Must-Do NOLA: Historic Steamboat Natchez River Jazz Cruise
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Board your riverboat to the delightful tunes of the Steam Calliope. Experience the sights and sounds of river life that enchanted characters of history and literature - like Mark Twain's Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer - and see the bustling activity of America's second-largest port! The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off(December 12, 2025 through February 2026) but her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz, craft cocktails, and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat. Make sure you check out all four decks - the top deck view is a sight to see! Lunch option available Monday - Saturday. Brunch option available Sunday only. The boat boards at 11:00am and 2:00pm and departs promptly at 11:30am and 2:30pm. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to boarding.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
4 stars
5 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Sheila_B, 12/15/2025 12:01:14 PM
food great on boat and priced well. live band fun. experience and education regarding the area was great. boat history and its history great.
Stephen_D, 12/14/2025 5:11:53 PM
We enjoyed the trip greatly. It was a coolish day so we sat on the benches outside in the sun. Our ship wasn’t too full so the loading process was smooth and easy. The man who was describing things (the Captain?) was difficult for me to understand. His voice inflection would rise and fall and sometimes his sentences would trail off. Also, it was difficult to know if he was describing things on the left or the right of the ship so we really never knew what we were supposed to see. But overall, we really enjoyed the trip and it was well worth the cost.
Leo_D, 12/14/2025 3:51:10 PM
The experience was excellent other than the food. We paid for the lunch and we were a bit disappointed in the food. Fried catfish a bit salty, 2 sides of rice😕—dirty rice and red beans n rice, and a salad. Food was brought to us from buffet line but we had to get up and get our own drinks and condiments. The boat captain was also excellent. Have lots of interesting info. 💙
Pamela_W, 12/13/2025 11:27:43 AM
Beautiful ride in the Mississippi River! Got to see unique features on the river. And the music was inspiring & bar staff were awesome.
Maria_I, 12/12/2025 10:27:40 AM
Even though it was cold it was enjoyable. The only thing, if the boat doesn’t leave at 11 am, it should not be advertised as 11
Lori_R, 12/12/2025 10:12:10 AM
This was a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon while listening to the history of the area and the music.
Jose_Z, 12/11/2025 2:52:37 PM
A really great way to spend two hours seeing the Mississippi and learning more about it. The Natchez is huge, so easy to walk around and explore the ship (including a couple of bars and the engine room). Crew was very friendly.
Elizabeth_B, 12/10/2025 8:07:44 PM
Very friendly staff, interesting and knowledgeable about the history of the state and river. The food was great and the portions were good sizes and you could get seconds if you wanted to.
travlskier, 12/10/2025 7:37:59 PM
We had a wonderful experience on the Steamboat. Ours was the "City of New Orleans," and weather was a bit chilly & windy, but the musical vibes on the 2nd floor kept us entertained and warm. We would recommend this to others visiting New Orleans.
Donna_P, 12/10/2025 10:39:51 AM
Very well run, excellent service, nice staff and comfortable cruising. Food, snacks, drinks and a little shop on board plus live band playing music from last century. A nice was to spend a couple hours on a warm day.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
- The Steamboat NATCHEZ is handclapped accessible to the main deck and restrooms only.
- Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat.
- The tour cruises rain or shine, however the cruise may be cancelled due to severe or dangerous weather conditions.
- Anyone looking to book a group of 9 or more should contact the booking site directly. Different rates apply.
- The Steamboat NATCHEZ will be taking some time off (Dec 12, 2025 - Feb 2026), her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You'll get the same authentic experience of a grand paddlewheeler on a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi.
Departure point
Departs from the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office at Toulouse St. and the Mississippi River, just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Please arrive 15 minutes before boarding.Return details
Board your riverboat to the delightful tunes of the Steam Calliope. Experience the sights and sounds of river life that enchanted characters of history and literature - like Mark Twain's Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer - and see the bustling activity of America's second-largest port! The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off(December 12, 2025 through February 2026) but her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz, craft cocktails, and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat. Make sure you check out all four decks - the top deck view is a sight to see! Lunch option available Monday - Saturday. Brunch option available Sunday only. The boat boards at 11:00am and 2:00pm and departs promptly at 11:30am and 2:30pm. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to boarding.Redemption
• Please make sure that if you intend on participating in the Creole lunch portion of this tour, you must select the option that states it is "with lunch". • Owner reserve the right to substitute a similar vessel should the NATCHEZ become unavailable. •Steamboat NATCHEZ will be out of service for her yearly Coast Guard inspections and general maintenance. All cruises during this time will take place on her sister vessel - the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS. Tour cruises rain or shine24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund