New Orleans: Steamboat Natchez Dinner Jazz Cruise

While in New Orleans recently, a friend and I were wanting to do something fun while strolling on the boardwalk in the French Quarter.  We saw a booth promoting and selling a bunch of attractions and things to do.  After talking to the sales guy for a bit, we managed to get 25% off  a Steamboat Natchez Dinner Jazz Cruise.

Steamboat Natchez

Built in 1975, the Steamboat Natchez is the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River.  They offer Daytime, Sunday, and Nighttime Jazz Cruises.  There are options to include food or just have the sightseeing option.  Our night cruise was regular price $55 for sightseeing or $102.50 with dinner.

Since we only got out tickets a day in advance, only the second dinner seating was available.  We decided to take it since we got a discount.  Boarding time was 6PM with the steamboat being dockside from 6PM to 7PM, and cruising 7PM to 9PM.  Departure is from the Toulouse street Warf in the French Quarter.

Getting There

accessible ramped gangway to get on the steamboat

We were at the Audubon Zoo for the day so we took an Uber when the zoo closed and had a quick stop our hotel before heading to the wharf.  There was actually no lines to get onto the Steamboat Natchez as we went through security and up the long wheelchair accessible ramp gangway.  It was just slightly after 6PM so we had about 90 minutes to check everything out before dinner.

gangway to main level deck

On Deck

Jazz band on the upper deck

Access to the top & bottom decks is by stairs only.  My friend did check out both those decks for me and took pictures.  There are seats with tables and viewing areas on all 3 decks.  Alcohol and soft drinks are not included with the cruise and can be purchased at bars located on all 3 decks.

stairs to upper and lower decks but no elevator

It was quite cold and windy out on the river on the night that we went.  We did enjoy the night views of the moon and the sounds from the live Jazz band.  I could not get up close to the artists as they were on the upper floor but could still enjoy it regardless.

windy but still a nice cruise

The wheelchair accessible bathroom was on the main level right by the restaurant and dining area.  I needed to use it before our dining time so the staff let us in the restaurant to use the bathroom.

accessible bathroom on the main deck dining room

Food

We were seated at our table when it was almost 7.45PM.  Within minutes a server gave us eat a plate of tossed salad and a cup of chicken and sausage gumbo.  The gumbo was really good and I could have had more but we weren’t sure if it was supposed to be only one per person or not.

chicken and sausage gumbo was so good

After browsing the buffet area, my friend went up to grab a plate of food for me.  Main food items were, top round carving station, Louisiana fried chicken thighs, Bayou seafood pasta, crawfish etouffee, and a few vegetable dishes.

buffet station

The food was average good and we could eat as much as we wanted.  I was hoping there would be more choices but it is understandable given the limited space on the steamboat.  We got our one dessert each was was New Orleans bread pudding.  That only tasted ok.

buffet plate

Dinner lasted right until 9PM which is when the steamboat returned to dock.  After our cruise, we just strolled downtown a bit to see the streets at night a bit before leaving for our Disney cruise the next day.

bread pudding

Final Thoughts

Steamboat Natchez Dinner Jazz cruise was a good experience to at least try once.  The dinner was ok and was not worth the extra $50 as you can eat somewhere else better for that price.

front of ship

The cruise itself was alright too with the tour of the Mississippi River.  I couldn’t get close to the live Jazz band as it was on an upper deck.  I don’t think I would go on this cruise again and would try a different cruise that includes a swamp or a city tour.