New brochure highlights French America Line's inaugural season

As first reported by Seatrade Cruise News, the Greater New Orleans-based line will offer sailings on the boutique, 150-passenger riverboat Louisiane, starting in late August.

Varied itineraries cover the Mississippi River, from the deep South to its upper reaches in Minnesota; the Gulf of Mexico coast from New Orleans to Pensacola, Florida; and the Tennessee, Ohio and Red rivers.

Louisiane will serve sophisticated Southern and continental cuisine by the renowned chef and cookbook author Regina Charboneau. Among the French touches are beignets and cafe au lait from Café du Monde, Hermès and L'Occitane en Provence toiletries, Vosges chocolates with turn down service and boxed Ladurée macarons from Paris as a welcome gift.

Included in the fares are a hotel overnight at landmark properties like The Peabody in Memphis, custom-crafted shore excursions in each port, free-flowing spirits, wines and beers, illy coffee, 24-hour room service and Wi-Fi. All accommodations provide iPads pre-loaded with e-books, shore excursions, daily programs and menus.

The new brochure can be downloaded or requested by mail here.