Barbara Ramsay Orr, Author at AllThingsCruise

Getting Active, Learning New Skills, Experiencing History – All on an Active Discovery on Avalon

May 10, 2018May 10, 2018 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Approximately 5.7 million people took a river cruise in the past three years, a number that has more than doubled since 2009, according to data from Cruise Lines International Association. The overall appeal remains the same – the lazy pleasure of putting yourself completely in the hands of someone who will coddle you while steering you through new adventures. But river cruising is no longer a passive or unrefined experience. River cruise lines are developing programs that …

Lessons learned: What to do when a cruise goes wrong

May 29, 2015June 3, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Day 8: Saturday The cruise that wasn’t is over – after breakfast in the hotel, passengers are bussed to the nearby Schiphol Airport for their flights home. And I know that I would love to do this trip again, next timeon a boat! Lessons Learned: What To Do When A Cruise Goes Wrong 1. Make sure you are booked with a reputable cruise line. Emerald Waterways did everything possible to overcome the obstacles thrown in the way …

Day Seven: What happens when a cruise goes sideways

May 29, 2015June 2, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Barbara Orr just had a very unusual cruise experience. Over the next few days she will explain what happens when a trip does not work out as planned. We thought it important to share this information with you, our readers, because these things do happen when you travel and it is wise to think ahead as to how you might react in a similar situation. — Cynthia Boal Janssens, editor Cruises are expensive investments of money and …

Day Six: What happens when a cruise goes sideways

May 29, 2015June 1, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Day Four: What happens when a cruise goes sideways

May 29, 2015May 30, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Day Two: What happens when a cruise goes sideways

May 28, 2015May 28, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Special report: What to expect when your cruise goes sideways

May 27, 2015May 27, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Barbara Ramsay Orr, one of our most experienced writers, just had a very unusual cruise experience. Over the next few days she will explain what happens when a trip does not work out as planned — in this case, due to weather and flooding. We thought it important to share this information with you, our readers, because these things do happen when you travel and it is wise to think ahead as to how you might react …

Cake and cuckoo clocks on the rivers of Europe

April 24, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

I’m not big on jewelry, despite the fact that my sister-in-law is a jewelry designer and my husband turns to her for every birthday present he has to get for me. Usually I’m ‘take it or leave it’ about such things. But I’m excited about this gem – The Emerald Sky – a jewel of a ship that launched in 2014 and won the “Best New River Ship” designation. I’m interested to experience this new ship, particularly …

Louis Cristal: Disembarkation in Havana and Cruise Summary

January 16, 2015January 17, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

Seven days have passed in the blink of an eye and this morning we sailed into the harbour in Havana again. Our luggage had been packed and placed in the hall the night before, so all we had to do was enjoy a sunny last breakfast by the pool and wait for the ship to be cleared by customs and immigration. It didn’t take long, and we were soon on the buses and headed for Jose Marti …

Cabins and Culture on Board the Louis Cristal

January 16, 2015January 16, 2015 by Barbara Ramsay Orr

ABOARD THE LOUIS CRISTAL-On a tour of the cabins, I found that there are quite a few options at different price points. Check out the website to see deck plans and cabin descriptions and prices. There are different versions of the deluxe cabins, some with wood floors. There are wheelchair accessible rooms with larger entrances, expanded bathrooms and lower-to-the-floor beds. Family sized rooms sleep four, two in bunks that can be opened above the twin beds. And …