How does sailing out of New Orleans impact your embarkation day experience?
The port you choose to depart from has a major impact on your cruise—and New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the most unique U.S. cities from which Royal Caribbean sails.
Located just 90 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is a convenient departure point for cruises. Cruises out of New Orleans begin in the Mississippi River, exiting into the Gulf of Mexico hours later.
I sailed out of New Orleans for the first time last month, on a Brilliance of the Seas cruise.
Currently, Brilliance of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship sailing from New Orleans.
My 7-night sailing departed from New Orleans and called upon Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Yucatan (Progreso), Mexico. On the first day of the cruise, I was surprised by how different the departure day was.
Embarkation day felt entirely different from Florida ports like Tampa or Miami, and it wasn’t just because of New Orleans' unique charm.
A cruise out of New Orleans is a great opportunity to explore the city
Pre-cruise, I was surprised to discover just how close the Royal Caribbean terminal is to the center of the city.
Royal Caribbean leaves from the Julia Street Terminal, which is just off Canal Street. The terminal is close to many famous sights; a short walk from the French Quarter, right across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and next door to the Riverwalk Mall.
I spent the day before the sailing in a nearby hotel and wished I'd arrived even earlier in New Orleans.
This distinctive city offers plenty to explore and is conveniently close to the cruise terminal. I didn't expect it to be so easy to see New Orleans after flying in and not having a car!
I spent a day at the Riverwalk Mall, tried café au lait and beignets, and purchased some Nola souvenirs. But if I'd had more time, I could have explored the French Quarter, prioritized hearing live music, and tried more authentic Creole food.
Because I stayed in the Marriot Warehouse Arts District, embarkation day was a breeze.
The Julia Street Terminal was just a short walk from the hotel, and porters took our bags right away.
We moved swiftly through the terminal and security, with staff efficiently checking our documents.
The embarkation day before the ship departed was a fun experience!
Embarkation day begins with sailing on the Mississippi River
As everyone boarded and began to fill up the ship, we could look outside and see the sights of New Orleans.
The ship’s position on the Mississippi River offered unique views, with the bridge and riverbanks visible on both sides.
As the ship departed, I realized that the first day of a cruise out of New Orleans felt more like a river cruise. The ship sails down the Mississippi River for almost eight hours before the ship reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
Our cruise departed a little later than usual, so it was almost evening by the time we started sailing down the river.
However, I could still see the lights and buildings of the city.
It was fascinating to watch the ship navigate the winding river bends and maneuver around boats and buildings.
Once the cruise ship passed New Orleans, we mostly were seeing industrial plants and refineries. Gray smoke and coal storage facilities lined both sides of the river.
While it was still cool to follow the winding path of the Mississippi River and see the lights from the riverbank, the refineries were a less pleasant sight.
Read more: 6 things I loved and 3 things I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise
After dark fell, and we got tired of looking at factories, we stopped gazing out the windows. At a certain point, the novelty of sailing on a river instead of the ocean began to wear off, and it felt gloomy instead.
I began to miss the ocean’s vast open space and clear night sky when faced with riverbanks and refineries.
Weather can also have a huge impact on your first day
Choosing which ports to visit also means considering the weather for that time of year.
With such an active 2024 hurricane season, it wasn't a surprise that my cruise was affected by the weather.
The Brilliance of the Seas sailing right before mine had to change its itinerary due to Hurricane Rafael.
Although my November 9th cruise had no schedule changes, we were still influenced by some bad weather.
Even though the tropical storm was already weakening in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana still experienced rain and wind.
The storm was approaching New Orleans as our ship departed, causing some bad weather for embarkation day.
Our first night onboard was dark and gloomy—the boat rocked back and forth. The approaching winds were so loud that they whistled through the stateroom all night, making it hard to sleep.
Of course, many people know New Orleans for its vulnerability to hurricanes. Cruise ships are designed with safety in mind, so weather concerns shouldn’t deter you from booking a cruise from this port.
However, it was interesting to see how our sailing was affected by the weather in the region.
If anything, it's important to notice how the time of year and regional weather might influence your cruise.
For future cruises out of New Orleans, I might schedule a sailing in the spring or fall. Winter cruises to the Gulf of Mexico can often be affected by severe weather, such as strong winds or rough seas.
Read more: Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide
