New Orleans has been a popular city for many decades, well known for Mardi Gras, masked celebrations, and its jazz music and spicy cuisine. It wasn’t long before the port became a popular place for cruise companies to ship out. Passengers will choose to launch their cruise trip here as an excuse to visit the “Big Easy” before they set sail to the Caribbean.
Planning a cruise can eventually get very expensive, and that’s before you start looking at costs for hotels, parking, and transportation. Some parking areas in the city charge quite a bit (the port alone is $20 per night for parking), and besides taxi cabs and Uber, there isn’t much in the way of transportation.
We’ve done some of the leg work for you regarding hotels in the area. This should hopefully ease your frustration regarding where to stay before or after your trip. We included as many hotels that offer shuttle service as we could find, while other hotels are within walking distance from the hotel.
The city also has a lot to offer any visitor, so we also recommend taking advantage of the many restaurants, shops, and historic sites while you’re there. If you feel the need, you can always stay an extra night or two just to give you more time to see everything.
Hampton Inn and Suites
1201 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA
Located within walking distance to the cruise port, Hampton Inn and Suites has a lot to offer cruise passengers. You get a $25 discount on parking for the duration of your cruise, and they’ll shuttle you to and from the cruise port for free.
- Average starting rate: $148
- Overall guest rating: 4.5/5
- Length of parking duration: Duration of cruise
- Distance from cruise port: 0.6 miles
- Shuttle: Yes
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Metairie (New Orleans)
2713 Causeway Blvd, Metairie, LA
If you’re looking for a hotel that has it all, look no further. The Country Inn & Suites by Raddison has a cruise package that gives you free parking up to 7 nights but will transport up to 4 people to and from the cruise port. To reserve your seat(s) on the shuttle, talk to the clerk upon check-in.
- Average starting rate: $169
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 8.5 miles
- Shuttle: Yes
Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome
330 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA
Located barely a mile from the cruise port, the Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome is a great place to stay before shipping off. Their Park & Cruise package, which costs roughly $30 more than their standard rates, features up to 8 nights of parking for one vehicle. However, they do not provide shuttle service to the port.
- Average starting rate: $171
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: Up to 8 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 1 mile
- Shuttle: No
The Queen Anne Hotel
1625 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA
The Queen Anne Hotel can be found nestled within one of New Orleans’ most historic neighborhoods, the Garden District. This lovely hotel is one of three in the Garden District Hotel Collection.
A stay in this elegant Victorian mansion built in the 1890s will beat any hotel. The best part for cruise passengers is if you book just 2 nights with their Park & Cruise package, you’ll get free parking for the duration of your cruise.
- Average starting rate: $229
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 1.3 miles
- Shuttle: No
Prytania Park Hotel
1525 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA
The next hotel in the Garden District Hotel Collection, Prytania Park Hotel is a small, 60-room hotel with a variety of different types of rooms including Contemporary Modern and Historic Old World rooms. You’ll feel like you’re a guest in someone’s home, rather than staying in a hotel.
Book 2 nights with their Park & Cruise package and enjoy 7 nights of free parking for your cruise.
- Average starting rate: $119
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 1.5 miles
- Shuttle: No
Prytania Oaks Hotel
1612 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA
The final member of the Garden District Hotel Collection, Prytania Oaks is a mid-1800’s Greek Revival house offering sixteen rooms for anyone wanting to stay a few nights amidst a bit of history. They also offer a Park & Cruise package (must book at least 2 nights), with free parking for up to 7 days.
- Average starting rate: $129
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 1.3 miles
- Shuttle: No
Holiday Inn New Orleans West Bank Tower
275 Whitney Ave, Gretna, LA
This hotel is a great budget-friendly option for any cruise passengers trying to manage vacation funds. Just a few miles from the port, it sits right across from the river. Depending on what room you’re in, you might be able to see your ship come in to port on cruise day.
With their Park & Cruise package, you can safely park your car here for the duration of your cruise for free. You’ll have to find other transportation to the cruise port.
