Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans
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Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans worth booking?
Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans is a 3-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $60 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $60 per person
Step aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS for a fun 2-hour Dinner Jazz Cruise on the Mississippi River! Enjoy live jazz music and signature cocktails as you cruise past iconic French Quarter landmarks, historic river
What you get
About this experience
Step aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS for a fun 2-hour Dinner Jazz Cruise on the Mississippi River! Enjoy live jazz music and signature cocktails as you cruise past iconic French Quarter landmarks, historic riverfront sites, and stunning city views. Savor a Creole-inspired dinner menu while enjoying beverages from one of the full-service bars onboard, including the City Skyline Bar on Deck 4, offering panoramic views of the river and downtown New Orleans. A snack bar is also available with popcorn, sodas, and other casual favorites. Perfect for couples, friends, groups, and special occasions, our Dinner Jazz Cruise delivers an unforgettable evening of New Orleans sights, cuisine, and music all in one experience!
What's included
Included
- Snack Bar Onboard
- Dinner
- Full Service Bars on Every Deck
- 2-Hour Sightseeing Cruise
- Live Jazz Music by Local Musicians
- Photo Ops Galore
- View of Jackson Square & St Louis Cathedral
- Live Captain's Narration
- View of New Orleans French Quarter
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Parking
What you'll see and do
The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is the newest paddlewheel to the New Orleans Riverfront and sister ship of the Steamboat NATCHEZ.
180 minutes here · Admission included
French Quarter
Located in the heart of the French Quarter near Jackson Square, below the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Make your way past fern filled cast iron balconies, on your way to the Toulouse Street wharf, as the sounds of her calliope steam whistle echo through the historic French Quarter, drawing you to her as it did 100 years ago.
Pass by without stopping
St. Louis Cathedral
Enjoy views of the St Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square.
Pass by without stopping
Jackson Square
Pass by scenic Jackson Square.
Pass by without stopping
Crescent City Connection Bridge
View the bridge from the Mississippi.
Pass by without stopping
Audubon Aquarium
Pass by the Aquarium of the Americas.
Pass by without stopping
Audubon Insectarium
Pass by the Audubon Insectarium.
Pass by without stopping
Mardi Gras World
Pass Mardi Gras World.
Pass by without stopping
Caesars New Orleans - Casino
View Caesars Casino.
Pass by without stopping
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Pass by New Orleans riverfront park.
Pass by without stopping
New Orleans
View New Orleans from the Mississippi River.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New Orleans
Present your barcoded voucher 15 minutes before boarding at 101 Saint Louis St New Orleans, LA 70130. Hosts will scan tickets before boarding. Groups of 10+ must check in at the Lighthouse for physical tickets. Please allow extra time for check-in.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Present your barcoded voucher 15 minutes before boarding at 101 Saint Louis St New Orleans, LA 70130. Hosts will scan tickets before boarding. Groups of 10+ must check in at the Lighthouse for physical tickets. Please allow extra time for check-in.
Options you can book
CITY of NEW ORLEANS 7:45 Meal
Includes Creole-style Dinner
CITY of NEW ORLEANS 6:00 Meal
Includes Creole-style Dinner
CITY of NEW ORLEANS - No Meal
Sightseeing Cruise - No Meal
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gray Line New Orleans
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS cruises rain or shine.
- Please Note: Should the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS become unavailable for her yearly Coast Guard inspections and/or general maintenance, all cruises during this time will take place on her sister vessel - the Steamboat NATCHEZ.
- In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
- The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is handicap accessible. Access to the top deck is by stairs only. Please call us with any questions before finalizing your plans if you have questions on access or personal equipment.
- Cruise is suitable for wheelchairs.
- Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat.
