New Orleans Steamboat Company

What New Orleans Steamboat Company does

New Orleans Steamboat Company is a family-owned New Orleans tourism operator that runs daily Mississippi River cruise experiences aboard two vessels from the French Quarter dock at Toulouse Street. The flagship Steamboat NATCHEZ, christened in 1975, is one of only two authentic steam-powered sternwheelers still operating on the Mississippi River, powered by 1925 U.S. Steel steam engines driving a 25-ton white oak paddlewheel, with a 32-note steam calliope used in pre-boarding concerts. The company added a second vessel, the diesel-electric Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS (1,000-passenger capacity), in 2020 following a multi-year acquisition and renovation; the NATCHEZ returned from an $11.4M renovation in 2023.

The core product portfolio comprises Dinner Jazz, Lunch Jazz, Brunch Jazz, and 75-Minute Sightseeing Cruises featuring live music (the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland for dinner, Steamboat Stompers for daytime), Creole cuisine, and live Captain's narration. Pricing per adult ranges from $25.75 for sightseeing up to $107.50 for the dinner cruise, with children's pricing and group discounts of 10% for parties of 10+. Surrounding the core cruises, the company wraps seasonal party packages (Summer Vibes, Fall Ya'll, Holiday, Mardi Gras, Valentine's, Spring Fling), private charters and weddings (up to 600 guests for sit-down events), and educational programs for schools and scouts, plus beverage sales, onboard gift shop, gift cards, and combo packages with sister subsidiary Gray Line New Orleans.

Revenue is generated through ticket sales, meal and beverage add-ons, private charter rentals, group bookings, seasonal party packages, merchandise, and ancillary tourism distribution through Groupon, the Smartvisit Good Times Pass, and Gray Line's complementary sightseeing tours. Ownership sits with the Dow family, who also operate the Lake George Steamboat Company (founded 1817); Gordon Stevens has served as President and CEO since 1995, with Matthew Dow leading marine operations. The company operates from a single New Orleans headquarters with two riverfront dock locations and runs three daily cruises on standard schedules.

Name

New Orleans Steamboat Company

Legal name

New Orleans Steamboat Company

Website

https://steamboatnatchez.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

New Orleans Steamboat Company is a family-owned tourism operator running daily Mississippi River cruises — including one of only two authentic steam-powered sternwheelers remaining — from the New Orleans French Quarter, serving individual tourists, groups, wedding clients, and schools with jazz cruises, Creole dining, and private charters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Riverboat Cruise Tourism

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Day-Cruise & Excursion Boat Operators (Non-overnight) (THAEAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theme & Specialty River Cruises (Culinary/Wellness/Music/etc.) (THAEACAL), River Shore Excursions & Onshore Programs (THAEACAG)

Keywords

• Riverboat cruises
• Jazz dinner cruises
• Mississippi sightseeing tours
• Private event charters
• New orleans tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Cruise Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from selling tickets to various cruise experiences including Dinner Jazz Cruises, Lunch Jazz Cruises, Brunch Jazz Cruises, and 75-Minute Sightseeing Cruises. Tickets priced at $25.75-$107.50 per adult with children's pricing available.
2. Private Event Charters: Revenue from private party bookings, weddings, corporate events, and school/group trips. Offers full boat rentals, deck rentals, and salon rentals with turnkey service.
3. Seasonal Party Packages: Upsell packages bundled with cruises including meals, alcoholic beverages, reserved seating, and themed decorations. Pricing ranges from $90-$137.50 per adult depending on cruise type and season.
4. Gift Shop and Merchandise: Onboard gift shop and online merchandise sales including t-shirts, crew sweatshirts, caps, and gift certificates.
5. Beverage Sales: Full cash bar with handcrafted cocktails, beer, wine, and specialty drinks available on all cruises. Happy Hour specials offered on 2:30pm cruises ($3 off cocktails, $2 off beer/wine).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

New Orleans Steamboat Company operates two Mississippi River vessels — the historic steam-powered Steamboat NATCHEZ and the diesel-electric Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS — running daily jazz sightseeing, lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises with Creole cuisine, live jazz entertainment, and narrated history. The company also sells private charters, weddings, corporate events, school and scout field trips, seasonal party packages, and combo tour products distributed through its Gray Line New Orleans subsidiary.

