cajun music cruise

Sandy Beaches Cruise

january 5 - 12, 2025

Ft. Lauderdale, FL • Key West • Belize City • Cozumel

(855) 923-7222

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER Financing Options Available

2025 LINEUP

• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
• St. Paul & The Broken Bones
• The Allman Betts Band
• Anders Osborne
• The Soul Rebels
• Marcia Ball
• Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
• Blind Boys of Alabama
• Louisiana’s LeRoux
• Bender Brass Band ft. Johnny Sansone, Chambers DesLauriers, Sugaray Rayford
• Johnny Sansone
• Chambers DesLauriers
• Sugaray Rayford
• John Boutté
• Tin Men
• Washboard Chaz Blues Trio 
• Minx Burlesque
• Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
• John “Papa” Gros
• Sierra Green
• Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
• J'Wan Boudreaux
• Chef Kevin Belton
• Co-Host Cole Williams
• Music Host Keith Spera
• And More to be Added!

Ready to Book?

A word from the big easy cruise.

November, 2023

Let the Good Times Roll On In 2025!

Booking for The 2025 Big Easy Cruise is officially open – book your cabin now ! Plus, sign up for our email list to receive updates on all things Big Easy Cruise, including artist additions and more! Join us for 7 days and let the good times roll. 

Enjoy Celebrity-Hosted Activities!

So much more than just a concert, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with the artists onboard at events including:

• Cooking demonstrations
• Panel discussions
• Artist Q&A Sessions

See All Activities

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. promotes, preserves, perpetuates, and encourages the music, culture, and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs, and other cultural, educational, civic, and economic activities.

Bender Presents

Born in 2014, Bender Presents specializes in unique and exciting concerts experiences in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada. The flagship event "Big Blues Bender" has become the premiere blues music festival in the United States.

No Depression

No Depression  comprises a quarterly print journal and daily-updated website all about roots music — country, folk, bluegrass, blues, singer-songwriters, etc. — any “music of the people.” A legacy brand in music journalism (it began as a for-profit, bimonthly magazine in 1995), No Depression is now published by the 501(c)(3) FreshGrass Foundation and stands as an innovative leader in independent media.

OffBeat Magazine  has been the definitive source on New Orleans music and culture since 1988 and has published thousands of interviews, reviews, features, podcasts, photos, and videos focused on local music and culture bearers. OffBeat.com is the best way to experience in-depth coverage of the deep traditions of New Orleans music — from all forms of jazz and blues to R&B, funk, rock, Cajun and zydeco, to bounce, hip hop, and so much more.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts inspires, educates, and empowers individuals through the arts and humanities by presenting a diverse selection of culturally-rich performances, popular artists, and community and educational programming.  

T.J. Martell Foundation, Music's Promise for Curing Cancer since 1975

We proudly support the T.J. Martell Foundation by donating auction items, which funds medical research to discover new treatments and cures for cancer with the support of the music and entertainment industries.

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2025 Itinerary

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Bons Temps et Bons Amis!

Soak up the music, the food, and the good vibes on this New Orleans music festival at sea! 

• Round-the-clock concerts & entertainment
• Interactive events with the artists
• New Orleans themed special events
• Exciting ports of call
• 7 nights of luxury on the highly rated Nieuw Amsterdam
• Sail with other music fans like you

BigEasyCruiseInfo

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Sail To New Orleans On The Inaugural Big Easy Cruise Ft. Galactic, Little Feat, Tab Benoit, More

Celebrate the spirit of New Orleans like never before on the all new Big Easy Cruise November 4th–11th.

Presented by StarVista LIVE , the seven-day luxury cruise and music festival will sail from Fort Lauderdale, FL to New Orleans, where passengers will be treated to a special exclusive performance by Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph at the famed club Tipitina’s , and then to Cozumel. The festival will also host performances by Little Feat , Tab Benoit , Irma Thomas , Samantha Fish , Dirty Dozen Brass Band , Leo Nocentelli from The Meters , Anders Osborne , Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen , Tuba Skinny , John Boutté , Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters , Honey Island Swamp Band , John “Papa” Gros , Jimmy Carpenter , and Bender Brass Band with more jazz, funk, R&B, Cajun, zydeco, and blues-based artists still to be announced. Chef Kevin Belton and renowned NOLA artist Frenchy will also be aboard the luxurious Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam.

Related: Watch Galactic Celebrate Mardi Gras Weekend With Dumpstaphunk, Cimafunk Sit-In, & More [Review/Videos]

“We want to bring the community of people who love the essence of New Orleans together with beloved icons in music, food, and more,” said Mike Jason , StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President, Live Entertainment. “Our guests will be immersed in the soul of New Orleans, with rare opportunities to spend time with their favorite artists and musicians. And the best part is that all of this is offered in an intimate and comfortable style aboard a world class ship with incredible amenities.”

