The R/B River Explorer

You'll Never Miss the Boat!

R/B River Explorer, America's only floating hotel barge
The R/B River Explorer is the first and only floating hotel barge on America's inland waterways. It's actually three vessels in one, the LaSalle Barge, the DeSoto Barge and one powerful, historic towboat, the M/V Miss Nari.

Measuring 730 ft. long and 50 ft. high, the R/B River Explorer was built in 1998, and is made up of two 295- ft. river barges named after America's earliest explorers of the Mississippi.


DeSoto Barge
 The forward DeSoto Barge contains the public areas including the Galley, Crevasse Bar, Governor Galvez Room, Purser's Lobby and more. The Sprague is named for the largest steam powered towboat ever to travel the Mississippi River. This two-story lounge and cabaret area is the perfect place to relax and be entertained by the sounds of local musicians and the tales of local storytellers and historians who will join us. The Guest Pilot House is a pilothouse replica which gives you firsthand experience of an operating towboat pilothouse. See the actual radar that the R/B River Explorer's pilot sees and hear the actual radio contact that the R/B River Explorer has with passing vessels.
 

Guest Pilot House
 The aft LaSalle Barge contains the staterooms. Each barge has its own elevators. You'll also enjoy the complimentary onboard laundry that has a small self-serve washer and dryer with laundry detergent for your essential cleaning needs and ice machines on both decks.
 

M/V Miss Nari
 The vessel is propelled by the M/V Miss Nari, the first river towboat on the Mississippi River system with a twin propulsion 3,000 horsepower Niigata Z Peller 360-degree unit, which can completely turn the entire tow in place. She is responsible for pushing America's only floating hotel barge, the R/B River Explorer.

Barging offers a smooth, brisk ride. Sometimes you have to look out one of the hundreds of picture windows onboard to even know you're moving. Speaking of windows, the views from anywhere on the barges are nothing short of spectacular.

Come Barging Through America® with us! We're sure you'll be impressed. Once you ride the barge, you'll never miss the boat.

Regionally Influenced Food

We serve top-quality home cooked American meals. Our menu features regional specialties called Blue Plate Specials. The Galley serves all guests with open single seating that is unassigned and non-regimented.

We're sure you'll enjoy the:

  • Relaxed Casual Atmosphere
  • Open Single Seating
  • Flexible Hours
  • "Raid the fridge" 24 Hours a Day
  • Freshly Baked Cookies from Our Perpetual Cookie Jar
  • Breakfast Buffet with Egg/Omelet Station
  • Lunch Buffet with Chef's Specialty Station
  • Supper Served A La Carte with Regional Blue Plate Specials

Onboard Recreation

The R/B River Explorer offers many onboard recreational activities. The Walking/Jogging track is on the Sky Deck of the DeSoto Barge. Fourteen times around is a mile!

We're sure you'll also enjoy the:

  • Exercise Room
  • Shuffleboard
  • Whirlpool Tubs
  • Puzzles and Games
  • Book Library
  • Bumper Pool
  • Card Tables
So come aboard and make yourself at home. You're our guest, not just a passenger!
Enjoy home cooked meals in the Galley with friends and family









Get in your morning walk. You'll never have a better view.