Lunch Cruises

Steamboat Natchez Sightseeing Jazz Cruise with Lunch

Name: Steamboat Natchez Sightseeing Jazz Cruise with Lunch
Start: 2025-10-10T14:00:00
End: 2025-10-10T16:30:00
Location: Steamboat NATCHEZ

Dukes band members with instruments on Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans.

Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS cruising on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.

Guests dining while Dukes play live jazz on Steamboat Natchez cruise in New Orleans.

New Orleans skyline viewed from Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River.

Duration

2 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

4.2/5

(31)

Conniece

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

This cruise was taken as a birthday lunch celebration and we had the best time! upon getting on the boat, our picture was taken with the option to purchase. The food was good and plenty. Our ride down the river was smooth and informative about the city. The jazz band was good and made it feel relaxing. I recommend the steamboat jazz cruise, it will be a great memory of your visit.

Lakirkus

Sep 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Good food and nice boat. Interesting sites, historical fact and information. However, the cruise was a little short in my opinion. I wish it would've been a little longer and gone a little further. Also I wasn't sure it we went up river toward Baton Rouge or down river toward the Gulf of Mexico. I wish that was a little more clear but all in all we had a really good time!

Brian

Jul 2025

Verified booking

5/5

We ended up having to take the City of New Orleans Steamboat instead of Natchez due to maintenance. With that being said, it was a great lunch cruise. The food was excellent! The narration while heading out was very informative on some of the history of properties, businesses, neighborhoods, etc. along the shoreline. The band music on the way back was exciting and relaxing.

Enjoy a sumptuous Creole lunch aboard a two-hour cruise along the Mississippi River with live narration and jazz music.

Your cruise will set off from the historic Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter, giving you sweeping views of the New Orleans cityscape, including St. Louis Cathedral, the bustling Port of New Orleans, and the Crescent City Connection bridge.

A freshly prepared Creole lunch will be served on board during two convenient seating times. The menu features regional dishes like jambalaya, red beans and rice with smoked sausage.

The lively sounds of Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers Jazz Trio will set the tone for your daytime cruise with an authentic New Orleans jazz performance.

Opt for a freshly prepared lunch on either the 11am or 2pm cruise, offering you the flexibility to dine when it suits you best.

While the Steamboat NATCHEZ is not currently in service, her sister vessel—the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS—offers the same classic riverboat experience.

2-hour steamboat cruise

Expert guide

Live Calliope jazz concert

Creole lunch (see the menu here)

Alcoholic Beverages (Available for purchase onboard)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Gratuities

TOTAL DURATION2 hours
FIRST DEPARTUREFrench Quarter
LAST DEPARTUREFrench Quarter
1 Boarding point
Toulouse Street Wharf
Get direction
Sights covered
French Quarter
St. Louis Cathedral
Chalmette Battlefield
Old US Mint
Crescent City Connection
US Custom House
Audubon Aquarium
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

4.2
31 ratings
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Nichelle
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
This was a wonderful activity. Good food, loved the commentary, relaxing. I'm glad we went.
Michael
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We did both a lunch and dinner cruise. The food was amazing on both. I felt it was a little more relaxed on the dinner cruise though. The lunch one felt a bit regimental and rushed. For instance our bread pudding was served before we had even finished our plates. I understand there are time constraints. A lot to do in two hours i guess. But it was still warm when we went to eat it and cooked perfectly. (Being from the UK the food in nola is a rare treat to us). The steamboat itself was a joy to be on board. And I have to say the toilets were spotless (this is a bugbear of mine on these type of things as often they are anything but). The commentary was very entertaining and the jazz band was great. All in all I would definitely recommend. Although perhaps a canopy or something to stand under while queuing to board would be ideal. For you can wait a time to get through the queue and in the hot sun it can be quite uncomfortable.
Kenna
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The food was good, the tour guide was excellent, and the ride was very calm and relaxing. It was a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Lakirkus
Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Good food and nice boat. Interesting sites, historical fact and information. However, the cruise was a little short in my opinion. I wish it would've been a little longer and gone a little further. Also I wasn't sure it we went up river toward Baton Rouge or down river toward the Gulf of Mexico. I wish that was a little more clear but all in all we had a really good time!
Linda
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The food was delicious 😋 The historical information was great too! The Jazz music was fantastic! The atmosphere is amazing and comfortable! Highly recommend for anyone who wants to eat a good cultural meal and enjoy the music 🎶

Experience New Orleans’ vibrant jazz scene and local cuisine on a two-hour daytime cruise along the Mississippi River.

Getting Started

The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking a short break from cruising, and in the meantime, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is providing a full riverboat experience. Enjoy two hours on the Mississippi with traditional live jazz, drinks, and unforgettable views—especially from the upper deck.

What to Expect

Jazz Cruise with Lunch

Sail the historic lower Mississippi River, taking in the city’s bustling port and the iconic riverfront that shaped New Orleans’ story. This cruise blends live jazz, narrated history, and regional flavors for a classic Crescent City experience.

Features

Live Jazz Trio: Enjoy performances by Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers Jazz Trio, bringing the city’s musical heritage to life throughout your cruise.

Freshly Prepared Lunch: Savor a casual lunch sampler, crafted onboard and served in two seatings, with menu options available for various dietary needs.

Historical Narration: Listen to engaging commentary highlighting the port’s significance and the river’s role in New Orleans’ development.

Scenic River Views: Glide past one of the world’s busiest ports, with panoramic views of the city skyline and working river traffic.

Onboard Amenities: Visit the Riverboat Gift Shop, purchase beverages including cocktails, beer, and wine, and enjoy a non-smoking environment on all decks.

Family Friendly: Children under 6 cruise free with a paid adult, making this a welcoming outing for all ages.

What to bring

Shirts and shoes are required for all cruises. Casual attire is perfectly fine, but for the Dinner Jazz Cruise, we suggest dressing “dressy casual.” Consider swapping jeans for dress pants, a skirt, or a blouse. Men can elevate their look with a collared shirt—either button-down or polo.

What's not allowed

Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the vessel, including all indoor spaces and outdoor decks.

Accessibility

This experience is fully accessible for wheelchair and stroller users.

Guide dogs are also welcome on board.

Additional Information

Though the Steamboat NATCHEZ isn’t sailing at the moment (until October 23, 2025), you can enjoy an equally authentic experience aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS. This two-hour cruise includes live jazz, craft drinks, and views of New Orleans best seen from the top deck.

Boarding begins at least 30 minutes before departure. We recommend arriving early to ensure a smooth start to your cruise.

Guests aged 21 and over may purchase beer, wine, and specialty cocktails from the onboard bar with a valid photo ID showing date of birth, in accordance with Louisiana law.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.

Please arrive at the redemption point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Ticket redemption point

Redeem your ticket at Steamboat NATCHEZ.

Address: 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States.

Get directions to the redemption point