The Big Easy Cruise will set sail on November 4th with one-of-a-kind events that will bring together leaders in music, cuisine, and history for a series of live interviews and songwriting presentations, theme nights, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, and much more.

Tickets for the Big Easy Cruise are on sale now via the festival website . View the festival lineup below, and for more information, head here .

Where to Hear Cajun and Zydeco Music in New Orleans

Lou Jones/Getty Images

Though Cajun and zydeco music are not native to New Orleans (they're rooted in Acadiana, the area around Lafayette), they've made a solid and lasting impression on the Big Easy's musical scene. You'll see lots of Cajun and zydeco bands at all of the major New Orleans festivals, including Jazz Fest , the French Quarter Festival, and (obviously) the Cajun-Zydeco Festival.

There are also plenty of good Cajun and zydeco bands playing throughout the city on any given week, so no matter when you visit, you should be able to find an excellent band that'll have you waltzing and two-stepping around the floor for hours. It's okay to just sit in the back and watch, too. Just don't be too surprised if a friendly local drags you to the floor at some point. Follow their lead; you'll be fine.

Pick up a copy of OffBeat Magazine or The Gambit at any newsstand as soon as you arrive in town, or tune your radio dial to WWOZ at 90.7 FM, and check out the concert listings. Keep an eye out for these excellent venues, which are likely to have Cajun and zydeco music on the docket.

Mid-City Lanes Rock'n'Bowl

Mid-City Lanes is a one-of-a-kind venue which combines bowling, food, and live bands for an experience that you won't replicate anywhere else. The music on offer is diverse, but Cajun and zydeco both make the roster at least once a week (Thursdays almost always, and sometimes on the weekend as well), and the bands on the stage are among the biggest names in the scene: Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, Chubby Carrier, Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, and so on. It's a great place to dance (and bowl, if you're so inclined) and absolutely worth seeking out.

3000 South Carrollton Ave.

Tipitina's

This venerable music club features both New Orleans' finest performers from across the genre spectrum and well-known touring bands. Every other Sunday, though, Tip's hosts a Cajun Fais-Do-Do (a fancy word for a dance). The Fais-Do-Do usually features the excellent Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, and if Bruce is on tour, another worthy group always takes his place. These shows are wildly popular among local Cajun dancers, so if you want to see the real thing on the dance floor (and perhaps have a waltz or two yourself), swing by.

501 Napoleon Ave

Mulate's

Originally an offshoot of the now-defunct Mulate's Cajun Restaurant in the small Acadiana town of Breaux Bridge , Mulate's is a good choice for both food and music. There's a dance floor adjacent to the dining room, where dancers twirl between courses while a live band plays. It can be a bit of a tourist trap, but the location is convenient (it's very near the Convention Center, as well as the Julia Street Pier, where cruise ships dock), and the music is to-the-bone Cajun, every night. Lee Benoit & the Bayou Stompers and La Touché are the usual weeknight groups, and the wonderful Jonno & Bayou Deville are usually in on weekends.

201 Julia Street

Krazy Korner

If you're in the French Quarter with zydeco on your mind, Krazy Korner is your place. This bar is one of the only Bourbon Street venues that still actively and regularly promotes excellent local zydeco, blues, and R&B, and though drinks are overpriced (it's Bourbon Street, after all), it's still a good place to dance away a couple of hours. Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, fronted by one of the sons of the legendary zydeco accordionist and songwriter Rockin' Dopsie, play here several times a week throughout most of the year and are worth checking out.

640 Bourbon Street

Tropical Isle Bayou Club

Another French Quarter staple, the Bayou Club specializes in two things: Cajun music and Hand Grenades, an infamous liquor-heavy beverage that… well… let's just say it'll improve your dancing (or so you'll think). There's Cajun (or Cajun-ish) music on the menu every night of the week, though as it's a bit of a Bourbon Street dive, you won't find a heavy local contingent, so if you're looking to find a local dance partner, this isn't the place to do it. Still, it's a reliable place to hear decent Cajun music in the Quarter, so it's worth stopping in. Keep an eye on the schedule for Brandon Moreau and CajunGrass. Moreau is a talented fiddler from the Cajun music hotbed of Evangeline Parish, and he's one to seek out, for sure.

610 Bourbon Street

Frenchmen Street is the place to go for consistently excellent (and wildly diverse) live music in New Orleans, and Cajun and zydeco are just two of the many genres that you might find at any one of more than a dozen clubs each night. Your most likely suspect, though, is d.b.a. Though they only host Cajun and zydeco bands once a month or so, they really draw the very best: The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Feufollet, The Pine Leaf Boys, and so on. There's enough of a local contingent that you'll see authentic dancing, but overall, d.b.a. attracts a younger crowd than you'll see elsewhere, so if that's what you're looking for, this is the place to go.

