Best London boat tours and River Thames cruises to do in 2023 (2023)

FAQs

Is there a dress code for Thames river cruise? ›

Lunch and Afternoon Tea is smart casual. Dinner Cruise is smart formal. Both ladies and gentlemen are asked to dress in a manner appropriate to a smart formal occasion. Sports shoes and leisure wear are not permitted.

Generally, you need to buy your ticket in advance online or at a pier ticket office before boarding a boat.

The London Eye River Cruise is a 40 minute circular sightseeing tour, along the River Thames. Departing from The London Eye pier you will be taken on route to see the House of Parliament, though to The Tower of London and Tower Bridge, where you will return back to The London Eye Pier.

Single Tickets

Prices start at £10.80/adult (16+), £7.05/child (5-15), free for infants 4 and under. See their full list of single and return ticket prices here. If you are planning on taking at least two rides, we recommend that you buy a River Pass. This pass gives you unlimited travel between their piers.

On formal nights, proper attire includes tuxedos, suits or slacks (jackets required) for men and evening gowns, cocktail dresses or dressy pantsuits for women. Jeans are welcome in all dining venues during the day, but they're not appropriate in any public venues for dinner or cocktail hour.

Basically, it means you should dress casually and comfortably, but not sloppily. Men can wear any type of well-fitting slacks, jeans or even shorts in warm weather.

There are toilets with accessible facilities on board most of the fleet. Our larger boats also have baby changing tables.

What can I see from the boat? From the comfort of the sightseeing boat, you can see many of London's most famous buildings and cherished landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tate Modern, Cutty Sark and The Shard.

You can also combine a ride on the London Eye with a guided boat tour. Standard admission for adults starts at 24.50 pounds (around $33.50). Keep in mind that if you book your ticket in advance online, you'll save a few pounds.

Danube River, Europe

The Danube is Europe's most popular cruising river. It flows through Germany, Austria, Hungary and other counties on its 2,000-mile route, and you'll find itineraries that include Vienna, Munich, Prague, Budapest and other don't-miss cities.

What is the best time of year to go on a river cruise? ›

Shoulder seasons occur on either side of the peak season—from April through mid-June and September through mid-November. A river cruise during these times allows the traveler to experience the beauty of these spectacular waterways with fewer crowds, fewer children, and fewer dollars spent.

With over 50 years' experience, we operate a daily sightseeing river cruise service from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier calling at Embankment Pier, Festival Pier, Bankside Pier and Tower Bridge Quay.

London's river Thames is famous for landmarks such as Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Shakespeare's Globe. Take a river cruise all the way to the Thames Barrier or drift back from Hampton Court Palace.

Most river cruises also include flights and transfers in the price and some also include excursions.

Standard Ticket

30 minutes up high in one of our 32 pods. 360° moving views from the heart of the city. Get up close to London's iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

But you don't have to wear a tuxedo to enjoy the evening. Women can simply wear a cocktail dress or a nice blouse with pants. For men, it's fine to wear a suit, or even a buttoned-down shirt and a pair of slacks if you don't want to get too fancy.

Minibars that include complimentary alcoholic beverages as well as soft drinks, water and snacks (replenished once daily). Complimentary clothes pressing and shoeshine services. A welcome bottle of Champagne. Earlier access to cabins on embarkation day.

Bottom Line: As a rough guide, for a 7-night cruise you will need to bring enough clothing for at least 4 formal or semi-formal nights, a couple of casual evenings, pool and loungewear, and practical clothing for excursions on dry land.

How dressy are Viking River Cruises? ›

Though there are no formal nights on-board Viking River cruises, evening dress is elegant casual across all dining venues, performances and special events. This includes: Women – Dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse. Men – Trousers and collared shirt with a tie and jacket being optional.

The smell of London's sewage can still be smelt today, with sewage still entering the Thames when the system reaches capacity at overflow points along the river, such as at Blackfriars. As the population of London continues to increase, so does the amount of waste and the use of these overflow points.

Toilets are located in the ticket office at the London Eye by the VIP desk.

The River Thames appears brown because there is silt on the riverbed. This silt is made up of fine particles which disperse in the water and make it look muddy.

Maybe the most recent strange item found would be a 5,000-year-old human bone found this year (2022). The slightly dark object dates all the way back to the stone age and is a key part of history.

Thames Rockets do not operate a 'get wet' water experience, however, in windy conditions it is possible for spray to blow across the decks and if it rains the boat is open to the elements. We provide waterproofs and (weather permitting!) all our passengers leave us as dry as they arrived.

Is the London Eye worth the views? The simple answer is yes. This is London's equivalent to the Eiffel Tower and there's no denying that London has one of the most impressive skylines in the world. On a clear day you can see as far as Windsor Castle, over 20 miles away!

Tickets for the London Eye must be pre-booked on our website. We strongly recommend pre-booking your tickets in advance to guarantee entry.

