Sherman's Travel

Plans to expand the cruise terminal in the Port of New Orleans are moving full speed ahead. The $9 million project − of which $8.1 million will be funded by the state of Louisiana − will combine the two smaller terminals on Julia Street in an effort to accommodate the industry’s largest vessels. The undertaking was given the go-ahead at a crucial time because Carnival Cruise Lines plans to replace the 2,056-passenger Fantasy with the larger 2,758-passenger Triumph in November.

In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line recently signed a long-term contract with the Port of New Orleans that allows the company to homeport the Norwegian Spirit in the Crescent City. Once the new terminal opens it will be smooth sailing for these vessels, both of which currently offer cruises to the Caribbean. Once completed, the project is expected to increase the port’s cruise ship terminal capacity by 100 percent, create 150 new jobs, and generate $169.5 million annually for the region’s economy.

For more information regarding the Julia Street Terminal reconstruction project, visit http://www.portno.com/.