The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) introduced Oct. 22 that it’s on monitor for a file variety of cruise passenger actions with 1.3 million anticipated by the top of 2024. This quantity would exceed pre-pandemic ranges and is greater than the 1.2 million cruise passenger actions reported in 2023.
“With a file variety of cruise passengers anticipated throughout the business in 2025, New Orleans stays a number one vacation spot for 2 holidays in a single as cruise passengers usually keep to expertise our metropolis earlier than or after their voyage,” mentioned Performing Port NOLA President & CEO Ronald Wendel, Jr. “Our long-standing partnerships have been key to this success, and we’re grateful to our cruise line and hospitality companions for his or her continued help.”
Port NOLA is the sixth largest cruise port within the nation, and cruise enterprise represents greater than 15% of Port NOLA and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad’s consolidated annual income.
Port NOLA has two cruise terminals: the $43 million Erato Road Cruise Terminal and Storage, which was accomplished in 2006 and is dwelling to Carnival Cruise Traces in addition to the $22 million Julia Road Cruise Terminal Advanced, which was accomplished in 2012, later renovated in 2019 and is dwelling to each Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Cruise Traces Recommit to Port NOLA
Port NOLA’s cruise line companions proceed to indicate confidence within the Louisiana cruise market with Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean returning this month to start their seasons.
Norwegian Cruise Line renewed its settlement for 5 extra years and can provide extra sailings with the Norwegian Getaway. Royal Caribbean can also be returning this month with a brand new vessel, Brilliance of the Seas.
In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line finalized a five-year settlement for 2 year-round vessels in New Orleans: The Valor and The Liberty. Carnival additionally celebrated its thirtieth yr of cruising from New Orleans and marked its seven millionth visitor cruising from New Orleans.
Disney Cruise Line additionally returned in January 2024 with the Disney Magic for its winter season. River cruises are additionally persevering with, with six homeported vessels together with American Cruise Traces and America’s first Viking Cruise that was inbuilt Louisiana and commenced crusing in 2022.
Port NOLA estimates that roughly 90 p.c of cruise company journey from out of state and roughly 70 p.c of these company spend one or two days in New Orleans both earlier than or after their cruise. These guests generate greater than 300,000 resort room nights and upwards of $125 million in native spending every year.