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The number of passengers who boarded or got off of a cruise ship in New Orleans during 2023 rebounded to nearly pre-COVID levels, according to figures released by the Port of New Orleans Monday.
In 2023, there were nearly 1.19 million cruise passengers, up more than 26% from 940,490 in 2022. In comparison, there were nearly 1.21 million cruise passengers in 2019.
March 2023 was the best month ever for cruise passengers at the port, with 155,225 people taking oceangoing or river cruises that passed through New Orleans. The next best month was February 2020, when there were 154,409 passengers before the COVID pandemic ground the cruise industry to a halt.
There were 291 ships that called on New Orleans in 2023, up from 269 in 2022 and 251 in 2019, the port said.
Brandy Christian, Port NOLA president and CEO, said the numbers show the industry in New Orleans has rebounded and cruise lines are confident in the local market.
“This is really encouraging as our cruise business drives tourism and contributes significantly to the hospitality industry,” Christian said in a prepared statement.
Ninety percent of cruise ship passengers in New Orleans are visitors from out-of-state, with 73% spending a night or two in the city before or after their voyage. Port officials said cruise passengers account for about 300,000 room nights and more than $125 million in spending annually.
The Disney Magic sailed on its first voyage out of New Orleans last month. The 2,700 passenger ship will make several trips to the Caribbean through early March.
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