After boarding to the delightful tunes of the Steam Calliope, this relaxing two-hour cruise will take you from the heart of the French Quarter back to when cotton was king and life was slow and graceful as the current on the Mississippi.

Experience the sights and sounds of river life that enchanted characters of history and literature - like Mark Twain's Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer - and see the bustling activity of America's second-largest port!

As well as the scenery, there is live narration and Duke Heitger's Steamboat Stompers Jazz Trip entertaining you along the way so all you have to do is sit back and soak up the unique atmosphere.

Options

As well as choosing between a morning, afternoon and dinner cruise, there is the option to include a freshly prepared delicious lunch or dinner Creole-themed buffet with your ticket.

Sample menus served buffet style (Subject to change without notice):

Lunch Menu:

• Southern Fried Fish - Zesty cornmeal-crusted and fried to a golden perfection
• Jambalaya - The traditional Louisiana dish with chicken, sausage, and Creole seasoning
• Salad Du Jour
• White Chocolate Bread Pudding - A soufflé of local Leidenheimer French bread in a rich custard with a decadent white chocolate sauce
• Community Coffee and Iced Tea

Dinner Menu:

• Natchez Tossed Salad - Mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, red onions, and croutons with a sugar cane vinaigrette ​and served family-style
• Chicken and Sausage Gumbo - Made with a traditional Louisiana roux and served with rice
• Baked Chicken - Served with a mushroom ragout
• Bayou Seafood Pasta - Crawfish tails and shrimp tossed in a white wine and garlic parmesan cream sauce with penne pasta
• Creole Vegetarian Jambalaya - A flavorful, traditional red jambalaya with a dash of Southern heat
• Herb-Garlic Fingerling Potatoes - Fingerling potatoes roasted with fresh rosemary, thyme, garlic, and ground pepper
• Green Beans Almondine - Southern-style green beans topped with toasted almonds
• Paddlewheel Primavera - Fusilli Pasta, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, in a zesty basil pesto (available upon request)
• White Chocolate Bread Pudding - A soufflé of local Leidenheimer French bread in a rich custard with a decadent white chocolate sauce
• Bananas Foster - A New Orleans original! Freshly sliced bananas sautéed in butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon​, and rum. Served warm atop vanilla ice cream
• Garlic Rolls
• Coffee and Iced Tea

Sunday Jazz Brunch (Subject to change without notice):

For an extra special treat, take a Sunday afternoon cruise and sample the famous jazz brunch. Brunch is a staple of New Orleans life – a time to enjoy food, music, and refreshing beverages with friends and family. Whether a visitor or local, you can "pass a good time" at the Steamboat NATCHEZ.

Sunday Jazz Brunch Buffet Menu:

• NATCHEZ Tossed Salad - Mixed greens, tomato, cucumbers, red onions and croutons with a sugar cane vinaigrette and served family style
• Chicken and Sausage Gumbo - ​Made with a traditional Louisiana roux and served with rice
• Grillades and Grits - Pronounced "Gree-yahds" - a traditional Creole dish with braised beef
  and homemade brown gravy, over stone ground "corn"
  cooked to a smooth texture
• Crescent City Eggs - Baked egg casserole consisting with spinach, red onion, tomatoes, mushrooms, andouille sausage, green onions, and cheese
• Pain Perdu - Thick cut bread, soaked in sweet custard mix, cinnamon swirl, and whipped cream topping - the French cousin of America's "French Toast"
• Turkey Sausage
• O' Brien Potatoes ​With peppers and onions
• Creole Creamed Spinach - ​Spinach with mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese
• Mini Croissants - ​Served with jellies and preserves
• Fruit Salad - Chopped and mixed fresh seasonal fruit
• Bananas Foster - A New Orleans original! Freshly sliced bananas sauteed in butter, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and rum. Served warm atop vanilla ice cream.
• White Chocolate Bread Pudding - A soufflé of local Leidenheimer French bread in rich custard with a decadent white chocolate sauce
• Coffee and Iced Tea

Departs: Daily, year-round.

Start Times: Afternoon cruises: 11.30am. Evening cruise: 7.00pm* and Sunday brunch cruise: 11.30am. Boarding commences 30 minutes before sailing time.

Duration: 2 hours

Departure Location: Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery

*Select Seating Time: 6:00pm - 7:15pm or 7:45pm - 9:00pm. (Cruise leaves promptly at 7:00pm regardless of Seating Time).

• What time should I arrive so I don't miss the boat?
  Boarding begins at least one half hour before departure time, and sail very closely "on time". It is best to arrive 30 minutes before departure or sooner.

• Where can we park?
  There are parking lots on Decatur Street that offer hourly rates on parking.

• Does the cruise operate in bad weather?
  Cruises are cancelled only when the Coast Guard determines there will be severe weather along the river. Seating is available indoors as well as covered areas on the deck.

• What is the dress code?
  Cruises are casual attire. "Dressy Casual" is recommended for the Dinner Jazz Cruise, based on the decor and service.

Experience Includes

• • Steamboat Cruise on the Mississippi River
  • Great views of New Orleans from the decks or climate-controlled comfort of the Steamboat Natchez or City of New Orleans
  • Live narration and jazz band
  • Indoor and outdoor seating
  • Afternoon or evening cruise
  • Enjoy casual buffet-style dining (optional)

Experience Excludes

• • Hotel pick-up and drop off
  • Gratuities
  • Alcoholic Beverages - these can be purchased on board