Even Keel

Cruise ships are beginning to book new cruises for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

Eight months later, the New Orleans Port is ready for cruise ships again and most cruise lines are expected to return by October. Norwegian Cruise Lines is first to return with its Norwegian Sun Oct. 15 to sail seven-day western Caribbean cruises. Carnival has scheduled the Sensation to return to operate year-round four- and five-day cruises this fall while the Carnival Fantasy will return Oct. 26. Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas will return Dec. 2 with seven-night sailings. Michael Sheehan, spokesman for the Royal Caribbean cruise lines, said the company decided to return to New Orleans last October.

Just one more sign that tourism is beginning to return to the Big Easy.