As Disney begins New Orleans-based voyages, port starts looking for potential new terminal sites

Today, the long-sought-after Disney cruises launch from New Orleans, in a limited time engagement that's already sold out. Port of New Orleans officials say it shows how strong -- and growing stronger -- the cruise segment is here.

Welcome to New Orleans @DisneyCruiseLine! @MayorCantrell, @LtGovBillyNungessor, @PortNOLA President Brandi Christensen and teams welcomed Mickey to New Orleans! Today is the inaugural call of the Disney Wonder! #CityOfYes @Disney @LouisianaLtGov #NewOrleans #NOLA #Disney #Mickey pic.twitter.com/yZ33ijHy0B

— The City Of New Orleans (@CityOfNOLA) February 7, 2020

The Disney Wonder is taking six trips out of New Orleans, cruising to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Impressed by how quickly their trips booked solid, the company has decided to come back next winter.

"Disney recently also announced that they're going to return for a second season in 2021," said Port of New Orleans Communications Director Jessica Ragusa, "so they're already committed to the New Orleans market."

And with regular service that includes Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, Ragusa says they are beginning to see the theoretical maximum capacity and their Erato St. and Julia St. cruise terminals coming into view of reality.

"We're pretty much at approaching capacity at Julia and Erato," said Ragusa, and it has port officials talking about a third terminal where they could dock cruise ships. "There's no immediate plans for a third cruise terminal at this time, but there definitely is growing demand and it's going to trigger our need to invest."

Ragusa says they're even scouting potential sites.

"We're definitely starting to assess locations at this point," she said.