Product overview

New Orleans Steamboat Company operates two riverboat cruise vessels — the historic Steamboat NATCHEZ (steam-powered, launched 1975) and the modern Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS (diesel-electric with paddlewheel, launched 2020) — both offering a portfolio of cruise experiences anchored by live jazz entertainment and Creole dining. The core product line consists of Dinner Jazz Cruises, Lunch Jazz Cruises, Brunch Jazz Cruises, and 75-Minute Sightseeing Cruises, all departing from the French Quarter riverfront. Around these core cruises, the company wraps seasonal party packages (Summer Vibes, Fall Ya'll, Holiday, Mardi Gras, Valentine's, Spring Fling), private charter and wedding event services, school and scout educational programs, happy hour experiences, and combo tour packages through its Gray Line subsidiary. The Good Times Pass extends the product to multi-attraction city tourism. Revenue streams span individual cruise tickets, meal add-ons, party packages, charter rentals, gift shop, and group/school bookings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sippin' on the 'Sippi: Happy Hour cruise experience featuring live music and discounted beverages on the 2:30pm Harbor Cruise
• Sailing with Santa
• Steamboat NATCHEZ Weddings

Products and services

• Steamboat NATCHEZ The last authentic steam-powered sternwheeler cruising the Mississippi River. Operates daily jazz cruises with live music, Creole dining, steam engine room tours, and a steam calliope concert. Features three decks, a main dining salon, multiple bars, and panoramic Mississippi River views. Recently underwent an $11.4M renovation.
• Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS Modern diesel-electric riverboat with working paddlewheel and four decks, operating daily 75-minute sightseeing cruises and Saturday brunch jazz cruises. Offers three indoor decks for weddings and events (up to 600 guests for sit-down dinner), each with independent bars, restaurants, elevators, and AV systems. Features live Captain's narration and jazz music. Sister vessel to the Steamboat NATCHEZ.
• Dinner Jazz Cruise Two-hour evening cruise aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ featuring a Creole dinner buffet, live jazz by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, handcrafted cocktails, and panoramic views of the New Orleans skyline and Mississippi River. Available nightly with boarding at 6pm and sailing at 7pm.
• Lunch Jazz Cruise Daytime cruise aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ featuring a plated Creole lunch sampler, handcrafted cocktails, and live jazz by the Steamboat Stompers. Operates Monday through Saturday with departures at 11:30am and 2:30pm.
• Brunch Jazz Cruise Weekend cruise aboard both the Steamboat NATCHEZ and Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS featuring New Orleans-style Creole cuisine, full cash bar with handcrafted cocktails, and live jazz music by the Steamboat Stompers. Available Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am and 2:30pm.
• 75-Minute Sightseeing Cruise Family-friendly Mississippi River sightseeing cruise aboard both the Steamboat NATCHEZ and Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS. Features live Captain's narration showcasing French Quarter landmarks and riverfront history. Offered as a standalone cruise or as part of combo packages including the Aquarium Package and the New Orleans in a Day tour.
• Summer Vibes Party Package Seasonal upgrade package available May 25 – September 6, 2026. Includes a two-hour cruise, Creole lunch or dinner buffet, decorated reserved table, three alcoholic beverages from specialty cocktail menu, unlimited soft drinks and juice for children, and a sweet treat. Priced at $90–$137.50 for adults.
• Fall Ya'll Party Package Seasonal autumn upgrade package available September 7 – November 15, 2026. Includes a two-hour cruise, Creole lunch or dinner buffet, decorated reserved table, three alcoholic beverages from specialty cocktail menu, unlimited soft drinks and juice for children, and a sweet treat.
• Holiday Party Package Seasonal holiday upgrade package available November 16, 2026 – January 4, 2027. Includes a two-hour cruise, Creole lunch or dinner buffet, decorated reserved table, three alcoholic beverages from specialty cocktail menu, unlimited soft drinks and juice for children, and a sweet treat.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12.5 million+ passengers served over 50 years of operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gray Line New OrleanscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSister company and primary tour distribution partner offering city tours, haunted tours, swamp tours, plantation tours, and transportation services (GrayLineBus.com). Co-markets Super Saver Cruise & Tour Combo packages and provides complementary tourism services to steamboat guests.
• Visit New Orleans (DMC Division)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service Destination Management Company providing spouse programs, entertainment, theme parties, tours, transportation, registration, and special event planning for convention attendees. Offers customized discount codes for group bookings.
• GrouponminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party voucher platform offering discounted cruise experiences with redemption instructions and code validation through company's FareHarbor booking system.
• Smartvisit App (Good Times Pass)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMobile app partnership offering bundled New Orleans attractions. Steamboat NATCHEZ included among 25+ attractions available through 'Pick 6' pass system for $169.
• Toys for Tots - New Orleans ChapterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Sailing with Santa cruise accepts toy donations benefiting the Marine Toys for Tots program. Donation station opens at 10am with cruise sailing 11:30am-1:30pm.
• New Orleans Family Justice CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partnership benefiting families served by the Center providing services to survivors of domestic abuse, assault, and trafficking. Toy donations support children ages infant to 17.
• Lake George Steamboat CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned parent company operating since 1817. Same ownership family (Dow family) runs both companies, with Matthew Dow serving as Director of Marine Operations for NOSC after working at Lake George for 16 years.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Creole Queen: New Orleans-based paddlewheel riverboat offering Mississippi River sightseeing, dinner, and jazz cruises in direct competition with the NATCHEZ for the same tourist customers in the same geography.
• Belle of Louisville: The other authentic steam-powered sternwheeler operating on U.S. inland waterways. Directly comparable as the only other true steam sternwheeler in the country, operating river sightseeing cruises with similar historic technology.
• Delta Queen Steamboat: Historic overnight paddlewheel steamboat long associated with steamboat racing on the Mississippi. Comparable in heritage and Mississippi riverboat identity, historically raced against the NATCHEZ.