618 Frenchmen Street

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December 22, 2022 • No Comments • Latest Blues News

Booze, Brunch & Jazz Cruise on the Riverboat City of New Orleans

• Starting at $42/person

• Batch Favorite
• Cheers! Let's Drink
• Insta-Worthy
• New Orleans
• On the Water
• Where to Eat
• Best of Batch
• Good For Bachelors
• Your Birthday Your Way

About this experience

What you’ll do:

Climb aboard this marvelous sternwheel riverboat—THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS—and let the good times roll down the mighty Mississippi.  You and your crew will soak in captivating views of the French Quarter while dancing to soulful live jazz. Stroll the multiple decks and explore the beautiful refinished interiors. If your squad’s coming for the morning, you’ll enjoy a flavorful brunch of authentic New Orleans cuisine. Ready to start day drinking? The bar is calling your name. 

Why we love it for your party: 

• Queen of the Mississippi (clink champagne flutes with the party as that big wheel keeps on turning).
• Brunch, jazz, and stunning French Quarter views (enough said) 
• The perfect day-hang (get boozy and festive on the Mississippi before your night out in NOLA)
• Instagrams for dayz (dress like riverboat belles and stage your photo shoot)

JAZZ LUNCH & SUNDAY BRUNCH COURSES 

The Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS is home to the best brunch cruise on the Mississippi River. Fun and scenic, the cruise features live jazz music, New Orleans-style cuisine, and a cash bar for cocktails. Check out the beverage packages available for those 21 and over. 

DINNER JAZZ CRUISES  In a city full of great places to dine, dinner aboard the riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS is truly a unique dining experience. This dinner features a pre-fix table side menu of New Orleans classics and a relaxing atmosphere for enjoying an evening on the Mississippi. Sip a refreshing cocktail while live Jazz brings refined sophistication to onboard entertainment. Check out the beverage packages available for those 21 and over to enliven your experience. 

About this experience partner:

Welcome to Gray Line New Orleans ! A mixture of old-world charm and modern amenities, this totally renovated sternwheeler, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, set sail in Fall 2020. The newest paddle wheeler on the Mississippi River features three beautiful decks with stunning décor and a marvelous rooftop viewing deck. She offers two-hour daytime cruises introducing you to the Port and skyline of New Orleans with riverfront narration and options for lunch or a Sunday brunch. Private functions on each of the three enclosed decks are available.  Docked at Toulouse Street & the Mississippi River in the heart of the French Quarter. (GPS 400 Toulouse Street)

Check Availability

Book your experience.

Harbor Jazz Cruise (Lunch Included)

The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is home to the "Best" Lunch/Brunch cruises on the Mississippi River.

Harbor Jazz Cruise (Sightseeing Only)

Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner

In a city full of great places to dine, dinner aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is truly a unique dining experience.

Evening Jazz Cruise (Sightseeing Only)

Cancellation Policy

strict Cancellation Policy

This experience partner offers no refunds once the reservation is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of boat is the riverboat city of new orleans, what can i expect from the brunch cruise, what can i expect from the dinner jazz cruise, can i book the riverboat for a private function, what is the minimum age to purchase beverage packages, why book with batch, all your parties on one account.

With over 30 cities and counting, you can plan all your parties on Batch. We’ll save your information and preferences to make booking a breeze.

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4.5 ( 26 Ratings )

The tour was informative and the food was amazing. Make sure to book with food because it’s worth it !

Kimberly K.

May 2023 • Bachelorette Party

The food, vibes, and jazz music were great. The ship had plenty of seating, the staff was extremely friendly, and the drinks were wonderful!

October 2022 • Bachelorette Party

The jazz cruise was the perfect relaxing element to our bachelorette weekend. We loved the music and the beautiful scenery...and the drinks were delicious, too!

September 2022 • Bachelorette Party

The brunch cruise was so much fun and great for big groups. The food, drinks, and service were amazing as well.

Cool experience with great food!!! Great fun for our Bach group!

Kaileigh S.

August 2022 • Bachelorette Party

We love this cruise so much! It took us down the river for scenic views paired with a cery informational audio tour. The brunch and drinks were delicious, and the jazz band on the top deck really rounded out a pleasant NOLA experience.

Francesca L.

July 2022 • Bachelorette Party

We absolutely loved this excursion for my bach! It was easy to get tickets printed at the dock and the boat had indoor and outdoor spaces. Was super fun even though it started our rainy and was a different experience for out of town friends.

June 2022 • Bachelorette Party

May 2022 • Bachelorette Party

The booze, brunch & jazz cruise was amazing. The food was great, classic New Orleans style brunch. Jumbo, grits, bacon. The whole works. The music was the best part. Just was just something magical about listening to jazz while sailing the Mississippi River was an experience of a life time. The Bach app really helped facilitate and enjoy the experience overall. If I go back to New Orleans for whatever reason. I would deff do the brunch jazz cruise again!

Brittany D.

We had so much fun on the booze brunch and jazz cruise! The food and drinks were amazing, the boat itself was very nice and the ride was enjoyable. Perfect excursion for a bachelor/bachelorette party and would do it again!

