Parking at the New Orleans Julia Street Cruise Terminal runs $22–$25 per day for standard surface lots, with covered/garage parking reaching $30+ per day. A 7-night cruise will cost you $154–$210+ in parking fees alone.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Parking at the New Orleans cruise terminal is one of those costs that sneaks up on you. A week-long cruise out of the Big Easy can quietly add $175+ to your trip before you've even stepped on the gangway — and that's before the port fees, drink packages, and beignets.
How Much Does New Orleans Cruise Terminal Parking Actually Cost?
The Port of New Orleans operates out of two primary passenger terminals — Julia Street Terminal and Erato Street Terminal — both located in the Warehouse District. Parking is managed through the port's official lots and a handful of nearby private operators.
Official Port of New Orleans parking rates (2025):
- $22–$25 per day for standard surface lot parking
- $30+ per day for covered/garage parking (when available)
- No hourly rate — you're charged by the full calendar day
Here's what that actually costs across different cruise lengths:
| Cruise Length | Standard Lot ($22/day) | Standard Lot ($25/day) | Covered Garage ($30/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-night cruise | $66 | $75 | $90 |
| 4-night cruise | $88 | $100 | $120 |
| 5-night cruise | $110 | $125 | $150 |
| 7-night cruise | $154 | $175 | $210 |
| 10-night cruise | $220 | $250 | $300 |
| 14-night cruise | $308 | $350 | $420 |
Bottom line: Budget $175–$210 for a standard 7-night cruise as your parking baseline.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
1. Which terminal you're sailing from Julia Street (Terminal 1 & 2) and Erato Street (Terminal 3) are both served by official port parking, but lot availability and pricing can vary slightly by terminal. Carnival departures typically use Erato Street; Royal Caribbean and Norwegian often use Julia Street. Always confirm your terminal when booking parking.
2. Official port lots vs. private off-site lots The port's official lots are the most convenient — literally steps from the gangway — but they're also the priciest. Private off-site lots within 0.5–1 mile of the terminals charge $12–$18 per day, but you'll need to factor in shuttle service (usually free but adds 15–30 minutes each way).
3. Pre-booking vs. walk-up The Port of New Orleans strongly encourages pre-booking parking online. Walk-up availability isn't guaranteed, especially on peak embarkation days (Saturdays/Sundays in winter/spring). Pre-booking doesn't usually save you money on the daily rate, but it guarantees your spot.
4. Vehicle size Oversized vehicles (trucks with extended beds, RVs, vehicles towing trailers) may be charged a premium or directed to specific lots. Confirm with the port if you're driving anything larger than a standard SUV.
5. Cruise season timing New Orleans is a year-round cruise port, but demand spikes November through April. During Mardi Gras season, nearby private lots may surge-price significantly.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money on New Orleans Cruise Parking
Go off-site and save $7–$13/day Private lots near the cruise terminals — like those along Convention Center Boulevard or in the Warehouse District — charge $12–$18/day. For a 7-night cruise, that's a savings of $28–$91 compared to the official port lot. Use SpotHero or ParkWhiz to compare and pre-book.
| Parking Option | Daily Rate | 7-Night Total | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Port Lot (surface) | $22–$25 | $154–$175 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Steps from ship |
| Official Port Lot (covered) | $30+ | $210+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Steps from ship |
| Private Off-Site Lot | $12–$18 | $84–$126 | ⭐⭐⭐ Shuttle required |
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | $25–$45 each way | $50–$90 total | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ No parking stress |
| Hotel + Park Package | Varies | $100–$200+ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great if pre-cruising |
Consider rideshare for short cruises If you're doing a 3- or 4-night cruise, Uber or Lyft to/from the terminal (~$25–$45 each way from most New Orleans neighborhoods) can be cheaper than parking. You're looking at $50–$90 total vs. $66–$100 in official lot fees — and no worrying about your car sitting in a lot.
Book a pre-cruise hotel with parking Many travelers fly into New Orleans a day early anyway. Several hotels near the cruise terminals offer park-and-cruise packages — you stay one night, leave your car at the hotel lot for the duration of the cruise, and get a shuttle to the terminal. Rates vary, but this can bundle your pre-cruise hotel stay and parking for $150–$250 total, which can be a genuine deal for longer cruises.
Don't pay for covered parking if you don't need it Unless you're driving a new car you're paranoid about or it's hurricane season, the standard surface lot is perfectly adequate. You're saving $5–$8/day for shade — that's $35–$56 on a 7-nighter. Hard pass.
Which Cruise Lines Sail from New Orleans?
New Orleans is primarily a Carnival and Norwegian hub, with seasonal sailings from Royal Caribbean. Here's a quick cheat sheet:
| Cruise Line | Primary Terminal | Main Itineraries |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | Erato Street (Terminal 3) | Western Caribbean, Bahamas, Cozumel |
| Norwegian | Julia Street (Terminal 1/2) | Caribbean, Bermuda, seasonal |
| Royal Caribbean | Julia Street (Terminal 1/2) | Seasonal Caribbean |
Regardless of which line you're sailing, the parking cost structure is the same — you're paying port rates for the lot tied to your terminal.
One important warning: The Port of New Orleans lots do not allow re-entry once you've parked and left. Don't park, run an errand, and expect to return without paying again.
Before you lock in your cruise budget, plug your full trip cost — parking, excursions, drinks, tips — into CruiseMutiny to see exactly what you're signing up for. No surprises, no spin.