New Orleans

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

New Orleans, USA
Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise

From $42.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 2 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Journey back in time to when New Orleans was a budding port town that dazzled visitors with its colorful Creole culture. Board the historic riverboat for a morning or afternoon float down the mighty Mississippi. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap picturesque shots of the beautiful urban shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional buffet lunch (additional expense).
  • Riverboat harbor cruise
  • See the bustling activity of America's second largest port
  • Select option to add on a delicious southern-style buffet meal
  • View the skyline of 'The Crescent City' from the decks or climate-controlled comfort of the riverboat

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

With an optional buffet lunch, this daytime cruise on an authentic steamboat is a hit with families.

Sample Menu

Starter

Salad Du Jour

Main

Southern Fried Fish

Zesty cornmeal-crusted and fried to a golden perfection.

Main

Red Beans and Rice

New Orleans classic red beans atop a bed of rice with optional andouille sausage.

Main

Jambalaya

​A traditional Louisiana dish with chicken, sausage, and Creole seasoning.

Dessert

New Orleans Bread Pudding

Souffle of local Leidenheimer French bread in a rich custard with Chef’s Choice of decadent sauce

What's Included

  • 2-Hour Paddlewheel Cruise
  • Live Commentary Onboard
  • Live Jazz by the Steamboat Stompers
  • Creole-Inspired Lunch Monday-Saturday (if option selected)
  • Restroom on board
  • Climate controlled areas
  • Gratuities
  • Alcoholic Beverages (Available for Purchase)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Gray Line New Orleans
    Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office, 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

    Departs from the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office at Toulouse St. and the Mississippi River, just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Please arrive 15 minutes before boarding.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Guarantee a spot on this popular cruise by booking a ticket in advance. Choose a morning or afternoon start time and head to Toulouse Street in the French Quarter to board the beautiful riverboat. The historic vessel particularly appeals to boat enthusiasts and history buffs, who can linger over the vintage decor.

Stroll the deck as the riverboat begins its cruise along the Mississippi River. Then, find a seat in the cabin or outside, where you can admire unobstructed views of the striking ‘Crescent City’ shoreline and enjoy live jazz music. Learn some riverside history as you pass sites like the Chalmette Battlefield, where the famous pirate and privateer Jean Lafitte teamed with Andrew Jackson to defeat British invaders in the Battle of New Orleans. 

Purchase an optional buffet lunch to sample an array of sumptuous Louisiana fare, from cornmeal-crusted fish and red beans and rice to Natchez’s signature bread pudding and fresh fruit. Coffee and tea are included with your lunch, or you may purchase adult beverages.

Your river cruise ends back at the departure point in New Orleans with plenty of time to sightsee!

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
  • The Steamboat NATCHEZ is handclapped accessible to the main deck and restrooms only.
  • Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat.
  • The riverboat cruises rain or shine.
  • Anyone looking to book a group of 9 or more should contact the booking site directly. Different rates apply.
  • Should the Steamboat NATCHEZ need to take time off, her sister vessel will be taking her place. You'll get the same authentic experience of a grand paddlewheeler on a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 500 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:Where is the departure point for the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:The harbor cruise departs from Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery in the heart of the French Quarter (400 Toulouse Street.)

Jun 2021

Q:Is parking available near the departure point for the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:There are parking lots in the French Quarter on Decatur Street and adjacent to the dock. These lots offer hourly or daily parking rates.

Jun 2021

Q:What time should I arrive for the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. It is best to arrive 30 minutes before departure or sooner.

Jun 2021

Q:Is alcohol available during the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:There are bars available on all three decks for guests 21 and over. Alcoholic beverages include beer, a wine list, and specialty drinks.

Jun 2021

Q:Is the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise handicap accessible?

A:Yes - the main deck is accessible, however, access to the top & bottom decks is by stairs only, and restroom stalls are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring an animal with me on the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:The Steamboat Natchez allows animals to cruise with their owners as long as they are a Service Animal as defined by the ADA. Other animals/pets are not permitted. Please note if bringing a service animal in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

Jun 2021

Q:What is the dress code for the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:All cruises are casual attire.

Jun 2021

Q:Are restrooms available during the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:Yes - restrooms are available on board for your convenience.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I smoke during the New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise?

A:The Steamboat Natchez is a non-smoking vessel, so unfortunately smoking and vaping are prohibited both indoors and on the outer decks.

Jun 2021

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Barbara_L
Relaxing and enjoying the scenery. The best. I would recommend it to everyone that's visiting for the first time!

