One of the best dinner cruises I have been on! I decided to partake in the buffet dinner just to get the full experience. I selected the 6PM seating time so that I would be done with the meal by the time the Steamboat Natchez starts moving around 7PM. The dining area interior space was lovely and expansive with chandeliers, as well as a stage area. Each table had a bowl of Caesar Salad placed there already. Lettuce was nice and crunchy, with plenty of tangy dressing and croutons. Upon being seated, the server took drink orders and I selected Iced Tea (one of the complimentary beverages being offered). The Iced Tea was sweet and refreshing. Next, we were served Gumbo with rice, which was warm, flavorful, and comforting. As for the buffet, there was Shrimp Pasta, a few different saucy dishes made with veggies and meat, potatoes with bacon and peas, Prime Rib, Fried Chicken, and Green Beans. I really enjoyed the Shrimp Pasta, which was made with creamy, well seasoned sauce, and tender shrimp. The saucy dishes were cooked well and bold in flavor. Prime Rib was a little tough. Fried Chicken was delightfully crispy, but a bit on the dry side and could have used more flavor. Green Beans had a perfect consistency with yummy seasoning. For dessert, I tried both the Bread Pudding and Cheesecake with tasty coffee. Both were delicious in their own way. Bread Pudding was dense, with a milky, velvety smooth topping, while the Cheesecake was more light and airy, yet still rich. Service was solid. The waitress was friendly and attentive. Everything (drinks, appetizer, dessert, coffee) came out in a timely manner and the main dishes were part of the buffet. When done eating, I went out to take in golden hour sunset, then headed up to the top deck, where I found a seat. Live jazz music was performed throughout the evening. It was a perfect night for feeling the wind in my hair, watching the skyline go by along the Mississippi River, and the twinkling lights of the city as the sky turned dark. I really enjoyed myself on this iconic Jazz Cruise along Mississippi River. read more

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Opted for the cruise only ( there are options which meals) seating is first come. It was about 1.5 hrs first half was going up the river - there's a guy on the microphone giving you all the details about buildings and boats and fun facts about NOLA and the surrounding area. The second half the jazz band plays. Throughout the cruise you're allowed to roam around visit the bars on each end and even the engine room! Bar had good options from local beers to specialty cocktails and you could even buy snacks! I had a sweet tooth and got a chocolate covered elephant ear which was literally the size of my head! Cruise was long but it was nice to just sit around and see the city from a different view! read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Parents with the boat - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Worth doing once, but overall nothing particularly special. The highlight for me was the narration while we cruised down the river. Unfortunately the views were underwhelming, mostly businesses and factories when I had expected something more scenic. There was a jazz band playing on the lower level, and bars were set up on each floor, which was nice. What I didn't like was the photo op before boarding. They take your picture and then walk around trying to sell you an overpriced package afterward. You'd have the same experience on the Mark Twain Riverboat at Disneyland, except this was the real thing. read more

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A nostalgic ride down the Mississippi River with the captain detailing different landmarks as we pass them. There is food and cocktails (for an added cost) and non-alcoholic drinks available. Lots of seating and even access to the engine room! Also a small gift shop for souvenirs is on board. A fun couple of hours down the river. Another way to learn some NOLA history and see the city from another angle. read more

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What could be better than a jazz cruise down the Mississippi river in New Orleans on Easter Sunday? Taking the cruise in the rain. I fell in love with the Mississippi River on a rainy day Easter Sunday jazz cruise. The sky was gray and leaden. The rain was light but steady. The wind came and went. People wore their Easter finery with ponchos over their clothing to stay dry. We listened to jazz and ate muffins and drank coffee. We listened to the captain tell tales of New Orleans history and geography. We sat on benches overlooking the Mississippi River. We cuddled together with the wind blowing raindrops in our faces. The air was cool; the rain danced down. The wind played games with our ponchos and the purple scarf that I had wrapped around my head. The steamboat paddled along the Old Muddy. People sat in the dining room and the Captain's Salon. Others sat on the top deck in the rain. Teenagers took pictures standing at the bow under the American flag. Jazz played. Birds flew by. Two hours existed in a time capsule of wind and rain and music and water and joy. read more

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The food was soooooo goooood. i am pescatarian and they had great seafood pasta, garlic green beans, crawfish etoufee and cheesy creamed spinach. had a good dirty martini too. listening to jazz music while watching the sunset on the mississippi is soooo nice. loved the whole experience. read more

