Another boat

It is the old COLUMBIA QUEEN. She is supposed to start service out of New Orleans this coming August and work her way up to the Upper Ohio River later in the month.

What an inaugural trip...

Her first trip is to be from New Orleans to Pensacola, certainly one of the DQ's best routes ever....

Wondering who are the people behind this new company. I haven´t heard anything about them and obviously they don´t have a real website.

Not sure whether AQSC will be happy that they are featuring Chef Regina too.

Carmen

https://www.frenchamericaline.com/

*New AMERICA FRENCH LINE*
Morning, Steamboating colleagues:
Interesting reading the postings above from Matthew and others RE: 'Another boat.' Rumors/stories filtered around here for a time RE: the new AMERICA FRENCH LINE with the cat now out of the bag. I'd opine new AFL possibly a subsidiary company with a 'paper corporation.' Interesting concept for sure but take a long look at those PP [Per person cruise rates] fine French quisine, 24 hours service not withstanding. Their web site mentions opening on April 1st. Now one more 'player' in the river cruise business here. Can't believe we may all witness possibly one of those celebrated, exciting old 'steamboat wars' of the past. Raises the queston of 'how far can the pie be cut?' Carmen, more information about who they are can be found in the company's corporate profile and here papers of incorporation and registration. We will see in time. Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Old Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati

Cutting the pie

Good question, Dale. What I don't understand is where this demand is for all these new proposed boats, when the few current ones aren't running at capacity, and in some cases not even near it. Now the corporate spokesmen might deny it, but at least here on the UMR the AQ was running half full many of her trips - they have to give the passenger count to the lockman, which is often done by marine radio. So I heard the 200s reported, no denying it. Then consider the 2 for 1 offers and so how many full fares were there on board those trips? I know nothing about their passenger loads on the other routes, but considering all these other companies are planning to run the UMR, where are the potential passengers? Do they plan to tap into their current pax on other boats like ACL does? Do they have a better plan to market their boats? Somebody has metrics or whatever indicating a market for so many to be jumping in, but can anybody tell us where these thousands of new passengers are coming from??? At the posted prices I sure won't be in their target group!

I imagine that twenty years ago some German was sitting on the bank of the Rhine River asking the same question you are asking, "where will all the people come from to fill all these boats?" Not only did they come, but they came in droves. So many, in fact, that they continue to build new boats every year.
I'm a firm believer that business begets business, the more boats in the market, the more the demand will be. The market they are targeting is older people who have disposable income.....in other words, retired baby boomers....the fastest growing segment of the population.
How many people ever really thought about taking a European river trip until they settled into their easy chair on Sunday night to watch Downton Abbey and saw those gorgeous Viking River Line ads? Those ads make me want to book a cruise.
The other night I saw an American Cruise Line ad and it made the Mississippi River and their boats look absolutely stunning.
I really believe as the movie said..."build it and they will come".

Retired baby boomers

I fit right into your category Jim of the retired baby boomer who sees the attractiveness of these cruises, but I certainly don't fit into the financial picture. And that is why I question it: are there enough people with that kind of money and the desire to take a trip to fill all these boats? Just as we are enchanted with the Rhine and other European rivers, so nonAmericans are fascinated by the river of Mark Twain(or so they think it is). We don't appreciate what is in our backyard and I suspect a large portion of the passengers will have to come from overseas. I just know that two Masters degrees and 34 years of teaching have not left me with disposable income needed for these creatures....

Judy Patsch;35419 wrote: Just as we are enchanted with the Rhine and other European rivers, so nonAmericans are fascinated by the river of Mark Twain(or so they think it is). We don't appreciate what is in our backyard and I suspect a large portion of the passengers will have to come from overseas.

You are right, Judy! The marketing for FAL right now seems to be geared to Great Britain and Australia. If not I'm sure this would have been news much earlier here in America. Also I've looked and can't find any of the prices listed in U.S.D.

*Baby boomers/Disposable incomes*
Morning, Steamboating colleagues:
I must agree totally with Judy, and others, in the above RE: FAL's appearance. Though being too old to fit the frame as a 'baby boomer,' I'm in the same boat as Judy being a retired teacher etc. But don't kid ourselves as there are many, many out there who do have the disposable incomes for upscale cruise ships, cruise boats, resorts, individualized itineraries for foreign travel. Cruise ship/boat statistics show that generally the highest priced accommodations on ships in general sell out first over the medium to lower--especially now with the market 'priming' the traveler for the new outside cabins with private verandas and decks. Our recent cruise ship featured four master suites [Just got a peek inside] large as many smaller track houses, two complete baths, huge outter decks, baby grand pianos, upper and lower levels with stairs, assigned stewards/butler etc. I'm sure Frank has seen this in his many travels with CUNARD LINE. The accent on many 'smaller' luxury cruise ships/boats usually means higher per person tariff. Pretty sobering for sure but, again, you get what you pay for and it 'only costs a little more to go first class.' Yeah, right. I still think we'll see in time a big 'shake out' in the river tourist business similar to the old 'steamboat wars' of yore.

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing,, Ohio River, Cincinnati

This is why I cannot understand ACL's fight to keep the DQ's permission to operate dead. The DQ is NOT a luxury riverboat, no matter how one tries to paint it--yes, it WAS in its heyday, but not compared to today's standards--and that's why we love her so! Her's is a VERY niche marketplace, but large enough, we hope, to keep her going. I love that my cabin opens onto the deck, and I can meet my neighbors and sit on "America's Front Porch" visit and enjoy the passing scenery. I really wouldn't want a private veranda!
Hmm, our house is barely 1,100 square feet--yes it has a small grand piano in it too (a Welte Reproducing player piano)! I would feel lost in a big private suite! Well, I suppose we could always invite everyone and Bob with his banjo & Jazzo could play the piano and roll in the hot-dog cooker, then we could have a great party in there! Heck, I'll bet the Orleans Room isn't as big as one of those suites!
But, I'm with Dale, "What do I know?" Oh, and please don't shoot the piano tuner, it's the only song I get paid to play! Dink-Dink-Dink-Dink!
David D.

