London: Christmas Party Lunch Cruise

A Christmas lunch aboard a Thames boat gives you London’s famous riverside sights with a roast turkey dinner, a live singer and a glass of sparkling wine to start. I like the hot, plentiful three-course meal and the chance to head upstairs for photos of landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the London Eye.

I also like that the cruise is a full three-hour outing, not just a quick trip past the sights. The trade-off is that this is a party lunch, not a sightseeing tour with commentary. Tables are close together, and the bench-style seating can make it awkward to get up or move around.

• A proper Christmas lunch: Salmon and prawn starter, roast turkey with trimmings, and a chocolate dessert.
• Westminster to Canary Wharf: The boat passes the London Eye, the Shard, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, then returns to Westminster.
• Live entertainment: A vocalist performs festive music, with dancing on board.
• A welcome drink, not an open bar: One glass of sparkling wine is included, while additional drinks cost extra.
• Shared table seating: Tables seat 10, and smaller bookings share a table with other parties.
• A three-hour celebration: Best for an adult group looking for food and atmosphere, rather than detailed London history.

Christmas lunch, with London out the window

The main appeal is the pairing of a traditional festive meal with a moving view of the Thames. You board at Westminster Pier, receive a glass of sparkling wine, and set off toward Canary Wharf while lunch is served. The route puts the city’s riverside landmarks in view without asking you to plan separate transport or restaurant reservations.

This is a social occasion first. You’ll have a set table, a three-course meal and live music, with the boat providing a change of scene as you eat. It can suit a couple, a group of friends or a work party looking for a seasonal event that feels more special than lunch on dry land.

The entertainment is part of the value. A vocalist performs festive music, and dancing is part of the onboard atmosphere. That can turn a meal into a lively party, particularly if people are ready to join in. But a singer and dance floor do not guarantee a packed room: when the boat is lightly occupied, the mood can feel quieter than the format suggests.

Westminster Pier is the starting point

The cruise boards at City Cruises Westminster Pier, on Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH. Staff at the pier direct you to the correct boarding point. Check the available starting times when you book, since the cruise runs for three hours and departure times depend on availability.

Once aboard, you’re greeted with a glass of sparkling wine. That welcome drink is included in the ticket, but it is not a signal that other drinks are covered. There is a licensed bar, and any extra drinks are at your own expense. One practical note: wine has been described as pricey, so factor in bar spending if you expect to order more than the included glass.

The dress code is smart-casual or festive. You don’t need to arrive in formal evening wear, but this is a Christmas party lunch, so dressing for the occasion fits the spirit of the outing.

The route: Westminster to Canary Wharf and back

The boat leaves Westminster and heads east along the Thames toward Canary Wharf before returning to the same pier. The landmarks are passed along the way, not visited as stops. That distinction matters: you’ll see the sights from the water, but there’s no time to get off, walk around or explore a museum.

The first named landmark on the route is the London Eye. From the boat, it’s a striking part of the riverside view and a familiar marker of the Westminster stretch. You won’t stop there, so have your camera ready rather than expecting a chance to step ashore.

The cruise then passes the Shard, followed by the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. These views give you a changing sequence of central London landmarks while lunch and entertainment continue on board. The Shard and Tower Bridge are especially useful photo targets, and the upper deck gives you a place to pose with friends and take pictures.

The boat continues toward Canary Wharf before turning back. Canary Wharf is the furthest point named on the route, but it is still a pass-by rather than a shore visit. Think of the outward journey as the main sightseeing stretch and the return as more time to enjoy the meal, music and company.

Because the cruise is not presented as a guided tour, don’t count on historical explanations or a narrated account of what you’re seeing. If learning about the sights is your main goal, you may prefer a dedicated sightseeing cruise. Here, the views are the setting for lunch and a party.

What lands on the table

The meal is a traditional three-course festive menu: salmon and prawn starter, roast turkey with the usual trimmings, and a chocolate dessert. Tea and coffee are included as well. That gives the meal a recognisable Christmas-dinner shape, rather than a buffet or a series of small snacks.

Food is one of the strongest reasons to book. The dinner has been praised as hot, plentiful and good quality, which is reassuring for an outing built around a full meal. Still, this is a set menu, so it is worth checking directly before booking if you have dietary requirements. No alternative dishes or special dietary arrangements are specified here.

