American Queen Voyages™ Culinary Ambassador Regina Charboneau to Host Eight Sailings in 2022
The Celebrated “Biscuit Queen” to Create Unique Culinary Experiences in Ports Visited With Stories, Recipes and Demonstrations
Fort Lauderdale, FL – Jan. 20, 2022 – American Queen Voyages™, part of the Hornblower® Group, announces the cruise line’s 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, in addition to 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 Chef Regina Charboneau, the cruise line’s culinary ambassador. “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 also with 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, 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 & FRIENDS SAILINGS
Portland (Vancouver) to Spokane (Clarkston)
March 13-21, 2022
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.
May 6-17, 2022
Ocean Victory
The inaugural sailing of American Queen Voyages’ expedition vessel Ocean Victory to The Last Frontier will feature Charboneau onboard, 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 media icon 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, Mississippi.
Nashville (Clarksville) to St. Louis (Alton)
July 4-12, 2022
American Countess
St. Louis Toasted Ravioli and Nashville Hot Chicken are two dishes synonymous with their home river ports Charboneau will showcase on this unique voyage. Sailing on three of the heartland’s mightiest rivers, the Mississippi, Cumberland, and Ohio, the American Countess will celebrate the Fourth of July in Nashville, Tn.
July 17-24, 2022
American Queen®
Charboneau’s rib and barbeque secrets will be revealed onboard this American Queen is sailing highlighting the culinary kaleidoscope of the mid-Mississippi River, visiting ports including UNESCO Creative City Paducah, Ky. and the quaint port Cape Girardeau, Mo.
St. Louis (Alton) to Louisville
July 24-August 1, 2022
American Queen
Aboard the 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)
Sept. 12-19
American Countess™
On American Queen Voyages’ newest riverboat American Countess, 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 Cape Girardeau, Mo and more.
Oct. 2-12, 2022
Ocean Navigator
From Detroit to Montreal, 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.
Nov. 5-13, 2022
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 announces the Winter Savings Event with up to $2,700 bonus savings on bookings made by February 28, 2022 on select voyages. To book or for more information on American Queen Voyages, contact your travel professional or call 833-598-0119 or visit www.AQVoyages.com.
My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion
