New Orleans Steamboat River Cruise Tickets — Day, Dinner & Jazz Options
A paddlewheeler cruise on the Mississippi is the classic New Orleans afternoon — choose a daytime sightseeing cruise, a jazz dinner cruise, or a private boat tour.
Available
4 options
Avg. rating
4.7 - 4,121 reviews
From
$44 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Steamboat River Cruises: what to know before booking
A paddlewheeler cruise on the Mississippi is the classic New Orleans afternoon — choose a daytime sightseeing cruise, a jazz dinner cruise, or a private boat tour.
- Availability
- 4 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $44 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.7 stars across 4,121 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Boats depart the Toulouse Street or Canal Street wharves on the riverfront
- Best time
- Sunset and evening for the dinner-and-jazz cruises; mornings are calmest
- Ticket note
- Date- and departure-time specific; board 30 minutes before sailing
Steamboat River Cruises in New Orleans
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Everything you should know before you book
The Mississippi River built New Orleans, and a paddlewheeler cruise is the most relaxed way to see it. Morning and afternoon sightseeing cruises pass the port and the Battle of New Orleans site; evening cruises add live jazz and Creole dinner; and private boat tours offer a smaller, tailored experience on the water.
Book the evening cruise for jazz and dinner. The night and dinner cruises are the most atmospheric and sell out on weekends, so reserve ahead. Daytime cruises are a good lower-cost way to rest your feet while still seeing the river and skyline.
Frequently asked questions
Which New Orleans river cruise is best?
Daytime sightseeing cruises are the budget pick. The jazz dinner cruise is the most popular for atmosphere, with live music and a Creole meal on board.
Is dinner included on the cruises?
Only on the dinner cruises — daytime sightseeing cruises are boarding-and-viewing only, though many sell drinks and snacks on board.
How long are the cruises?
Daytime cruises run about 2 hours; evening dinner-and-jazz cruises run roughly 2 to 3 hours including the meal.