This post covers the New Orleans riverboat dinner buffet and jazz cruises.
We include tickets, discounts, menu items, music, reviews, and information about various lunch cruises.
There are two main companies in New Orleans that offer cruise services on the Mississippi River: The Steamboat Natchez and the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen.
As of 2021, the Steamboat Natchez is out of service for refurbishment and has been replaced by its sister vessel, the Riverboat City of New Orleans.
Even when the Steamboat Natchez returns, there's a good chance that the new Riverboat City of New Orleans will still be used for some cruises.
Each riverboat provides a dinner buffet-style cruise, lunch cruise, and other services.
At least one of these cruise companies offers discounts or even free admission through various attraction discount passes available in the city.
If you’re looking to save money on dinner cruises, lunch cruises, and more, make sure to check our post about New Orleans tourist passes for the best deals.
You do not need to purchase a dinner (or a lunch) to board these vessels.
Alternatively, you can also just buy a small snack on the ship or bring your own snacks onboard.
If you’re much more interested in either a boat tour or a jazz cruise, you can find more details about these less expensive options on our post covering New Orleans Riverboat Cruises.
Taking a riverboat dinner cruise is one of our top 10 things to do at night in NOLA.
What do you wear on a dinner cruise in New Orleans?
On a casual buffet-style dinner cruise, you may dress formally in evening gowns, jewelry, heels, or black suits.
It's recommended not to wear tops, swimwear, or skirts.
What do you wear on a riverboat lunch cruise?
For a riverboat lunch casual dressing is appropriate. You can wear short T-shirts, tops, sneakers, or scandals.
Bright dresses blouses, skirts, and hats go well with a riverboat with a jazz band.
BUFFET-STYLE DINNER CRUISES IN NEW ORLEANS
This section will give a detailed breakdown of the buffet-style dinner cruises offered by Steamboat Natchez (directly below) and the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen.
The Steamboat Natchez
Take a memorable trip down the Mighty Mississippi River while a live jazz band performs onboard.
The Steamboat Natchez is associated with GrayLine Tours. This company offers at least two dinner cruises per night as well as a lunch cruise.
NOTE: Don't forget that as of 2021, the Steamboat Natchez has been temporarily replaced by the Riverboat City of New Orleans.
This photo of Steamboat Natchez is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Dinner Jazz Cruise Tickets
- Tickets: $87/Adults | $40/Kids (6-12) | $19.25/Kids (2-6)
- Availability: Nightly at 6 pm (20:00) or 7:45 pm (21:45)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
- This cruise will return to service on September 24th, 2021
TIP: Sometimes this cruise is available at a discount.
Steamboat Natchez Dinner Menu Items
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Natchez Tossed Salad
- Bayou Seafood Pasta
- Creole Creamed Spinach
- Green Beans Almondine
- Paddlewheel Primavera
- Steamboat Round
- Pork Loin
- Bananas Foster
- White Chocolate Bread Pudding
If you want to learn more about food in this city, check out our list of the 13 must-eat foods of New Orleans and our pay-what-you-like food tour.
The Steamboat Natchez cannot currently accommodate requests for gluten-free meals.
Most of their food also has some form of dairy in it – whether that be cheese, butter or milk – so vegan customers might have some trouble finding something they are comfortable eating on the menu.
Because of this, the Steamboat Natchez allows passengers to bring their own snacks aboard.
Otherwise, vegetarians might want to stick to the Natchez Tossed Salad and the Green Beans Almondine.
Overall ratings for this excursion are quite excellent (read the reviews).
The majority of guests enjoyed their dining and most customers were very impressed with the live jazz band.
Given how romantic this cruise can be, it’s not too surprising that couples were most likely to leave a positive review.
All cruises begin and end at the Gray Line “Lighthouse” ticket office at Toulouse St. and the Mighty Mississippi River (at the Steamboat Natchez Dock), just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
There is no changing room.
The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen
This company also provides a buffet-style dinner cruise with live jazz music.
Ticket prices are a bit more affordable across the board and this cruise is about as long as the service offered by their competitor.
To top it all off, the Creole Queen is included for free or at a discount with most New Orleans tourist passes and other discounts.
Dinner Jazz Cruise
- Tickets: $84/Adults | $40/Kids (6-12) | $15/Kids (3-5)
- Availability: Nightly at 7 pm
- Duration: 2 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
The Creole Queen is included for free or at a discount with most NOLA tourist passes and other discounts.
