Port of New Orleans Cruise Parking

Three ways to park for a Port of New Orleans cruise: park at the terminals for the most convenience, use an off-site park & ride to save money, or bundle parking with a pre-cruise hotel. Here's how they compare and how to choose.

Last updated July 9, 2026

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Compare your options

Cruise parking options near Port of New Orleans
Option	Type	To terminal	Shuttle	Reservation	Covered
Port NOLA Terminal Garages (Erato St. & 100 Poydras)	Port-operated	~0.2 mi	Included	Not required	Covered
Fulton Place Parking Center	Off-site	~0.3 mi	Included	Required	Covered
Hilton New Orleans Riverside - Cruise & Park Package	Hotel package	~0.4 mi	Walk to terminal	Required	Covered

Our take on each option

Port NOLA Terminal Garages (Erato St. & 100 Poydras)

Best for Cruisers who want their car on port property with the shortest possible connection to the ship

Distance: ~0.2 mi
Shuttle: Included
Reservation: Not required
Covered: Covered

Official, port-run garages - your car stays on Port NOLA property the whole cruise
Erato Street garage is directly at the Carnival terminal, so most passengers walk straight in
Secured, lighted, and patrolled per the port

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean passengers park at 100 Poydras and need a short shuttle to Julia Street rather than walking in directly
Not required, but the port says space is limited on busy sailing days, so a walk-up spot isn't guaranteed
Height/length limits (about 8'4" at Erato, 6'6" at Poydras; 22-ft max length) rule out oversized trucks, trailers, and RVs

Port NOLA quotes a flat per-day rate charged for your full cruise length, plus a small per-day fee for online reservations - check current price on the official parking page.

See the official parking page

Fulton Place Parking Center

Best for Budget-conscious cruisers who don't mind a short shuttle ride instead of walking straight into the terminal

Distance: ~0.3 mi
Shuttle: Included
Reservation: Required
Covered: Covered

Complimentary shuttle for Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean passengers, running about every 5-10 minutes from 7am-3pm
24/7 monitored garage with onsite security cameras and staff
Sits directly across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, a short shuttle from either terminal

Adds a shuttle leg instead of walking directly into the terminal
Not affiliated with Port NOLA, so its own reservation and cancellation terms apply, not the port's
Off-port lots can sell out on peak cruise-turnover days if you don't book ahead

Independently priced, typically below the port's own garage day rate - check current price before booking.

Visit the parking operator's site

Hilton New Orleans Riverside - Cruise & Park Package

Best for Cruisers who want a comfortable pre-cruise night plus parking for the whole sailing bundled into one booking

Distance: ~0.4 mi
Shuttle: Walk to terminal
Reservation: Required
Covered: Covered

Direct indoor access to The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, which leads straight to the cruise terminal - no shuttle needed
Bundles a hotel night, a room discount, and discounted parking for the length of the cruise into one package
Less than half a mile from the terminal, with a 5-10 minute walk depending on ship assignment

Requires booking a hotel night even if you don't need one, which costs more upfront than parking alone
Package terms (parking length included, blackout dates) vary by season and must be confirmed directly with the hotel
Still a walk with luggage, which can be a downside for travelers who prefer door-to-door parking

Package combines a discounted self-parking day rate with a room-rate discount - check current price directly with the hotel before booking.

Check Klook availability

If you're driving to the Port of New Orleans, deciding where to park starts with knowing your terminal — Erato Street or Julia Street — since the two garages aren't interchangeable. From there, you're choosing between the port's own garages, an independent off-site lot, or a hotel package that bundles parking with a room.

The three options

Port-operated parking puts you closest to the ship: Carnival passengers at Erato Street park in the terminal's own garage and walk straight in, while Norwegian and Royal Caribbean passengers use the 100 Poydras Garage and ride a short shuttle to Julia Street. Independent lots, like Fulton Place Parking Center near the convention center, run a complimentary shuttle for all three cruise lines and typically undercut the port's day rate, though it's a separate reservation with its own terms. Hotel park-and-cruise packages, such as the Hilton New Orleans Riverside's, bundle a pre-cruise night with discounted parking and skip the shuttle entirely via an indoor Riverwalk connection to the terminal.

New Orleans specifics

Port NOLA doesn't require a parking reservation, but it flags limited space on holiday and peak sailing weekends, so booking ahead is worth it even when it's optional. Both garages have real size limits — about 8'4" at Erato Street and 6'6" at 100 Poydras — so oversized trucks, trailers, and RVs won't fit either structure.

Prices and shuttle schedules shift by lot and season, so we don't publish live rates here — check the current price and terms directly with the operator or Port NOLA before you book.

Port of New Orleans parking FAQ

Do I need a reservation to park at the Port NOLA garages?

No - Port NOLA says reservations aren't required, but space is limited and the port recommends booking ahead, especially for holiday and peak sailing weekends.

How much does official cruise terminal parking cost?

Port NOLA charges a flat daily rate for the length of your cruise (plus a small per-day convenience fee for online reservations) - check current price on the port's parking page before you book.

Which garage do I use - Erato Street or 100 Poydras?

It depends on your cruise line: Carnival passengers park at the Erato Street terminal's own garage and walk in directly; Norwegian and Royal Caribbean passengers park at the 100 Poydras Garage and ride a short shuttle to Julia Street.

Are there height or length limits at the port garages?

Yes - the Erato Street garage tops out around 8'4" on limited spaces (7'6" elsewhere) with a 22-foot length max, and the 100 Poydras Garage caps out around 6'6", so oversized trucks, RVs, and trailers won't fit either structure.

Sources & verification

Parking specifics change often. Confirm current rates, shuttle times, and reservation rules with the operator or the official port site before booking.