The New Orleans’ cruise industry is back in a big way. A $17 million renovation of the Julia Street Cruise Terminal was completed in November and the Voyager of the Seas arrived in the Port of New Orleans to begin its seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean. The ship also marked the return of Royal Caribbean International cruises to New Orleans for the first time since 2007.

Voyager of the Seas, which accommodates more than 3,400 passengers, is the largest cruise ship to ever call New Orleans its home port. There is a cruise that departs New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 11, which means attendees could extend their stay in New Orleans for a few days after The Rental Show and then relax for seven days cruising to the Caribbean. More information is available at royalcarribean.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines also has a new ship sailing from New Orleans as of Nov. 5, the Elation. This 2,000-passenger cruise ship sails for four- and five-night cruises. In addition, as of Nov. 13, New Orleans is the home port for the 3,000-passenger Carnival Conquest. This ship offers seven-night cruises year-round, departing every Sunday to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Belize City. More information is available at carnival.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line also sails from New Orleans, with seven-day cruises aboard the Norwegian Spirit to Costa Maya, Cozumel, Belize City and Rotan, Honduras. More information is available at ncl.com.