By
Rebecca Gibson |
New American river cruise operator French America Line is to debut with the 150-guest Louisiane on 22 August 2016.
Formerly Columbia Queen, the vessel is currently undergoing a multimillion-dollar refurbishment to reflect a ‘French-inspired ambience’ that embraces the rich history of the areas she will sail in, which were once known as French America.
Staffed by 64 crew members, Louisiane will accommodate 150 guests in 75 suites and staterooms in seven categories, many with private verandas or French balconies. All staterooms will have individual climate control systems; deluxe mattresses; a private bathroom with L’Occitane en Provence bath amenities, bathrobes and slippers; an in-room safe; storage space; iPads pre-loaded with e-books, daily shore excursion programmes and menus for onboard dining and entertainment; flat-screen LED TVs with satellite programming; telephones; and complimentary 24-hour room service.
Two Richelieu Suites, which will be located on the uppermost deck, will feature panoramic windows and wraparound outdoor promenade seating area, a queen bed, a double armoire with built-in drawers, chest of drawers, a desk and exclusive extras. These include Hermès bath amenities, evening canapés, complimentary laundry services, fresh fruit and flowers upon arrival, free Curator Collection experiences and private car transfers to/from the airport.
Louisiane will also offer a full-service Currents Spa and various dining and entertainment venues. They will include The Orleans Room, which offers tableside meal service and a nightly cabaret show; Veranda, a casual French Quarter-style bistro with indoor and outdoor open seating; The French Quarter Lounge, which offers nightly jazz; The Great River Room, a venue for card games and private events; and Bar Royale, which adjoins The Orleans Room. Award-winning Chef de Cuisine Regina Charboneau has designed the menus, which incorporate regional French, Southern and continental favourites.
“We hope to capture your heart with the finest regional French, Southern and continental cuisine afloat by Regina Charboneau, our award-winning Chef de Cuisine, and set your spirits soaring with the best-of-America onboard entertainment each night,” said Tom Markwell, president of French America Line. “We have also added some delicious and luxurious surprises, from Hermès bath amenities in the Richelieu Suites to fresh macarons from the House of Ladurée upon embarkation and nightly gourmet Vosges chocolates at turndown.”
Sailing from her New Orleans homeport, Louisiane will offer a range of five- to ten-day itineraries that will take guests to historic ports on five American rivers that larger river ships have not been able to visit for more than ten years. This will include the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Red rivers, and the waterways of the Gulf Coast.
“To set a new standard for sophisticated travellers, we offer a variety of cruise lengths to suit any schedule with inspired itineraries that visit a waterfront tapestry of charming towns, villages and grand cities,” said Markwell.
Pricing is virtually all-inclusive and covers an overnight hotel stay prior to embarkation; a welcome reception and farewell meal; all meals and beverages; nightly live entertainment reflecting the traditions of river and coastal regional America; and a Traveler Collection shore excursion in every port of call. Bicycles, helmets and maps will also be available for guests wanting to explore destinations independently. Guests can also add optional private Curator Collection guided experiences, or opt for Prelude and Encore packages pre- and post-cruise.
French America Line’s ‘Illuminators’ will also lead complimentary onboard cultural and historical talks covering varied topics, such as the history of classic American cocktails, the origins of Zydeco, blues or bluegrass music traditions, Mardi Gras, and the socio-economic impact of changing agricultural practices on the Mississippi or Native American history in the Upper Midwest.
“We designed Louisiane to embody superb river experiences, including exploring many diverse traditions on our country’s waterways that were influenced by la belle France during the colonisation of America,” said Christopher Kyte, chairman of French America Line. “It’s a wonderful narrative and quite unique to what’s currently available, offering the highest level of service and amenities comparable to that found on the rivers of Europe. We also believe that the integrity of the company to whom you trust your vacation should be reflected in our fare structure. Therefore, we guarantee that we will not artificially inflate our prices and then lower prices as the sailing date approaches. You can book early with utmost confidence that you are receiving the best price available, as our fares remain the same from the moment they are created until the moment the vessel sails.”