A New Chapter on Old Man River
On July 12th, 2025, The New Orleans Steamboat Company officially christened the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS at the Bienville Street Wharf, followed by a celebratory cruise. Though certified and operating since late 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic delayed a formal christening.
According to Matt Dow, the company’s Director of Marine Operations. “Although the boats are blessed every year, it was very important to begin the CITY’s new chapter with a proper renaming and a proper christening. There are many superstitious maritime traditions honored in these official acts. Even the Coast Guard will not christen a boat on a Thursday or Friday and on various other dates due to mythological and Biblical reasons.”
Originally built in 1991 in Jennings, LA, and acquired by the company in 2017, the floating palace was towed from Illinois to New Orleans and completely overhauled under the direction of Dow, whose father Bill and grandfather Wilbur founded The New Orleans Steamboat Company in 1972. Read more history here.
With more than 40 years in the Food & Beverage department, beloved longtime team member Edna James was named Godmother of the Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. (Incidentally, she is Matt Dow’s brother Luke’s godmother, too!) She considers both titles to be great honors and was proud to break the ceremonial bottle over the bow.
“I am 86 years-old and it was a blessing that I was able to get down there from Baton Rouge and do what I had to do,” Edna said. “It was a beautiful day.
The Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS is closely tied to the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Her captain, Skyler Nicoulin, is the third generation in a long line captains for the company.
The 190-foot Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS accommodates around 1,000 guests across four decks, blending Victorian elegance with modern amenities, including an elevator and rooftop bar. Along with jazz brunch cruises, the riverboat is the perfect New Orleans setting for a wedding, party or corporate event.
Now that the christening is complete, the Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS is now a full-fledged ambassador of New Orleans. As Dow said, “She is another shining jewel in the tiara that is the New Orleans Waterfront, and a beautiful running mate to the incredible Steamboat NATCHEZ.”
Book Your Event on the Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
Read: Romance on the Riverboat CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
Photographs provided by The New Orleans Steamboat Company.