I couldn't agree more, David. For those who want the big rooms, private verandas (which is a huge mystery to me why ANYONE would prefer that), let them go the luxury "small ships".

Former Paint Job

MV LOUISIANE First Ship For New French America Line | Maritime Matters | Cruise And Maritime News

It seems they will be restoring some of her former paint job

French America Line

French America Line's new website

French America Line

Looks like they are trying to cater to the same demographic that Majestic was:

Enjoy the luxury of Hermès® bath amenities in all suites
Pamper yourself with L'Occitane en Provence® bath amenities in staterooms
Vosges Haut-Chocolat® indulgent chocolate petites placed on your pillow each night
Gourmet Parisian macarons from the House of Ladurée® as a sweet welcome to your voyage
The only American river cruise line with iPads® in each suite and stateroom, pre-loaded with e-books, shore excursions, daily programs and menus
Many suites and staterooms open up to verandas or French balconies
Deluxe pillow-top foam mattresses that support the contours of your body
Plush spa-quality bathrobes and slippers for your use throughout the voyage
Pillow menu so you may select the perfect style from anti-allergenic to feather-filled
Complimentary 24-hour room service from a select menu
Thick and elegant bath and hand towels
Complimentary Natura® sparkling and still bottled water replenished daily
Laundry service
Complimentary Wi-Fi*
Morning suite and stateroom cleaning and nightly turn-down service
Satellite television with the latest news and programming
Direct-dial telephones, hand-held hair dryers, make-up mirrors and built-in safes for your convenience
Individually controlled heat and air conditioning
Only 75 staterooms and suites create a boutique cruise experience

Wow Bob, none of that appeals to me--well, OK, I DO love Chocolate, and the Laundry Service would mean I could pack fewer clothes, smaller suitcase then (or same size and room for more trip "finds") -- there really isn't a lot of room in 338 for a bunch of stuff.
Other than that, Ugh! Too much "frue-frue" Oh, wait, they forgot the fancy bathrobes!! (which were quite handy for wiping soot off the railings in the mornings) 🙂

Zzzzzzzz. SO unexciting.

Oh no, Dave, it says you get bathrobes and slippers for the duration of the cruise! Well sign me up (NOT!)!

Bob,
Ah yes, I missed that! Oooh! I wonder who on the crew gets to wash and sanitize those slippers for the next passengers?? Phew!!

Wesley,
Well said, er, snored!
Hmm, I'll bet they won't server Grits nor Bread Pudding on board--and a picnic?? How low-class!!!! (Oh, and forget the hot dog cooker & popcorn in the bar too!)

Judy,
No need to bake cookies for this boat, they don't know good stuff anyways--they'd probably want Biscotties! Egads, I can't even spell it!
🙂

Not for me

If I can't spell it or pronounce it, I don't want it! As to those verandas, Bob, so much of the joy of the DQ was meeting your fellow passengers on deck. I met so many because I brought the river charts and people would come up and ask to look at them, and ask questions about our speed, etc. No need for fancy gps then - just look at the mile mark signs and figure out your speed! Heck, on the MQ/AQ the private veranda people could manage to avoid half the passengers completely because they'd never see them at dinner or shows. Some steam boating!

I agree 100%, Judy. I will say I think the AQ has provided a good mix of what the ocean cruiser types want (or THINK they want) and what we all know steamboating is really about. It really, really gets me that these operators seem to think that these luxury bath towels, robes and slippers are worthy of mentioning in their advertising as a selling point for a river cruise. Good grief, robes and slippers? Come ON!!!!

AQ as a steamboat

Yes, the AQ can give us what we want as far as being able to be out on deck and watching the river. They even provide the option of avoiding the fancy dining room with the Front Porch meals (assuming they are still doing that this year), so that you can dine outside. The main problem is they don't cruise much during the day, with their interminable shore stops, which we've discussed already. But when she is moving, you can enjoy the river outside on many decks. That was one thing they corrected from the MQ - providing more outdoor space. Now as to all the robes, Broadway/Vegas entertainment, hotel staff emphasis and control rather than navigation crew, that is certainly not our cup of tea, but it goes with the trip, which is why I choose not to mortgage the house to book. I figure what I made use of on my one trip would cost about a fourth of the total fare, so it just isn't worth it to me. I'm making my multiple trips on the TWILIGHT and occasionally the SPIRIT OF PEORIA to get real river trips, even if they cover the same short territory - as we know, no two trips are ever the same!

Robes & Slippers? Egads, what about the size of those rooms?? I don' need no stinkin' elbow room! Heck, in the upper bunk you can't toss N turn as you either hit the ceiling or you fall out of the bed! This guarantees a quick falling (pun intended) asleep, so it's a plus! 🙂 I always too pride in how well we made use of the space we had in 338. It usually took the cabin steward about a day to figure out we wanted the bunk ladder stored on top of the upper bunk--it was in the way on the bathroom door! And what other boat has hooks on the door so you can hang your ID sign (room number, Uh, I dunno--look for our name!
Yes, the "usual" DQ passenger is a different animal than the ones these new boats are aiming towards.