The Steamboat Natchez River Cruises are offered year-round, and it’s a must-do on a trip to New Orleans! 

Best Time For Steamboat Natchez River Cruise: Whether you’re going for Mardi Gras celebrations or sightseeing, you must do the Steamboat Natchez River Cruise on your trip to New Orleans! If you’re visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras or the Jazz Festival, you have to go during the spring season, Jan through May, which is also the peak season in New Orleans. However, if you’re going to New Orleans for sightseeing, you can travel any time of the year, but keep in mind that summers are scorching and humid in New Orleans. I recommend doing the Steamboat Natchez River Cruise or visiting any other attraction in Louisiana only outside the summer months.

Time Required For Steamboat Natchez River Cruise: The Steamboat Natchez River Cruises lasts for a couple of hours, but you must arrive 30 – 45 minutes before your cruise’s departure time in order to board the vessel. The timing and the duration for the special cruises, including Independence Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year, may differ and should be checked online on the Steamboat Natchez website.

Getting To Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal: The Steamboat Natchez River Cruises departs from the Toulouse Street Wharf located near Jackson Square Park in New Orleans. The best way to get to Lake Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal is by taking a direct flight to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located very close to downtown New Orleans and then driving to the Toulouse Street Wharf. Alternatively, you could also take an Amtrak train or a Greyhound bus to New Orleans and then drive to the Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal.

• Flight: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), New Orleans, Louisiana, about 15 miles from downtown New Orleans, is the closest major international airport to Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal. The other option is to fly into Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT), Gulfport, Mississippi, located approximately 75 miles from the Toulouse Street Wharf, New Orleans.
• Train: The Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans is an Amtrak train station located on Loyola Avenue serviced by several Amtrak train services connecting New Orleans to other parts of the Nation.
• Bus: Greyhound offers bus services to New Orleans, with the closest Greyhound bus stop located on Loyola Avenue, in downtown New Orleans around 15 miles from Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal.

Parking At Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal: There’s no onsite parking offered by the New Orleans Steamboat Company, but you will find a few paid parking lots in the French Quarter area located close to Toulouse Street Wharf.

Other Attractions Near Steamboat Natchez: Downtown New Orleans definitely takes center stage in Louisiana! However, when visiting the Steamboat Natchez River Cruise terminal, I recommend stopping by the Lakeview neighborhood on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain and driving the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. The Lakeview community features a lakefront area with many restaurants, boat and yacht rentals, New Canal Lighthouse Museum, Treasure Chest Casino, and a bike path.

Hotels Near Steamboat Natchez River Cruise Terminal: If you’re going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras celebrations, I highly recommend staying in a hotel on Bourbon Street or Canal Street with balconies overlooking the street to enjoy the parades without having to leave your hotel! However, in order to get rooms in those hotels during Mardi Gras, you must plan and reserve at least a year in advance. If you’re going outside Mardi Gras season for sightseeing, you could stay anywhere in the city, within driving distance to the downtown. Here’re are my top picks for hotels in New Orleans

• Best Hotels for Mardi Gras: Here’re a few hotels in New Orleans featuring balconies and rooms overlooking the streets so that you can enjoy the parades and festivities without having to leave the comfort of your hotel – Bourbon Orleans, Royal Sonesta, and Sheraton New Orleans Hotel.
• The Ritz-Carlton: Located in the French Quarter, Ritz-Carlton is the epitome of luxury in New Orleans, featuring elegant suites and rooms with excellent dining, spa, and guest services.
• JW Marriott New Orleans: Featuring luxurious rooms, a grand lobby, extraordinary guest services, and access to several downtown attractions, JW Marriott New Orleans is also a great lodging choice in French Quarter.
• Hilton New Orleans Riverside: The Hilton New Orleans Riverside, located along the Mississippi River, offers fabulous views, great dining options, and contemporary rooms located just a few miles from the downtown area.

Dining Options Onboard Steamboat Natchez River Cruise: Depending on your cruise, your menu and service may vary, but you will find ample indoor and outdoor seating and excellent freshly-cooked southern delicacies on board the Steamboat Natchez River Cruises. You can find the complete menu online on the Steamboat Natchez website.