What's more fun than brunch on the water with your besties? JAZZ BRUNCH on a beautiful riverboat in NOLA. This is an experience your girls are sure to love that will leave you with memories that will last you a lifetime!

April 2022 • Bachelorette Party

Great for any size group! We made friends with a bachelor party, and everyone got up to dance to the live jazz! Great specialty drinks that won’t break the bank.

March 2022 • Bachelorette Party

We loved booking this experience because it was relaxing and a meal was included. It was neat to see all of the sights and on boarding was a breeze. The weather was perfect! It was a lot of fun and I would do it again.

February 2022 • Bachelorette Party

We loved the Booze, Brunch, & Jazz Cruise. First, the food on this was actually AMAZING. I'm a foodie, so I have high standards. As soon as you sit down, you're fed. (My kind of place). We also had a blast on the second deck listening to the jazz band, dancing, and taking photos outside with our crew. The cruise wasn't too long or too short, and it definitely felt like a very "New Orleans" experience. We loved it!

I truly enjoyed myself on the boat. The food/drink options were phenomenal and the jazz played their hearts out!

November 2021 • Bachelorette Party

September 2021 • Bachelorette Party

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Latest News

Mississippi river dinner jazz cruise.

Step on board and cruise with us into the night where the sleepless activity of America's busiest port buzzes. The sounds of a lively jazz band fill the air as you enjoy a lavish Creole buffet in elegantly appointed dining rooms. See details

Historical River Cruise

View the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and be entertained by a historian narrator with a detailed description of New Orleans landmarks, history, vessel information, and river lore. See details

Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise

SEE DETAILS

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Riverboat Cruises

The 880 passenger Paddlewheeler Creole Queen is New Orleans’ most luxurious daily excursions riverboat on the Mississippi River. The Creole Queen is an traditional riverboat powered by a 24-ft diameter paddlewheel. She has three private dining rooms giving her the largest indoor capacity available on excursion vessels in New Orleans. Enjoy a Dinner Jazz Cruise, a Historical Cruise, or even one of our Special Event Cruises.

Looking to host a wedding or special event? Private rooms & full boat charters are also available.

View the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and be entertained by a historian narrator with a detailed description of New Orleans landmarks, history, vessel information, and river lore.

Step on board and cruise with us into the night where the sleepless activity of America's busiest port buzzes.

Have a true New Orleans style Christmas aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen with a special Christmas Eve celebration.

Spend a romantic evening with your special someone aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen this Valentine's Day in New Orleans.

Celebrate Mom in a special way this year on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen's Mother's Day Bubbly Brunch cruise!

Celebrate Independence Day on the Mississippi River!

Relax this Thanksgiving by taking the family to the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen's Thanksgiving Celebration on the Mississippi River. Skip the stress of cooking a full meal and leave it to the Creole Queen.

Spend an enchanting Christmas Eve in New Orleans on the Creole Queen! Enjoy unparalleled views of the city from our elegant, garland-adorned dining rooms or from the open air of our upper deck.

Come pass a good time aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen with Papa Noel, Mrs. Noel, Gaston the Gator and other jolly Cajun characters during this enchanting family festivity.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in New Orleans aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen! Ring in the New Year with a front row seat to the fireworks extravaganza over the Mississippi River.

The Creole Queen is back! View the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and be entertained by a historian narrator with a detailed description of New Orleans landmarks, history, vessel information, and river lore.

Enjoy delicious brunch delicacies as you cruise down the Mighty Mississippi River while listening to the lively sounds of a traditional New Orleans Jazz band.

Join us for a Spooktacular time for the Creole Queen Haunted Halloween Cruise

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New orleans paddlewheels, inc..

Phone 504.529.4567 or 1.800.445.4109 Corporate Office: 4220 Howard Ave. New Orleans , LA 70125 Departure Location: 1 Poydras St. New Orleans , LA 70130

© New Orleans Paddlewheels, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  |  Privacy Policy

New Orleans Visitors Guide

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen

Hours updated 1 month ago

Review Highlights

“ He has a voice the reverberates with passion and his personal recounting of hurricane Katrina was enthralling. ” in 92 reviews

“ We had a wonderful time on the Creole Queen morning tour and trip to the War of 1812 Chalmette Battlefield . ” in 62 reviews

“ the narrator charles was absolutely fantastic he knew his history very well and made it enjoyable for us... ” in 79 reviews

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Location & Hours

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1 Poydras St

New Orleans, LA 70130

Central Business District

Serving New Orleans Area

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About the Business

When night falls, the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen rises to the occasion. Step on board and cruise with us into the night where the sleepless activity of America's busiest port buzzes. The sounds of a lively jazz band fill the air as you enjoy a lavish Creole buffet in elegantly appointed dining rooms. The Creole Queen features outer decks with authentically patterned wrought iron trims inviting guests to stroll back in time as they settle into the mood of a bygone era. The interiors are richly appointed with plush Victorian style draperies, soft period lighting, wooden parquet dance floors, and Louisiana Cypress bars accented with brass railing for a warm and welcoming setting. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

When you book the jazz tour, is the price that is given include the dinner? Or is that just to book it?

