By James Shillinglaw, Jan 21, 2022
American Queen Voyages, part of the Hornblower Group, said its culinary ambassador, Chef Regina Charboneau, will host eight sailings during the 2022 season. Featuring itineraries stretching across North America including river, lakes & ocean and expedition experiences, Charboneau will put a spotlight on local cuisine through onboard cooking demonstrations and discussions, exploring ports with guests and regional chef friends, and sharing stories and recipes along the way.
The “Regina Charboneau & Friends” 2022 sailings promise culinary adventures and discoveries beyond the Lower Mississippi River. Charboneau made her professional debut in Alaska and will make her return as she sails the Ocean Victory maiden voyage from Vancouver to Sitka. Additional sailings will include the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes and Ohio River itineraries.
“Exploring North America through its bountiful cuisine is an enjoyable pastime of mine, and I always love sharing my culinary adventures and discoveries with guests, many of whom become friends,” said Charboneau. “Every city and port has its own iconic dish and I look forward to telling the story of that dish, how it has impacted the community and so much more. Whether we’re dining on local salmon in Alaska or Nashville Hot Chicken along the Cumberland River, guests can expect to leave with new culinary knowledge, full bellies and a smile on their faces.”
Charboneau is best known as the “Biscuit Queen of Natchez” and for her San Francisco restaurants Regina’s at the Regis and Biscuits & Blues, the latter of which has an outpost in her Mississippi hometown. The author of “Mississippi Currents: A Culinary Journey Down America’s Greatest River,” a meticulously researched collection of river recipes from St. Paul to New Orleans, will now bring her career full circle to The Last Frontier aboard the May 6 inaugural Ocean Victory sailing. She will also host sailings on all four paddlewheelers in 2022.
“As American Queen Voyages embarks on our 10th anniversary, we are excited to celebrate with eight special sailings hosted by Culinary Ambassador Regina Charboneau,” said Kari Tarnowski, senior vice president of marketing and sales at American Queen Voyages. “These sailings reflect the diversity of encounter travel experiences we offer across North America and I am confident they will instantly become among our most popular.” Regina Charboneau sailings in 2022 include:
Portland (Vancouver) to Spokane (Clarkston): Sailing March 13-21, 2022 on American Empress, Charboneau will kick off the Pacific Northwest season, sailing the Columbia and Snake rivers while exploring the area’s rich history and diverse climate, teaching guests how they connect back to the region’s cuisine. She will showcase local salmon preparations paired with pinot noirs from the renowned Willamette Valley, demonstrate sweet berry delights, lead samplings of craft beers and more. From Portland to Spokane, guests embark on a cruise to explore this rich region on the first 2022 American Empress sailing.
Vancouver, B.C. to Sitka: Sailing May 6-17, 2022, the inaugural sailing of American Queen Voyages’ expedition vessel Ocean Victory to The Last Frontier will feature Charboneau, who made her professional culinary debut in Anchorage. She was the first female chef at the Petroleum Club at Anchorage, where she met her husband, and even prepared a signature salmon dish for the late CBS News Anchor Walter Cronkite. Throughout this adventure, Charboneau will highlight regional Alaska dishes including crab and halibut, while telling tales of her early adventures that took her a long way from her home of Natchez, Miss.
Nashville (Clarksville) to St. Louis (Alton): Sailing July 4-12, 2022 on American Countess, Charboneau will showcase such dishes as St. Louis Toasted Ravioli and Nashville Hot Chicken, synonymous with their home river ports. During this cruise on three of the heartland’s mightiest rivers—the Mississippi, Cumberland, and Ohio—the American Countess will celebrate the Fourth of July in Nashville, Tenn.
Memphis to St. Louis (Alton): Sailing July 17-24, 2022, on American Queen, Charboneau will reveal her rib and barbeque secrets during this cruise highlighting the culinary kaleidoscope of the mid-Mississippi River and visiting such ports as UNESCO Creative City Paducah, Ky., and the quaint port Cape Girardeau, Mo.
St. Louis (Alton) to Louisville: Sailing July 24-Aug. 1, 2022 on flagship American Queen
Charboneau connects St. Louis Toasted Ravioli to the Louisville Hot Brown with bourbon tastings and distillery visits along the way. This itinerary features the Mississippi River and Ohio River highlighting the breadbasket of Kentucky and dishes that have made it one-of-a-kind.
Louisville to St. Louis (Alton): Sailing Sept. 12-19 on American Countess, American Queen Voyages’ newest riverboat, Charboneau will share stories of Louisville’s Mint Julep and the history behind the Hot Brown as the paddlewheeler makes its way towards St. Louis with stops at UNESCO Creative City Paducah, Ky., the quaint port of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and more.
Detroit to Montreal: Sailing Oct. 2-12 on Ocean Navigator, the diversity of the North American palette is on display as Charboneau hones her craft with a focus on the French-Canadian cuisine of Montreal and, of course, Detroit-style pizza. With an exclusive tour through the Thousand Islands, this route offers both metropolitan flair and natural wonder within one epic journey.
Louisville to Memphis: Sailing Nov. 5-13 on American Duchess, Charboneau puts the spotlight on the Hot Brown while she reveals her secrets to cooking the best ribs onboard the American Duchess. This sailing highlights the diverse culinary flavors of the mid-Mississippi River while visiting ports such as UNESCO Creative City Paducah and the quaint Cape Girardeau.
In celebration of 2022 and all river, lakes & ocean and expedition vessels welcoming guests onboard, American Queen Voyages is staging a Winter Savings Event with up to $2,700 bonus savings on bookings made by Feb. 28, 2022 on select voyages. To book or for more information on American Queen Voyages, call 833-598-0119 or visit www.AQVoyages.com.
