8 Live Music Dinner Cruises in New Orleans Worth Booking

1.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,533 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $58Our pick

Board at 400 Toulouse Street for a three-hour evening aboard Steamboat NATCHEZ or Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS. Enjoy a calliope concert, narration, Mississippi views, and live Dukes of Dixieland jazz. Add the buffet for gumbo, crawfish étouffée, fried chicken, and bread pudding.

“It was wonderful, beautiful night and the dinner was scrumptious. But having to leave a long review isn't the best.”

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2.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,334 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43Best value

Board the Steamboat Natchez at 400 Toulouse Street for a roughly two-hour Mississippi River cruise. You’ll hear live jazz from the Steamboat Stompers, enjoy onboard commentary, and pass Chalmette Battlefield. Add a Southern-style buffet lunch, or buy drinks and snacks during the cruise.

“Great music and great experience out on the water. We did not do the food option so not input there.”

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3.New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,548 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Board at 6pm for a two-hour evening cruise from the French Quarter area, sailing 7pm to 9pm. Hear live New Orleans jazz, enjoy captain’s narration, walk four decks, and buy drinks onboard. Dinner is optional, with a Creole buffet served fresh on the boat.

“Great experience, very well organised. Tasty food and plenty of different options to try. Well worth the money”

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4.New Orleans: Daytime Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,164 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Cruise the Mississippi for two hours aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, currently filling in for the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Hear the Steamboat Stompers, catch the captain’s narration, explore four decks, visit the engine room, and add a plated Creole lunch if you want a fuller outing.

“The whole experience was amazing, from start to finish!”

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5.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,469 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Spend an evening on the Mississippi aboard the Creole Queen, with live jazz, a Creole buffet if selected, a cash bar, and city views from the promenade deck. Arrive by 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. departure. The boat returns around 9 p.m., and dinner, drinks, and music shape the night.

“Entertainment was not great… They didn’t discuss nothing of the cruise just ride and no good entertainment”

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6.VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 838 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $190

Board near the French Quarter for a three-hour VIP evening on the Mississippi. You get early boarding, front-row seats for the Dukes of Dixieland, Champagne, a Louisiana buffet, a private boat tour, souvenirs, and an optional open bar. Hosts such as Marlon and Alex add personal attention.

“We had a wonderful time on board the paddle boat. Marlon took care of all our needs. It was nice to not have to rush to get decent seating for the music and dinner. Our tour with the captain was very interesting. We would recommend to friends.”

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7.New Orleans: Sunday Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Brunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 470 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Board the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS near the French Quarter for a two-hour Sunday cruise with live jazz by the Steamboat Stompers, captain’s narration, four decks, and Mississippi views. Add the Creole brunch for gumbo, shrimp and grits, cinnamon rolls, king cake, and more.

“A very nice intimate quiet brunch...employees and staff were friendly n very helpful...good memories with my daughter....I had experienced this with my mother for the lunch brunch...it was a great memory for me and now I am passing it on...”

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8.New Orleans City Tour and Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 446 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Pair a three-hour New Orleans coach tour with a two-hour Mississippi River cruise from Toulouse Street. Expect the French Quarter, Jackson Square, a historic cemetery, City Park, the Garden District, live jazz, and optional Louisiana lunch. Guide assignments vary, with Harris, Robert, and Katherine among the praised guides.

“A must do! Such a great way to experience New Orleans unique features! Our guide, Robert, and driver Dwayne, were excellent. We love everything about The Natchez!”

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