MS river cruises appear dead

Gretna, La., officials were giddy in June 2016 when gathering for the debut of the French America Line – a startup riverboat cruise line that promised jobs and a local HQ as part of a $7.5M investment. FAL had promised romantic multi-day cruisers from the West Bank up the Mississippi River. It looked too good for Gretna officials to pass up, even for out-of-state onlookers like Dorothy Brown, 82, and her husband of Palm Harbor, Fla. They booked a 7-night trip eager to sail the riverboat Louisiane to enjoy its fine dining, spa, and nightly entertainment. More than a year later, FAL's plans appear dead. The company's founder and chairman, Christopher Kyte, said the cruise line intends to re-start sailings in 2019, but many are skeptical. (Source: NOLA.com 06/12/18)