We knew we wanted to take a swamp tour while on our vacation in New Orleans and there were many companies/options. We ultimately chose Louisiana Tour Company because of the way they respond to the Trip Advisor reviews, especially the negative ones. It is always great to hear both sides of the story and their responses to reviews where the customer was clearly at fault made us feel very comfortable.
We opted for the transportation from our hotel and that went very well. We were outside early and the bus was right on schedule (a little early even). They have multiple buses on routes around the city and then we all met up at one location to get everyone consolidated onto one bus that took us to the swamp. The drivers were in constant communication with both dispatch and other drivers to ensure everyone was picked up in the most efficient manner possible. Very well coordinated.
The tour itself was incredible!!! We opted for the small airboat tour and we were not disappointed. The slightly more expensive upgrade over the large airboat tour was well worth it to us. Everyone was close to the edge of the boat and had great photo opportunities. Our tour guide, Ian, was the highlight. It was clear that he has a real passion for everything in the swamp from the Cyprus trees to the alligators. He gave us an incredible amount of knowledge that made this more than a swamp tour. He had a huge respect for the wildlife and he ensured we got close but without making the gators uncomfortable. It is also clear that some of the alligators have respect for Ian, as well.
The highlight for me was having multiple alligators swimming around our boat. The highlight for my wife was getting to hold "Fluffy" the baby alligator. After Fluffy was passed around, my wife was the last one holding him. Ian asked her if she wanted to hold him while he interacted with the large alligators swimming around us or if she wanted him to put him back in his box. She opted to hold him and for the next 15 minutes I had to listen to why we need a pet alligator at home!
Some thoughts/recommendations: This was a bucket list trip and likely the only time we will ever get a chance to go on an airboat. If you can afford the cost over the standard tour, book the airboat. The large airboat looked ok as well but you may be in a middle seat, farther away from the action. Both airboat options get you into much smaller areas, deeper into the swamp. The main tour boat has to stay in larger channels and it can't get as up close and personal with the wildlife. I am sure the tour was excellent as well but the airboat is absolutely exhilarating! It felt like gliding on air when we were moving at high speed!
Overall I could not recommend this company more. Everything ran like clockwork from the pick-up all the way to the drop off back at the hotel. The staff were all super throughout. If you can find your way onto Ian's boat you will be in for a treat!