I have always found myself strangely drawn to the Titanic. Part of it comes from family history. I was told from a young age that distant relatives of ours, Lord and Lady Duckworth, were actually on board the ship. Because of that, the story of the Titanic was always more than just a chapter in a history book to me. Watching James Cameron’s film in theaters for the first time only deepened that fascination. The sweeping tragedy, the human cost, the haunting sense of loss… it all stuck with me. For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt pulled to the Titanic’s story.
So when the chance came to visit Titanic: An Immersive Voyage in New Orleans, I knew it wasn’t going to be just another tourist stop. As part of our latest Destination Diary, we stepped inside the Scottish Rite Temple and into one of the most infamous nights in history. What we found was equal parts breathtaking and heartbreaking, an experience that left a mark on all of us long after we walked out the doors.
From the moment you arrive, the experience feels personal. Each visitor is handed an information card with the name of an actual passenger who boarded the Titanic in 1912. That person becomes you for the journey. As you make your way through the exhibit, you uncover small details about their life, their voyage, and their place on the ship. At the very end, just before the gift shop, you learn whether your passenger survived or not. Mine was saved, the others in our group however, were not. Standing there reading those final fates was one of the most sobering parts of the entire day.
The exhibit itself is unforgettable. There are personal artifacts and recreated rooms that transport you back in time, but the true centerpiece is the 360-degree theater. In this room, I sat down inside one of the replica lifeboats, surrounded by immersive projections that brought the Titanic’s final hours to life. It was haunting and powerful, a moment that felt both beautiful and crushing all at once.
Another highlight is the grand staircase. Whether it is a replica of the actual Titanic staircase or the one made famous by the movie, standing in front of it was a thrill. It’s one of those iconic details that makes you stop and take it all in, and for a brief moment, you feel like you’ve stepped directly into history.
There is also a virtual reality dive, but this experience is only included with VIP admission. With the headset on, you descend two and a half miles beneath the Atlantic until the wreck of the Titanic emerges from the dark. The experience is eerie and awe-inspiring, though I found it to be too quick. I could have stayed suspended above that shipwreck much longer, just taking in the silence of the deep.
As for the cost, this isn’t the cheapest attraction in town, but the packages make sense depending on what you want included. Standard adult tickets start at about $28 on weekdays and go up to $31.90 on weekends. Children, students, seniors, and military get a small discount, bringing weekday prices closer to $24 and weekend prices closer to $28. VIP tickets, which include the VR dive, skip the line entry, and a souvenir, average around $38 to $40 during the week and $41.90 on weekends. We visited on a Sunday and chose the VIP package, which came to $41.90 per adult. By the time we purchased four VIP tickets and added on the commemorative photo package, our total was right at $200. Pricey for a single attraction, yes, but considering the quality and emotional weight of the experience, it felt worth it.
What struck me most about this exhibit is how it transforms Titanic from a distant historical tragedy into something deeply human. It is not just about the ship, it is about the people who lived, dreamed, and lost everything in a single night. Walking out of the Scottish Rite Temple, I carried their stories with me, and that is the kind of travel moment you cannot put a price on.
This stop was a highlight of our New Orleans trip and one that I would recommend to anyone visiting the city. It reminded me that the best destinations are not only about food or nightlife but also about the unexpected experiences that stir your heart and stay with you long after you leave.
Quick Take: Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – New Orleans
Location: Scottish Rite Temple, 619 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Duration: About 60 to 90 minutes
Cost: Standard adult tickets range from $28 on weekdays to $31.90 on weekends. Seniors, students, military, and children are slightly less. VIP adult tickets are about $38 to $40 during the week and $41.90 on weekends and include the VR dive, skip-the-line entry, and a souvenir. Our total for 4 VIP tickets on a Sunday plus the photo package was about $200
Best For: History buffs, Titanic enthusiasts, families with teens, and anyone looking for an immersive, emotional travel experience
🫶🏼 – Ali
