My first time in New Orleans, I didn’t know where to start because there was so much to do and see! From the city’s rich history and culture to local music and cuisine, there are many ways to experience this magical place.
However, if you ask me, the most enchanting and effective way of seeing NOLA is by taking a dinner cruise tour. I’ve gone ahead and shared the 3 top NOLA dinner cruises that are a cut above the rest! Let’s jump right in!
Be sure to see our reviews of New Orleans Swamp Tours, Plantation Tours and Food Tours.
Best Dinner Boat Cruises in New Orleans
| Steamboat Natchez VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option | Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans | Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 |  |  | |
| Location: | 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | 1 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130 |
| Start: | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Duration: | 3 hours | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
| Includes: | 2-hour paddle-wheel boat cruise with live jazz entertainment, tour of the boat, Gourmet Louisiana-style dinner, Champagne cocktail and shrimp cocktail after boarding | Creole Buffet (if option selected at checkout), Jazz Entertainment, 2-Hour Mississippi River Cruise | 2-hour Paddle-wheel Boat Cruise, Calliope Concert by the Dukes of Dixieland, live narration of the history of New Orleans, Southern style dinner buffet |
Quick Answer: The 3 Best Rated New Orleans Dinner Tours For 2024
- Steamboat Natchez VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option
New Orleans Dinner Cruise Reviews
1. Steamboat Natchez VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Departure Time: 6:00 PM
- Includes: 2-hour paddle-wheel boat cruise with live jazz entertainment, Early boarding, Reserved seating, Private tour of the boat, Gourmet Louisiana-style dinner, Complimentary champagne cocktail and shrimp cocktail after boarding, VIP gift bag including boarding photo and Jazz CD, Call brand open bar (if option chosen)
Before actually visiting New Orleans, the closest I’d gotten to taking a sail on the mighty Mississippi river was at Disneyland. Let me just say that while that ride is certainly a fun one, it doesn’t do the real thing justice!
The Steamboat Natchez VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option is the whole shebang, especially if it’s your first time in this charming place. Clocking in at 3 hours long, it’s the perfect alternative to going out to a fancy dinner at a regular restaurant.
You’re going to not only have an amazing dinner, but prime entertainment, beautiful views, gift bags, and more! It’s a great way to celebrate a special day or accomplishment, have a nice date night, or have some fun with the entire family!
There’s no need to worry about whether you’re going to find a table with nice views or one that fits your entire group adequately because you will have a reserved table just for you and your group.
At the table, we had amazing views of the river with all of New Orleans laid out before us while listening to fine live jazz music! Our dinner for the evening was a delicious Creole buffet where I got to learn about and sample plenty of new dishes to me, that I may not have tried, otherwise.
You can elect for the full-bar upgrade if you’d like, though we did receive complimentary champagne cocktails, which were delicious! Aside from that, they included a bunch of nice little goodies, like a jazz band CD, a boarding photo, and other cool stuff!
Not to mention, the Steamboat Natchez you’ll be sailing on is the last paddle wheel boat still in operation in New Orleans, and you get a full tour of it!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Departure: 1 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Departure Time: 7:00 PM
- Includes: Creole Buffet (if option selected at checkout), Jazz Entertainment, 2-Hour Mississippi River Cruise
If that first tour sounded like fun to you but you’re looking for a slightly more affordable option, this next tour is a fantastic alternative. The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans is another great opportunity to catch insight into its unique culture and dynamic unlike anywhere else in the world.
It almost feels like you’re going back in time, with great company, fantastic music, nice dinner (if selected), and incomparable views. This cruise is a bit shorter than the others, but it’s in no way “bare bones” or lacking in content!
If you’re looking to save some cash you don’t have to choose the Creole buffet option, though it’s certainly worth the extra expense, if you ask me. If it’s your first time in New Orleans and would like to get a lay of the land, this is a nice way to do it.
I will say that this isn’t the type of cruise that moves fast, taking in hours worth of sites as you glide along. Rather, it’s more leisurely, focusing on the delectable food, fine live Jazz music, and great company.
As comes as no surprise in the South, the customer service was impeccable, with kind employees clearly focused and ensuring we had a wonderful experience.
It does get a bit cold on the top promenade deck once the sun goes down, but no matter where you sit on the paddlewheeler, you’ll get great views.
I recommend this one for a nice date night, as there are less people on board – perfect for chatting in the midst of the enchanting Louisiana landscapes. Don’t forget to take some photos and videos to remember it by!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option
- Duration: 3 hours
- Departure: 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Departure Time: 6:00 PM
- Includes: 2-hour Paddle-wheel Boat Cruise, Calliope Concert, Entertainment by the Grammy Nominated Dukes of Dixieland, Live narration of the history of New Orleans and the Mississippi River, Southern style dinner buffet (if option selected), groups must be booked as one reservation
Lastly, we have yet another dinner cruise that takes place on the famous Steamboat Natchez, with a few different entertainment options than the first!
The Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option is one of those biggest bangs for your buck activities, immersing you in New Orleans special culture and history.
No matter if you’re a solo traveler, with a significant other, or with the entire family, I know you’re going to love this cruise just as much as I did.
This is simply the most beautiful riverboat I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing and riding on! The unique paddlewheel ship is one of the last in the world, though were commonly used back in the 19th century in a time when the river was filled with steamships and cargo ships.
It only adds to the authentic charm that only New Orleans boasts. Taking off in the lovely French Quarter, you’ll board the riverboat and be greeted by friendly staff to show you around the 4 decks that each offer something special.
They did a great job of showing and explaining to us how the paddlewheel mechanism actually operates, and as we sat and enjoyed dinner, they shared interesting historical info as well.
The food was quite good, though I will say it wasn’t to the level of quality that perhaps a gourmet restaurant would offer. The jazz band was fantastic, which came as no surprise considering they’re Grammy-nominated!
Things got a bit chilly towards the end of the tour, and we all headed into the enclosed climate-controlled area with big windows for us to appreciate the views from our cozy room.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Dinner
Boat Comfort
Value
The Steamboat Natchez VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option is our Editors Choice for the best New Orleans dinner boat cruise