Reviews

4.0
3,543 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 3,543 reviews
Enjoyed the nice breeze,...
Virginia_C, Mar 2024
Enjoyed the nice breeze, the spring drink specials, and the history. Thr jazz music was great. Snacks were awesome.
Just OK
Todd_W, Mar 2024
Nice enough on-boat experience -- good crowd but plenty of room, live music was nice, boat interesting. But an hour down river and another up river, really not that much to see along the way.
Great day - would go again
karen_h, Mar 2024
It was a nice enjoyable ride. The narrator was very informative, pointing out places of interest. We didn’t have the lunch, maybe next time.
Excellent trip.
Mandy_W, Mar 2024
Trip was really good! Highly recommend during the day so you can see all the ships coming in. Overall very good experience!
Great Experience, Terribly Loud Horns
Emily_G, Mar 2024
We enjoyed The Steamboat Natches ride and especially loved hearing the Steamboat Stompers band. The ride was pleasant and the overhead tour guide provided some nice information about the sights along the way. The music was highly enjoyable on the way back! We did not enjoy the loud horns that went off in our ears without any warning multiple times throughout the ride. For that reason, we only give the Steamboat ride 4 stars, as the noise really took away from the otherwise very pleasant experience. We hope your passengers will get a warning of these horns in the future.
Relaxing ride on the Mississippi
Jaimee_A, Mar 2024
Relaxing. Lots of information provided. Get to see the engine room. We didn't do the meal but looked good. Bring a jacket it gets cold.
Relax
James_L, Mar 2024
A relaxing 2 hours, watching the world go by. I would sit on the left side going out, that way you get the explanations of what you see.
Awesome Do it
Gabrielle_G, Mar 2024
We booked the ferry ride just to see the Mississippi River and was pleasantly surprised with the history that was given, the boat was beautiful, and the foooood !! PLEASE I’d book it all over again for the food !! Everything was amazing, I’ll be back in Miami trying to redo their cornbread and sweet tea babayy
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for the NATCHEZ review. Although there is a public ferry to cross the river, the NATCHEZ is a steam-powered riverboat. We are so pleased you booked with us. Please visit again from Miami!
The food was delicious...
Samantha_M, Mar 2024
The food was delicious and authentic! The live music was wonderful! We really enjoyed learning all about New Orleans!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
We enjoy having guests like you aboard our Riverboat. Please return and food, music and southern hospitality.
Only one meal seating for afternoon cruise
Jill_s, Mar 2024
Be cautious about first and second meal time seatings. We purchased tickets for the second seating of the afternoon cruise but were told once on board that they only do one seating at 2:00 now.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
As long as you were served and enjoyed your cruise we are pleased. Depending on guest counts we may be able to accommodate guests whenever they would like to be seated rather than a specific time.
Good experience on a steamboat
MariaChristina_S, Mar 2024
Enjoyed the steamboat ride and the onsite music. In retrospect we should have booked the buffet as well as it looked delicious
And I didn't feel seasick at all.
Elizabeth_H, Mar 2024
Good food, great music, knowledgeable staff. We had a wonderful time! My friend and I were very pleased with the whole experience.
Cruising the Mississippi
Julio_N, Mar 2024
The crew does a great job of welcoming you in onboard. The history of the Mississippi River is amazing to hear! Good drinks and good times!
Good start to the day...
Rakesh_B, Mar 2024
Good start to the day with morning jazz on the cruise! It was a fun ride and went by fast! Would love to do it again.
Awesome boat ride that lasted perfectly
Jennifer_R, Mar 2024
This was a great experience with a narrator telling the history and pointing out important buildings was nice. We got to enjoy the band although we didn’t purchase the dinning meal. There is a bar and extra tables and chairs to listen and dance.
New orleans
Dominique_M, Mar 2024
Great Family Trip To New Orleans, great site for planning activities, while out of town. I always use this site.
Nice time
Christopher_D, Mar 2024
The ship was beautiful!! Food was very good and plentiful! It was very informative too. I would highly recommend and I would do it again next time in New Orleans
Nice jazz cruise
Michelle_H, Mar 2024
We got to learn about the area and then on the way back, listen to some wonderful live jazz music. Food was good.
Great Experience
MS_S, Mar 2024
We did the lunch cruise and it was very enjoyable. not much to see on the Mississippi River but the Natchez was a good experience and the boat ride was fun.
This tour was very...
kim_l, Mar 2024
This tour was very informative and enjoyable. The boat was not too full so could walk around easily.
...

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