Orwell River Cruises Limited was specifically formed in 2001 to bring back the pleasure of river cruising to the River Orwell after an absence of such facilities for several decades. Using its purpose built vessel, ~Orwell Lady~, the company runs regular, scheduled cruises for up to 118 passengers per trip, leaving from Orwell Quay in Ipswich Wet Dock, along the River Orwell and into Harwich Harbour.
A Suffolk businessman, with strong links with the maritime scene, is the driving force behind the family owned Orwell River Cruises. It had long been an ambition to provide a traditional professionally run river cruise service locally, so that more people could experience the wonders of the River Orwell and Stour estuary, including the very impressive Port of Felixstowe. The River Orwell is one of the most scenic and historic rivers in the country, and has been officially voted by the RYA as the second most beautiful river in England.