Seven cruise lines operate out of New Orleans: American Cruise Line, American Queen, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Viking River Cruises.

In 2026, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) serves as a major hub for several prominent cruise lines, primarily focusing on Western Caribbean itineraries. The "Big Three" dominant carriers are Carnival Cruise Line, which homeports ships like the Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty; Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which frequently deploys the Norwegian Escape for week-long voyages; and Disney Cruise Line, which offers seasonal sailings. Additionally, Royal Caribbean periodically operates from the port, and Viking River Cruises uses New Orleans as a key starting point for its luxury Mississippi River voyages. In total, while the exact number of ships fluctuates by season, at least 5 to 6 distinct major lines (including river and ocean) typically operate out of the Julia Street and Erato Street Cruise Terminals in 2026, making it the sixth-busiest cruise port in the United States.