The timing of a three-course lunch also gives the outing a natural rhythm. You can settle in for the starter and main course, look out at the river between courses, then finish with dessert and tea or coffee. It is a more relaxed way to see the route than trying to fit lunch into a short sightseeing run.

The singer, the dance floor and the mood

Live vocal music gives the cruise its party character. Festive songs suit the season, and dancing can become a real part of the afternoon when people are willing to get up. The entertainment has been a particular strength, with the singer’s voice and the dancing both drawing praise.

The atmosphere, however, depends partly on the people aboard. A lively group can get the dance floor going; a sparsely filled boat may feel subdued. You’re buying the ingredients for a party, not a guarantee that everyone will dance. If you’re booking with friends, your own group can help set the tone.

Seating is another factor to weigh. Tables seat 10, and bookings of fewer than 10 share a table. The tables are close together, which can help the room feel sociable, but it also means less personal space than you might expect at a restaurant.

The seating has a bench-style arrangement. If you’re seated where others need to move first, getting up may mean asking people to slide along. That can make it harder to circulate and chat with different people in your party. If easy movement and a private table matter to you, this is a significant detail, not a footnote.

What $101 buys you

At $101 per person, the price covers more than transport on the river. You get a three-hour cruise, a welcome glass of sparkling wine, a three-course Christmas lunch, tea or coffee, live vocal music and access to a licensed bar. The ticket also bundles the views and the entertainment into one planned event.

That can be good value if you want all those parts together. A festive meal, a singer and a river outing would take more organising if arranged separately, and the cruise makes the day feel like a single occasion. The meal’s reported warmth and generous portions also strengthen the value for someone who wants lunch to be a proper part of the experience.

It is less compelling if your priority is simply seeing London’s landmarks. You’ll pass several major sights, but there are no stops or promised commentary. In that case, you’re paying for the meal and party atmosphere as much as for the views.

Remember that extra drinks are not included. The welcome glass is part of the ticket, but the licensed bar charges for anything beyond it. The activity is non-refundable, so make sure the date, group size and shared-table setup work for you before committing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I’d consider this cruise for adults who want a festive social event, especially a group comfortable sharing a table and joining in with live music. It also suits someone who likes the idea of seeing London from the river but doesn’t need a detailed lesson about every building along the way.

It is not suitable for children under 18. Nor is it the best fit for anyone who wants a quiet meal, lots of room to move between tables, or a private dining setup. The close seating and dancing are part of the party format, and the same features that make it convivial can feel cramped if you prefer space and calm.

For a group of fewer than 10, assume you’ll share a table. That may be an easy way to meet people in a festive setting, but it is not the right choice if you expect to sit only with your own party. If you’re booking with a larger group, the table arrangement is worth keeping in mind as you plan.

The practical call

This is a Christmas lunch with a sightseeing backdrop, not a sightseeing cruise with lunch on the side. The food, vocalist and dancing give the three-hour trip its purpose; the landmarks add a fine view while you eat. You’ll get the most from it if you arrive ready for a social event and don’t mind sharing space.

Book it if you want a full festive meal, live music and a leisurely Thames route in one outing. Skip it if commentary, flexibility, a quiet dining room or an intimate table matter more. For the right group, the combination of a hot turkey lunch, a talented singer and London’s riverside views makes for a cheerful seasonal afternoon. For a quieter London overview, choose a different kind of cruise.

FAQ

How long is the Christmas lunch cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours. It leaves from Westminster Pier, travels toward Canary Wharf and returns to Westminster Pier.

Where do I board?

Board at City Cruises Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH. Staff at the pier will direct you to the correct boarding point.

Which London landmarks does the boat pass?

The route passes the London Eye, the Shard, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, and continues to Canary Wharf before returning to Westminster.

What food is served?

The three-course meal consists of a salmon and prawn starter, roast turkey with traditional trimmings, and a chocolate dessert. Tea and coffee are included.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

One welcome glass of sparkling wine is included. There is a licensed bar on board, but additional drinks are not included.

Is there live entertainment?

Yes. A live vocalist performs festive music, and dancing is part of the onboard entertainment.

What should I wear?

The dress code is smart-casual or festive.

Will my group have a private table?

Tables seat 10. Bookings of fewer than 10 share a table with other people, and the tables are close together.