Dinner Menu
- Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
- Louisiana Creole Jambalaya
- Cajun Braised Beef Brisket
- Cajun Seafood Pasta
- Cajun Baked Chicken
- Red Beans & Rice
- Southern Style Green Beans
- Corn Mac Choux
- Caesar Salad
- Bread and Butter & Cornbread
- White Chocolate Bread Pudding
- New Orleans Coffee
If you want to learn more about dining in this city, check out our list of the 13 must-eat foods of New Orleans and our pay-what-you-like food tour.
This photo of Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Mighty Mississippi River Cruises is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Most of the food included on this menu is not gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian.
If you are a vegetarian, you may want to stick with meals such as corn mac choux, red beans & rice, or southern-style green beans.
All three options may include some form of dairy such as butter, cheese, or milk.
The evening cruise offered by this company is also highly rated. There are a few negative reviews, but positive comments overshadow them.
Several reviewers felt that the music was wonderful. Quite a few guests were also happy with the food quality, indicating that their dining was very tasty.
Couples were far more likely than any other group to enjoy their trip.
How old is the Creole Queen?
Creole Queen was built in 1983 by Halter Marine at Moss Point. She was consecrated in September 1983. 2023 makes her 40.
Who owns the Creole Queen in New Orleans?
New Orleans Paddlewheels owns and manages Careole Queen. The corporation employs Louis Armstrong & the New Orleans Riverboats City.
LUNCH CRUISES WITH BRUNCH OPTION
The following section will focus on New Orleans lunch cruises from the Steamboat Natchez (directly below) and the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen.
We will also provide details about a brunch cruise alternative you may want to consider.
Using a tourist pass, you can save money on at least one of these activities.
The Steamboat Natchez
In addition to its dinner cruise, this company also offers a Harbor Jazz Cruise which includes an optional buffet-style dinner.
Traveling along the Mississippi River, a tour guide will provide several historical facts about NOLA.
During these lunch cruises, you also have the option of choosing no set lunch.
Your alternatives are eating a snack at the Captain's Salon on the lower deck or bringing your own food aboard.
In addition to this daily option, you might also want to consider their Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise.
Although the service isn’t much different from their other outings, many wonderful dining options aren’t available at the dinner or lunch cruise length.
Harbor Jazz Cruise
- Tickets: $50/Adults | $24/Kids (6-12) | $10.50/Kids (2-5)
- Availability: Daily at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm
- Duration: 2 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Lunch Menu
- Jambalaya
- Baked Chicken
- Red Beans & Rice
- Southern Fried Fish
- Natchez Tossed Salad
- La Louisiane Sliced French Bread
- White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Brunch Menu
- Waffle Station
- Fruit Salad
- Shrimp and Grits
- Scrambled Eggs
- Greek Style Yogurt
- Biscuits and Gravy
- Turkey Sausage Patties
- Natchez Tossed Salad
- Mini Croissants and Biscuits
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Brown Sugar Pineapple Glazed Ham
- White Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Bananas Foster
As you can see, there are many more options for Sunday brunch than for lunch.
It’s also worth noting that vegans and vegetarians will have the option of fruit salad at the cruise length of brunch and the Natchez tossed salad for lunch.
Sadly, there are no foods specifically made to be gluten-free.
You may also want to remember that most of their food is prepared with dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter.
Some reviewers have even described their band as “magnificent,” suggesting that the onboard music was absolutely wonderful.
Most guests leave excellent feedback stating that they loved this musical trip on the Natchez.
There are some visitors who don’t enjoy the tour portion of this cruise, but most people don’t have any complaints.
NOTE: There are two different ways to save money on this cruise. For more information, please read the discounts section.
The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen
Much like its competitors, this company also offers a historic cruise with an optional dinner buffet meal.
This trip is available as either a brunch or lunch cruise, with the first departure at 10:00 am.
Although there isn’t any live jazz on this excursion, they do have bottomless mimosas for only $20 during the morning outing.
Historic River Cruise
- Tickets w/ no Buffet: $36/Adults | $15/Kids (6-12)
- Tickets w/ Buffet: $53/Adults | $24/Kids (6-12)
- Kids under 5 cruise for free
- Buffet for kids under 5: $10
- Availability: Daily at 10 am & 2 pm
- Duration: 2 ½ hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Lunch/Brunch Menu Items
- Red Beans & Rice
- Cajun Seafood Pasta
- Vegetable of the Day
- Louisiana Creole Jambalaya
- Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
- White Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Caesar Salad
- Corn Bread
Although they can’t guarantee any gluten-free meals, vegetarian and vegan diners may find that the vegetable of the day is a perfect option.