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Loved our steamboat ride on the Mississippi River - dream come true! The sunset and the twinkling lights on the boat and along the river / Nola city lights were just beautiful. Wonderful live music, dancing, history - like out of a story book or film - would definitely recommend and book this ride again when we return to New Orleans! :) read more

This cruise was a complete waste of time. The boat felt dirty and run-down. The narrator was annoying. The live jazz band was very good. The issue is that there isn't much to see on this cruise, other than a bunch of abandoned buildings and ton of homeless people living on the side of a piece of land. The ships were pretty cool to see and the weather was enjoyable but I'd save your money for something else. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We had a great time on our sunset jazz cruise. I would definitely recommend it. We did not do the dinner option, but it smelled really good when we walked by. You have to wait in line to board, but it goes very quickly. They also take photos of you before boarding that you can purchase later on during the ride. They also have lots of bars aboard so the line for the drinks are never too long. The drinks are STRONG, but good. The views were beautiful, the music was nice, and the vibes were great. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

What a great experience! I was in New Orleans for my friend's bachelorette trip and we decided to do a dinner cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. We were nervous about being late since the website said boarding was at 6 pm, but don't stress. The boat didn't actually leave until around 7 pm, so there was plenty of time. We explored the different levels of the boat before dinner. The top deck is perfect for photo opportunities, but it gets chilly up there, so definitely bring a jacket. There was live music and a short narration about what we were seeing along the river, though it was hard to hear the speaker. That didn't bother me too much since I was mainly there for the views. Just a heads up that the bar line for drinks was pretty long. We chose the dinner option, which had scheduled dining times. They started us with Caesar salad and gumbo, both of which were very good. Then we headed to the buffet. I tried the creamed spinach, fried chicken, top round, rice, vegetables, seafood pasta, and a roll. Everything was solid, but my favorites were the spinach, chicken, and steak. Overall, it was such a fun experience and a great addition to our trip. read more

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We did the evening Jazz cruise without the dinner. It was a lovely evening either way great narration by the Captain. Bar with decent selection of drinks. Snacks are available for purchase. The Jazz band Dukes of Dixieland were great Definitely recommend to round out Nola experience read more

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Went on the Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise on February 27 and overall the experience was just okay. The staff was very nice and attentive throughout the cruise, which I definitely appreciated. The food is included with the ticket and is served buffet-style, so you can go up and help yourself. It was convenient and there were a few options to choose from. One thing to keep in mind is that the jazz band only performs in one specific area of the boat. The music does not play throughout the entire boat, so if you want to actually watch and listen to the band perform, you'll need to stay in that section. If you're walking around the boat or sitting elsewhere, you may not hear much of the music. Drinks are not included with the ticket, but they do give you a voucher for one free drink, which can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. After that, additional drinks are available for purchase. Overall, it's a nice way to see the river and experience something a little different while in New Orleans, but it's good to know what to expect before going, especially if you're going mainly for the jazz music. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Overall, this was a good experience for the price. We did the Jazz Lunch at 11am. The line to get on the boat was really long and I was worried that all of us wouldn't fit. Once they opened up the line to enter, it moved pretty quickly. It rained a bit on us so we decided to quickly sit on the bottom indoors level. As soon was we walked in, the host walked us to our seats and gave us a quick rundown of what to expect. Very informative. Very southern hospitality-like. As soon as we sat, I mean it was not more than 45s, our salads were already in front of us. It's buffet style but they played everything for you snd serve you. It's an actual restaurant/dining experience. Our server Michael was absolutely amazing. He initially brought out the original red beans and rice with meat, but we don't eat pork so we asked for the vegetarian option. He brought that option back within 60s. Everything was so fast. And hot and delicious! He brought us out a plethora of sauces too and was constantly checking on us. Thank you Michael for making our experience so memorable. read more

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It's a great experience with the band and to see the city sights put who doesn't love a paddle boat? The band was incredible and was the highlight of the cruise. We got a discounted ticket and had the dinner as well. However I would have never paid 60 bucks a person for the meal. The food was okay and probably worth about 30 bucks max. I don't recommend the beef at the carving station or the gumbo. The southern fried chicken thighs were really good plus the seafood pasta. Come for the views, music and views. You can order appetizers on the ship so that's what I recommend. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The weather was perfect we sat on the top deck. Loved learning about the history of New Orleans and the surrounding areas.

