USA River Cruises is overjoyed to announce a brand new boat cruising the Mississippi River Fall 2016: la Louisiane! This new boat will be cruising the Upper and Lower Mississippi River, as well as the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and the Gulf Coast. The Louisiane is diving deep into Southern culture. So much of what is traditionally thought of as the South was influenced so greatly by the French settlers, and you’ll see the French heritage throughout the boat. The menus were created by Chef de Cuisine Regina Charboneau. Every morning you can visit the Veranda for cafe au lait and beignets – a New Orleans tradition! Catch a before-dinner drink in the Bar Royale. Enjoy soft jazz and champagne in the French Quarter Lounge. Savor each bite in the Orleans Room. All staterooms will feature L’Occitane en Provence bath amenities, and all suites Hermes bath amenities. Every stateroom and suite will have plush spa-quality bathrobes and slippers for your onboard use, and a pillow menu.

Veranda Cafe - serving beignets and cafe au lait every morning!

Aside from the French influence and Southern hospitality, the underlying current seems to be luxury. Not luxury like you have to dress up for dinner every night. We know how much our clients love the freedom to dress casually! Luxury in that you can go have a mani/pedi at the spa; that you can sip champagne while you play cards with friends in the lounge; that you are greeted with a cold towel and drink when you return to the boat from your shore excursions; that you find Vosges chocolates on your pillow at nightly turn down.

The Louisiane’s schedule is unique, compared to other cruise lines that have found ways to standardize their cruise schedule. If you’re looking for a shorter cruise, there is one 5-day departure from Nashville, as well as two 6-day roundtrip New Orleans cruises and one 6-day cruise from New Orleans to Pensacola and another returning. Most of the cruises are 8-10 day trips. If you want the cruise you can’t find anywhere else: Orange Blossom Sunset itinerary cruises from New Orleans to Pensacola, FL via the Intracoastal Waterway, and back the next departure. Also, leave the Mississippi behind while you cruise Northwest on the Red River! This Deep South holiday cruise will take you to parts of Louisiana the other ships don’t.

The boat was originally built in 2000 for the Columbia River, but saw little use. It is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment, looking towards the August launch. USA River Cruises is excited to see this fantastic boat return to the water in such a spectacular fashion! Louisiane deserves to be highlighted and you will finally be treated to the luxurious river cruise ship that a Southern belle deserves. Bon Voyage!

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