In a exceptional comeback, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) celebrates the return to pre-pandemic cruise passenger ranges, with practically 1.2 million actions in 2023, signaling a strong restoration and continued confidence from main cruise strains.
A Resilient Restoration
Within the wake of the challenges posed by the worldwide pandemic, Port NOLA recorded practically 1.2 million cruise passenger actions in 2023. Port NOLA has not solely rebounded but in addition secured renewed commitments from ocean-going and river cruise strains.
The record-setting passenger numbers in March 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic ranges with 155,225 passenger actions and 39 cruise vessel calls on the port, topped the earlier excessive in February 2020 of 154,409 passenger actions and 31 vessel calls.
The 2023 numbers spotlight the port’s essential position in producing over 300,000 lodge room nights and greater than $125 million in native spending yearly.
Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy D. Christian mentioned, “The cruise enterprise has rebounded in New Orleans and cruise line companions are assured in our Port NOLA cruise market. That is actually encouraging as our cruise enterprise drives tourism and contributes considerably to the hospitality business.”
A Port of Name for Main Cruise Strains
Port NOLA serves as a vibrant hub for each ocean-going and river cruises, bolstering the native financial system and tourism sector.
Mentioned Walter J. Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Firm, “New Orleans is likely one of the hottest pre- and post-cruise locations within the [United States], which is a tribute to our glorious companions on the Port of New Orleans in addition to the work of our crew at New Orleans & Firm.”
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In a major improvement, Norwegian Cruise Line has dedicated to a five-year renewal, enhancing its choices with further sailings and introducing Norwegian Getaway to exchange Norwegian Breakaway in October 2024.
Disney Cruise Line has additionally made its return to the Huge Simple with the 2,700-passenger Disney Magic in January, and Royal Caribbean is about to reintroduce Brilliance of the Seas in October 2024 for its 4- to 9-night cruises to Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands for two,466 passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line, a stalwart of the New Orleans cruise scene, continues to function two vessels year-round from Port NOLA. In 2024, it can rejoice 30 years of crusing from town. Carnival’s Glory and Valor provide year-round cruises to 2,980 and a couple of,974 passengers, respectively.
Carnival Glory units sail each Sunday for 7-night journeys to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras, Belize Metropolis, Belize, and Cozumel; or Key West, Florida and Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas.
Carnival Valor sails each different Monday, Saturday, and Thursday with both a 4-night journey to Cozumel or a 5-night voyage to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico.
The Rise of River Cruising from Port NOLA
Moreover, the expansion of river cruising from Port NOLA is exemplified by the homeporting of 9 vessels, together with America’s first Viking Cruise, Mississippi. That vessel was inbuilt Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Louisiana in 2022 and supplies 8-night roundtrip and one-way cruises to Memphis for 386 passengers.
Extra river cruise strains embody American Cruises, with 4 ships crusing roundtrip and a fifth ship providing April by means of December voyages, and American Queen Steamboat Firm crusing three seasonal routes.
In the same vein of resurgence, the close by Port of Galveston, additionally located alongside the Gulf of Mexico, is celebrating its personal exceptional achievements. The port just lately posted the very best income in its historical past, mirroring the development of restoration and progress seen throughout main cruise ports.
