Homeport Cruising from New Orleans and Galveston

New Orleans, Louisiana, and Galveston, Texas, not only make great vacation destinations of their own, but, thanks to their thriving cruise ports, they’re also a gateway to the Caribbean and beyond. We’ve got the lowdown on the ports, the cruises and the attractions that will make you want to stay awhile.

A carriage ride in the French Quarter; Photo by Cheryl Gerber/Neworleans.com

Port of New Orleans

Get the party started before or after your cruise out of the two ports that compose Port Nola with a few days to explore the Big Easy. The nation’s sixth-largest cruise port is in the heart of the action.

Guaranteed secure parking is available at both terminals for all passengers, with the closest atop the Erato Street terminal, an easy elevator ride to boarding. If you’re flying in, a 25-minute taxi brings you to town from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

The cruise terminals are directly behind the convention center, a 10-block walk or a five-minute ride on the Riverfront streetcar line to the French Quarter. You’re close to the Harrah’s (soon to be Caesars) Casino, the Riverwalk Outlet Collection and dozens of restaurants. Conveniently located hotels include the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District, Hilton Garden Inn and Harrah’s Hotel. The swank Four Seasons is a mile down river.

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Sampling of cruise lines and cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

4- to 8-day Western Caribbean
7- and 8-day Eastern Caribbean
14-day Panama Canal

Disney Cruise Line

4- to 7-night Western Caribbean

Royal Caribbean

5- and 7-night Western Caribbean

Viking River Cruises

8-day Mississippi River

The Preservation Hall All Stars band; Photo by Zack Smith Photography/Neworleans.com

What too do

Visit Café du Monde for beignets and café au lait 24/7.
Listen to live music on Frenchmen Street.
Tour the National WWII Museum.
Take in Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.
Hear traditional jazz at Preservation Hall.
Immerse yourself in Vue Orleans, a 4-D cultural experience.

*Cruise listings accurate at press time. Check with your travel advisor for up-to-date schedules.

The iconic High Tide sculpture at Pier 21 on Galveston Harbor; Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston

PORT OF GALVESTON
Located an hour from Houston, this 32-mile-long island is home to the fourth-busiest cruise port in the US. With 50 million people within a 12-hour drive, Galveston’s three-terminal cruise port is a sweet spot for cruisers weary of the rigors of air travel.

Not many ports are as centrally located as Galveston’s. The charming downtown is literally across the street from the terminals, bringing cruisers within walking distance of its shops, museums and eateries. History lovers will appreciate proximity to the Strand, with its Victorian buildings and the 1892 Bishop’s Palace, a National Historic Landmark that anchors the East End Historic District. A clutch of hotels is also walkable, including the Harbor House Hotel & Marina and historic Tremont House.

The port is 41 miles from William P. Hobby Airport and 70 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, both in Houston. Multiple shuttles are available, including the Galveston Express and the Island Breeze Shuttle. There is plenty of parking, too.

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SAMPLING OF CRUISE LINES AND CRUISES^*

Carnival Cruise Line

4- to 10-day Western Caribbean
8- to 11-day Eastern Caribbean
10-day Panama Canal

Princess Cruises

6- to 11-day Western Caribbean with Mexico
12-day one-way Caribbean to Fort Lauderdale

Disney Cruise Line

4- to 7-night Western Caribbean

Royal Caribbean

4- to 10-night Western Caribbean
11-night Southern Caribbean
16-night one-way Transatlantic to Bahamas and Spain

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier; Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston

WHAT TO DO

Stroll the Strand district with its shops, boutiques, art galleries, architecture, restaurants, bars and museums.
Go on a harbor tour or dolphin watching cruise.
Enjoy Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier with its amusement rides and games.
Take a Juneteenth and Beyond tour and view the exhibit “And Still We Rise…Galveston’s Juneteenth Story.”
Visit the historic seaport and the tall ship Elissa.

*Cruise listings accurate at press time. Check with your travel advisor for up-to-date schedules