Carnival Cruise Lines & the Port of New Orleans Sign A Five-Year Agreement

New Orleans Port & Skyline, from the
Lido Deck of a Fantasy-class Ship

The Port of New Orleans announced last week that it has signed a new agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines that will keep the world’s largest cruise line sailing at least two ships year-round from The Big Easy through 2019.

Superseding a three-year extension inked in 2013, the new agreement offers three one-year options that could guarantee Carnival homeports at least two ships of equal or greater size than the Dream Class and Fantasy Class ships sailing from the Port today through 2022. The new agreement took effect on July 1st.

“This is a clear demonstration of Carnival’s belief in New Orleans as one of its top home ports,” said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange. “We look forward to helping Carnival grow its business in the Crescent City for the long-term.”

Carnival currently has two cruise ships sailing year-round from the Port’s Erato Street Cruise Terminal which was recently renovated to accommodate the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, which launched 7-day itineraries on April 14, 2014 from New Orleans with eastern and western Caribbean cruises. The Carnival Dream joined the Carnival Elation, which sails 4- and 5-day cruises to Mexico. Together, these two ships carry more than 400,000 passengers annually from New Orleans—the most of any cruise line.

“Carnival is excited to continue our outstanding relationship with the Port of New Orleans,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. “We greatly value the professionalism of our partners at the port, the ease of operating from New Orleans, and the tremendous support we receive from the local community...”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has ranked New Orleans the sixth largest cruise port in the United States.

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