New Orleans Cruise Port Just Hit a Record That Most Cities Can Only Dream About
Port NOLA reaches 1 million cruise passengers for the ninth consecutive year, cementing New Orleans as a top U.S. cruise destination.
The Port of New Orleans just closed out 2025 with numbers that cement its position as one of America’s cruise powerhouses. But here’s what makes this milestone particularly impressive: they’ve now pulled off this feat for nine consecutive years (excluding the Covid pause).
Port NOLA wrapped up calendar year 2025 with 1,067,407 cruise passenger movements, according to their latest announcement. That’s the ninth consecutive year the port has exceeded one million passengers, a streak that speaks volumes about New Orleans’ enduring appeal as both a departure point and destination.
Why This Matters for Your Next Cruise
If you’re planning a cruise from New Orleans, these numbers signal something important: the cruise lines are doubling down on NOLA. Royal Caribbean is making its return to the port, and Carnival is deploying a larger vessel to handle growing demand.
But the real story here isn’t just about the port’s success. It’s about what happens when nearly 90% of those million-plus passengers come from out-of-state, and 70% of them spend one or two days exploring New Orleans before or after their cruise.
That translates to more than 300,000 hotel room nights annually. Think about the restaurant reservations, the jazz clubs filled with cruise passengers, the French Quarter tours, the beignets consumed at Cafe Du Monde. The cruise industry is pumping $450 million into the local economy every year, which means the city has every incentive to keep improving the cruise experience.
What Sets New Orleans Apart
Port NOLA holds the distinction of being the nation’s sixth-largest cruise port, but size isn’t what makes it special. It’s the only major U.S. port offering both ocean and river cruises in one location. You can sail to the Caribbean or explore America’s rivers without having to choose between completely different departure cities.
“Port NOLA’s continued success reflects the strength of our partnerships with cruise lines and the appeal of New Orleans as a world-class destination,” said Beth Branch, President and CEO of Port NOLA. “These numbers represent not just passengers but economic opportunity for our region.”
Steven Gauthier, Port NOLA’s Vice President of Cruise, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the milestone: “Reaching one million passenger movements for the ninth consecutive year demonstrates the dedication of our team and partners in delivering exceptional experiences.”
What This Means for Cruisers
When a port consistently hits these numbers, cruise lines respond with better offerings. More ships. Newer ships. Better itineraries. The expansion we’re seeing with Royal Caribbean’s return and Carnival’s larger vessel deployment is a direct result of this sustained success.
For travelers, it means more options departing from one of America’s most interesting port cities. Unlike generic departure ports where you just board and sail, New Orleans practically demands you arrive a day or two early. The port knows this, the city knows this, and they’ve built an entire ecosystem around making that pre- or post-cruise stay memorable.
The fact that this port has maintained this momentum for nine straight years (outside of the pandemic disruption) suggests they’re doing something right. Whether it’s the gumbo, the jazz, the architecture, or simply the unique vibe of sailing from a city with this much character, New Orleans has cracked the code on keeping cruisers coming back.
And with cruise lines investing in bigger ships and more frequent departures, 2026 is shaping up to be another record year for the Crescent City’s cruise operations.