This was definitely a fun experience overall, though I'll admit my expectations were a bit higher going in. The boat ride itself was lovely, offering great views and a relaxing pace along the river. The live band was talented and added a lot of charm to the experience. It really gave that classic New Orleans feel. We purchased the dining package for lunch. I don't say this lightly, but the dishes were nearly inedible. You can find far better meals throughout the city for a much better price. That said, the cruise and music were worth it, and I'd recommend it as an activity, just not for the dining portion. In hindsight, I think we would have enjoyed ourselves more by skipping the meal altogether and simply heading up to the top deck for the live music and atmosphere from the beginning. read more

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This was a wonderful experience!!!! The weather was nice for a boat ride and tour of the Mississippi River. The "Jazz Cruise" was given by a 4 to 5 piece band. We sat on the deck and sipped drinks as we listened to the tour over the 1 MC. Very informative and educational. While on board we didn't get the lunch package but I did enjoy an alligator sausage!! So happy the weather worked out and we were able to enjoy ourselves. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This is a great way to see the river and learn about the history while enjoying live jazz and Dixie music. Get your tix early and show up 15-30 minutes before your departure to get the seat you want. read more

Come hungry--portion sizes are huge! The food was better than expected. The cornbread and bread pudding were amazing, though I thought the catfish was a bit over-seasoned. The party package includes 3 drinks per person, which was a nice surprise. Great spot to kick back and enjoy the small but talented live jazz band--perfect for a chill midday activity. This steamboat cruise is a must if you're visiting New Orleans. read more

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Fun little riverboat cruise. Good food, entertaining guide, and very enjoyable, peaceful cruise up and down the Mississippi. Only drawback is that I would have loved it to be longer....but thats me, I love being on the water. read more

The Captain provided great commentary during the cruise and did a great job pointing out interesting sights. The main bartender in the dining room near the jazz band was an absolute sweetheart. Weather wasn't great, but my family still managed to have a great time!! Skip the meal and just do the cruise. Groupon offers great deals on tickets, especially for parties of 4. read more

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I ended up having a wonderful evening on the Natchez dinner cruise! The Calliope in the beginning when we were lining up to get on the boat was INCREDIBLY loud and INCREDIBLY overwhelming, BUT once we got on the boat things improved immensly. We started with dinner first and got seated pretty quickly. Water, salad and bread were already on the table. Our server came over pretty quickly to ask if we wanted any drinks and pretty soon we were up at the buffet tables picking out some choices for dinner. There was; rice, creamed spinach, gumbo, biscuits, fried chicken, sweet potatoes and roast beef. One round of the table was enough for me. Our server brought dessert which was a white chocolate bread pudding (excellent). After dinner we got seats out on the deck and listened to live jazz while watching the world go by as the sun set. It was an overall great evening! read more

Meh. A slow-moving, two-hour tour of the New Orleans coastline along the Mississippi River. Not much to see, but there is a cash bar on board, so if you want, the drinks will flow. read more

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We had the pleasure to take a dinner cruise at the River Roots festival in Cincinnati. The food was very tasty I was not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised how tasty everything was especially after I noticed the Crystal hot sauce packets. The crew were friendly and efficient at their jobs. My one complaint t was the boarding process. Significant number of peripheral and only two people scanning tickets? Overall a great night out on the river feeling the real paddle wheel punching g us along. Highly recommend read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - Dinner buffet - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This steamboat cruise was so much fun--clean, well-organized, and easy to board. The staff was friendly, and the jazz band added a great atmosphere. I definitely recommend this experience if you're ever in New Orleans! read more

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Overall we did enjoy it however we sat outside the entire time and didn't hear jazz music. I feel like if you're going to have a "jazz cruise" on a beautiful day I should be able to stay outside and hear music. The only time we heard music was going to the bar. We heard the tour guide talking why aren't those speakers playing light jazz music. Also way too many chairs. You're on top of one another. It was nice being a tourist for the day though. I hadn't been on a Natchez cruise since I went as a kid on a field trip. read more

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This was a great way to spend a couple of hours on the last functioning Mississippi steamboat (now diesel rather than coal). That's just one of the facts you'll learn if you listen to the folksy narration that is interspersed with great " New Orleans Style Jazz Music ", both which are clearly projected throughout the ship (which can hold over 1200 people, another fun fact). There is a sit down lunch option (which we didn't buy but looked good and seemed reasonably priced) as well as snack bars and bar bars (drinks not overly gouge-y, and a gift shop). Plenty of seating on 3 decks, many in the shade (and the indoor AC'd dining room). Super cool are the open engine and boiler rooms which you are encouraged to check out. You can just relax on the ride or actively learn a lot of things you'd probably never hear of anywhere else. Grab a Groupon and it's super reasonable. Even without, I highly recommend the activity. Many restrooms throughout are well maintained which was a plus. Tickets say to arrive 15 min before boarding -- we started boarding even before then so if you're picky sit where to sit, get there early and line up. But there will be no shortage of space even for layer comers. Bring earplugs for the wait if you have sensitive hearing or hate amplified calliope music (IYKYK). read more