- **Important for Groups of 10+** Parties of 10 or more guests require physical tickets for boarding. Please check in with our Lighthouse Ticket Office prior to boarding to receive your tickets. Please allow extra time for check-in.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Worse 65th Birthday Surprise
This was a surprise gift for a best friend’s 65th birthday and there was 4 of us in total. We were excited and had been planning the trip from Biloxi, MS for a while. The day was finally here and we drove to New Orleans. We walked around Jackson square and the RiverWalk. Then it was time to get on the Natchez. We were the first to board the Steamboat Natchez and we had first seating for dinner. So we went straight to the dining room. We sat down at a window to watch us ride up and down the Mississippi River while we ate. The server told us that the buffet was open. So my husband and I went to the buffet and started to get a plate when one of the servers of the meat carving station rudely told us it wasn’t open yet! So we sat down again until we saw others going through the buffet line. We got our food and sat down. Now, My husband was actually born in New Orleans, and we have lived on the MS Gulf coast all our life. We know how local dishes should taste. But we have never been so disappointed in the food. Gumbo, crawfish etouffe, cream spinach, roast beef, green beans, fried chicken, seafood pasta and some kind of cubed potato dish. I know this is going to sound impossible, but it was terrible! All of it! 1st, the gumbo, which I have made many times, served in a very small cup, was a really dark roux, almost burnt. In fact it had a bitter taste. All 4 of us pushed our crawfish etouffe away. It was NOT good. The fried chicken was hard as a rock! The beef was NOT tender and absolutely no flavor! We love fresh cooked green beans but these were stringy and had some kind of seasoning on it that did not taste good. The potato dish was ok. Not a lot of potatoes in it. More than half my plate went back to kitchen. I figured ok, at least let me get my dessert and coffee. Why would I feel any different about that. The bread pudding had good flavor but was very very firm. Not hard, but firm. Till you really had to push in the fork to get through it. That’s not how it should be. Of course, the coffee was absolutely cold. It was really ridiculous!!!! On top of the extremely disappointing dining, we never left the dock the whole time we were eating, so why even get a window seat! Our table was right by the door to get on and off. And while we were sitting there, I watched people getting on and off. Finally, since we had not even left the dock, which really confuses me because it was a Jazz Dinner CRUISE!!! So after this VERY disappointing dinner and the fact that we never left the dock, I asked everyone if they wanted to stay on or get off. All 4 of us voted to get off and go home. So we did. We spent $430 for the dinner cruise and $50 for parking. For nothing!! I will NEVER recommend this experience to anyone and as for us - NEVER AGAIN!!!!!
Response from the operator: Thank you for bringing your experience to our attention. We take guest feedback very seriously. If you experience an issue while on board—whether it relates to service personnel, food quality, seating, or any other matter, we encourage guests to immediately notify an on-board manager or the captain. Our team is fully committed to rectifying any situation in the moment to ensure you have a satisfactory experience before you depart. Boarding is one hour long, and the cruise departs at 7pm - 9pm. Thank you again for sharing your feedback with us and we regret that we did not have the opportunity to correct it while you were aboard.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
The steamboat was amazing. First time on a steamboat. The jazz music was great as well as the dinner. The captain was very funny and all of the people who worked were very pleasant .the tickets price was really good. The trip about an 2 hours.. The cruise was sold out alot of people. A nice dinner with Jazz for our anniversary.
via Tripadvisor
NOLA riverboat cruise
It was a fun iconic experience that did not disappoint. I recommend it to any visitors in the city, the tour guide was very knowledgeable
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $60 to $110
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.
How much does Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans cost?
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Prices start at $60 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New Orleans usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New Orleans is not rushed.
Is Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New Orleans, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New Orleans can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New Orleans and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New Orleans within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New Orleans?
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New Orleans runs on licensed guides, and it shows: the city requires certification for tour guides, so the floor is higher here than most US cities. Ghost and cemetery walks, French Quarter food crawls, plantation history day trips and swamp boat runs make up the bulk. We rank on whether the operator handles cemetery access properly, since St. Louis No. 1 needs an authorised guide. On Outty we rank every New Orleans experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation, New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure, New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
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February to May and October to November. August is heat and storm season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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