Our pick for a classic New Orleans night
Evening Jazz Cruise
Experience the Mississippi River at night with live jazz and stunning city views.
Mississippi River
New Orleans Riverboat Cruises
Compare daytime sightseeing, evening jazz, brunch, and CITY of New Orleans riverboat options.
New Orleans river cruises range from sightseeing-focused daytime trips to evening jazz and brunch experiences. Start with the time of day and whether you want a meal, then check the current operator schedule and pricing.
Quick decision guide
Choose by fit, not by a giant catalog
Choose this if
Couples and first-time visitors wanting a classic New Orleans night.
Think twice if
You want an intense history-focused experience.
The trade-off
The atmosphere is the strength; dinner and sightseeing compete for your attention if you choose a meal package.
Concierge note
Who this tends to fit
A strong fit for visitors who want Mississippi River views, live-music atmosphere, or a lower-walking sightseeing option close to the French Quarter.
What to think about
- •Daytime vs evening: daytime cruises emphasize sightseeing; evening departures add a more nightlife-oriented atmosphere.
- •Meal vs sightseeing: dinner and brunch variants differ from sightseeing-only tickets, so verify exactly what is included before checkout.
- •Schedule: departure times and available variants can change by date; use the operator checkout for current availability.
- •Trip fit: river cruises can pair well with a city or French Quarter day because they do not require a long transfer outside New Orleans.
Curated options
Where we’d start
You do not need to sort an operator catalog. Start with the experiences that fit this kind of day, then check the live booking option when you are ready.
Our pick for an easy daytime river plan
Daytime Jazz Cruise
Enjoy a relaxing daytime cruise on the Mississippi River with live jazz.
Our pick for a festive Sunday
Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise
A festive Sunday morning on the river featuring a jazz brunch.
Our pick for a shorter scenic cruise
CITY of NEW ORLEANS Riverboat Cruise
A 75-minute riverboat cruise offering a quick and scenic tour of the Mississippi River.
Choose your preferred time window first, then compare meal and non-meal variants. Current times, pricing, and inclusions are confirmed during booking.
Riverboat departures are in the central New Orleans riverfront area; confirm the exact meeting point in the selected operator checkout.
A few useful answers
Should I choose a daytime or evening river cruise?
Choose daytime when sightseeing and schedule flexibility matter most. Choose evening when you want a more nightlife-oriented experience. Always compare the exact inclusions and departure time for your date.
Do all New Orleans river cruises include a meal?
No. Some tickets are sightseeing-focused while others include or offer meal service. Verify the selected variant before booking.