KEY TAKEAWAYS: Port NOLA recorded more than 1.06 million cruise passenger movements in 2025. March 2025 marked the port’s highest single-month cruise total on record. Cruise activity generates an estimated $445 million in economic impact. Major cruise lines are expanding service from New Orl eans in 2026–2028. The Port of New Orleans surpassed 1 million cruise passengers in 2025, recording 1,067,407 cruise passenger movements during the calendar year. Cruise passenger momentum peaked in March 2025 when Port NOLA posted its highest single-month total on record, exceeding 165,000 passenger movements. The 2025 total marks the ninth consecutive time, excluding pandemic-affected years 2020 and 2021, that the port has exceeded the one-million-passenger threshold. In 2024, Port NOLA recorded a record-breaking, more than 1.2 cruise passenger movements. In 2023, Port NOLA recorded 1.19 million cruise passengers, which was up 26 percent from 2022. Pre-COVID, Port NOLA recorded 1.21 million passengers in 2019. “Consistently surpassing one million cruise passenger movements speaks to the strength of New Orleans as a global cruise destination and the collaborative efforts that make this success possible,” said Beth Branch, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. Port NOLA is the nation’s sixth-largest cruise port and is the only U.S. port offering both ocean-going and river cruising, creating a diverse cruise portfolio that supports year-round activity and strengthens the regional tourism economy. Cruise operations at Port NOLA generate an estimated $445 million in total direct and indirect economic impact, according to port data. Approximately 90% of cruise passengers originate from outside Louisiana, and about 70% of those visitors spend one or two nights in New Orleans before or after their cruise. That activity translates into more than 300,000 hotel room nights annually. “Cruising is a vital economic engine for our region, and with expanded service and larger ships on the horizon, Port NOLA is well positioned to deliver even greater value to Louisiana and the Gulf South,” said Branch. For the 2026 cruise season, Port NOLA will host several major cruise lines, and the port is also positioned for passenger growth in 2027 and 2028. In 2026, Carnival Cruise Line will continue year-round service with its Liberty and Valor offering Caribbean itineraries out of New Orleans. Carnival has announced expanded capacity with the larger Dream cruise line joining Liberty in New Orleans beginning in May 2027. The 3,646-passenger Dream will replace the 2,980-passenger Valor and sail its first cruise from New Orleans on May 16, 2027, to Cozumel. Royal Caribbean International is scheduled to return in late 2026 with Mariner of the Seas, marking the line’s first sailings from the port in two years with Western Caribbean departures. In a December 2025 press release, Royal Caribbean confirmed that it will sail from New Orleans as well for 2027-2028. Beginning November 2027, the Mariner of the Seas will sail 6- to 9-night Western Caribbean itineraries from New Orleans with calls in Belize City, Roatan, and Cozumel. Norwegian Cruise Line has plans to debut Norwegian Prima from New Orleans during the 2026-27 winter season, expanding its Caribbean offerings from the city. In addition to ocean cruising, Port NOLA also supports several homeported river cruise vessels operated by American Cruise Lines and Viking. “Reaching this milestone for the ninth time reflects both strong demand and the confidence our cruise line partners continue to place in Port NOLA,” said Steven Gauthier, Port NOLA’s vice president of cruise. “As we welcome the return of Royal Caribbean and prepare for increased capacity from Carnival, we anticipate meaningful growth in passenger volumes over the next several years.” ...read more read less