Hi, I would strongly advise calling. Their tours often have several price points that differ by what is included. This way, there are no surprises and you can just enjoy rolling down the Mississippi.

Does the dinner jazz cruise have music everyday or only the weekends? Also, Is the dinner jazz cruise for all ages or does it usually cater to middle-age/older crowds?

I went on a Sunday and there was a live band. Call beforehand to double check. The crowd was mixed, I along with other groups had teens & younger children. There aren't kids activities though -- just the food (you have to buy that ticket in… more

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Overall rating

858 reviews

If I could give them more than 5 stars, I would. Definitely a 10 out of 5! The whole experience was amazing! (Not to mention, we had good weather on our side.) Onboard, we were treated as esteemed guests from start to finish. And the food!!! Honestly, the food aboard the boat was some of the best we had throughout our 5-day stay in New Orleans. My favorite was the Red Beans and Rice, the Smoked Brisket, and the Gumbo. Seriously! Many thanks to the chef who prepared such a delicious buffet! After my fill of amazing New Orleans flavors, we strolled around the deck to enjoy the sights of the cityscape while a live band completed the experience with some jazz classics that this area is so famous for. Definitely a must-do-again the next time we visit.

Needs to focus on individual experiences rather than packing people on the boat. This was supposed to be one of the highlights of my wife's and my trip to New Orleans. We purchased our tickets online a week ahead, and it indicated that we should arrive at 6:15 for our 7:00 PM Jazz Dinner cruise. We opted not to do the dinner. We were in line at 6:15 and there was the usual "take your picture" stop before boarding. About this time two full busses of kids arrived behind us in line. As we approached the point in line for pictures, the man announced "if you bought your tickets online, you need to go to the ticket booth first". That ticket booth is about 75 ft. away. I was mad. What is the point of an online ticket, if I need to go get a paper one anyway? Suffice it to say, we lost our place in line. Once on the boat, the only seat left was next to the ladies room door (more on that later). The jazz music is average at best. The singer spends most of his time making small talk with people who tip heavily wanting certain music played. They also do not play for the whole cruise, most of the time it is recorded jazz music. I am trained in music, and performed on stage, and I know good quality music when I hear it. The jazz was improvisations of the same riffs rather than changing the feel from song to song. The boat is showing its age, with cracking paint and mold in places. The tables on the level we were at consisted of knicked formica tops with lots of chips. As the cruise progressed we noted why this is popular, as the line to the bar was never ending throughout the cruise. That seems to be why people go. The table of younger women next to us had a table of empties by the end. Nature does take its course, and we spent the cruise watching women go to the restroom. As for the sights, you have to remember the city is pretty at night, but you pretty much go down river for 30 minutes, and the city is out of sight in about half that. The Mississipi is all business at this juncture, and there is just old docks, and tons of shipping to watch. Going back up river is against the current and takes the other 90 minutes of the cruise. I expect more out of a $100 boat ride (two tix). It is worth maybe $25 a person in its current form, if you aren't a drinker who won't notice redundant and repetitive jazz music.

We really enjoyed this guided paddleboat tour of the Mississippi River and nearby Chalmette Battlefield stop. The narrator was extremely knowledgeable and kept us entertained and informed throughout the journey. Time at the battlefield site was just about right for a walkabout and climbing of the tower before heading back to the port. We did not eat or drink on this cruise, so I cannot comment on those aspects.

See all photos from Evan F. for Paddlewheeler Creole Queen

We went on afternoon cruise to the fort and back. We were given an hour at fort. They did have lunch options although we didn't eat. The bartenders were very friendly and the lines moved fast. Boat was clean and you could hear the guide well over speakers.

Food was ok. View and Jazz was nice but the dining bartender lady was very rude. When I found a straw wrapper in my drink but I didn't use a straw she accused me and putting that in there. I did not ask for a refund or anything free I just wanted her to remake it with a clean cup. She refused to give me garnish and dropped the cup in front of me intentionally

