Riverboat Cruise: Jazz, History, and Scenic Views

Experience the enchanting sights and sounds of river life on the New Orleans Jazz Cruise aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Board the riverboat and enjoy a delightful journey with live jazz music and a delicious lunch. Book now!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Experience the dynamic skyline of ‘The Crescent City’ from the sunlit decks or the cozy, climate-controlled interiors of the grand Steamer Natchez.
  • Mississippi River - Sail by the Chalmette Battlefield, the historic site where Jean Lafitte and his pirates allied with Andrew Jackson to protect the city from…
What's Included
  • 2-Hour Paddlewheel Cruise
  • Live Commentary Onboard
  • Live Jazz by the Steamboat Stompers
  • Creole-Inspired Lunch Monday-Saturday (if option selected)
  • Climate controlled areas
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Alcoholic Beverages (Available for Purchase)
Additional Information

Step aboard the riverboat to the enchanting melodies of the Steam Calliope. Immerse yourself in the vibrant river life that captivated historical and literary figures such as Mark Twain’s Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, and witness the lively operations of America’s second-largest port!
The Steamboat NATCHEZ will be on a break from December 12, 2025, through…

Location
Gray Line New Orleans
Toulouse Street
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(5544 Ratings)
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Excursion320858
Jan 21, 2026
Unique, perfect NOLA experience - From beginning to end, this trip was so unique and a fabulous use of time! Before boarding, we listened to calliope music that I'd previously only heard in movies. We boarded a 2PM cruise with lunch, which was delicious! It was just the last of NOLA we had been searching for, and Iris was a very kind and helpful server. The balance between narration about the surroundings and then the jazz was spot on. Our whole family of four adults loved this original outing - super recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cortney_f
Sep 22, 2025
Don’t arrive too early.... - Don’t arrive too early. There’s no point and parking is by the hour. I think it cost almost $70 for the 4 hours we were there. If it’s summer bring a portable fan but enjoy bc it’s a fun time and informative.
Review provided by Viator
Wcasaus
Jan 22, 2026
Worth The Ride - Good time on the riverboat. Enjoyed the historic narrative and spending some relaxing time on the Mississippi. Riding on a water wheel riverboat was pretty cool.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrisgv7442jp
Jan 21, 2026
Very good BUT no steamboat now - PLEASE note the STEAM paddleboat (Natchez)is getting a new boiler. The paddle boat (City of New Oreans riverboat) I went on was electric powered. A bit of a disappointment, but the food was great, service very good and music was excellent! Iris B was an excellent server and gave me recommendations about where to seat and to enjoy he 3rd level where I would hear best. I have a hearing loss in one ear. I enjoyed walking around the 4 levels and seeing the sites. The Domino sugar factory was fascinating and had a barge with apparent raw sugar being moved into the factory. Very neat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert
Jul 25, 2025
Worth the Trip - Nice experience. Little unclear where to embark and the staff was a little rude when engaged, otherwise I would’ve rated 5 stars. Overall, a good experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
524bretts
Sep 23, 2025
Underwhelming - Concur with previous reviews. Tour doesn’t set sail until 2.30pm. They don’t allow boarding. Don’t show up early or you will be standing in the heat with no shade. The boat whistle tunes are unbelievably loud. Thankfully only played for around ten minutes when in the queue to board. Once aboard got good seats on top deck. Drinks/ bar on all levels. Reasonably priced.. Not actually great views from boat once underway. A lot of decay on riverfront properties. I’m assuming remnants of hurricanes that have never been repaired.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hadi_t
Aug 31, 2025
Waiting line under the... - Waiting line under the sun sucked. Tour guide on the cruise was speaking none stop and loud. No time for relaxing and enjoying. Other than this two issue everything was perfect!!
Review provided by Viator
Amy_w
Aug 6, 2025
Decent experience but some dissapointments - We went on the lunch cruise and overall had an okay experience, but there were a few things that could have been better. First off, I’d recommend skipping the lunch option—food was just average and not really worth the extra cost. You’re better off grabbing a drink or a light snack onboard instead. We were also delayed in departing because some guests arrived late, which was frustrating for those of us who were on time. To add to that, we were given the wrong lunch time and when we politely asked about switching, the waitress was noticeably rude and unhelpful. On the positive side, the drinks were strong and surprisingly good. The boat also had plenty of covered and indoor seating, which was great since it rained during part of the trip. With a few service improvements, this could be a much better experience.
Review provided by Viator
Song_t
Aug 31, 2025
Terrible organization - There are too many people on this trip. Onboarding time would take more than a half hour. We have to lining up outside with all the heat or even rains.
Review provided by Viator
Denise_w
Aug 29, 2025
Slight of Hands - Disappointed! Not What I Booked - If you book the Steamboat Natchez and your confirmation says the same, you could get put on The City of New Orleans with no notice and no recourse. We wanted the steam powered, not diesel.
Review provided by Viator
From $44
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).