Cheap Discount Cruises Out of New Orleans

The best cruises out of New Orleans take a straight route south, with ports of call at Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, Belize and more. Cruises out of New Orleans in 2026 are available from Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line. Each of them offers breathtaking views on the way to some of the most famous vacation destinations in the world, allowing passengers to dive into the nature and culture of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding countries like Mexico and Panama.

Cheap cruises out of New Orleans are easy to find if you sort your search results by price and filter for the best available deals. You can also get cheap New Orleans cruises by booking interior cabins, knowing you'll have views of the sea while on deck during the trip. Another thing to keep in mind is which companies are considered the cheapest cruise lines out of New Orleans. Generally, a Royal Caribbean or Carnival cruise out of New Orleans will be cheaper than other cruise packages. When browsing Expedia, look for the green box above the price to compare your average savings for different cruise options.

New Orleans cruise lines can change by year, but four lines currently operate out of the birthplace of jazz: Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney. All cruise lines from New Orleans have one thing in common: they offer the age-old promise of an escape to sea. Disney cruises are naturally focused on family, with cruise ships like the Disney Dream offering children's entertainment that ranges from musicals to themed dinners. Carnival cruises offer trips focused on adults, with ships like the Mardi Gras offering bars, retreats and even amusement rides. The Norwegian Escape threads the needle between the two with entertainment ranging from mini golf to a casino at sea. Finally, Royal Caribbean offers one of the best cruise ships out of New Orleans and in the Caribbean aboard the Serenade of the Sea, a luxurious experience with an intimate feel.

As with so many things in the Big Easy, finding the best cruise deals from New Orleans means doing some digging. Start by looking for cruise times in off-seasons, like mid-fall and late winter or early spring. But be careful: around Mardi Gras, which usually happens between mid-February and early March, it becomes more difficult to find great New Orleans cruise deals because countless tourists look to combine the party with a cruise. You can still find good deals by looking for shorter durations and departure times that are close to the date you're searching for.

When looking to book cruises leaving from New Orleans, the most important thing to keep in mind are the many options you have. Choosing from four cruise lines and even more ships means the goal of your journey at sea can determine what exact trip you want to take. Cruise ships leaving from New Orleans all tend to be large, but the difference between 1,500 and 2,500 passengers can still make a massive difference to your experience. In addition, you will not be able to book a 2-night or 3-night cruise from New Orleans because of its relative distance to most of the popular Caribbean vacation spots. Instead of weekend cruises out of New Orleans, Louisiana, prepare yourself for a longer trip. The shortest cruise from New Orleans to the Caribbean starts at around four nights. Finally, pay close attention to the ports of call your ship will visit after you board. Cozumel, for example, is famous for its scuba diving spots, while the history of Falmouth reaches back more than 300 years and is well-known in both Jamaica and the surrounding islands.

When cruise ships out of New Orleans lift their anchor, they all head south. And while the best cruises from New Orleans depend on your preferences, you'll have plenty of options for an unforgettable trip. The Mexican island of Cozumel is the most popular destination, especially for shorter cruises, but that's only the beginning. Costa Maya is another popular Mexican cruise harbour. More adventurous passengers may enjoy a trip to the Panama Canal, appreciating one of the busiest waterways in the world on a 14-day voyage at sea aboard the Carnival Glory. Meanwhile, several eight-day New Orleans cruises in 2025 stop by the Bahamas, an ideal choice for passengers just looking for those famed blue waters and white beaches.

All-inclusive cruises from New Orleans in 2026 come in many forms, but they all feature a complete experience that includes a cabin, food and entertainment. Norwegian cruise line offers all-inclusive packages that already include quite a bit in the price of a ticket including spa facilities and room service.

Family cruises from New Orleans offer an experience that is fun for children and adults alike. Disney cruises are particularly geared toward families with built-in youth programs and character meet and greets for the kids and plenty to do for the parents, too.

Singles cruises out of New Orleans to destinations like Cozumel and Belize are specifically designed for adults to mix and mingle. Royal Caribbean is a great cruise line for singles cruises from New Orleans with a range of activities and entertainment that are perfect for the solo traveller.

Search for travel dates around Christmas to find a Christmas cruise from New Orleans. It’s common for cruise lines to deck out their ships with decorations and plan holiday events along with their usual onboard itineraries. Most of the cruises visit the Western Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean International has several gay cruises from New Orleans available offering a variety of experiences. New Orleans offers plenty of LGBTQ+ events, so it’s common to pair a trip to New Orleans pride week with a Caribbean cruise.

Booking a cruise ship from New Orleans is simple. Set your destination port as New Orleans, then browse your options. You'll get to choose from and filter by the best cruise lines out of New Orleans, along with other filter options like your ideal departure and arrival date, destination and more. You'll also be able to learn more about ships leaving the Big Easy during your preferred time and the type of cabins you can book. Sort the results by price or time to make sure you find a trip that suits your preferences. Finally, use Expedia to book your trip to and from New Orleans, including airfare and hotels, and learn about attractions like the French Quarter or the National World War II Museum.

Anyone browsing for options will find cruises leaving out of New Orleans every week and throughout the year. That frequency creates immense flexibility when finding your preferred trip, including the ability to easily find a last-minute cruise from New Orleans in 2025. Browse the New Orleans departure page for a travel time close to the current date. Then, sort your results by the closest date. You'll be able to find the best cruise deals in New Orleans by looking for the green box near the price that shows how much you're saving compared to the sticker price.

You will need a passport for any Caribbean cruise from New Orleans, as well as any other cruise leaving the port to head south. That's the case even for a 4-day cruise from New Orleans, which is typically the shortest travel time you can book. The reason is simple: every port of call you'll visit is international. Fortunately, Expedia reminds you that you need a passport in the booking process, helping to ensure that by the time you arrive at the cruise terminal, you have all your documents ready to go.

While cancellation policies depend at least partially on the cruise line, you can cancel your New Orleans cruise at least 91 days before the ship lifts anchor without penalty. After that, you may be charged fees that are equal to a percentage of the total price of the cruise. The closer you get to your departure date, the higher those fees will be until 14 days before the first day of the trip, at which point no refund is available. Exceptions do exist for travellers who test positive for COVID-19 or were close contacts in the days before the cruise. Check with your cruise line and contact one of our Expedia Cruise agents at 1-888-444-1695 with any questions.

Using Expedia when booking cruises departing from New Orleans can make the best of our experience. You'll be able to choose from a wide range of destinations and departure dates and learn more about New Orleans cruise ships and cruise lines before you make your choice. You can also book your flight and hotel in New Orleans through the same system, creating a full travel experience for one of the most exciting cities in the United States--and the breathtaking beach locations to which you'll travel.