The Royal Caribbean cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas docked in New Orleans on Dec. 2 to begin a winter season of weekly sailings to the Western Caribbean, marking the post-Katrina return of all three major cruise lines to regular sailings from the Louisiana port.

Before Hurricane Katrina devastated this tourism mecca, three cruise lines and four ships made New Orleans their homeport, sailing from the city on a regular weekly schedule.

The 2,400-passenger Grandeur of the Seas follows the return to New Orleans of Norwegian Cruise Line's Sun and Carnival Cruise Line's Fantasy.

"Royal Caribbean's return to New Orleans means a lot for the cruise line, and hopefully for the city and its people as well," said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International.

"The impact of Hurricane Katrina was overwhelming, but we are confident that the return of cruising to New Orleans will help bring back the 'Big Easy,' reinforcing the city's legacy as being a truly world-class destination," Goldstein said.

"We are thrilled to welcome Royal Caribbean back to New Orleans," said Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange. "Royal Caribbean was one of our first cruise partners to pledge their return to the Crescent City."

Grandeur of the Seas will sail weekly to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman and Costa Maya, Mexico.