Personally, I thought this would be rated better overall. I had a great experience, even as a solo traveler. The line went fast to enter. I had my meal. The food was really good! And the service was great! After that I had some drinks and mingled with other people. Where the band plays... that area was packed early on with nowhere else to sit. But I went back maybe 45 mins later or so after and the area was empty with plenty of seating. Overall great experience with nice views and fun vibes. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - View as we passed by bridge - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

It was a windy day but the boat still felt calm and didn't have too much side to side activity. I really enjoyed the band that was on board. They were so tight and in a groove that I initially thought it was a cd. Props to them sounding so good and playing many New Orleans inspired tunes. Some of the views are amazing! You get a perspective of the city that is unattainable from any other place besides from the river. I would recommend this tour for sure. It is informative and a good way to see the city. They have drinks and some food options although the drinks are a little pricey. The price is fair for what you get. The steam organ is haunting. Iykyk read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - The views - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We love boat tours, and try to find one anytime we travel near water. We've done an architecture cruise in Chicago, a sightseeing cruise around the island of Manhattan, and now a jazz cruise along the Mississippi (April 5 at 6pm). We opted not to purchase dinner tickets so we could more casually enjoy the music & the sights. Seats on the jazz deck got picked over quickly, but we managed to snag a table as we wanted to be close to the music. The experience, however, was diminished by our fellow passengers and the lack of oversight by the crew. Instead of enjoying the music, most of the jazz deck folks felt the need to nearly shout over the music so they could engage in conversation. When the musicians took a pause, it was still loud enough that it was impossible to hear the captain as he offered brief narration of some of the sights via the loudspeaker. It was odd and disappointing. There were also people actively smoking & vaping on the "non-smoking" vessel, but again... no crew in sight to do anything about it. We paid $122.33 for two tickets (no dinner service) and an additional ~$30-40 for 1 glass of wine, 1 cocktail, and concession-style nachos. While I enjoyed being able to see NOLA by water and witnessing firsthand the impressive Mississippi, I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in either architectural/historical narration or jazz music. It's an expensive date when both are impossible to hear and enjoy. read more

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The boat is kind of cool and I enjoyed the history component but the views from the water are boring. It goes by a diesel refinery, which smells bad but is kind of fascinating. The food was TERRIBLE. I ate mostly dinner rolls and a little pasta just so I wouldn't go hungry. The bread pudding was alright. Idk how they managed to dry out a chicken thigh that bad -- it was inedible. I would have just eaten a giant Caesar salad if given the chance because it was at least decent. They turn the dining room over very quickly for the next group, so you have to rush your meal. The horn on the boat gets sounded multiple times. I was so startled and overstimulated by it the first time, hated it. Had to cover my ears. Uhhh don't waste your time or money on this unless you REALLY like boats? read more

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Had high hopes for this steamboat cruise based on reviews, but it was only meh. Paid for the buffet lunch but they only had one seating and it wasn't a buffet. They brought you your plate and it didn't have a salad as advertised. The staff was busy trying to sell you stuff from their gift shop and tacky staged photos taken of your group as you boarded. The boat traveled down the Mississippi but you really only saw freighters and very little skyline. Only fun parts were the pianist who played on the ship's steam piano as you waited to board and the jazz band in the dining room. The captain/host spoke most of the time while we traveled and didn't stop to take a breath. It would have been nice to have a few periods of quiet to enjoy the scenery. read more

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Great food, nice employees and a nice history lesson while riding don the river. We went in a nice day in February and enjoyed the outside deck after having lunch. read more

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Such a great experience ! Me and my husband are on our honeymoon and booked this little jazz cruise and honestly it was so much fun . And the lunch they served was honestly delicious ! The jambalaya and red beans and rice was soo good ! Not salty or flavorless. We enjoyed the informative narrative and the talented jazz band that played ! We even got to dance on the dance floor and met new friends ! Definitely recommend if you're looking for a cute little cruise with relaxing live music and friendly staff ! read more

We were mistold that the lunch cruise also had the buffet rather than the set menu as it actually was, but Ms Iris B made her best to accommodate our dietary restrictions and was so so so kind! She is truly a star and they are lucky to have her! Loved the jazz band! read more