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen was one of the attractions offered with the Go City Pass. There were so many raving reviews, we made it one of the priority reservations for our visit. In retrospect, it was one of the more less exciting tours of our visit and one that I could have done without. From a processing point of view, most place would allow you to show your email confirmation as a ticket, but they make you go to their kiosk and check in for physical tickets before boarding. This adds an unnecessary part to the process, where we had to stand in the hot humid sun in an extra line, before getting into another line to board the ship. Outside food and drinks not allowed on board. There is a photo opportunity while boarding the ship with one of those floaty thingys. My poor boyfriend is always a victim to these photo traps. They have them ready and available for purchase during the second half of the trip back down the river. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. Normally when I go on these ship trips I like the top deck at the front of the boat with the wind in my face, but it was too hot and humid for that. There was also benches on the lower level exterior, or an indoor space that has a bar and air conditioned. For the indoor space, try to get a table against the window on the dock side. The other side does not have as great of a view. There are also tables farther out from the window, in which you lose the value of the view and this trip completely. If it wasn't obvious, I got a window seat in the indoor AC area by the bar where I enjoyed a few Makers and Ginger Ale. It's nice to say I was able to experience the Mississippi River and all of its' wonder. On the route there, we got some historical and cultural fun facts. I think the reason why I was less impressed is because I already heard two superior versions of the similar stories from other tour companies and the other experience was more upbeat and funny. The facts were on point but the energy level couldn't compare. To my surprise, they actually let us off the ship halfway through to walk around the Chalmette Battlefield for a bit under an hour to explore the grounds and the visitor's center. The National Cemetery was also nearby, but they told us we would not have time to travel that far. There was also the option to leave the tour and figure out a way to get back on your own. Just let them know. Try to get back a little earlier to secure a good seat once again. On the way back, the tour guide was to tell the story of Hurricane Katrina. What I don't get is that the audio was only available to those in the outdoor space, and not the indoor space. There were so many people who were interested who piled outside to listen to the story in the now overly crowded exterior HOT HUMID SUNNY area. Probably my least favorite tour during my visit to New Orleans, and in general my least favorite water tour in all of the country to date. Not impressed.

We had a great time on our dinner jazz cruise on the Creole Queen. I bought tickets online for a Saturday evening. We boarded around 6:15 to leave around 7 pm. We went straight to the kiosk and they handed us our boarding passes. The kiosk is near the Riverwalk Outlets and next to the aquarium. We boarded right after picking up our boarding passes. The photographer took our photo before boarding. We ended up purchasing the printed copy for $24 once we were on board. They take card or cash. We boarded and went to a bar on the second floor and then headed to the first floor where they serve a buffet dinner. They checked our boarding passes to see that we purchased dinner and seated us at a table next to the window. The buffet was hot and ready before we even left the dock. We loaded a plate and tried everything. Plenty of cajun/creole staples. You can check the menu on the website. All the gumbo your heart desires. There were three proteins including chicken, beef and a fish. I was just happy to see some vegetables including a heavily dressed caesar salad. When we had our fill for dinner, we headed up to the top deck to enjoy the views and our ride along the Mississippi. The jazz band on board is great. They play for most of the 2 hour ride with a short break. Everyone looked like they were having a good time. 2 hours was a perfect amount of time. Recommend a jazz cruise if you're looking for something romantic and fun to do in NOLA.

I'm a big fan of riverboats and couldn't pass up the opportunity for a brunch cruise in New Orleans. While the food is standard buffet food, it's good enough and very filling. After stuffing myself with French toast, scrambled eggs and potatoes, I enjoyed the scenic views from the Mississippi. It's a fun way to spend a morning in New Orleans!

Decent experience, but I definitely was hoping for a bit more. I am from NC, but visited NOLA for a friend's birthday trip in a group of 8 people. We purchased the Groupon for the Jazz Brunch Cruise. We all purchased the Groupon individually, but my friend was able to call and ensure that we were all able to be seated at the same table so that was convenient and good. Make sure you have your tickets when you go to present prior to boarding the boat. Although the line forms, seating is fine so no need to rush to the be in the front because you'll just be standing in the sun. When you board, there are some individuals who are just on the boat to ride while others are there for the brunch cruise so be aware of that. Those boarding for the brunch will go down the stairs and will be lead to their tables once entering the doors after checking in with the host. If you have a large group and you bought tickets separately, call to ensure that you're able to sit together and make sure you all come together to be sat quickly. Once you come on, you can go ahead and head to the bar or the buffet. They offer $20 unlimited mimosas if you'd like to purchase that on board as well as other drinks at the bar, including sodas since they aren't included in the brunch price. The food was was ok. Don't have high expectations for the food, especially because it is a buffet and they are pumping out mass amounts of food quickly. I know that NOLA is known for food, so I must say I was a bit disappointed, but in all honesty when it comes to buffets the quality may lack some. Once brunch was on it's way, the ship started moving, and about 30-45 minutes into the ride, they informed us we could go upstairs for the jazz band. You could also hear the bad playing throughout the ship through the speaker systems. I didn't really love the band. It was slow and not what that great. Most of the songs played were slow and just didn't work well for my liking. I was not impressed. They weren't bad, it just wasn't my style or what I wanted to hear. The ride was nice to spend time with my friends, but I wouldn't do this again on my next trip. I'd prefer to just grab brunch and explore the city on my own.

Brunch plate

Gumbo at brunch

The tour guide was great, but did talk a little fast. The tour of the Chalmette battlefield was rushed. The buffet was underwhelming, and the drinks were overpriced.

