Top 10 Sightseeing Cruises in New Orleans

Destination: New Orleans.
Take a New Orleans swamp tour and wetlands adventure! See the Cajuns of the Bayou living and surviving in harmony with the swamps. Here, the waterways are their highways. From the relaxed comfort of our covered New Orleans swamp tour boats, you will drift slowly past a 2,000 year old Indian burial mound, a Cajun cemetery and a fishing village! You may see the wildlife that made the Barataria Swamps the crown jewel of the Louisiana Purchase. Here, birds, snakes, turtles, fur animals, and gators are the kings of the swamp, and are easily spotted in spring, summer, and fall.
Known For: New Orleans Carnival, New Orleans Nature and Wildlife Tours, New Orleans Eco Tours, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Excellent Quality.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: New Orleans.
See the Cajuns of the Bayou living and surviving in harmony with the swamps. Here, the waterways are their highways. From the relaxed comfort of our covered New Orleans Swamp Tour Boats, you will drift slowly past a 2000 year old Indian Burial Mound, a Cajun cemetery and a fishing village! You'll admire the wildlife that made the Barataria Swamps the Crown Jewel of the Louisiana Purchase. Here, birds, snakes, turtles, fur animals, and gators - the king of the swamp - are easily spotted in Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Known For: New Orleans Half-day Tours, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Nature and Wildlife Tours, New Orleans Excellent Quality, New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Best Conversion, New Orleans Bus Tours, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Eco Tours, New Orleans Carnival.
Duration: Around 4 hours.

Destination: New Orleans.
This combination tour combines the best of the best! The best swamp tour with the best plantations along River Road. See a variety of wildlife on a swamp boat ride and explore an authentic southern plantation on this tour from New Orleans. See alligators, egrets, raccoons and snakes during your ride around a private Louisiana swamp. 9am and 11am departure times tour Oak Alley Plantation and are 7 hours and 45 minutes in length returning to New Orleans at 4:45pm and 6:45pm respectively. 1pm departure time tours Destrehan Plantation and is 5 hours and 30 minutes in length returning to New Orleans at 6:30pm.
Known For: New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Bus Tours, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Eco Tours, New Orleans Carnival, New Orleans Likely to Sell Out, New Orleans Plantation Tours, New Orleans Full-day Tours, New Orleans Likely To Sell Out, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Day Trips, New Orleans Excellent Quality, New Orleans Nature and Wildlife Tours, New Orleans Day Cruises.
Duration: Around 8 hours.

Destination: New Orleans.
Please arrive by 5:30pm for early boarding. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a ship staff member to take you onboard. Start the night off with a complimentary Champagne cocktail and get front row access to the Dukes of Dixieland before dining. After enjoying the tunes and maybe a little dancing, settle into your reserved table in the dining room for a dinner buffet featuring local favorites. If you are looking for a little more, upgrade your cruise to include an open call brand bar. After dinner, take a tour of the vessel led by the first mate. Don’t miss this opportunity to cruise through New Orleans in style on an exclusive VIP cruise that can’t be booked anywhere else! Please note the Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat.
Known For: New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Spring Break, New Orleans Night Cruises, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Private and Luxury, New Orleans Art Tours, New Orleans Excellent Quality, New Orleans Half-day Tours, New Orleans Viator Exclusive Tours, New Orleans Viator VIP Tours, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Music Tours, New Orleans Jazz Shows, New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Food & Drink.
Duration: Around 3 hours.

