Norwegian Breakaway at Port of New Orleans
Everything you need for boarding Norwegian Breakaway (Norwegian) at Port of New Orleans. Terminal info, parking, restaurants, hotels, and pro tips.
Official Terminal
Julia Street Cruise Terminal (Norwegian / Royal Caribbean)
Norwegian Breakaway sails from Julia Street Cruise Terminal (Norwegian / Royal Caribbean) at Port of New Orleans. The drop-off lane, the sourced parking rate, and check-in timing are below.
When Can You Board Norwegian Breakaway?
Norwegian puts an embarkation time on your eDocs and asks that you arrive no earlier than one hour before it. It highly encourages boarding no later than two hours before the departure time in the same eDocs.
The arrival time on your own boarding pass is the one that governs your sailing.
Read on Norwegian Cruise Line’s own site, August 9, 2026.
Email me the Norwegian Breakaway boarding-day plan — pick your sailing below and we'll send your terminal, parking and boarding details now, then reminders a month out to book the hotel, two weeks out to pack, the week before you sail and the day before, whichever are still ahead of you. No newsletter.
Upcoming Sail Dates
Official schedule · Verified Aug 18, 2026
Sources: Port of New Orleans vessel schedule, Port of New Orleans cruise berthing list
Terminal: Julia Street Cruise Terminal (Norwegian / Royal Caribbean) — every date below departs from it.
Tap a date to open your Norwegian Breakaway guide for that sailing — terminal, boarding window and weather for the day you leave.
November 2026
All November 2026 sailingsDecember 2026
All December 2026 sailingsFebruary 2027
All February 2027 sailingsMost cruise lines assign an arrival window during online check-in — set yours as soon as check-in opens, since the best slots go first. Don't arrive before your window opens: terminals typically hold early arrivals outside, so getting there early buys you nothing. Experienced cruisers most often point to early afternoon, once the first rush has cleared, as the smoothest time to walk in. Follow the check-in instructions your cruise line sends you — they always take priority over general guidance.
Planning the rest of your port day
Parking rates, boarding windows and getting to the terminal are the same for every ship sailing from New Orleans, so they live in one place: parking at New Orleans, boarding tips and when you can board.
Official Terminal
Julia Street Cruise Terminal (Norwegian / Royal Caribbean)
Drop-off: Follow the same route as Erato — from I-10, take Exit 234A (US 90 W) at Tchoupitoulas St. Turn right onto Tchoupitoulas, left onto Henderson St, and left onto Port of New Orleans Place. Julia Street Terminal is just past Erato. Do not try to access the terminal from Julia St or Poydras St entrances. Drop luggage curbside with porters.
Parking: Julia Street Terminal does not have its own garage. Passengers park at the 100 Poydras Garage (about 500 spots), and a shuttle takes you to the terminal. Rates are $25 per day or $175 for a 7-day cruise. Keep your parking confirmation handy. The shuttle runs frequently on embarkation days.
Check-in tips:
- Norwegian guests: complete Norwegian's online check-in and download your boarding pass to the NCL app before arrival
- Royal Caribbean guests: Mariner of the Seas sails from Julia Street too — check in through the Royal Caribbean app, where you also pick your arrival time, rather than the NCL app
- Bring your passport — all Norwegian sailings from New Orleans require one
- Plan to arrive during your assigned check-in time to avoid long lines
- The terminal is smaller and more intimate than Erato — check-in tends to be quicker
Julia Street Cruise Terminal parking & drop-off at Port of New Orleans →
Getting to the Port
From Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
MSY is about 15 miles west of the port, roughly a 25-35 min drive depending on traffic. The airport completed a brand-new terminal in 2019 and is well-connected to the city via I-10.
Cost: Uber/Lyft: $25-40 depending on traffic and surge. Taxi: $36 flat rate for up to 2 passengers, $15 per additional person. Airport shuttle: $24/person one-way.
Driving & Port Parking
From I-10, take Exit 234A (US 90 W) at Tchoupitoulas St. Follow the ramp, turn right onto Tchoupitoulas, left onto Henderson St, and left onto Port of New Orleans Place. Cross the railroad tracks to reach the terminals. Do not try to enter from Julia St or Poydras St.
Cost: The port prices by sailing length, not by the day: $180 for a 7-day cruise at either the Erato Street garage or the 100 Poydras garage. Reserving adds $1 per day.
Hotel Shuttle Services
Several nearby hotels offer park-and-cruise packages with port shuttles. The Mercantile Hotel, Wyndham French Quarter, and Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center all offer packages that include parking during your cruise and a ride to the terminal.
Cost: Quoted at booking; the properties do not publish package prices.
Streetcar from Downtown Hotels
If you're staying in the French Quarter or along Canal Street, the St. Charles or Canal streetcar lines can get you close to the port area. The Riverfront streetcar runs along the river near the Convention Center, dropping you within a 10-minute walk of the terminals.
Cost: $1.25 per ride, exact change or Jazzy Pass ($3/day unlimited)
Where can I park for a Norwegian Breakaway cruise?
The sourced rate is above, in Getting to the Port.
Still weighing where to leave the car?
Nearby Restaurants
Café du Monde
Beignets and chicory coffee in an open-air French Quarter landmark, where kids lose their minds over the powdered sugar.
$Camellia Grill
Old-school counter diner with omelets, waffles, and burgers — stools only, best for small parties who don't mind splitting up
$Willie's Chicken Shack
Fast-casual fried chicken in the French Quarter — cheap, quick, and universally liked by kids
$Mother's Restaurant
Legendary po'boy shop, serving since 1938. Comfort food that satisfies adults and kids alike.
$-$$Nearby Hotels
The night-before picks are near the top of this page, or compare every hotel near New Orleans.
Other Ships Sailing from New Orleans
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