Broad incumbents

• American Queen Steamboat Company: Larger overnight river cruise operator on the Mississippi, Ohio, and other U.S. rivers. Comparable in riverboat heritage positioning and live entertainment on board, but offers multi-day itineraries versus NOSC's day-cruise model.
• City Cruises: Large-scale sightseeing and dining cruise operator across multiple U.S. cities, including New Orleans. Competes for the same urban sightseeing/dining cruise demand with a broader geographic footprint and modern fleet.
• Hornblower Cruises: National operator of sightseeing, dining, and charter cruises across major U.S. waterfronts. Comparable in offering dining cruises and private event charters on water vessels, though typically with modern rather than heritage ships.

Others

• Gray Line Worldwide: Global sightseeing tour brand and parent franchise network of which Gray Line New Orleans is part. Comparable as a sister franchise and tourism distribution channel for combo packages.

Regional players

• Spirit of New Orleans / Steamboat Companies (Mariott & St. Louis Riverboats): Other U.S. riverboat sightseeing and dinner cruise operators (e.g., St. Louis-area riverboats) offering similar dining/sightseeing experiences but in different geographies from the New Orleans market.
• Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours: New Orleans-adjacent swamp and bayou tour operator sold as part of the Good Times Pass bundle with NOSC. Comparable as a regional New Orleans tourism experience competing for the same visitor dollars and bundled in similar packages.

Emerging players

• Harbor Breeze Cruises: Smaller sightseeing/whale-watching cruise operator on the West Coast. Comparable as a niche waterborne sightseeing/dining cruise business serving tourists with similar group/private charter offerings, though in a different region and segment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SteamboatNatchez
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steamboat-natchez
• Instagraminstagram.com/steamernatchez
• Xx.com/SteamerNatchez

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Orleans Steamboat Company