A team of river cruise veterans has launched a deluxe U.S.
river cruise company, French America Line, and has purchased the former
Columbia Queen.
The company is refurbishing the 150-passenger vessel to
be relaunched in August as the Louisiane.
French America Line is headed by Christopher Kyte,
chairman and former president of the American Queen Steamboat Co., and Tom
Markwell, president of French America Line and former managing partner at Haimark.
The Columbia Queen is a former Majestic America Line
vessel that was built in 2000 and had been purchased along with the Delta Queen
by Xanterra Holding Corp. in 2011, three years after Majestic ceased
operations.
It is undergoing a
multimillion-dollar refurbishment and will sail the Mississippi. Previously,
the Columbia Queen had sailed the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific
Northwest.
French America Line is creating a French-inspired
ambience onboard, a nod to the French influences in and around the Louisiane’s homeport
of New Orleans.
The Veranda, a casual French-style bistro, will be one of two dining venues on the Louisiane.
The Louisiane will have a U.S. crew of 64 and will embark
on its inaugural cruise on Aug. 22, 2016, after which it will sail a variety of
cruise lengths ranging from five to 10 days, along the Mississippi, Ohio,
Tennessee, Cumberland and Red rivers, as well as along the Gulf Coast.
French America Line has tapped Regina Charboneau to serve
as the chef de cuisine. Charboneau was formerly the chef de cuisine of American
Queen Steamboat Co. There will be two dining venues — the main Orleans Room,
and the more casual French-style bistro Veranda — offering regional, French and
standard American favorites as well as healthy options for breakfast, lunch,
dinner and 24-hour room service.
Laduree macarons will be served onboard and Vosges
chocolates will be offered at turndown. The Orleans Room will be transformed
nightly to host a cabaret show.
The full-service Currents Spa will offer massages and
body treatments, and nail and hair services.
Prices, which the company executives said will not be
discounted, includes a one-night pre-embarkation stay at a deluxe hotel; transfer
to the vessel; all meals; unlimited wine, beer and spirits; coffee and tea;
still or sparking Natura water in the staterooms; nightly live entertainment;
onboard lectures; complimentary Wi-Fi in all public areas; and shore excursions
in every port of call.
Bicycles, helmets and maps will abe made available to
passengers in every port of call. Privately guided experiences can be added for
an extra charge. Optional pre- and post-cruise packages are available.
A Panorama stateroom.
Of the 75 suites and staterooms in seven categories, many
will have private verandas or French balconies, and all staterooms will have
individual climate control, deluxe mattresses and high-end linens, an in-room
safe, 24-hour room service, and a flat-screen LED television with satellite
programming. The vessel’s two Richelieu suites will be stocked with Hermes bath
amenities and L’Occitaine en Provence bath products will be in all other
staterooms.
The French Quarter Lounge will host nightly jazz, and the
Great River Room will host card games and private events. The Bar Royale will
be adjacent to the Orleans Room.
The 2016 Louisiane brochure is available at FrenchAmericaLine.com.
French America Line will pay 15% commission to travel agents on all sales of
inaugural year sailings scheduled between August and December of this year.