I was not impressed with the Steamboat Natchez tour. Commentary was garbled over the speakers, so we couldn't understand what was being said. The table was dirty, so bring you own Lysol wipes. Not much to see along the way. Very industrial "scenery." I would not recommend this to anyone. read more

Booked this as the first thing to do after arriving in the city. It was my first time on the local steamboat. I liked that there was both local information provided, as well as the jazz band. Both members of my party tried the boat's version of a hurricane. It was strong and delicious. We had a great time and would recommend this to others. read more

Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site - City of New Orleans - Boat Charters Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Beautifully remodeled paddle wheel boat with a super sweet concierge- Marlon- whose attention to the amazing details making your experience perfect. JAZZ music and gentle travel down the Mississippi River with good food makes a worthwhile experience. read more

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Friendly staff, surprisingly good picture was taken on boarding and it actually was a good value. We got the food package. The sweet tea was alright. The lunch was good, but not something that I would book this cruise again just for. I have to say this salad was very interesting and it was very spicy, actually the spiciest food on this trip and I am someone that use hot sauce very liberally. After talking to the staff, I found out it was chili flakes which usually don't seem spicy to me. The cruise was relaxing. The jazz band was good. I sopped both my daughter's non-alcoholic punch and ny wife's alcoholic. Both were too sweet for me. I would recommend this cruise. The food was better on this type of cruise that o have had in Cabo or Hawaii. read more

I was in NOLA on a girls' trip and we were looking for something to do, so we booked the Steamboat Natchez daytime jazz cruise the morning of for a 2pm ride on a Saturday in early August. We were dropped off at the Toulouse Street Wharf, about a 10-minute walk from the French Quarter. From there, we shuffled down the boardwalk to the dock, wondering if we had time to grab drinks before boarding but we didn't want to miss the boat so we went straight there. The gag is we definitely had time.. The instructions said to arrive 15 minutes early for smooth boarding, so we showed up at 1:41pm. Instead of boarding right away, we got a masterclass in patience standing in a line that did not move for about 30 minutes in the glorious New Orleans sun. When the line finally budged, the crew took individual photos of each group before boarding, like we were headed for a cruise, not a river ride. It was a nice touch if you're into that sort of thing. At the front, they scanned our booking QR codes and waved us through a security checkpoint that felt more like a suggestion. No bags were checked, no metal detected, just casual standing around. Once on board, we found seats in the shade on the right side of the boat. The shade was nice, but the breeze was nonexistent. If you want air movement, you have to sit at the front or back. Even then, the back is kind of a breeze wasteland. The front is the golden spot, marked by a blue star flag and a large New Orleans sign, prime for photos if you want everyone to know you survived the heat. You can sit wherever you want if you skip the dining option, but air conditioning is only for the lucky folks inside the dining rooms. On our trip, a private party had claimed the air-conditioned sanctuary, so the rest of us got a two-hour lesson in heat endurance with zero fans or airflow. Why a historic steamboat lacks outdoor fans is a mystery worthy of a true New Orleans conspiracy. Bring your own fan, a portable sprinkler, or maybe a small cloud. The day of our cruise, the boat traveled downstream, so all the historic sights and commentary happened on the left side. This little fact isn't advertised anywhere, so if you want to actually follow along, listen for which direction they say the boat is going. Downstream means sit left, upstream means sit right. We started on the right side to snag some shade but quickly realized that side only offers bridges and riverbank views, nice but not the star attractions. So we got up and moved over, which felt less like an adventure and more like politely shifting seats at a church potluck. During the cruise, staff came around with photos they took of you before boarding and offered them for sale. We shelled out $50 for five photos: one large fancy logo-framed shot, four little 3x4 prints, and a logo fridge magnet. The quality was good and no one twisted our arms, so that was a win. Snack options were limited. One bar for the whole boat served up hot dogs, chips, nachos, and drinks. The lines were long, the menu basic, and the vibe very "grab what you can." For a city known for food, this was a missed culinary opportunity. The jazz was, well, it existed. Unless you were sitting right next to the musicians, it was hard to hear. Sometimes it felt like a recording. It wasn't exactly toe-tapping, dance-inducing jazz, more like background music for elevator rides. Disappointing for a New Orleans jazz cruise. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable but spoke softly enough that you had to be near the front to catch anything. If you were farther back, consider the commentary a whisper of history. At about $50 per person, this felt like a pricey river ride with a side of jazz and history. It was fun to be on a classic steamboat and enjoy the Mississippi River views as it flows through Louisiana, but honestly, I would not do it again. read more

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