French America Line Readies Its Sails
by Daniel McCarthy /A rendering of the first ship from the French America Line, the Louisiane.
For the team behind the French America Line, a new American river cruise line that will debut in August, it’s the details that give them confidence in their new project.
“It’s the little touches that makes this [project] really special,” French America president Tom Markwell told TMR.
The cruise line is the brainchild of Christopher Kyte, the founder of Uncommon Journeys, one of North America’s top train tour operators. Kyte is joined by Markwell, a travel industry veteran with more than 20 years of expertise in river and coastal cruising, and Ken Grigsby, who was formerly in financial management with Kyte at Uncommon Journeys, who will serve as CEO.
The idea behind the cruise line is to meld a European river cruise style of operation—meal delivery, inclusions, and onboard amenities—with the hospitality and graciousness of the American South, while showcasing America’s French heritage.
Markwell sees his market as those looking for a personalized experience (the ship will accommodate 150) and have “traveled extensively abroad and specifically at this point in their lives are looking at something close to home without that 8-12 hour flight,” he said.
The line will sail 5- to 10-day sailings on some popular routes—the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers—as well as others, like the Red River, that hasn’t been sailed in decades.
It will offer two types of shore excursions: the Traveler Collection will be included in the price of the cruise; the Curator Collection will cost extra.
The Louisiane
French America will start with one ship, the Louisiane, though Markwell expects a second to be added within the next year.
The Louisiane last sailed in 2008 as Delta Queen Steamboat Company’s Columbia Queen until the company went out of business. She is currently undergoing a “fairly significant interior refurbishment to better reflect the company’s style,” Markwell said.
It will feature seven categories of staterooms, many with private verandas or balconies. The highest category, the two Richelieu Suites will have panoramic windows and wraparound outdoor promenade seating areas.
Every room will offer an iPad preloaded with cruise programs and dining menus.
In the kitchen, Chef de Cuisine Regina Charboneau will feature French, Southern American, and Continental meals, with service available 24/7. Dinner menus will change depending on the region in which the ship is sailing.
Lounges will include The French Quarter Lounge, featuring soft jazz each night; The Great River Room, for quiet card games or study; the Veranda, a casual French-Quarter-style eatery with indoor and outdoor seating; and the Bar Royale.
Prices will include WiFi in all public areas, a one-night pre-cruise stay in a deluxe luxury hotel with next- day breakfast and riverboat transfer, and liquor and beer.
What agents should know
Travel agents will “absolutely” be the main distribution channel for the cruise line, Markwell said.
“We definitely rely on agents for our primary means of distribution,” and will pay 15% commission on all inaugural-year sailings.
Starting in May, it will also hold monthly webinars on its website “to make sure agents really understand the project,” Markwell said.