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6.4 miles away from Paddlewheeler Creole Queen

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Sample the flavors of the Old South

The Lower Mississippi overflows with charm, history and hospitality. Explore historic estates and visit notable Civil War sites. Sample the bustling French-flavored port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Sway to the tempos of Dixieland jazz, gospel and blues. Savor gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as traditional Southern fare. Join us, and see why local Cajuns say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).

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Explore Louisiana with Captain Billy Gaston

Prepare yourself for a narrated adventure through the swamps and bayous with authentic Cajun music playing along the way. You will embark on your journey in a very comfortable 45-passenger vessel with a covered roof to keep you dry and cool during the hot summer months. Our Bayou Country has the most beautiful cypress swamps and bayous that Louisiana has to offer...

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Music Cruises

At CruiseMapper's Music Cruise survey you will find departure dates, itineraries, and various "music and dance" theme cruise information and tips. We offer you a list of Classical music concerts and dance cruise specials on deals to visit the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia on a big cruise ship vacation. Caution - music cruises are super fun, generally promoting a lot of drinking and dancing activities. Cruise drinking and dancing fun generally involve big money spending. Very special are also all the music concert voyages on big riverboats in Europe.

For your convenience, the following link jumps down directly to CruiseMapper's music-cruises schedule , listing lines, ships, departure dates, and homeports. Follow Mardi Gras Carnival cruises visiting the US port cities New Orleans Louisiana, Galveston Texas, Tampa Florida, Long Beach (Los Angeles) California, NYC New York, Mobile Alabama, and of course - Rio De Janeiro (Brazil). This survey is integrated with our Themed Cruises .

"Dance and Music" themed cruises

Themed as "Music Cruises" deals are from the list of the industry's newest inventions. They are very similar to all the music concerts arranged at land-based facilities (music halls, theaters, stadiums, etc. And since modern cruise ships can accommodate from 2500 (on average) to more than 5000 people, these so special marine vessels become the perfect place for the mixed "music concert and party" cruise vacation the world has never seen before.

From what Wikipedia has said about music - it's the art form "whose medium is sound and silence". However, on cruise ships there's no such thing as silence - it's party time all the time! The word "music" derives from Greek "mousike" meaning the "art of the Muses". And what is better than a Muses-inspired vacation of several days at sea, right?

Dance-themed cruises

The dance cruise experience is a major part of the "Music Cruise" specials - especially when famous bands and singers are involved in these actions. And these "musical" deals suggest a hell of a lot dancing on the ship. Imagine you can enjoy (if fortunate enough) your super cool band's performance at sea. There are some truly unique sailings, which include huge crowd dancing parties featuring NKOTB (with the "New Kids On The Block" celebrities).

Christian-themed music cruises are another unique offer in this category. On those, you'll enjoy the company of hundreds and even thousands of like-minded folks sharing your ideas of God, right and wrong. And quite often, preachers there dance and enjoy the music more than the audience itself.

Popular musical genders on the specially themed music and dance cruises are Rock, Country, and Folk bands. And Classical music and Jazz themed cruises offer one truly sophisticated experience at sea. Often music-themed sailings are combined with specials from the category of Food and Wine cruises . These are usually Jazz- or Classic music-themed (often river cruise) deals, offering a gourmet voyage on some of Europe's biggest rivers, such as the Danube, or Rhone and Seine in France.

P&O Cruises UK ships offer each year several Music Cruises leaving from Southampton, and their Australia brand may offer such themed deals from Sydney, Australia. Most of them are Mediterranean cruises from Southampton, and  Cruises To Nowhere from Sydney - i.e. without additional ports of call (which significantly lowers their cost by not including port charges).

How much do "Music Cruises" cost,  what is included in prices?

Your dance/music cruise infrastructure is pretty much like a normal sailing - but it's not, ok? The cruise part as always, includes tanning, swimming, drinking, dining, sleeping (with the "repeat until" command) summarized as "easy big-time fun". Your "music cruise tickets" prices are inclusive of all meals on the boat and add to that the 24-hr room service onboard. This means all main dining rooms and the buffet dining, specialty restaurants charge extra (from ~$20 to $50 per meal). Alcohol, soda and soft drinks are not in the list of inclusions.

Beware - enjoying the music cruise fun in a not healthy and not cheap combination with lots of beverages could cost you way more than the ticket itself. Virtually all music and dance cruise deals are on round-trip departures from some of the world's biggest cruise ports - like Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, NYC New York, Boston MA, Los Angeles, Southampton UK, Sydney AU.

Music Cruises 2023-2024 schedule

Most of the following voyages are themed on Classic, Folk, Country, Rock, or Jazz music.

Note: In the following table, all links are internal (CruiseMapper) redirecting to the ship’s itinerary schedule where you can compare dates and prices per person (double occupancy rates).

