The Cost of Cruising Out of Louisiana is Going Up – Here’s Why

A quick check of PortNola.com, the official website of the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana suggests that five large cruise ships sail out of that port every year. The ships are operated by Carnival, which has the Glory and the Valor serving guests out of New Orleans.

There is also the Breakaway a ship from Norwegian Cruise Lines and the Disney Magic that sail from New Orleans too. Rounding out our list is the Brilliance of the Seas, a vessel managed and operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. 

Based on information that has been reported by the operators of these cruise ships Louisiana passengers will be paying more for cruises in 2025. The one exception the Disney Magic. The price point increase that we've been made aware of will not apply to the sailings of that vessel, at least at this time.

Like everything, the cost of a cruise vacation is going up. We just recently informed you of changes in the Internet Package prices on a couple of the cruise lines that sail out of Louisiana. There are also rumblings about changes in the drink packages too. But, take it from me, unless you are a raging alcoholic, you can't drink enough drinks while on board to justify the "price point" of a booze package on a cruise ship. You're better off just paying as you go.

It's even worse if you're attempting to save money with a soda or coffee package. On one cruise I took last year I figured out that I would have to drink 67 specialty coffee drinks (the highest-priced ones they sell) over the course of ten days to just break even on the package. Y'all that's seven large coffee drinks per day.

But it's not the booze or the coffee or the soda that is going to make the cost of your vacation go up. The catalyst for the extra expenditure in this case comes courtesy of the Government of Mexico. Specifically, the governing body that oversees the port taxes collected in the Mexican State of Quintana Roo. Quintana Roo is home to Cancun, Cozumel, and Costa Maya.

It has just been announced that port taxes for guests disembarking the ship for destinations in Quintana Roo will now be subject to an additional $5 tax. This tax will take effect in 2025 and will affect all cruise ships that dock in Quintana Roo.

The additional $5 in port taxes, cruise lines already pay those and pass them on to you anyway, will result in some $20 to $25 million for the Trust for the Attention of Natural Disasters. This trust fund helps to mitigate damages from hurricanes, floods, and other natural events that can decrease the flow of tourists.

Granted, that's not a lot of money but, if you've already booked and paid for your cruise having additional "charges" added to your bill is like being poked to death with a thumbtack. Again, the changes won't go into effect until 2025 so you have plenty of time to find a five-dollar bill, just in case you want to get off the boat and go to Senior Frogs.