- Average starting rate: $87
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: Duration of cruise
- Distance from cruise port: 4 miles
- Shuttle: No
Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter
124 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
Located insanely close to the cruise port, you can enjoy the sights, shopping, and culinary delights of the French Market District at the Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter. Additionally, if you book with their Cruise package, you’ll get 7 nights of parking in their secured garage for no additional cost.
- Average starting rate: $160
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 1.5 miles
- Shuttle: No
Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport
2829 Williams Blvd, Kenner, LA
This hotel may be one of the furthest ones from the cruise port, but it’s extremely close to the airport, so if you’re flying in this is a good place to stay. They also have a Park & Cruise package which provides you with one-way transportation to the cruise terminal, along with parking for up to 14 days.
- Average starting rate: $159
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 14 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 14.5 miles
- Shuttle: Yes (only to the port)
Maison St. Charles
1319 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA
For any history buffs looking for a place to stay, this hotel is close to both the cruise port and the WWII museum. It also sits in the heart of the Garden District where you can visit other mansions, gardens, and more.
Book their Park & Cruise Package for your stay, and you can enjoy 7 nights of parking for free. Additional nights will cost $15 per night.
- Average starting rate: $179
- Overall guest rating: 3.5/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 nights
- Distance from cruise port: 1 mile
- Shuttle: No
Ramada by Wyndham Metairie New Orleans Airport
3400 S I-10 Service Rd W, Metairie, LA
Another good option if you’re flying into New Orleans for your cruise, the Ramada by Wyndham in Metairie offers cruise passengers free parking for your cruise, but they don’t provide transportation to the cruise terminal.
- Average starting rate: $89
- Overall guest rating: 3/5
- Length of parking duration: Duration of cruise
- Distance from cruise port: 8 miles
- Shuttle: No
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
2 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA
The Hilton New Orleans Riverside is one of the many hotels located within walking distance of the New Orleans port terminal. As such they don’t offer transportation in their cruise package. They do, however, offer a 20% discount off your hotel stay (most hotels charge more for their cruise package).
Also, in their cruise package is discounted parking at $13 per night (usually $44 for self-parking and $49 for valet), and free Wi-Fi in all areas of the hotel.
- Average starting rate: $230
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: Duration of cruise
- Distance from cruise port: 0.3 miles
- Shuttle: No
Courtyard Marriott New Orleans Westbank/Gretna
5 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA
Located right across the river, the Courtyard Marriot offers a cruise package to travelers, providing parking and transportation to the cruise terminal. You must call the hotel to book this package.
- Average starting rate: $99
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: 7 days
- Distance from cruise port: 3.5 miles
- Shuttle: Yes
Residence Inn by Marriott New Orleans Metairie
3 Galleria Boulevard, Metairie, LA
Enjoy easy access to downtown New Orleans while staying at the Residence Inn in Metairie. Nearby are a plenty of restaurants and places to shop, and the airport is just a short drive away. They do allow cruise passengers to park during the cruise, but they don’t offer a shuttle to the port.
- Average starting rate: $139
- Overall guest rating: 4.5/5
- Length of parking duration: Duration of cruise
- Distance from cruise port: 8.5 miles
- Shuttle: No
Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center
1001 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA
The Hilton Garden Inn is one of the few hotels within walking distance to the port that does offer complimentary shuttle service to the port. Just book your stay with their “Port of New Orleans Hotel Deal”. You also get a $25 Food & Beverage Credit to their on-site restaurant.
This package does not include parking, which is $39 for valet parking.
- Average starting rate: $227
- Overall guest rating: 4/5
- Length of parking duration: Duration of cruise ($39 per night)
- Distance from cruise port: 0.8 miles
- Shuttle: Yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my hotel doesn’t offer shuttle transportation? What do I do?
Although there are some hotels that provide a way to get you to and/or from the cruise terminal, many of the hotels in the area leave you to fend for yourself. What you do now all depends on how close your hotel is to the port.
