Port of New Orleans sees rise in cruise ship passengers in 2011
The number of cruise ship passengers leaving from the Port of New Orleans jumped 41 percent last year, putting the Crescent City in the top 10 of U.S. cruise ports, according to a recent study commissioned by an industry group. The cruise industry accounted for $280 million in direct spending in Louisiana in 2011, up 35 percent compared to a year earlier, according to the report, paid for by Cruise Lines International Association.
The study attributed the increase in spending to the rise in passenger numbers, which hit 736,908 people last year.
As French Quarter Festival crowds gather at Woldenberg Park, the cruise ship Carnival Triumph makes a sharp turn going downriver on April 10, 2010.
The study also reported that the industry was responsible for 5,512 jobs and $211 million in income for the state last year, up nearly 25 percent from a year ago.
The upward trend is good news for the city's coffers. Last year, cruise ship passengers stayed an average of 1.8 nights in the city, either before or after their cruise, and spent $27.9 million on lodging, food, beverage and other expenses, according to a study by the Port of New Orleans.
"These studies validate the impact of the cruise industry to New Orleans and the state of Louisiana," Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the port, said in a statement accompanying the study's findings. "Our popularity as a cruise port is growing by leaps and bounds and cruise lines are investing in newer and larger ships each year."
Both the Carnival Conquest -- a 2,974-passenger ship that offers seven-day cruises -- and the Carnival Elation -- a 2,052-passenger ship offering four-and five-night cruises -- operate from New Orleans year round.
In November, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line plan to bring newer and larger vessels into the port. The Norwegian Star, a 2,348-passenger liner that sails on seven-day cruises from November through April, will embark on her maiden voyage from New Orleans, replacing the 2,018-passenger Norwegian Spirit.
