With over 160 of them in the city, selecting among New Orleans hotels when cruising out of Port NOLA can seem overwhelming. Below are my three recommendations of hotels near the New Orleans cruise port to consider when taking your next cruise.
Parking in New Orleans, including at these three properties, is outrageous, so these recommendations are for cruisers flying into port or those planning to just park on the property for one night and then find other parking arrangements.
Best New Orleans Hotels Before a Cruise
Le Méridien New Orleans
Address: 333 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana
Located just two miles from Port NOLA, this property is affordable and receives high marks for reliable cleanliness, but its shining feature is the hotel’s proximity to the Arts District and Canal Street, and fact that it is just steps from the historic French Quarter and must-see spots like Cafe Du Monde.If you only have one night to visit before your cruise, Le Méridien is in an ideal location for you to pack in a lot of New Orleans sightseeing on foot before you embark on your sailing. Amenities include a rooftop pool, gym, and free Wi-Fi.
The Jung Hotel & Residences
Address: 1500 Canal St, New Orleans, LA
This property is also nicely situated near NOLA’s main tourist areas, and is directly across the street from a streetcar stop, making local attractions easily accessible on foot or via streetcar. Located off Canal Street, it’s close to the French Quarter, but far off enough from the rowdiness and loudness of Bourbon Street. The Jung Hotel & Residences offers guests complimentary Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. It’s a stylish property with the extra perk of an on-site coffee shop.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Address: 2 Poydras St, New Orleans, Louisiana
This property is technically less than one mile to port, so it’s technically within walking distance (about 15-20 minutes), but an Uber is an affordable option at just $8-14. While this property puts cruisers closer to the port, and they can enjoy the sights of the ships coming in and out, it’s further away from some of NOLA’s main tourist attractions, such as the French Quarter. Still, it’s accessible on foot at about a 20-minute walk. While further removed from the French Quarter, however, there are other notable activities nearby, as the property is less than a quarter mile from Audubon Aquarium and Harrah’s Casino. One thing cruisers should note about this hotel is its required “destination charge,” which supposedly covers amenities such as Wi-Fi and a daily food and beverage credit.
Getting to Port of New Orleans
Port NOLA is less than 20 miles from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), and is approximately a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic. Here are three options to get from MSY airport to Port NOLA:
- Cruise Line Transfer: Most cruise lines offer transfer service, and Carnival’s service from MSY to the cruise port, as one example, is $27.99 per person. This is booked directly through your cruise line.
- Rideshare: When it comes to getting to port, I typically recommend using Uber, which for this distance runs $30-40, depending on the time of day and other factors, but that is for up to four passengers.
- Private Transfer: Cruisers can book their own private transfer service, which is much more convenient than cruise line transfer service or hotel transfer services, which is typically on a bus or shuttle with other cruisers. Get Transfer offers transfer service for up to three people from MSY to Port NOLA starting at $37, or cruisers traveling in a larger group can book a van for up to 8 people starting at $79 or a minibus for up to 16 people starting at $154.
- Public Transportation: Port NOLA is accessible by public transportation via the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), which operates bus routes throughout the city, including routes that serve areas near the port.
