 The ingredients have come together like a delicious gumbo. Start with the Mississippi River, then add the historic French Quarter, world class restaurants, an arts district, and shopping – all within walking distance of the port's cruise terminal complex.
“A cruise itinerary which begins and ends in New Orleans offers passengers two vacation experiences in one trip," said Gary LaGrange,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans
. "Most passengers will spend a couple of days in New Orleans either before or after their cruises." More than 11 million people visited New Orleans in 2004.
In the past decade the growth of New Orleans’ cruise industry has been phenomenal. The number of passengers embarking or making a port of call has grown from 80,000 in 1993 to 734,643 in 2004. The port’s infrastructure has grown with the passenger totals. Forty-seven million potential passengers live within a 500-mile radius of New Orleans.
The Julia Street Cruise Terminal Complex is located within the same building as the RiverWalk Shopping Mall, a world class mall with everything from a food court to Victoria’s Secret, Gap and Limited. Shop until it's time to board the ship.
The cruise terminals are all on the RiverFront streetcar (trolley) line, with two stops adjacent to the cruise terminals. For $1.25 per ride you can take a ten minute trip to the Aquarium of the Americas, IMAX Theater, Harrah’s Casino or the French Quarter for a few hours of entertainment before or after your cruise.
Cruise terminal expansion
In the past four years, more than $9 million has been spent to upgrade the two cruise terminals at the Julia Street Wharf. New enhancements include an air-conditioned, elevated passenger gangway; expanded customs and baggage area; covered and lighted walkways and a vehicular drive in/drop off area. The two terminals combine for 35,000 square feet of check-in/waiting area, 46,000 square feet of baggage area, a 2,600 foot long berth (for three vessels) and 140,000 square feet of ship loading space.
The $37 million Erato Street Cruise Terminal opened in September of 2006. Located adjacent to the Julia Street Cruise Terminal. The building includes a 1,000-vehicle parking garage and state-of-the-art passenger services.
The Port is presently in the planning, design and engineering stages of developing an additional cruise terminal on the Poland Avenue Wharf, in the Bywater Area below the French Quarter.
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