Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Steamboat NATCHEZ is fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring all guests can enjoy the experience.

Are reservations required?

Yes, reservations are required for all meal functions and must be made in advance.

Can I purchase alcoholic beverages onboard?

Yes, the cruise offers cocktail, beer, and wine options available for purchase during the trip.

What is the dress code?

Dressy casual attire is recommended, but guests can dress up as much as they like for the occasion.

Is the vessel non-smoking?

Yes, the cruise is non-smoking both inside the vessel and on outside decks.

Are special dietary requirements accommodated?

While the menu is not gluten-free or vegan-specific, crew can recommend suitable items, though separate meals cannot be prepared.

Celebrate Christmas Eve on the Steamboat NATCHEZ: Jazz, Creole Dining & Mississippi River Views | Events | Boat Tour

Experience a truly unique Christmas Eve aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ, cruising the legendary Mighty Mississippi River through New Orleans, Louisiana. Known as the "Crescent City," New Orleans offers a rich cultural backdrop for this unforgettable evening on the water. The NATCHEZ, an authentic steamboat, carries you through stunning vistas of the iconic New Orleans skyline while enveloped in festive holiday cheer and the smooth, live sounds of the DUKES of Dixieland — a Grammy-nominated jazz band. This three-hour cruise weaves together history, music, and cuisine, resulting in a one-of-a-kind yuletide adventure.

Boarding begins at 6:00 pm from 400 Toulouse St, where a live calliope concert signals the start of a magical night. The NATCHEZ sets off at 7:00 pm, gliding past the towering cityscape as the DUKES of Dixieland fill the air with swinging jazz and holiday classics. Guests can choose seats indoors or on the open deck to soak in the crisp evening air and sparkling river reflections. The cruise includes captivating narration highlighting the rich history of New Orleans, from its French colonial roots to its pivotal role in American river trade.

The festive spirit continues with a carefully curated Creole-style Christmas Eve dinner prepared fresh onboard. The menu features kale salad with dried cranberries, almonds, blueberries, queso fresco, and maple tahini dressing. Entrées include seafood gumbo blending crab, shrimp, and crawfish in traditional roux, tender pork osso bucco with black cherry demi-glace, chicken lo' range brightened with a Grande Marnier gastrique, and American red snapper served with sherry crab cream sauce. All entrees are served with wild rice and haricot verts, complemented by the famed New Orleans bread pudding available with white chocolate, rum fudge, or praline sauce options.

This cruise stands out because of its seamless blend of entertainment, fine dining, and local heritage against the backdrop of the Mississippi River, a historic artery of American commerce and culture. The NATCHEZ itself is an enduring symbol of New Orleans’ steamboating legacy and one of the city’s few remaining authentic steam-powered boats, making it a distinctive way to connect with the region’s past while celebrating the present.

Ideal for families and visitors of all ages, the vessel is wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy this festive river journey. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast, a foodie looking to savor Creole flavors, or simply seeking a memorable way to celebrate Christmas Eve, the Steamboat NATCHEZ offers an elegant, immersive experience that captures the heart of New Orleans. The closest city for travelers is, fittingly, New Orleans itself, known worldwide for its vibrant music scene, rich history, and warm hospitality.

About New Orleans Steamboat Company

New Orleans Steamboat Company operates historic riverboat cruises and guided excursions based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The company offers a range of Mississippi River sightseeing and jazz cruises aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS and seasonal sailings on the Steamboat NATCHEZ, plus swamp, plantation, walking, and specialty small-group tours.

Cruise experiences include daytime and evening sightseeing jazz cruises with live music performed by the Dukes of Dixieland, multiple dinner seating options with Creole buffets or plated lunches, brunch sailings, seasonal party packages, and holiday-themed departures such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve events. Land-based offerings include swamp and airboat adventures, guided tours to Oak Alley and Whitney plantations, craft cocktail and cooking walking tours, cemetery and Garden District strolls, and interactive ghost and spirits walks in the French Quarter.

Each trip description lists duration, meal options when applicable, live music or narration, and onboard amenities such as full-service bars and multiple observation decks. Local guides provide historical context about New Orleans, the Mississippi River, Jean Lafitte, and regional wetlands and wildlife on swamp and plantation tours. Many cruises feature live jazz and family-friendly programming; several airboat and swamp tours emphasize wildlife viewing opportunities.

Bookings are arranged per listed trip schedules and seating times. As a long-established New Orleans operator featured by tour aggregators and known for narrated riverboat cruises, the company combines maritime tradition with local culture to deliver interpretive sightseeing and entertainment on and off the water. Public and private group bookings are available for many departures.