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From the Big Easy to the Beach: New Orleans Cruise Shore Excursions by Port
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items Cruises out of New Orleans usually head to some mix of Cozumel, Costa Maya, Progreso, Belize, and Roatán. Cozumel and Roatán already have their own sections on my Caribbean shore excursions list (linked below), so this one covers the rest, plus the b...
Sections
5
The Day Before You Board: New Orleans
Costa Maya, Mexico
Progreso, Mexico (Mérida Area)
Belize City, Belize
Cozumel, Roatán & What to Pack
The Day Before You Board: New Orleans
Fly in at least a day early, then spend it doing one of these instead of sitting in a hotel room.
Gators, herons, and cypress trees dripping with moss, a short drive outside the city, with transportation included. Thousands of happy reviews, and it's the side of Louisiana you can't see from Bourbon Street.
New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation
A walking food tour through the French Quarter, tasting New Orleans favorites and hearing the stories behind them. Come hungry. You'll eat well before you ever see the ship's buffet.
New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option
Ghosts, voodoo, and vampire legends after dark in the French Quarter. With more than 13,000 reviews, it's one of the most popular tours in the whole city.
New Orleans Premier Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Walking Tour
You can't wander into St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 on your own, so a guided tour is the only way in. It's the city's oldest cemetery and home to voodoo queen Marie Laveau's tomb.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour
See the French Quarter, the Garden District mansions, and a historic cemetery from a comfy seat. Best pick for tired feet or anybody who wants the whole city in one go.
New Orleans City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District & Cemetery
Costa Maya, Mexico
Mayan ruins, a lagoon with seven shades of blue, and a laid-back beach town right next to the pier.
Real Mayan pyramids tucked in the jungle, close enough to the port for a half-day trip. Bring bug spray and wear real shoes, not flip-flops.
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya
They call it the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and the pictures aren't filtered. Blues you won't believe, with transportation from the port included. It's a drive, so watch the clock.
Bacalar – 7 Colors Lagoon Excursión Costa Maya
Snorkel the reef right off Mahahual, the little beach town next to the port, with a good shot at seeing sea turtles. Short boat ride, so it fits an easy port day.
Mahahual Snorkeling Adventure: Turtle Encounter
Can't pick between the ruins and the lagoon? This combo does both in one day. It's a full day, so it's best when your ship stays in port a long time.
Chacchoben & Bacalar Combo Excursion Costa Maya
Progreso, Mexico (Mérida Area)
Progreso is the gateway to the Yucatán. The pier is long, so a tour with port pickup saves you the hassle.
Progreso doesn't have a ton of tours on Viator, but this one packs a lot in: freshwater springs, pink salt flats, Mayan ruins, and a coastal wildlife stop, with pickup at the port. Great for folks who want to see the Yucatán, not just the beach.
Progreso 5-in-1 Tour: Springs, Pink Salt Flats, Mayan Ruins & Wildlife
Belize City, Belize
Belize is a tender port, so you'll ride a small boat to shore. Leave extra time on both ends.
Float on an inner tube through caves in the Belizean jungle. It's the shore excursion everybody talks about when they get back on the ship, and lunch is included.
Cave Tubing Experience in Belize City with Lunch.
Cave tubing plus a zipline over the jungle canopy, for the thrill-seekers in your group. It's a full day, so book it when your ship has plenty of time in port.
Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City
The easier Belize day: Mayan temples at Altun Ha, closer to the port than most ruins, with no tubes and no harnesses required. Good for anybody who'd rather walk than get wet.
Altun Ha Heritage Tour from Belize City
Cozumel, Roatán & What to Pack
Two of the most popular ports from New Orleans already have their own sections on my Caribbean list, plus your packing list.
Cozumel or Roatán on your itinerary? My best-reviewed picks for both are on my Caribbean shore excursions list, along with Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, Nassau, and Jamaica.
Worth Getting Off the Ship: Caribbean Cruise Shore Excursions by Port
Still need to pack? My Sea Day Ready list covers the cabin and port-day stuff that makes cruising easier, like a non-surge outlet extender, wrinkle spray, and a neck fan for those hot Mexican port days.
Sea Day Ready: Cruise Packing Must-Haves I Bring Every Trip