There are many hotels located within walking distance to the hotel. This is why many of them don’t offer shuttle service, as you can just walk to the port.
Other options including calling a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. You can also rent a car if you want, which would eliminate the need for parking.
Why don’t the hotels closest to the port offer rides?
While it would be nice if they did, it’s possible that given their close proximity to the port, maintaining a shuttle for such short drives wouldn’t be cost-effective. It’s easier for them to offer free parking to their customers, especially since parking around the city and near the port costs so much.
Things to Do While in New Orleans
The city has so much to offer anyone visiting within. While you’re waiting for your cruise, or after you’ve returned, if you have any extra time, we recommend spending it visiting various attractions, museums, or just walking down the historic streets in downtown.
Here are a few locations we recommend visiting while you’re in the city.
Restaurants
New Orleans is famous for its spicy cuisine, and there are plenty of restaurants in the area that will not disappoint.
Barcadia Bar and Grill
If you’re on a budget and you don’t want to spend a whole lot on dining, we suggest stopping by the Barcadia Bar and Grill, located on Tchoupitoulas Street. The average cost is about $10-$20 per person, depending on what you get. Nachos, wings, oysters, fried pickles: the menu has nearly everything you could want.
Café Adelaide
Here you’ll find fries flavored with lemon, herbs, and parmesan. You’ll also find shrimp and okra gumbo, and so much more. This restaurant has the southern food and spices you’ve been craving.
Drago’s
Go to Drago’s and enjoy your favorite southern style seafood, from charbroiled oysters to stuffed lobster, as well as a gumbo that’ll make your mouth water.
Attractions
Mardi Gras World
Learn everything you want to learn about the history of Mardi Gras. Available all year long are floats and tours where you can try on costumes, and you even get to enjoy some King Cake!
Best part: If you’re interested in taking a tour and need a way to get there, just give them a call and they’ll come pick you up in their shuttle for FREE.
World War 2 Museum
For the history fanatics in your group, be sure to visit the World War II Museum located on Magazine Street. This museum strives to tell the story of how the world was fought, won, and what it means to people today. With all kinds of exhibits, movies, lectures and more, you’ll be able to learn more about this war than you ever did in school. To find out more about cost and hours, visit their website: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/
Audubon Nature Institute
This place has everything for the animal enthusiast. They have a zoo, aquarium, insectarium, and so much more. You and your family can learn anything about the animal kingdom here. You get to visit with penguins, sea otters, touch a sting ray, feed parakeets, and view gigantic sharks in their 400,000 Gulf of Mexico Exhibit.
The Nature Institute also has a Nature Center, complete with a planetarium. This Institute is an all-inclusive place, and it’s a great spot for an impromptu field trip before or after your cruise. You won’t want to miss it, and you won’t regret it. For more information and to find out their prices, visit the website: https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
Though not technically an “attraction”, the Outlet Collection is still a place to visit, especially if shopping is high on your list of things to do while in New Orleans. The Collection houses more than 60 stores and 20 dining options, all located along the Riverwalk which is right by the cruise terminals.
Go for a stroll down the Riverwalk and stop into any of the stores here and fulfill your need for retail therapy. There’s also a free yoga session hosted at sunrise (6:30am) by the Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation. There are also other fun events scheduled to take place here. For more information, visit the website: https://www.riverwalkneworleans.com/events.html
Conclusion
With so many hotel options in the New Orleans area, it can be hard finding one that works for your trip, especially if you’re coming to the city to take a cruise from the port. Therefore, we’ve painstakingly combed through the available hotels in the area to find for you ones that have packages specifically catered to cruise passengers.
In our search, we only found a handful that offer both parking and transportation, and there are many more hotels that don’t offer shuttle service at all, particularly those that are located closest to the port.
Given the extremely high costs for parking in the city and at the port, we highly recommend placing more importance on the possibility of free parking over shuttle transportation.
No matter where you decide to stay, we hope you enjoy your pre- and post-cruise visit to the “Big Easy”.
This is a guest post by Justin Stewart.
