Top Things to See Before or After Your Next Disney Cruise in New Orleans

Top Things to See Before or After Your Next Disney Cruise in New Orleans blog header

New Orleans is not only home to jazz music, delicious food and a unique culture of its own, but in February and March 2023, it will also be home to the Disney Magic for the very first time! If your family is looking to combine all the entertainment and fun of a Disney cruise with a pre- or post-sailing vacation in an iconic city, the Big Easy just might be the place to go!

While you may know that Disney Cruise Line offers activities for everyone in your family to enjoy, did you know that New Orleans is the same? Here are some ideas for how you can eat, learn, smile and savor some sunshine before, after and during these four-, five- and six-night sailings to tropical locales in the Western Caribbean.

Beignets
  1. Sip and Savor: Calling all culinary connoisseurs! From beignets to gumbo to po’boys … it’s hard to decide what to try first in New Orleans. One thing is for sure – there’s no shortage of delicious food in the heart of New Orleans, and that doesn’t change when you board the ship. Once on the Disney Magic, your family will be able to experience three family dining venues with appetizing menus, including Rapunzel’s Royal Table, an idyllic and enchanting restaurant exclusive to the Disney Magic that transports guests to the kingdom of Corona for an evening of music and interactive fun.
  2. Look and Learn: New Orleans is a city rich with history, and there are many ways your family can learn all about it. The Louisiana State Museum and the Backstreet Cultural Museum provide a glimpse into the city’s past, while the Louisiana Children’s Museum is a great place for little ones to play and learn. On board the Disney Magic, kids can continue to expand their horizons as they participate in engaging youth activities in spaces designed just for them like Andy’s Room or Marvel Super Hero Academy.
  3. Sing and Smile: If you spend a day in New Orleans, you can’t leave without hearing some jazz music! Whether you pay a visit to the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park or wander around the festive streets of the French Quarter, keep your ear out for those signature tunes. The musical magic doesn’t stop once you’re on the Disney Magic as well, with three Broadway-style shows (including “Tangled: The Musical,” performed exclusively aboard this ship), a Pirates in the Caribbean deck party and live music daily during your voyage.
  4. Soak and Splash: Although people may not associate New Orleans with water, a Mississippi River boat tour is a great way to see the city. And once you’re on board the Disney Magic, fun in the sun is taken to a whole new level! Soak and splash in the numerous pools and hot tubs, or climb your way to the ship’s highest point for a three-story plunge on the AquaDunk, a can’t-miss body slide! And of course, there will be plenty of beaches and water activities during Caribbean cruises from New Orleans, with stops in the picturesque ports of call like Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.  
People dancing and playing music in New Orleans

As you can see, there’s so much to see and do both in New Orleans and on the Disney Magic! Did I miss anything? Let me know your favorite family-friendly activities in the Big Easy in the comments below!