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

View the ever-changing skyline of ‘The Crescent City’ from the sunny decks or climate-controlled comfort of the majestic Steamer Natchez. Cruise past the Chalmette Battlefield, where the legendary Jean Lafitte and his buccaneers joined forces with Andrew Jackson to defend the city against the British in the Battle of New Orleans.
You also have the option…

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

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!
Lunch option available Monday - Saturday.
Brunch option available Sunday…

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
4.3
(4733 Ratings)
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1 star
Kathy
Mar 19, 2025
Riverboat afternoon - This was a very informative and relaxing afternoon. The lunch service was very efficient and the food was good. The weather was great that day so that added to the enjoyment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph
Mar 5, 2025
Don’t miss this when you are in New Orleans - What a wonderfully orchestrated ride! These folks know how to make your trip on The Mighty Mississippi one for everyone to remember . From the majestic paddle wheel that really is the propulsion to the amazing musicians bustin out the classic river jazz, sharp!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gailbm1045au
Jan 31, 2025
Excellent music and good food. Delightful! - We loved our brunch cruise on the Natchez. The food was good (not great, but good, plentiful and varied). The Jazz Band was excellent - we hadn't expected to be so impressed but we were! I would suggest the brunch cruise rather than dinner, unless you want to get all the NOLA standard dishes in steam table form!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Erin_k
Jan 26, 2025
Very nice - Great crew, food was tasty, music was a treat. The activities were well arranged so that everything could be enjoyed. It was nice to be able to tour around the steamboat itself, as well as enjoy the journey.
Review provided by Viator
Ellie
May 3, 2025
Nanchetz - The Nanchetz plays an some type of whistle organ while in line and until people are boarded. Very loud and annoying. Once the event does start while still docked the captain does a really long intercom presentation. Too long and rather be cruising. Jazz music great. Clean and safe.
Review provided by Viator
Mzsugaplum
Mar 19, 2025
A Wonderful Experience on Natchez Steamboat - I went on the Daytime Jazz Cruise and purchase the Seasonal Party Package w/ Lunch aboard Steamboat Natchez. My guests and I had a wonderful experience. All of the staff was very pleasant and friendly. From ticket agents, the staff that checked us in on-site, the security, photographers, hostess, waitstaff and bartenders. The daytime lunch menu consist of: Fried catfish, jambalaya, red beans and rice, corn bread and bread pudding with an unlimited prefixed cups of ice water and sweet tea. The waitstaff served each table by bringing the plates food and dessert to each guest table, so no standing in a buffet line and our food was hot and flavorful. I am so glad that we purchased the seasonal party package, of which was a bonus because as we were directed to the dining hall we had a decorative reserved table showing my last name on signage, along with adorable spring flower bouquet, colorful sunglasses for each guest in my party, a sweet cookie treat, and we were given a wristband for 3 alcohol drinks for the entire cruise. The jazz band was great as well as the narrator for the cruise. The person voice was very clear and upbeat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peyton_s
Jan 26, 2025
Fun ride, good... - Fun ride, good information about the history, however we didn’t like that the captain calls the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
Review provided by Viator
Skydivr
Apr 25, 2025
Lunch Cruise Is Like High School Cafeteria Food - With the lunch cruise you eat before the boat even leaves the dock. It used to be buffet-style but not anymore. They bring a plate to your table containing everything that's on the menu whether you want it or not. The catfish was so dried out and hard it was inedible. The food is also heavily salted (to get you to buy more drinks during the cruise). The river cruise is nice, especially being able to go into the engine room to see how everyhting works, but get your lunch before or after the cruise at a restaurant.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nate_d
Feb 17, 2025
Too much of the band playing.. - Should cut down on the band playing .. Missed the entire army base side with no narration.. No knowledge or background of what it was …
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_c
Jan 24, 2025
Mediocre food - Food was mediocre and I didn’t think it was worth the money. Maybe I set my expectations too high but I was thinking it was going to be better
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).