Louisiana: Underrated Cruise Port Gem Revealed

Louisiana: The Underrated Cruise Hub & The Truth About Cruise Ship Germs 

When people think of major cruise ports, they usually picture Florida—Miami, Port Canaveral, maybe even Galveston. But let me tell you, Louisiana is holding its own in the cruise world. The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has become a powerhouse for cruise departures, with over 1.2 million passengers in 2024—a record-breaking year! Read more about that HERE 

Think about it: You get all the perks of cruising, minus the hassle of flying to Florida. Drive to New Orleans, eat some gumbo, and sail away—sounds like a solid plan to me. 

But Aren’t Cruise Ships Full of Germs? 

Every time someone mentions going on a cruise, someone else inevitably says, “Aren’t you afraid of getting sick?” But if you think about everything we're exposed to  — schools, restaurants, shopping malls, the gas station pump handle— those places are way nastier than a cruise ship. 

• The CDC tracks illness outbreaks on cruise ships, and they found that the incidence of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) dropped from 32.5 cases per 100,000 travel days in 2006 to just 16.9 in 2019 (CDC). 

• Compare that to a public school during flu season, where it feels like every kid in the hallway is coughing up a lung. The average elementary classroom has more bacteria per square inch than a cruise ship buffet line— Of course, I can’t prove that, but it sure feels right. 

Why Cruise Ships Are Actually Cleaner Than You Think 

Cruise ships aren’t perfect, but they take cleanliness seriously. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program does unannounced inspections, and in 2024 alone, 20 cruise ships earned perfect 100 scores (health.com). When was the last time your local supermarket or convenience store got a 100 on a sanitation inspection? 

Plus, cruise lines have strict cleaning protocols: 

• Handwashing stations everywhere 
• Constant sanitization of high-touch areas 
• Staff literally walking around with spray bottles of disinfectant like they’re in a sci-fi movie 

Avoid the Party Cruises Unless You’re There for the Party 

 If you’re thinking about booking a cruise, do yourself a favor and avoid the short 4-day itineraries. Why? Because those are prime territory for bachelorette parties and "grown adults who should know better" spring breakers. You might be in store for:

• Drunken dance-offs at 10 AM 
• A conga line of matching T-shirts that says “Karen’s Last Sail Before the Veil” 
• Thongs where there should not be thongs 

If that’s your vibe, go for it. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, stick with the 7-day cruises. The longer trips tend to attract more serious cruisers—people who want to enjoy great food, good entertainment, and a little peace and quiet without dodging drunk uncles in Speedos. 

If you’re worried about getting sick on a cruise, you might want to consider how much worse the odds are in everyday life. It might be better to take your chances on a ship that scrubs every railing and enforces hand sanitizer use than in a school, restaurant, or—heaven help us—a gas station bathroom.