New Orleans tops 1m cruisers for fifth year runningNew Orleans tops 1m cruisers for fifth year running

'Port NOLA’s success is due in large part to the hard work of the stevedores, labor, cruise terminal staff and the support of local businesses and tourism partners,' said Brandy Christian, port president and CEO.

'The popularity of New Orleans as a cruise port and our commitment to customer service proves again why Port NOLA is a catalyst for local businesses,' she continued. 'With an increase in passengers, we see those increased benefits—from florists and food wholesalers to hotel and restaurant staff. Our homeport status is important for the local economy and helps us fulfill our role as an economic engine for Louisiana.'

$129m in annual passenger/crew spending

A recent economic impact study conducted by LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business determined cruise passengers and ship crews spend an estimated $129.1m annually.

2018 saw 235 passenger ship calls, compared to 229 in 2017, and momentum and diversification continues. In September, Disney Cruise Line announced it will sail from New Orleans in early 2020. The 2,700-passenger Disney Wonder will embark on a variety of Caribbean and Bahamas cruises, marking the first time Disney will homeport in Louisiana.

The port’s most prolific cruise tenant—Carnival Cruise Line—will increase capacity on its four- and five-day program, replacing Carnival Triumph on March 1 with the 2,980-passenger Carnival Glory. Carnival Glory will sail short cruises until May 19 when it begins seven-day, year-round service, and the 2,980-passenger Carnival Valor arrives to assume the year-round four- and five-day schedule.

Port NOLA made headlines in November when it welcomed its largest cruise ship to date, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, which will sail seven-day cruises through April. In November, Norwegian Cruise Line will replace the Breakaway with its newer sister ship, Norwegian Getaway.

December 2018 also marked the return of Royal Caribbean International after a three-year absence when the 2,050-passenger Vision of the Seas arrived to sail weekly through March 2019.

Rise in river cruises

In addition to oceangoing ships, the five riverboats homeported in New Orleans also set a modern-day record at 30,298 passenger movements in 2018. The American Queen Steamboat Co. homeports the 436-passenger American Queen and the 166-passenger American Duchess, while American Cruise Lines offers inland cruises on the 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi and the 185-passenger America. The company’s 184-passenger American Song, the first modern-style riverboat in the US, debuted in 2018 and will be replaced this year by new sister ship American Harmony.

Most cruisers stay an extra day or two

'Ninety percent of cruise passengers travel from out of state and 73 percent spend a day or two in New Orleans either before or after their cruise,' Christian said. 'Of those, 75 percent report making a purchase in the Crescent City and these passengers generate over 306,000 room nights per year in New Orleans-area hotels.'