Countess Memphis to New Orleans Santana Adventures Charter

[MMsteffey]

Enjoyed the Countess Memphis to New Orleans.   We were part of a bicycle tour charter so your experience will vary.  We stayed in 211 (inside cabin).

As previously stated rooms are large, particularly the bathrooms, with plenty of electrical and USB outlets.  A little short on clothing storage space,  Housekeeping staff was outstanding.

Keep in mind that you will be in some areas you will have minimal cell phone coverage, and the ship's wifi service is limited, suitable for e mail and social media without a lot of images.  I frequently had no cell service in our inside cabin, stepped out to the game room for one bar of ATT. 

Menu has a lot of variety,  the wait staff is still learning how to be efficient and attentive and are trying very hard.   Bartenders also work very hard, please tip generously.  The Grill staff kept that area well provisioned and clean. 

Game room is well equipped with puzzles, RummyKub, 1 Mah Jong set (BYO Card), playing cards and chips.  Beware, there is soft serve ice cream and popcorn available nearby all day long.

Our charter brought outside musicians aboard so we did not see much of the house band. and Cruise Director.   What we did see and hear was entertaining. 

There is an impressive selection of bikes (Trek Hybrid!) aboard, and the bus drivers are very personable and handle large coaches as if they were high end sports cars (without the speeding part).  

The Charter outfitter, Santana Adventures, was a disorganized mess.   For example, they booked a boat that required us to carry our bikes (half were tandems) four flights of stairs from the top deck and back up every day.  Santana constantly made changes to departures, arrivals, meal times, bus schedules etc. frustrating the riders.  The crew handled that with as much professionalism as they could muster.  Great idea for a bike charter itinerary  that was very poorly run.