Port NOLA Surpasses One Million Cruise Passengers in 2025

The Port of New Orleans reported 1,067,407 cruise passenger movements in calendar year 2025, according to a press release issued by the port authority.

This achievement marks the ninth time the port has exceeded one million annual cruise passengers, excluding the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, further cementing Port NOLA’s status as one of the leading cruise hubs in the United States.

Port officials said the continued growth aligns with strong nationwide momentum in the cruise industry and was supported in part by the return of Royal Caribbean service.

Looking ahead, Port NOLA noted that it is well positioned for further expansion, including the planned deployment of a larger Carnival Cruise Line ship in the coming years.

“Consistently surpassing one million cruise passenger movements speaks to the strength of New Orleans as a global cruise destination and the collaborative efforts that make this success possible,” said Beth Branch, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt (NOPB).

“Cruising is a vital economic engine for our region, and with expanded service and larger ships on the horizon, Port NOLA is well positioned to deliver even greater value to Louisiana and the Gulf South,” she added.

The port authority also pointed out that U.S. cruise ports overall continue to exceed pre-pandemic passenger levels, with New Orleans remaining “at the forefront of that resurgence.”

In 2024, Port NOLA handled more than 1.2 million cruise passenger movements, and that strong performance carried into 2025. March 2025 marked a record month for the port, with more than 165,000 passenger movements, reflecting increased ship capacity and robust consumer demand.

“Reaching this milestone for the ninth time reflects both strong demand and the confidence our cruise line partners continue to place in Port NOLA,” said Steven Gauthier, vice president of cruise at Port NOLA.

“As we welcome the return of Royal Caribbean and prepare for increased capacity from Carnival, we anticipate meaningful growth in passenger volumes over the next several years,” he said.

Port NOLA also emphasized the strength of its diverse cruise offering, which includes both ocean and river cruise operations that support year-round activity and bolster the regional tourism economy.

Cruise operations are estimated to generate approximately $445 million in direct and indirect economic impact, underscoring the sector’s importance to the local economy.

With Royal Caribbean returning and Carnival Cruise Line introducing larger next-generation vessels, Port NOLA expects continued growth in the years ahead.