Does the feel of the cold and the sight of ice and snow make you sad? Do you want to find a way to get away from the low temperatures and avoid winter depression? You may be in need of a winter cruise. Winter cruises are becoming more and more popular and more cruise lines have started offering them.

One of the most popular winter cruise ports is New Orleans and the Carnival Cruise Line has announced that they will be sending more ships and bigger ships to the port to transport passengers to their warm destinations, such as Florida, the Bahamas and the Canary Islands.
New Orleans might seem like an unlikely place for a successful cruise port, but the city is preparing to set its third straight record for cruise ship passengers this year, said Gary LaGrange, president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans.

In 2012, 977,703 passengers passed through the port. 736,908 passengers went through in 2011. With a 32 percent passenger increase between 2011 and 2012, the Port of New Orleans is hoping to see over a million passengers in 2013.
“This year we have a good shot at passing a million,” LaGrange said.

LaGrange believes that one of the reasons the port has been so successful over the years is because it provides two vacations in one. Not only do travelers get to enjoy their cruise and destination, but they also get to experience the charm of New Orleans while at the port. If you are looking to take a cruise this winter, why not make a stop at New Orleans before you go?

Image from YouTube.