Mardi Gras carnival cruises

Mardi Gras cruises are music and dance-themed voyages with itineraries that visit the US port cities  New Orleans Louisiana ,  Galveston Texas ,  Tampa Florida ,  Long Beach (Los Angeles) California ,  NYC New York ,  Mobile Alabama , and of course,  Rio De Janeiro Brazil .

Mardi Gras Carnival

The Mardi Gras carnival aka "Carnival season" (the name literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French) is a Catholic festival celebrated in the countries of Anglican nations. The celebrations start on Epiphany (or "the feast day" on January 6th) and culminate on the day before Ash Wednesday (called "Fat Tuesday" and "Mardi Gras Day" - positioned exactly 46 days before Easter).

When is the Mardi Gras carnival day?

Because day's timing is set according to Easter, it varies by year - between February 3 and March 9. Follows a list with the Mardi Gras dates in the next couple of years (all dates will be on Tuesdays, though  - no matter the year).

The Mardi Gras dates are:

• in 2020 on February 25
• in 2021 on February 16
• in 2022 on March 1
• in 2023 on February 21
• in 2024 on February 13
• in 2025 on March 4
• in 2026 on February 17
• in 2027 on February 9

To find your "Mardi Gras cruise ship", just pick departure port ( New Orleans ,  Galveston ,  Tampa ,  Los Angeles ,  New York ,  Mobile , Rio De Janeiro ). In the port's schedule, you'll find listed ships leaving from or going to that seaport. Then choose itineraries that include the year's carnival day.

Mardi Gras New Orleans is second only to the "Rio Carnival" in Brazil. According to Wikipedia, the Rio Carnival draws record numbers of day tourists to Brazil - 2,2 million for the Carnival Day in 2012. Add to this more than 5 million people for the whole week (around 70% of all annual guests to Rio De Janeiro), with over 400,000 foreigners participating in the week-long day and night music and dancing, and boozing.

"Mardi Gras booze cruise" inclusions

Most Mardi Gras themed cruise deals are offered by independent resellers and for larger groups with discounted cabin rates. Group booking ("Hosted Group Cruise"), besides great pricing, is also among travel agencies' special deals.

• Included by the agency are at least one Private Group cocktail party, all gratuities (depending on ship/itinerary these can be up to $100 PP), group departure, daily and nightly group gatherings, group dining (reserved tables), and, of course, your "Mask Party".
• Included by the ship (for the duration of the trip) are all meals (excepting alternative restaurants), accommodations and entertainment, 24-hour room service.
• Not-included (optional) are group shore excursions (again at discount prices), alcoholic beverages (optional all-inclusive drink packages are offered), gift shop purchases, spa services, gambling (casino / bingo), airfare (optional fly-cruise packages are offered from USA and UK), port charges, Government taxes, local transfers to the departure port. Remember that for US citizens a passport or certified birth certificate is always required.
• All Mardi Gras themed cruises offer special dining menu and carnival-themed shipboard activities - good music, exotic masquerade, booze packages, and promos.

Mardi Gras cruising experiences

In 2017, the UK-based  Fred Olsen Cruise Line offered the company's first-ever Mardi Gras cruise as part of an epic travel adventure to ports in the Caribbean, North and Central America leaving roundtrip from the UK.

• From Southampton England, Fred Olsen’s ship  MS Balmoral  offered in February 2017 a 46-night itinerary as an adults-only cruise visiting 18 ports of call and featuring 3 full days and 2 overnights in NOLA ( New Orleans ) allowing plenty of time to enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
• This unique  themed cruise (46-night itinerary, code L1703, the theme "Central America and the Mardi Gras" left Southampton on February 4, 2017. Prices started from GBP 3450 pp (based on double-occupancy twin-bed Superior Interior cabin). Pricing included accommodation, all onboard meals, and entertainment, plus port taxes.
• The list of cruise ports of call included: Southampton – Funchal Madeira – Bridgetown Barbados – Castries St. Lucia – St John’s Antigua – Road Town Tortola BVI – Falmouth Jamaica – Trujillo Honduras – Belize City – Cozumel Mexico – New Orleans LA (2-nights) – Tampa FL – Key West FL – Miami FL – Port Canaveral FL – Jacksonville FL – Charleston SC – Hamilton Bermuda – Ponta Delgada Azores – Southampton.
• The 2-night stay in NOLA allowed cruise tourists to enjoy the festivities at this fabulously extravagant festival. Passengers were also provided with the opportunity to attend the "Orpheuscapade Black Tie Ball" in New Orleans – something rarely experienced by tourists. This formal event was held in the city's Convention Centre, featuring live music, dancing, and the chance to get up close to the gigantic carnival floats, as a local celebrity leads the parade directly through the Centre.

New Dates for 2024 and new pictures in photo gallery!!

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Cruisin Cajun Country Cruise In

Cruise around Cajun Country with other car enthusiasts for fun, food, music and friendship, while spectators enjoy free car shows and entertainment. There will be tours, demonstrations and of course food! For more information, including registration please visit website .

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