Orwell Lady river trips
Orwell Lady river trips
Orwell Lady river trips
4.5
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About
Family-owned since 2001, Orwell Lady offers a unique and unforgettable river trip experience, time after time. We offer 1, 2.5 and 3.5-hour trips as well as private charter hire and special events.
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Orwell Lady river trips
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(13 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
154 reviews
Excellent
98
Very good
41
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
8
Mark R
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
This trip taken on 20th October 2023 was relaxing, informative and a joy to share with others.
We saw a seal in the Orwell as well as the shipwrecks along by Pin Mill.
The Afternoon tea sandwiches and cakes were freshly made with tea and coffee on tap.
It's not suitable for people with mobility difficulties due to the 4 steps down from top deck to toilet and further 5 steps down to undercover...especially if the weather is not suitable for sitting out on the top deck..
Staff are very helpful and friendly....
We saw a seal in the Orwell as well as the shipwrecks along by Pin Mill.
The Afternoon tea sandwiches and cakes were freshly made with tea and coffee on tap.
It's not suitable for people with mobility difficulties due to the 4 steps down from top deck to toilet and further 5 steps down to undercover...especially if the weather is not suitable for sitting out on the top deck..
Staff are very helpful and friendly....
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolesea56
Norwich, UK238 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We did an afternoon tea river cruise on a group tour with Eastons holidays. It was slightly overcast but very warm and the rain held off. Even saw a bit of sun at times. The trip was relaxing, scenic and peaceful. Lovely to see familiar sights from the river like Pin Mill and of course we went under the mighty Orwell Bridge. A fabulous afternoon tea was served to us. So well organised too. And a lovely informative commentary. A lovely afternoon and we would highly recommend it.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you! I am so pleased to hear you had a lovely time. Sometimes, when there are no clouds it can be too hot on the top deck! We love how peaceful it is.
Written 5 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lee
Ipswich, UK123 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Went on the Orwell lady cruise today with my partner and our 5-year-old son. The cruise was great and the captain was very knowledgeable about the area. Well worth the money.
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you!
Written 5 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
George H
1 contribution
Aug 2023
Four of us went on a river trip on the Orwell Lady on Saturdy 19th August. We did enjoy the trip and the captain was very good with the commentary but some thing let the whole experience down! The trip WAS supposed to go round Harwich Harbour which we were all looking forward to but this did NOT happen. The captain asked the crew to see if any passenger would be ok to do this as there was a bit of swell in the harbour and a couple of whingers down below said it would make them unhappy so he made the call not to go round the harbour. So if he was captain of an aircraft and was coming into some turbulence would he ask the passengers if it was ok to carry on? Or if not turn the plane back? For christs sake if you are worried about a little swell on a boat don't book to go on it. As for the captain just do the trip as advertised unles it gets to a force 8 or similar.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello George,
Thank you for this review. I am pleased you enjoyed the trip.
I had a chat with our crew before responding to your comment about 'a couple of whingers'.
Our 3.5hr trip can go into Harwich Harbour if there is time and it is safe to do so.
Carl, who was crewing that day and was downstairs in the saloon had been chatting to a couple of people who were not confident on the water but wanted to try going out on the river.
Because they were clearly concerned about the pitching of the vessel we chose to turn around. I am not aware that the trip was shortened.
Can we draw parallels between turbulence and a scheduled flight?
I can appreciate your disappointment - personally I enjoy the swell - but it is also our mission to introduce the river to lots of people, and be responsible enough not to ignore someone who has voiced concerns and been reassured by us ahead of travel.
I am pleased you enjoyed the commentary, I have passed that on to the Skipper as well.
Written 8 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John M
United Kingdom1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Couples
I booked the 3.5 hour cruise for my wifes birthday on Friday 4th August. It was a lovely cruise and she said she really enjoyed it. The commentary the skipper gave us was very informative and jovial. It was also nice to have the downstairs internal area when it rained
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you! We are so happy we can offer shelter and decent views if the weather lets us down. Glad you had a lovely trip.
Written 5 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anita J
Raleigh69 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
I recently joined the summer solstice early morning cruise on the Orwell Lady. It was magical! There is something very special about leaving before sunrise and watching the sun come up over the water. The cruise included much needed coffee and a breakfast snack and the views of the suffolk shore were lovely. The crew were very knowledgable and friendly and made sure everyone was comfortable. I highly recommend this for a unique early morning experience.
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is my favourite trip - I was in Sydney this year so missed it!
Written 4 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephen
11 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
I was looking forward to this river cruise as part of our wedding anniversary celebrations, unfortunately with less than 48 hours notice, I received a phone call telling me that the cruise had been cancelled due to the weather forecast. Emma was very professional and my money was refunded immediately. However it was strange to be looking at the Lady Orwell in the bright sunshine this morning at the same time we should have been on the cruise. The boat looked fine from afar, and had a covered deck as far as I could see, so whether the weather was real reason for the cancellation or not. I have my doubts. 10% offered off the next booking, but I doubt we will return. For these reasons I can only give it a rating of one.
Written 5 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Stephen,
Thank you so mcuh for taking the time to give us this review.
If we cancel because of the weather, it is usually because the Skipper is making a judgement call on the grounds of safety. Of course that can be really frustrating when the weather doesn't turn out as forecast.
I hope you will come back at some point. We are a small family business - Emma is my sister-in-law, and yes - very professional :)
Written 4 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
twinmummy1967
Horley, UK136 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We went on the 3.5 hr trip to Felixstowe and Harwich. We were lucky with the weather so could really appreciate the beauty of the river. The boat was very clean and well looked after and crew were friendly and knowledgeable. Prices for refreshments were very reasonable. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. We would thoroughly recommend for anyone with a free afternoon.
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for this review!
Written 4 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Diane S
6 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We went on the 3.5 hour trip today from Ipswich to Felixstowe & Harwich. Boarding very easy as right next to car park and places to eat along riverside. Friendly crew, happy to answer questions. Really interesting trip, through Ipswich lock, down river Orwell, lovely scenery and spectacular views of Felixstowe container port. Recommend taking warm clothing if you want to sit up on open deck, otherwise there is plenty of sitting down below with big windows.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Diane!
Written 4 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Yvonne a
Norwich, UK645 contributions
Oct 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip down the Orwell. It was great to go under the Orwell bridge.
Scenery picturesque and commentary on board to Harwich was both informative and entertaining.
Seating upstairs and downstairs. If you find the seats uncomfortable upstairs there are cushions in the lockers at the front of the boat. Found by accident as I was being nosey, it would have been nice for someone to tell us.
Lunch served downstairs, which was varied and plentiful. From quiche, sandwiches etc.
Well done everyone involved.
Scenery picturesque and commentary on board to Harwich was both informative and entertaining.
Seating upstairs and downstairs. If you find the seats uncomfortable upstairs there are cushions in the lockers at the front of the boat. Found by accident as I was being nosey, it would have been nice for someone to tell us.
Lunch served downstairs, which was varied and plentiful. From quiche, sandwiches etc.
Well done everyone involved.
Written 3 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Yvonne. I shall pass on about the cushions :)
Written 4 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
