New Orleans Steamboat Company (corporate office) — Attraction in New Orleans

I wanted to share my experience so I save other people from having a bad experience as me and my husband did on New Years Eve, 2023. We came to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and booked this New Year's package as I thought it would 6a great way to see the city from the river and experience fire works from the water. Food and drinks included, what could be wrong? Well to start off we waited more than 30 mins to board the boat. By the time we got on all the inside tables were gone and about 30 plus passengers had to sit outside on ice cold steel uncomfortable chairs. When you went inside, to get food and drinks, lines were 20 people deep. Who wants to carry a small plate of food and a cocktail down 2 sets of stairs outside in the cold and wind? You could barely open the door with 2 hands, let alone if you had to carry anything. The servers never came outside with any food platters of appetizers as they did inside. Inside had nice tables with table cloths and napkins. Not outside. The inside lines were very crowded!!!!! Totally over sold their seat allotment. We paid just as much for the experience. $$$___should have been able to sit inside and get drinks and food as everyone else. As far as sight seeing at night.... it wasn't worth the money. Dark and too cold to enjoy anything. Plus you really couldn't see anything. The coast guard because of the fireworks made the boat dock early, so the river cruise was cut short and we watched the fireworks on the boat but at shore. (Not as advertised being on the water) we could have sat on the shore with the same view of better! So spending over $250 for one drink each for my husband and I and no food, this was an absolute disappointment and awful experience. I would not recommend this night cruise for anyone unless you want to be cold and miserable. One more thing, the crew staff was absolutely rude as well. No help finding a seat and when we found a seat outside with one the last tables the crew asked us to get up and stand while they docked the boat. As if the table was blocking the view of the dock. My heavens, he stood right there and didn't even move the table. I would have rather stayed at the cocktail party for the Sugar Bowl to bring in the New Year. For heavens sake don't do this boat cruise at night on a holiday or special event, you will be very disappointed and you can't...

We had a bus of 36 seniors from Florida who had booked about 5 months ahead. Our scheduled time and day was changed by the steamboats booking agent very close to our departure date causing us to have to change and reprint our set itinerary. Our tour guide made multiple calls to verify with no answer or returned calls. Finally we were able to confirm last minute.

After our arrival in New Orleans, about an hour before departure we found out by accident that masks AND proof of vaccination had been mandated by the city of New Orleans about a week earlier. The change in the law was not conveyed to us by the booking agent and we were caught off guard as we had just traveled in from Mississippi that day on a large coach bus limiting our eating and transportation options as the city does not allow any coach bus parking. When we reached out to her while standing at the boat, no attempt to help rectify the situation was made. Ultimately a 91 yr old member of our group was denied entry and another who already had COVID and tested negative could not take the vaccination for another month. Although we acknowledge this is a city mandate and not the company's, we were not notified by the company and as of Black Friday they have not added this information to their website. The booking agent could have mentioned it on any number of previous contacts with us. We had to scramble to get negative test results from a pharmacy at cost for at least 2/3 of our group. Thankfully a pharmacy was in walking distance. This is a very bad customer service and could have been very expensive as it was a lunch cruise we had already paid for and we did not have the ability to drive around looking for other accommodations for 36 people.

I gave 3 stars because the crew on board were very friendly and had their game on. They served us fast and the band was great. Overall we had fun and all worked out but I would hope the office will step up their game and consider their customers when a major change in the law that will affect their...

Update: this was on Friday the 3rd of march. Food is disappointing, interior smells sour and funky. Took 4 of my family members to try the New Orleans Paddle wheel on March 3rd. I booked on the official site and i read that i had to be there at 6 to check it to the kiosk and get the actual tickets. Before we arrived that evening, i received an email stating we were slotted for the late (745) dinner. i called the company and the rep stated since the early dinner was booked, we were automatically slated for the late dinner.

We decided to eat a late lunch to hold us over. When we arrived at the kiosk at the dock, the rep said we are now slated for the 630 dinner.

I should of refused as we were not very hungry. We ended up enjoying the band for a bit then made our way to the dining area. After living in New Orleans for 5 years, we are pretty active in trying new restaurants to eat at a few times a month. some are excellent, some are not bad and some are terrible. Unfortunately, this food quality was terrible. Canned green beans, boiled tuff chicken, seasoned potatoes, salad was already sitting on the tables???

The second deck smelled like fermented dead cats.

To Owner? Could of? yes. One time to make a first impression. Address it to management for me? Address it for you! Address it for you and your employees! If the trip is pleasant then your employees will get better tips and most likely be more positive to be there. Then, this will eventually mean more customers and more profit for you. Remember, the customer is always right. You only get a one chance to make a...