, a 7'6" maximum height on higher floors, and a 22-foot maximum vehicle length. The garage is secured, lighted and patrolled. If your vehicle is tall, check the clearance before assuming you can use the garage.

Norwegian & Royal Caribbean parking

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean passengers currently use 100 Poydras Garage, 100 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. This covered, secured garage has 500+ spaces. A shuttle takes passengers and luggage to the Julia Street Cruise Terminal.

View the 100 Poydras Garage on Google Maps

Height restriction

The 100 Poydras Garage maximum height is 6'6" and maximum length is 22 feet. If your vehicle is taller than 6'4" or longer than 22 feet, contact the parking operator about alternatives.

General Port NOLA parking rate

The Port NOLA FAQ gives the regular rate as $25/day for standard parking, based on cruise length. However, the specific cruise-line facility rates above are the planning figures for Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

Do you need a reservation?

No, but reservations are highly recommended because space is limited.

Disabled and veteran parking

Port NOLA does not currently offer free parking simply because a passenger has a disability. The port offers free cruise-terminal parking for up to seven days to qualifying Louisiana disabled veterans who are Louisiana residents, have at least a 50% service-connected disability, provide acceptable proof, and are sailing on an ocean-going vessel. The qualifying veteran must be present and named on the boarding pass. The benefit does not apply independently to spouses/family members, and river cruises are not eligible.

RVs and oversized vehicles

Port NOLA can sometimes accommodate RVs, buses, vehicles longer than 22 feet and other oversized vehicles, but space is not guaranteed. Contact the parking operator in advance rather than assuming a 35-foot RV can use the normal cruise garage.

Hotels Near Port NOLA

The cruise terminals are in the Warehouse/Arts District, along the Mississippi River and close to the French Quarter.

Where I would stay

• For maximum cruise convenience: Embassy Suites, Courtyard or Riverfront Hotel.
• For sightseeing: JW Marriott, Hilton Riverside or French Quarter hotels.
• For families: Embassy Suites or Hampton Inn & Suites.

Getting from the Airport

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is approximately 16 miles from the cruise terminals. New Orleans & Company recommends about 30 minutes by taxi/rideshare under normal conditions, but allow considerably more on a busy cruise morning. Options include taxi, Uber, Lyft, private car, cruise-line transfers and hotel transportation. If flying, arrive the day before.

Driving to Port NOLA

Official directions for the ocean terminals: I-10 East or West → U.S. 90 West (Exit 234A) → Tchoupitoulas Street (Exit 11C) → Tchoupitoulas → Henderson → Port of New Orleans Place. Do not try to access the cruise terminals from Port of New Orleans Place entrances at Julia Street or Poydras Street.

What Time Should You Arrive?

Port NOLA recommends being on port premises at least 30 minutes before assigned check-in time. Plan about 60–90 minutes before your assigned check-in/arrival window, allowing additional time for parking. Your cruise line's assigned arrival time takes priority.

Baggage

Follow signs for your cruise line. At Erato, the garage is above the terminal and SeaCaps take checked bags to the ship. Norwegian/Royal Caribbean passengers park at 100 Poydras Garage and take the provided shuttle to Julia Street with luggage.

What's Around the Port?

• Riverwalk Outlet Collection is adjacent to the terminals with more than 60 stores and 20 dining options.
• The National WWII Museum is about a five-minute cab ride.
• The French Quarter is a short ride or reasonable walk depending on location.
• Mardi Gras World and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas are nearby.

Public Transportation

The terminals are on or near New Orleans' Riverfront streetcar route. A Blue Bikes hub is at 101 Julia Street. For luggage on embarkation morning, taxi/rideshare is usually easiest.

Why New Orleans Is a Particularly Good Cruise Port

New Orleans can become a "two vacations in one": enjoy New Orleans before or after your cruise. Port NOLA reports that 90% of cruise guests come from out of state, and many spend one or two days in the city.

Important Things You Should Know

1. Know your terminal: Carnival → Erato; Norwegian/Royal Caribbean → Julia. Verify your sailing.
2. Don't use the general Port NOLA address for GPS. Carnival: 1100 Port of New Orleans Place. Norwegian/Royal Caribbean: 920 Port of New Orleans Place.
3. Parking reservations are recommended because space is limited.
4. Watch vehicle height, especially the 6'6" limit at 100 Poydras Garage.
5. Cruise-line parking arrangements differ; Port NOLA says it cannot provide parking for Viking or American Cruise Lines.
6. Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, sporting events, conventions and festivals can make hotels expensive; book early.
7. Arrive a day early, especially when flying.

Example Budget for a 7-Night Carnival Cruise

• Parking: $180.
• Hotel: varies by season.
• Transportation: essentially $0 from a walkable hotel or a short rideshare/taxi.
• Food and sightseeing: vary.

My Overall Assessment

Port NOLA is one of my favorite cruise ports for someone within driving distance. Advantages include its city location, I-10 access, on-site parking, two modern ocean-cruise terminals, Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, seasonal Disney service, Mississippi River cruises, nearby hotels, French Quarter access and excellent pre/post-cruise possibilities.

My Ideal Port NOLA Plan

If driving, stay one night in the Warehouse District, enjoy dinner and sightseeing, then go to the terminal next morning. For Carnival, use the Erato garage. For Norwegian or Royal Caribbean, use 100 Poydras Garage and the port shuttle. For a seven-night cruise, budget $180 for parking and set GPS to the actual cruise terminal, not Port NOLA headquarters.

Frequently Asked Questions