General Information
Ticket Office Locations
Cruise tickets are available at our Lighthouse Ticket Office, located behind Jax Brewery in the French Quarter. The GPS location best used is 400 Toulouse Street. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.*
Reservations can also be made 24 hours a day on-line by going to our Reservations page or by calling us toll free at 1-800-233-2628. All advance reservations must be prepaid with a credit card.
* hours may change
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I make reservations?
Reservations are recommended only for the Dinner/Jazz Cruise, Sunday Brunch and Special Event Cruises. Tickets can be purchased up until departure time, depending on availability. For groups of 10 or more, call us as soon as possible at 800-365-2628, ext. 480. You can also email us at groups@glnosc.com. Reservations for our cruises can be made online by going to our Reservations page, or by calling our toll free number 1-800-233-2628.
What time should I arrive so I don't miss the boat?
We always begin boarding at least one half hour before departure time, and sail very closely "on time". It is best to arrive 30 minutes before departure or sooner.
Which method of payments do you accept?
We accept Travelers Checks, Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and of course cash!
Do you accept coupons?
Coupons or discounts not accepted for on line redemption with your reservation should be presented at the Steamboat NATCHEZ ticket office. Only one coupon or discount may be used per ticket. Coupons and other discounts do not apply to Value Packages. Some coupons can be entered online, but all coupons must be turned in at the ticket office.
Where can we park?
There are public parking lots on Decatur Street that charge hourly rates. Some require prepayment through an automated kiosk on site. The parking lot closest to our Tour Departure Point is Jax Lot # P401, 500 Decatur St. www.premiumparking.com/P401.
Are alcoholic beverages available on the cruises? We have bars on all three decks of the NATCHEZ. The minimum alcoholic beverage age in Louisiana is 21 year old. Alcoholic beverages include beer, a wine list, and specialty drinks. The State of Louisiana allows the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages for those 21 years and older. Identification can be required by the Server to validate the age of any guest. The forms of identification that are acceptable (and must contain a photo and the birthdate of the holder) are: United States Military or Federal Identification Card OR United States Driver’s License (Louisiana or any of the states & territories) OR International Passport or Visa
Do you sail in bad weather?
Cruises are cancelled only when the Coast Guard determines there will be severe weather along the river. Seating is available indoors as well as covered areas on the deck.
We sail rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, unfavorable river conditions (including river closures), breakdowns or any other cause beyond the control of the New Orleans Steamboat Company the vessel is determined by the Captain unable to make the cruise as scheduled we will arrange for a dockside event.
There are times that a cruise may be delayed, but that is usually only for a short amount of time.
Refunds will not be issued for the above conditions.
What happens if the boat cannot cruise? In rare circumstances when there is a sudden mechanical or weather issue, the Captain will hold safety above all else. If you prebooked your cruise, our staff will make every effort to contact you as soon as we know. If you booked through us or Gray Line Tours New Orleans, we should have an email or phone number. If you booked through other ticketing agencies or on-line companies, they may not have shared your contact information. We always try to route messages through them.
Is the boat handicap accessible?
We recommend river sightseeing aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Call us with any questions before finalizing your plans if you have questions on access or personal equipment. The comfort, security and enjoyment of our guests are of utmost importance. Access to the top & bottom decks are by stairs only. If you need assistance with disability concerns you may contact our Complaint Resolution Officer.
Can we bring pets on board the boat? The Steamboat NATCHEZ allows animals to cruise with their owners as long as they are a Service Animal as defined by the ADA. Thank you.
Where can we find historical facts and specifications on the Steamboat Natchez for a school project? Download the following .pdf files for more information: Steamboat Specs or Steamboat Guide. Documents must be viewed with Acrobat Reader. Additional information can also be found on our History page.
How do I get copies of the photo taken in front of the NATCHEZ when we boarded our cruise?
The members of the Elements Photo Team will be glad to help you locate your photo and place an order. For faster processing please provide them with either the photo card number or the date and time of your cruise with us. Email contact info: info@elementsimaging.com and phone number 504-264-7144
What is the dress code?
All of our cruises are casual attire. "Dressy Casual" is recommended for the Dinner Jazz Cruise based on the decor and service.
Is there any entertainment on your cruises? ( Some alterations may be in place due to the guidelines of the City of New Orleans during re-opening following Covid-19. )
The Harbor Jazz Cruise entertainment includes a jazz pianist or jazz trio (Duke Heitger and the Steamboat Stompers) along with a professional live narration of the river sites and history. This band plays traditional New Orleans jazz. The 7:00 p.m. Dinner/Jazz Cruise features live performances of New Orleans music by the grammy nominated "Dukes of Dixieland".* Music by these two bands are available on the Gift Shop page.
Additionally the steam calliope plays before cruises for approximately 15 minutes. It is a steam pipe organ play by our own Ms. Calliope, Debbie Fagnano. a talented musician playing on the very roof of the NATCHEZ. To learn more about this amazing instrument watch this interview: https://www.wwno.org/post/doc-hawley-calliope-its-more-machine-instrument
If I have a special celebration, what can the boat staff provide? As the Natchez has a small galley (kitchen), we are unable to prepare cakes for celebrations such as birthday, anniversaries,etc. But you can bring a cake with you to be served, we simply ask that you mention it in your reservation so staff can be of assistance. For those celebrations we will do a reserved table with appropriate signage if you also put those notes in your reservation.
What is the policy for Smoking on the Steamboat NATCHEZ? Smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or vaping is not permitted on the boat.
*Call to confirm availability on dinner, brunch, holiday or special event cruises. The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be available for regularly scheduled cruises any time the Steamboat NATCHEZ is out of service.
Job Opportunities
Click here to download a job application for New Orleans Steamboat Company. Documents must be viewed with Acrobat Reader. Please complete the application and send to our mailing address.You can also fax to (504) 587-0708.
Upon receipt of application, you will be contacted by our Human Resources Department regarding job availability.