Destination: New Orleans.
Experience the full magic of Louisiana's bayous on the closest swamp tour to downtown New Orleans. Journey down the bayou on a 90-minute Cajun adventure through the heart of Southern Louisiana on a relaxing and shaded pontoon boat ride in the protected Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve. As you and your family glide along swamp waters, observe native plant and exotic life in a delicate yet powerful landscape that has both changed and defined Louisiana culture. View moss-covered cypress trees, evading yet beautiful water hyacinths, gators, egrets, and many more interesting creatures that call the swamp their home. Tour guides born and raised in the bayou will reveal the mysteries of the bayou as well as exclusive facts about its ecosystem. Join us and "laissez les bons temps rouler!"
Known For: New Orleans Eco Tours, New Orleans Best Conversion, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Nature and Wildlife Tours, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Excellent Quality.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: New Orleans.
Take a 2 hour, 30 minute cruise down the great Mississippi River aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. Enjoy a narrated tour with a licensed historian describing 300-years of New Orleans history; from the founding of the city by the LeMoyne Brothers to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. During your cruise the vessel will dock at Chalmette Battlefield for a 1-hour excursion. Enjoy a guided tour and talk by a National Park Ranger about the battle of New Orleans, while taking in the sweet breeze and delicate waves along the river. Delight in a cash bar and/or a satisfying Creole lunch option available on the boat while viewing the famous French Quarter and Port of New Orleans from the river .
Known For: New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Historical Tours, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Lunch, New Orleans Lunch Cruises, New Orleans Food & Drink, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Excellent Quality.
Duration: Around 2 hours and a half.

Destination: New Orleans.
Journey down the bayou on a 90 minute Cajun adventure through the heart of Southern Louisiana's swamplands on a relaxing and shaded pontoon boat ride in the protected Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve - the closest swamp tour to downtown New Orleans. As you and your family glide along swamp waters, observe native plant and exotic life in a delicate yet powerful landscape that has both changed and defined Louisiana culture. View moss-covered cypress trees, evading yet beautiful water hyacinths, alligators, egrets, and many more exotic creatures that call the swamp their home. Native tour guides will reveal the mysteries of the bayou as well as exclusive facts about its ecosystem. Join us and "laissez les bons temps rouler!"
Known For: New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Excellent Quality, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises.
Duration: Around 1 hour and a half.

Destination: New Orleans.
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! The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off(December 12, 2025 through February 2026) but her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz, craft cocktails, and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat. Make sure you check out all four decks - the top deck view is a sight to see! Lunch option available Monday - Saturday. Brunch option available Sunday only. The boat boards at 11:00am and 2:00pm and departs promptly at 11:30am and 2:30pm. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to boarding.
Known For: New Orleans Excellent Quality, New Orleans Best Conversion, New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Art Tours, New Orleans Carnival, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Music Tours, New Orleans Food & Drink, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Dining Experiences, New Orleans Jazz Shows, New Orleans Water Tours.
Duration: Around 2 hours.

Destination: New Orleans.
Enjoy a fully narrated city tour of historic New Orleans, where you will visit the world famous French Quarter, Jackson Square, Audubon Park and even uncover the mysteries surrounding Voodoo. Then take to the waters for a cruise on the Mississippi River with the iconic Steamboat NATCHEZ. Enjoy an authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi. Come and discover New Orleans today! The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz, craft cocktails, and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat. Make sure you check out all four decks – the top deck view is a sight to see!
Known For: New Orleans Music Tours, New Orleans City Tours, New Orleans Carnival, New Orleans Bus Tours, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Day Cruises, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Day Trips, New Orleans Full-day Tours, New Orleans Jazz Shows.
Duration: Around 6 hours and a half.

Destination: New Orleans.
On this Sunday brunch cruise, travel along the Mississippi River while enjoying live jazz music and savoring a lovely buffet brunch, if option selected. Otherwise, sit inside in one of our elegantly appointed decks or sit outside on one of our outdoor decks and enjoy the sites and breezes of the Mississippi River. This authentic paddle-wheel riverboat will whisk you away to the romance and ambiance of yesteryear. The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience of a leisurely, two-hour cruise on the mighty Mississippi, enjoying traditional live jazz, craft cocktails, and all the beautiful New Orleans sites, while also exploring the newly renovated riverboat. Make sure you check out all four decks - the top deck view is a sight to see! Upgrade your ticket to include the brunch buffet.
Known For: New Orleans Food & Drink, New Orleans Music Tours, New Orleans Water Tours, New Orleans Brunch, New Orleans Top Product, New Orleans Art Tours, New Orleans Carnival, New Orleans Jazz Shows, New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises, New Orleans Brunch Cruises, New Orleans Day Cruises.
Duration: Around 2 hours.