Even so, it’s important to note that many of the items prepared for this cruise will be made either with or alongside dairy products such as cheese, milk, and butter.
Most customers very well receive this trip.
Most guests loved their experience, describing it as informative and humorous. An overwhelming majority of positive reviews came from couples.
There are a few negative reviews, but an overwhelming majority of guests enjoy this cruise on the Mississippi River.
TIP: This lunch cruise is offered by both the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass and the New Orleans Pass. The dinner buffet is not included, but you can add it for only $20 more.
LIVE RIVERBOAT JAZZ MUSIC
Both the Steamboat Natchez and the Creole Queen offer live jazz performances on their cruises.
Each company has at least one house band that will perform onboard throughout the trip.
The Dukes of Dixieland (Steamboat Natchez)
Steamboat Natchez
You can expect to hear the performance of Duke Heitger’s Steamboat Stompers during the cruise length.
The members of this band are noted for their work on various movie soundtracks, television shows, and albums.
At night, the Dukes of Dixieland (first video above) will play a variety of wonderful jazz music.
Much like the Steamboat Stompers, this band is also noted for their performances on television shows, most notably the hit HBO series Treme.
While boarding, calliope music will also be performed daily at 10:45 am, 1:45 pm, and 5:30 pm for approximately 15 minutes.
This music can be heard from the docks.
Creole Queen Paddlewheeler
This company only offers live jazz music on their dinner cruises, but they’ve also got a great band on hand.
The Sullivan Dabney Jr. and the Muzik Jazz Band is known for performing all over NOLA during events such as the French Quarter Festival and the Jazz & Heritage Festival.
This group has become something of a local legend, as they can frequently be seen and heard at various locations throughout the city.
One of the best ways to hear their music is simply to take a dinner cruise on the Paddlwwheeler Creole Queen!
If you’re not too concerned about getting something to eat while you’re taking a NOLA cruise, there are several dining options to consider.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that each of the lunch and dinner cruises listed above is also available without a meal.
In fact, at least with the Steamboat Natchez, you can bring your own food onboard or purchase small snacks and sandwiches in lieu of the organized meal.
You can also see the city from the water by taking the Algiers Point Ferry across the Mighty Mississippi River.
Alternatively, there are kayak tours through the swamps of Louisiana where you can get a close look at all of the beautiful wildlife in the area.
For more details on all of these opportunities, make sure to read our post about New Orleans Riverboats, Paddleboats and Cruises.
Swamp Tours
If you’re interested in seeing the swamps of Louisiana, there are a few different types of boat tours to consider.
The typical swamp boat tour will take you on a leisurely trip through the swamplands, but there are also airboat tours that are much faster and more exciting.
To learn more about all of these services, read our post about New Orleans Swamp Tours.
If you’re looking for a great deal on tickets for either the Steamboat Natchez or the Creole Queen, there are a few options to consider.
In this section, we will provide all the information you need to save money on this activity.
Creole Queen Paddlewheeler
Both their Historic River Cruise and the Dinner Jazz Cruise are included for free with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass.
You can also take the Historic River Cruise with the New Orleans Pass.
Unfortunately, the tickets offered with these services are only for admission onto the boat and they do not include either lunch or dinner buffet.
Steamboat Natchez
This company does not currently offer any of its cruises through any tourist pass.
However, you can purchase a combo ticket which includes their day cruise and the Super City Bus Tour from Gray Line.
As with the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler, this service will not include dining.
The combo ticket is only $70 for adults, which means you’ll be paying about $35 for each activity. This is a savings of about $11 for the cruise alone, so it’s a pretty good deal.
If you’re planning to take a bus tour while you’re in NOLA, we recommend taking advantage of this package.
Read our post about New Orleans tourist passes and combo packages to learn more about this opportunity.
Other Discounts
If you’re looking for another way to save money on a New Orleans dinner cruise, make sure to check both Living Social and Groupon.
As of right now, each service offers a discount on both the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler and the Steamboat Natchez.
While other discounts and tourist passes are only good for admission, you can actually save money on full dinner/lunch/brunch cruises with either of these services.
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