Avoid peak times

The London Eye is busiest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the UK school holidays, and is quieter at the beginning and end of their opening hours, which vary throughout the year.

1. Viking. With its fleet of more than 50 contemporary "longships" on rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube, and the Seine, plus additional ships in Europe, Egypt, and Vietnam, T+L's top-ranked river cruise line for 2022 is often praised for its steadiness.

What is the number 1 cruise line? ›

The European River cruising season runs from March through December, though the best time to take a river cruise in Europe is during the late spring (April-May) or early fall (September-October).

Experts say it's best to book a cruise six to 12 months ahead for the best price, but you might be able to snag a better deal if you have the flexibility to wait a bit longer.

The best time of year to book a cruise is often January through March. During this period — also known as wave season — industry-wide sales occur and the price of that cruise you've been dreaming of may drop significantly.

Thames, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park - Thames River.

Join us for a 40-Minute (Single) or 80-Minute (Return*) trip from Westminster Pier to Tower Bridge Quay _{(St. Katharine Pier)}. The cruise departs Westminster Pier & travels downriver through the City of Westminster & City of London before passing beneath Tower Bridge & arriving at Tower Bridge Quay.

Among the cruise lines with ships docking at London Greenwich are Viking OCEAN and Silversea. Currently, the London Greenwich cruise port has 3 moorings (docking sites) for smaller ships - "Tower Bridge Upper", "George's Stair Tier" and "Greenwich Ship Tier".

1 – The British Museum

With one of the most varied and impressive collections of antiquities in the world, The British Museum is without a doubt one of the best tourist attractions in London.

What age group is river cruises for? ›

Even on family sailings, almost all river cruise lines recommend that children be at least 8 to 10 years old before cruising. Keep in mind that even if a ship accepts children, it might not have beds or other facilities for them.

Travel agents can get better deals on cruises

Their service to you is usually free, though some may charge first-time clients a minimal fee. It's worth it. In addition to sharing their expertise, the agent may have negotiated group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which may save you money on the cruise fare.

Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra.

Overall the Shard offers the superior views compared to the London Eye. Not only is The Shard over 100m taller than the Eye, allowing you to see much further than any other viewing point in the city.

Best Time to Visit the London Eye

The early London Eye opening times from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM has a lot of crowds, so it's best recommended to go right when the London Eye opens or just before it closes.

Packing for a river cruise

Bring casual clothes that are comfortable – that's your main priority. Unlike ocean cruises where guests often dine in ballgowns and tuxedos, the dress code on a river cruise is much more relaxed and informal.

Scenic River

Daytime dress codes are comfortable and casual, with a dress or two for the formal evening occasions. Scenic advises guests to pack a comfortable pair of shoes for excursions and sandals for if the weather is warm. During specific Freechoice or Enrich events, bring a pair of smart shoes or heels.

There can be 1 to 4 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship's discretion. Our Chef's Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy. Bare feet are not allowed at any time in any venue and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or Specialty Dining venues for dinner.

There are no formal nights on a river cruise, though some guests may choose to dress up for events such as the Captain's Welcome Dinner.

How much clothes should you pack for a 7 day cruise? ›

Bottom Line: As a rough guide, for a 7-night cruise you will need to bring enough clothing for at least 4 formal or semi-formal nights, a couple of casual evenings, pool and loungewear, and practical clothing for excursions on dry land.

T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants at any time. In addition, shorts and flip-flops are not permitted during the evening hours.

Women: One or two dressy outfits – dressy pants and blouse, cocktail dress. Some women still wear long formal dresses but not as often. Men: One sport coat or dark jacket, 2 ties, 1 or 2 collared shirts.

If you want to attend a “cruise elegant” evening, bring a fancier, more formal outfit. Men can wear suits or dress slacks with a sport coat and dress shirt. For women, cocktail dresses, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses are appropriate. Some guests like to go all out with a tuxedo or ball gown.

What should I wear on embarkation day? Since you most likely will be doing a lot of walking and standing in line, comfortable shoes are key. Dress casually, and don't be surprised to see tropical wear on Caribbean cruises or even groups in matching T-shirts. Also make sure you check the weather beforehand.

Royal Caribbean's dress code rules

Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch. Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear.

Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats. Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - dress trousers, dress shirts.

Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship's discretion. Our Chef's Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.

The best time to book a river cruise is usually a year in advance if you want to sail in the peak summer months. That's when you'll find the sweet spot between price and availability. If you're going in the offseason, you'll see the best prices about nine months before you go.

You can get away with wearing jeans to the Main Dining Room on formal night. However, it's a good idea to make sure the jeans are fairly nice and do not have any holes or rips in them. A dark-washed jean will look more formal, although you will likely not be turned away with any type of jean.

What do you wear to dinner on a Viking cruise? ›

There are no “formal nights” in the evening; evening dress is “elegant casual” for all dining venues, performances and special events. On these occasions, required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt.