Cruises - FAQs

What documents will I need to provide to enter the terminal?

Each person will be required to have photo identification and their cruise line ticket to enter the terminal or parking garage. Minor children with their parents do not need photo identification. Requirements for boarding the ship are more stringent. Please check with your cruise line for specific information on documents necessary for boarding the ship. It is suggested that each passenger has a valid passport.

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Where can I park? How much does it cost?

The Port of New Orleans offers three parking areas: The Erato Street Parking Garage for Carnival Passengers (1,000 spaces) the “Whale Lot” for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Passengers (about 700 spaces) and the Poydras Street Lot for over-length vehicles. Cost for parking is $16 per day based on the length of cruise. Over-length vehicles will pay $32 per day. Cash or credit cards are accepted and passengers pay on entering lots. For oversized parking it is suggested that the passenger call in advance to reserve a spot. Please call (504) 528-3318. The Julia Street Cruise Terminal and Erato Street Terminal and Parking Garage are adjacent.

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What transportation is offered from Louis Armstrong International Airport?

Taxis and airport shuttle are available from Armstrong International Airport to the cruise terminals. Call 1 (866) 596-2699 for Airport Shuttle information and reservations. Typically, shuttles cost $15 per person one-way and $30 per person for round trips.

Taxis are available and cost $35 for up to two passengers and $12 for any additional passengers and a $1.00 fuel surcharge per trip. There may be an additional charge for extra baggage. The airport is approximately 17 miles form the cruise terminal. Allow about 45 minutes travel time.

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Where can I stay in New Orleans prior to or after my cruise?

New Orleans boasts about 30,000 hotel rooms representing all major chains within a 15-block radius of the cruise terminals. More up-scale hotels are located in the French Quarter about 10 minutes away and less expensive first-class hotels surround the Morial Convention Center, the Warehouse District and Central Business District nearby. For a list of hotels, visit the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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Where can I drop or pick-up passengers using a personal vehicle, taxi, or limo?

Upon entering the port’s roadway, there will be signs and Harbor Police officials to direct you to the proper drop-off and pick-up areas for personal vehicles, taxis or limos.

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At what time should I arrive to embark?

The cruise lines recommend that you arrive no earlier than noon in order to give the disembarking passengers time to move out of the terminal traffic areas. Generally, check-in starts at 12:30 p.m. and runs through 4 p.m.

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How do I get my luggage to and from the terminal?

Those parking in the Erato Street Garage will drive into the first floor of the garage and will be met by SeaCaps who will take your checked baggage and deliver it to the ship. You will be directed to drive up to another floor for parking. The central elevators in the garage will take you directly to the Erato Street Terminal check-in on the second floor. Those parking in Erato but boarding a ship at a Julia Street Terminal will be stopped at the north end of the first floor of the Erato Street Garage and directed to take the north elevator to the ground floor where you can walk over to the Julia Street Terminal. Julia Street passengers will take all their baggage to the Julia Terminal with them. Upon disembarkation, all passengers must claim their baggage and clear U.S. Customs and Immigration, then proceed to the parking garage. SeaCaps and smart carts will be available for Julia Street passengers and SeaCaps will be available for Erato Street passengers.

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Where can I stand to greet arriving passengers?

Because of a lack of parking facilities for short-term use and a lack of waiting space, we discourage friends and family from arriving and waiting at the terminal. It is best to wait until the passenger contacts you to tell you they have cleared Customs and Immigration and then arrive at the drop-off area and pick them up. The Riverwalk balcony and food court is an ideal spot to wait and observe the ship operation.

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Is there a location to store my baggage if I wish to go shopping o explore the area prior to checking in for my cruise?

On embarkation your checked baggage will be taken from you upon arrival. On disembarkation, an advance check-in service – Rush-It Courier – provides a service to take your bags directly to the airport if you have a late flight and want to stroll around town for a while. To contact the service, call 1 (504) 471-0080.

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Contact numbers and Web sites for cruise lines:

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