Our Team
ELLEN SACK - THE BARGE LADY
Ellen Sack, the Barge Lady, has for almost thirty years been sending travelers to the continent she fell in love with at age nineteen: EUROPE. But then, European travel was always "in her blood!" Ellen's grandparents sailed many times to Europe on luxury trans-Atlantic liners, while her father planned elaborate driving trips, mostly to France, but also to other countries. Dinner table conversation revolved around where to go, where to stay and where to dine! Later, Ellen's sister became a travel agent which increased her interest in the business side of traveling.
In 1978, Ellen followed her sister's footsteps and became a travel agent. Professional and personal travels took her all over Europe and the Caribbean. As enjoyable as this life was, when an opportunity came in 1985 to specialize, Ellen was ready. She went to work for a company introducing a six-passenger barge in Burgundy. Although Ellen did not know it at the time, her life was to become increasingly intertwined with the fledgling European canal barge industry!
Since then, Ellen has sent thousands of travelers on the barge cruise of their dreams (still treating each customer as an individual); introduced many vessels into the worldwide market; created the Barge Rating System now in widespread use; and publicized barging in print media and over the internet. She has placed articles in American Way Magazine, Delta Sky Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel Holiday and the Wall Street Journal - to name but a few. She was also featured twice in the bestselling book "1000 Places to See Before You Die" and is considered a top go-to source by reporters and editors.
Ellen believes that she is selling knowledge and opinions before anything else. To keep current, she has traveled to France over thirty times to visit her many barges there - as well as taking regular inspection trips to England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Germany. She says; "It's a tough job - but SOMEONE has to taste that delicious food, sip the wines, experience the excursions and meet the crew!" Ellen has also traveled widely to other destinations including Alaska, Turkey, the Baltic, the Mediterranean and cruising the rivers Rhine and Danube.
Ellen has been active in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for many years. She has chaired major fundraisers and also has raised thousands of dollars by selling at auction cruises donated by generous barge owners.
KELLY WEISS
Kelly Weiss is the Creative Director for Barge Lady Cruises, handling graphic and website design as well as marketing. She received a BFA in design in 2004. In 2005, she jumped at the opportunity to combine her two passions - art and travel - and began working at Barge Lady Cruises. At Barge Lady, Kelly is in charge of many of the creative and marketing projects, including designing several barge brochures and the annual newsletter.
Kelly has always had a strong interest in travel. She has taken many trips throughout the US, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. At age 22, she traveled to Germany, her first trip to Europe. She knew it would not be her last! Since then, Kelly and her husband have barged on SHANNON PRINCESS in Ireland, the ACTIEF in England, and the SAVOIR FAIRE in France. Kelly also spent several days on the Canal du Midi visiting and photographing vessels. She loves traveling to Europe, tasting top cuisine, exploring new destinations, meeting fellow guests and the barge owners - and of course taking many pictures for The Barge Lady website.
Kelly's SAVOIR FAIRE blog will be up soon.
AMY ALDRICH
Amy Aldrich has been the office manager at Barge Lady Cruises for the last 2� years. She ran a successful home business for a number of years, and is very proud of being a stay-at-home-mom before joining The Barge Lady team. Amy and her husband were introduced to barging in 2007, enjoying a "Three Country" cruise on CHARLEMAGNE. As first-time travellers to Europe, it was wonderful to experience Germany, Luxembourg and France! You can find a day by day description of this intriguing cruise on The Barge Lady Blog. Amy has met a few barge owners and has discovered a great newfound passion for European travel!
In April of 2008, Amy and Tom cruised on SHANNON PRINCESS in Ireland. As Amy is a "St. Patrick's Day Baby" and she has Irish ancestry, this was a trip she longed to make. Her cruise blog will be up shortly.
DEBBIE VACI
Debbie Vaci, Personal Assistant to Ellen, is the newest addition to The Barge Lady team. Debbie was in the automotive industry for twelve years, after which she returned to school for her B.A. in Computer Science. This background has helped Debbie organize the office, paperwork and perform a myriad of jobs with an attention to detail. Debbie loves to meet people and also loves to travel. Debbie and her daughter travelled to France in 2007. They loved their stay in Paris and also floating in Burgundy on The LUCIOLE. You can find a day by day description of this lovely cruise onThe Barge Lady Blog.
In July, 2008, Debbie will cruise on the SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER - right across Loch Ness in the glorious Scottish Highlands!
