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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise

Overview
Board your riverboat to the delightful tunes of the Steam Calliope. Experience the sights and sounds of river life that enchanted characters of history and literature - like Mark Twain's Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer - and see the bustling activity of America's second-largest port!

Please note, the boat boards at 11:00am and departs promptly at 11:30am. We offer two seating times for lunch - 11:00 and 12:15pm. If you select the first lunch seating, please arrive around 10:45am and go straight to the dining room when you board the vessel.
City: New Orleans
Fri 01 Nov
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You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $39.00
Fri 01 Nov
Starting at $39.00
Make a reservation
What's Included
2 Hour Paddlewheel Cruise
Live Commentary Onboard
Creole-Inspired Lunch (if option selected)
Live Jazz Music
Additional Info
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adultā€™s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. You'll get the same authentic experience of a grand paddlewheeler on a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi.
  • In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
  • The riverboat is handicap accessible. However, access to the top & bottom decks are by stairs only. Please call us with any questions before finalizing your plans if you have questions on access or personal equipment.
  • Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat.
  • The riverboat cruises rain or shine.
  • Anyone looking to book a group of 9 or more should contact the booking site directly. Different rates apply.
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitised between use
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
What To Expect
1
Mississippi River
Cruise past the Chalmette Battlefield, where the legendary Jean Lafitte and his buccaneers joined forces with Andrew Jackson to defend the city against the British in the Battle of New Orleans.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (1000)
Amy_B
Mar 2022
I have food allergies and when buying tickets put that in the notes. It was disregarded. Food service was terrible. Didnā€™t know we even had a server until we were half done with the meal. Drinks didnā€™t come until we were done. Ended up buying drinks at the bar it took so long. You should let lunch people board first.
Response from Host
Mar 2022
We regret your experience with the beverages. We post our menu on line. It is a limited lunch buffet and so our items are as stated.
Sightseer779040
Mar 2022
We knew we wanted to do a steamboat ride while visiting New Orleans so I found this on trip advisor (as well as the paddlewheeler creole queen). I saw that the Steamboar Natchez had better reviews, so we chose to do the Jazz cruise (no food included). We did the 2:30pm-4:30pm sailing. This was nice because we did a walking tour in the morning which left us in the french quarter where we had lunch, and was less than a 10 minute walk to the dock. And it left us in a good location to get dinner in the french quarter afterward as well. The dock is in a central location (near Jackson square) and was easily accessible. I bought my ticket online in advance. All I had to do was go to the ticket booth and get a paper ticket. It look less than 30 seconds. The boarding process starts 30 minutes before and I recommend getting there right then. We got there around 2:10 and so they had been boarding for 10 minutes and there was a long line. When we went (the beginning of March) we did have to show our vaccine cards before boarding. You go through a bag check and then get your photo taken. I saw no one skipping the photo, so I think it was required. They announced that they were coming around to show your photos, but no one ever came to show us ours. However I did see others holding their photo so some others purchased it. They also announced that they would have the rest of the photos at the dock, but when we got off I didnā€™t see where. There are 4 levels to the steamboat. There are outside seating (some benches and chairs) on the outer part of the deck on the first 3 levels, and the indoor seating is where the buffet is as well. The 2nd and 3rd level out the back is where you can see the paddlewheel the best. The 4th level had seating under a covering and in front of where the jazz band plays, and lots of seating on the top deck all around the ship. By the time we boarded there were hardly any outside seats left, so get there early and know where you want to go right away. Pro tip, sit on the port side (left side) (city side) of the boat, as that is what side the narration follows. Also if you arenā€™t under the covering, the sun is shining and hot, so bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. During the boarding, the jazz band is playing, and when we sail away, they stop for a break and the narration starts. They play the sound throughout the ship, and if you are inside, they show the live video of the band. If you want to see them in person play live, then go to the 4th deck. They had bars, bathrooms on every level, and even a small gift shop on the 2nd level. We did not eat the food so we never went inside to sit. We never left our chair as we were afraid it would get taken! We were able to use the restroom and check out the shop during the de-boarding process as the line was long for that too. We got a cute little steamboat ornament. The boat sailed downriver for about an hour, then turns around (so you will get to see the other side you missed the first time) and sails past the dock and down to the Mississippi river bridge and the cruise ships, then turns around again and goes back to the dock. When you leave, they do sound the whistle a couple of times which is cool! During the first hour, there is narration about what you are seeing (on the city side and left side of the ship). You learn about the river height, the levee, the city limits, the battle of New Orleans, and the importance of shipping routes on the Mississippi river. You even learn a little bit about the cargo ships like the markings and the lifeboats. You pass some landmarks like the battle monument, the USS Kennedy and the sugar factory. To be honest, the views are very industrial as you see many barges, tug boats, tanker ships, and cargo ships. After turning around and heading back up river, the jazz band plays for the 2nd hour and you enjoy their music on the leisurely ride back. They were very good. I was kind of glad I didnā€™t get the food/meal because I feel like it would have cut into the viewing/listening time. Overall, what you are paying for is the experience to ride on a real steamboat/paddleboat. I feel like the narration was welcome, but I didnā€™t feel like it added to the experience a lot as like I said it was quite industrial and less so scenic. I did however feel like the jazz band added to the experience. 2 hours was a perfect amount of time. I did enjoy the experience overall. I would recommend going on this adventure, however I would go into it with the proper expectations. Donā€™t expect jaw dropping views or a complete history of the city. Expect to learn a few new things about the sights, and experience a leisurely jazz cruise on a steamboat. For us it was worth it to say that we sailed on one, despite the higher price for a tourist experience.
Response from Host
Mar 2022
Thank you.
James_M
Mar 2022
The narrator was informative and the jazz musicians were very entertaining! My wife and I had to stand up for the entire time, but we still enjoyed the ride and time on the boat!
Response from Host
Mar 2022
Delighted you enjoyed your evening. On a beautiful night more guests than usual go to the outside deck.

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