2026 New Orleans Cruise Schedule: Ocean & River Departures

Set sail the smart way.

Cruises depart from New Orleans year-round, but choosing the right sailing, ship, and timing matters more than most travelers expect.

I help clients match the cruise experience to their travel style and handle the details that make embarking from New Orleans smooth, calm, and stress-free — from selecting the cruise line to planning the perfect pre-cruise stay.

This page brings together every major cruise departing from New Orleans in 2026 — from deep-sea Caribbean ocean cruises to iconic Mississippi River cruises — so you can quickly see who’s in port, when they depart, and where they’re headed.

Look for these symbols as you browse the schedule:
🌊 Ocean Cruises — Caribbean, Bahamas, and open-water itineraries
🚢 River Cruises — Mississippi River sailings aboard classic and modern riverboats

Whether you're boarding a Carnival or Norwegian ocean ship, a Viking or ACL Mississippi riverboat, or simply exploring future options, this page serves as your New Orleans cruise schedule hub for 2026 and beyond.

Schedules can change. Always confirm exact departure details with your cruise line — or let New Orleans Itineraries handle the planning for you.

This New Orleans cruise schedule includes:

  • All ocean cruises departing from the Port of New Orleans (Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean)

  • All river cruises embarking from New Orleans (Viking, American Cruise Lines)

  • Monthly breakdowns for January–December 2026

  • Departure dates, ships, destinations, and cruise type

This Cruise Schedule Is Especially Helpful If You’re:

  • Cruising out of New Orleans for the first time

  • Deciding between multiple cruise lines or ships

  • Flying in and unsure how much buffer time you need

  • Planning a couples’ trip, celebration, or milestone cruise

  • Considering a river cruise but unsure how it compares to ocean cruising

I also help clients decide when to arrive and where to stay before their cruise so embarkation day feels easy, not rushed.

Cruise planning is complimentary when I handle the booking.

  • Jan 3–10 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 Roundtrip New Orleans · Viking Mississippi

    Jan 4–11 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Jan 5–10 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jan 7–14 (Wed–Wed)
    🚢 Roundtrip New Orleans · Viking Mississippi

    Jan 10–15 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jan 11–18 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Jan 12–19 (Mon–Mon)
    🚢 Roundtrip New Orleans · Viking Mississippi

    Jan 15–19 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jan 17–24 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 Roundtrip New Orleans · Viking Mississippi

    Jan 18–25 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Jan 19–24 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jan 24–31 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 Roundtrip New Orleans · Viking Mississippi

    Jan 25–Feb 1 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Jan 29–Feb 2 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jan 31–Feb 7 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 Roundtrip New Orleans · Viking Mississippi

  • Feb 1–8 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Feb 2–7 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Feb 7–12 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Feb 8–15 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Feb 12–16 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Feb 15–22 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Feb 16–21 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Feb 21–26 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Feb 22–Mar 1 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Feb 26–Mar 2 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • Mar 1–8 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Mar 2–7 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Mar 7–14 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · Viking Mississippi

    Mar 7–12 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Mar 8–15 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Mar 12–16 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Mar 15–22 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Mar 16–21 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Mar 18–25 (Wed–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Symphony

    Mar 21–28 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · Viking Mississippi

    Mar 21–26 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Mar 22–29 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Mar 26–30 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Mar 29–Apr 5 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Mar 30–Apr 4 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • Apr 1–8 (Wed–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Symphony

    Apr 3–10 (Fri–Fri)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · Viking Mississippi

    Apr 4–9 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Apr 5–12 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Apr 9–13 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Apr 12–19 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Apr 13–18 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Apr 18–25 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · Viking Mississippi

    Apr 18–23 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Apr 19–26 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Apr 23–27 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Apr 27–May 2 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • May 1–8 (Fri–Fri)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Serenade (ACL)

    May 3–10 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    May 5–14 (Tue–Thu)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Splendor (ACL)

    May 8–17 (Fri–Sun)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Melody (ACL)

    May 9–16 (Sat–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    May 10–17 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    May 11–16 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    May 15–22 (Fri–Fri)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Serenade (ACL)

    May 15–22 (Fri–Fri)
    🚢 Roundtrip NOLA · American Heritage (ACL)

    May 17–24 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    May 19–28 (Tue–Thu)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Splendor (ACL)

    May 21–25 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    May 22–June 14 (Fri–Sun)
    🚢 NOLA → St. Paul (Complete Mississippi) · American Melody (ACL)

    May 24–31 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    May 25–30 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    May 27–June 3 (Wed–Wed)
    🚢 Roundtrip NOLA · American Heritage (ACL)

    May 29–June 6 (Fri–Sat)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Serenade (ACL)

    May 30–June 4 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    May 31–June 7 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

  • Jun 1–6 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 2–9 (Tue–Tue)
    🚢 NOLA → Alton (Illinois) · Viking Mississippi
    (Extended Upper Mississippi itinerary)

    Jun 4–8 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 7–14 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Jun 8–13 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 13–20 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 NOLA → St. Paul (Minnesota) · Viking Mississippi
    (Extended itinerary)

    Jun 13–18 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 14–21 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Jun 18–22 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 21–28 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Jun 22–27 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 27–Jul 2 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Jun 28–Jul 5 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

  • July 5–12 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    July 6–11 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    July 7–15 (Tue–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Symphony (ACL)

    July 11–16 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    July 12–19 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    July 14–22 (Tue–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Splendor (ACL)

    July 18–Aug 2 (Sat–Sun)
    🚢 NOLA → Alton · American Serenade (ACL)

    July 18–Aug 8 (Sat–Sat)
    🚢 NOLA → St. Paul (Extended) · American Serenade (ACL)

    July 19–26 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    July 20–25 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    July 25–30 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    July 26–Aug 2 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    July 30–Aug 3 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • Aug 2–9 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Aug 3–8 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Aug 8–13 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Aug 9–16 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Aug 13–17 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Aug 16–23 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Aug 17–22 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Aug 18–26 (Tue–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Symphony (ACL)

    Aug 22–27 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Aug 23–30 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Aug 27–31 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Aug 30–Sept 6 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Aug 31–Sept 5 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • Sept 1–9 (Tue–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Symphony (ACL)

    Sept 5–10 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Sept 6–13 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Sept 10–14 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Sept 13–20 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Sept 14–19 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Sept 19–24 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Sept 20–27 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Sept 24–28 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Sept 27–Oct 4 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Sept 28–Oct 3 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • Oct 3–8 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Oct 4–11 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Oct 8–12 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Oct 11–18 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Oct 12–17 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Oct 15–22 (Thu–Thu)
    🚢 Roundtrip NOLA · American Serenade (ACL)

    Oct 17–22 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Oct 18–25 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Oct 22–26 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Oct 25–Nov 1 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas · Carnival Liberty

    Oct 29–Nov 4 (Thu–Wed)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Serenade (ACL)

    Oct 31–Nov 5 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

  • Nov 1–8 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Nov 5–9 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Nov 8–15 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Nov 9–14 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Nov 14–19 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Nov 15–21 (Sun–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean (6-Day) · Carnival Liberty

    Nov 19–23 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Nov 21–29 (Sat–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas (8-Day) · Carnival Liberty

    Nov 23–28 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Nov 27–Dec 6 (Fri–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Norwegian Breakaway

    Nov 28–Dec 3 (Sat–Thu)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Nov 29–Dec 6 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

  • Dec 1–9 (Tue–Wed)
    🚢 Roundtrip NOLA · American Heritage (ACL)

    Dec 3–7 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Dec 4–13 (Fri–Sun)
    🌊 Caribbean Cruisetour · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 6–13 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 7–12 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Dec 9–15 (Wed–Tue)
    🚢 NOLA → Pensacola (Gulf Coast) · American Symphony (ACL)

    Dec 12–18 (Sat–Fri)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Dec 12–18 (Sat–Fri)
    🚢 Roundtrip NOLA · American Melody (ACL)

    Dec 13–20 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 13–19 (Sun–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Dec 17–21 (Thu–Mon)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Dec 18–27 (Fri–Sun)
    🌊 Caribbean Cruisetour · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 19–27 (Sat–Sun)
    🌊 The Bahamas (8-Day) · Carnival Liberty

    Dec 20–27 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean Holiday · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 21–26 (Mon–Sat)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Dec 22–31 (Tue–Thu)
    🚢 NOLA → Memphis · American Melody (ACL)

    Dec 25–Jan 3 (Fri–Sun)
    🌊 Caribbean Cruisetour · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 26–30 (Sat–Wed)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

    Dec 27–Jan 3 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean Holiday · Norwegian Breakaway

    Dec 27–Jan 3 (Sun–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Liberty

    Dec 29–Jan 5 (Tue–Tue)
    🚢 Roundtrip NOLA · American Heritage (ACL)

    Dec 30–Jan 4 (Wed–Sun)
    🌊 Western Caribbean · Carnival Valor

Not sure which sailing actually fits your travel style? I help clients narrow this down quickly.

How I Help Cruise Clients Sailing from New Orleans

  • Recommend the right cruise line and ship, not just the cheapest option

  • Help clients decide which sailings look good on paper but create stress in real life

  • Guide arrival timing so flights, hotels, and embarkation day align smoothly

  • Arrange pre-cruise hotels, transfers, and logistics

  • Serve as a single point of contact before and after booking

FAQ

What cruises depart from New Orleans in 2026?
In 2026, New Orleans offers both ocean and river cruise departures. Ocean cruises are operated by Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, while river cruises are offered by Viking and American Cruise Lines. Sailings include Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mississippi River itineraries.

What cruise lines sail out of the Port of New Orleans?
Major cruise lines embarking from the Port of New Orleans include Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Viking River Cruises, and American Cruise Lines.

Where do ocean cruises from New Orleans go?
Ocean cruises departing from New Orleans typically visit the Western Caribbean, Bahamas, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatán. Most itineraries are 4–8 nights with year-round departures.

Where do Mississippi River cruises from New Orleans go?
Mississippi River cruises travel to destinations such as Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, and extended routes to Alton or St. Paul on select sailings.

When is the best time to take a cruise from New Orleans?
Cruises sail year-round from New Orleans. Peak season runs from November through April, while summer offers more family-focused sailings. River cruises typically operate February through December.

How early should I arrive for my cruise departure in New Orleans?
Most cruise lines recommend arriving at least 1–2 hours before your assigned embarkation window. For river cruises, check-in times may be more flexible. Arriving the day before is strongly recommended.

Do river cruises and ocean cruises leave from the same terminal in New Orleans?
No. Ocean cruises depart from the Erato Street or Julia Street terminals, while Mississippi River cruises typically board at riverfront docks closer to the French Quarter or the Hilton Riverside area.

Can I book my hotel and pre-cruise itinerary through New Orleans Itineraries?
Yes. New Orleans Itineraries custom-plans hotels, dining, and pre- or post-cruise experiences tailored to your sailing.

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