Is food included with the sightseeing ticket?

No; this listing is sightseeing only. A Creole dinner buffet is offered as a paid upgrade or in separate meal tickets.

Are alcoholic drinks available onboard?

Yes. Cocktail, beer, and wine options are available for purchase at full-service bars on every deck.

Is the vessel wheelchair accessible?

The riverboat is wheelchair accessible on lower decks, but access to the top deck is by stairs only. Contact staff with specific accessibility questions.

What happens if it rains?

The company cruises rain or shine. If the vessel cannot leave the dock, onboard entertainment and service will continue when possible.

Can children come on the cruise?

Yes. Children under 6 cruise free with a paid adult for some meal functions; check current age and pricing policies when booking.

Do decks ever close to the public?

Decks may be closed for private events on certain nights; check availability before planning to photograph or reserve a specific deck.

Mississippi Christmas Eve Cruise on the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS

On the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, a two-hour Christmas Eve sightseeing cruise transforms the Mississippi's broad sweep into a living stage. Departing from 400 Toulouse St in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, this steam-powered sternwheeler offers an old-World river run with modern comforts. Guests drift past the riverfront levee, industrial piers, and the glittering skyline while Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland play live jazz on deck. Boarding begins at 6:00pm after a pre-boarding calliope concert. The itinerary is simple: settle into indoor or outdoor seating across four decks, listen to the captain's narration, and watch the city pass. The Natchez is in lay-up for maintenance, and the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS substitutes, newly renovated yet faithful to sternwheeler character. This cruise showcases classic New Orleans features—the mighty Mississippi River itself, the historic French Quarter waterfront, and the mix of industrial and preserved architecture that defines the Crescent City. What makes this trip special is the collision of music, history, and waterborne perspective. The Dukes of Dixieland deliver swing-era brass that reframes familiar blocks and river bends; narration threads in facts and folklore about river commerce, jazz origins, and port life. Photographers will find the top deck rewarding for skyline silhouettes at sunset, while history buffs will appreciate commentary on steamboat tradition and river navigation. Practical details matter: the experience runs two hours and welcomes all ages, with wheelchair accessibility but stair-only access to the very top deck. Bars on every deck serve cocktails, beer, and wine; the sightseeing ticket does not include the Creole dinner buffet. Reservations are required for meal-service events, QR codes speed boarding, and gratuities are optional. This outing is a gentle, low-exertion way to absorb New Orleans' waterfront personality—ideal if you want music and story without hiking or planning. It also connects visitors to local stewardship: watching river traffic and shoreline parks reinforces how the Mississippi shapes community life. Whether you're after a festive Christmas Eve ambiance, an accessible cultural cruise, or simple postcard views of the city lights from the water, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS delivers a focused, memorable river experience rooted in place and sound. Meeting point is marked at 400 Toulouse St New Orleans, LA 70130 US; arrive early to hear the live calliope at 5:30pm and have your QR code ready for a 6:00pm boarding. The narrated cruise typically runs 7:00-9:00pm and accommodates groups up to 100 guests. Note that decks can occasionally close for private events, and the company cruises rain or shine; if the vessel cannot leave dock, onboard entertainment proceeds. The New Orleans Steamboat Company and Gray Line operate the service; crew members handle accessibility questions and assist with wheelchair access to lower decks.

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.