To reach the open sea from New Orleans, cruise ships must navigate approximately 100 miles (160 km) of the Mississippi River. The journey begins at the Julia Street Cruise Terminal and takes about 6 to 8 hours to reach the Gulf of Mexico. This is a unique "high-fidelity" experience for passengers, as the ship maneuvers through narrow bends like "English Turn" and passes industrial sites, historic plantations, and small river towns like Venice, Louisiana. Because the river is a major commercial artery, the ship is under the guidance of specialized River Pilots who have expert knowledge of the shifting silt and currents. The ship eventually reaches the "Head of Passes," where the river branches into several outlets into the Gulf. Once the ship clears the mouth of the river and enters deeper water, the river pilot disembarks, and the ship's own crew takes full control for the remainder of the voyage.