London: Dinner Cruise with Elvis Tribute on the Thames River

An Elvis tribute on the Thames is a very London sort of evening: dinner afloat, the city sliding past the windows, and Matt King singing the songs that made the King famous. The three-hour cruise pairs the river views with two live sets and dancing, so it is as much a night out as a sightseeing trip.

I like the mix of London landmarks and live music, which gives the evening more shape than a meal in a restaurant. I also like that the ticket includes a three-course dinner, tea or coffee, and a glass of sparkling wine, along with two performances by King, a European Championships winner in 2015 and 2016.

One thing to weigh up: extra drinks cost more, and the included meal sounds serviceable rather than a reason to book on its own. One person also found the cruise ended sooner than the advertised three hours, so leave some room in your plans afterward.

Key points before you book

• Matt King performs two sets, followed by Elvis-themed music for dancing.
• The cruise lasts three hours, with boarding from 7:45 PM and a route that heads toward Tower Bridge.
• Your ticket includes a three-course dinner, tea or coffee, and one glass of sparkling wine.
• The Thames views are part of the evening, with the boat passing London landmarks and showing the skyline from the river.
• Extra drinks are not included, and the bar is fully stocked.
• This is for ages 13 and up, and the host or greeter speaks English.

A dinner cruise with a show at its heart

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise with a meal added as an afterthought. The main event is a live Elvis tribute, with the Thames providing the setting and a moving view of London between songs. If you enjoy Elvis, sing-alongs, and a dance floor, the format is easy to understand: eat, watch the show, and keep the evening going with music.

Matt King is the performer named for the cruise. He won the European Championships in 2015 and 2016, and the evening includes two sets. That split gives you more than one chance to catch the performance, and leaves room for dinner and the rest of the night around it. The tribute is presented as a close take on Elvis, rather than a general rock-and-roll act.

The music continues after the sets, with Elvis-themed tracks for dancing until the cruise ends. That matters if you want the evening to feel social rather than like a performance you watch quietly from your seat. You can join in, sing along, or simply enjoy the show and river views without dancing.

Boarding at 7:45 PM and setting off

Boarding begins at 7:45 PM. The activity description says you start with a glass of sparkling wine, get acquainted with the vessel and the evening’s itinerary, and then head toward Tower Bridge. That first stretch gives you a chance to settle in before the meal and performance take over.

The route is described as passing London’s top landmarks, with skyline views along the way. Tower Bridge is the specific landmark named, but the exact route and timing of each view are not given. Think of this as a moving panorama rather than a guided sightseeing tour with a detailed stop-by-stop commentary.

That distinction helps set expectations. You get the pleasure of seeing the city from the river, but the available details do not promise a narrated history lesson or a particular list of sights. The cruise’s draw is the combination of river scenery, dinner, and entertainment, not a deep account of every building along the way.

What the three-hour itinerary feels like

The advertised duration is three hours, and boarding begins at 7:45 PM. The evening is designed to unfold aboard the boat, with a welcome drink, a meal, two Elvis sets, and music for dancing. The exact order and length of each segment are not specified, so expect a programmed evening rather than a rigid timetable you can plan down to the minute.

One useful caution: a June 2025 attendee felt the boat trip lasted about two hours and 40 minutes, rather than the full three hours, and said the departure felt rushed. That is one person’s experience, not a guarantee of an early finish, but it is sensible to avoid booking a tight pickup or onward plan. If you have arranged a lift, allow for some uncertainty around the finish.

The most dependable way to think about the schedule is as a three-hour evening that begins with boarding at 7:45 PM. If the precise end time matters to you, check it when booking or with the operator before setting other plans.

Dinner, tea, and the bar

The ticket includes a three-course dinner followed by tea or coffee, as well as a glass of sparkling wine. That makes the price easier to assess: you are paying for a meal and a live show as well as a river cruise, not just a boat ride. The meal received mixed but generally positive comments, with some saying it was better than expected and others wishing for more choice or the chance to pre-order.

I would book this for the full evening, not for a food-focused occasion. The menu details and any choice of dishes are not provided, so you should not count on tailoring the meal to your preferences. If a particular dish or dietary need is important, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the menu can be changed.

Tea or coffee is included after dinner, though one attendee said they would have liked to be offered it and felt the meal was not fully rounded off. That is a small but useful reminder: included does not always mean served at the moment you expect. If you want tea or coffee, ask the crew rather than waiting until the end of the cruise.

Extra drinks are not included. The bar is described as fully stocked, but no drink prices are provided. One attendee found drinks expensive, so I would treat the complimentary sparkling wine as a welcome drink, not the start of an open bar. Set aside extra money if you plan to order more.

The views: a bonus, not the whole show

A Thames cruise gives you a different angle on London. From the river, the skyline becomes part of the evening rather than a backdrop you have to seek out between stops. The boat heads toward Tower Bridge, and the cruise is described as passing major landmarks, though the exact route is not specified.

The scenery is a real plus, especially when you want an evening that feels tied to London rather than interchangeable with a dinner show anywhere else. Still, the Elvis performance is the main attraction. If your priority is a detailed tour of the city’s sights, this may not be the right format; if you like a skyline view while you eat and listen to music, the balance works well.

The timing also shapes the view. Boarding begins in the evening, but the information does not state the exact sunset, lighting, or route conditions for your date. The skyline experience can vary with the season and weather, so book for the overall combination rather than a promise of a particular nighttime scene.

Is $123 good value?

At $123 per person, this is a special-occasion outing, not a budget sightseeing cruise. The fare covers three hours on the Thames, a three-course meal, one glass of sparkling wine, tea or coffee, and two live Elvis sets, with music for dancing afterward. If you would otherwise pay separately for dinner, a show, and an evening activity, combining them can make the price reasonable.

The value depends on what you want from the night. Elvis fans get the clearest return: a tribute artist with competition credentials, two sets, and music that keeps the theme going. Couples or groups looking for a shared evening may also appreciate having the meal, scenery, and entertainment in one booking.

If you mainly want a high-end dinner, the food comments suggest you should keep expectations measured. If you want the cheapest way to see London from the river, this includes more than you need. And if you plan to buy several drinks, the total can rise beyond the ticket price, so include that in your budget.

Who should book this cruise?

I would put this on the shortlist for Elvis fans, people who enjoy tribute acts, and anyone who wants a lively night out with London scenery built in. The format also suits a group that likes to sing along or dance, since the music continues after the two sets. You do not need to be a serious Elvis devotee to enjoy the combination, but the show should appeal to you more than a quiet dinner would.

It is not suitable for children under 13. The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity is presented in English, so that is worth noting if you are booking for someone who does not follow English well. The experience is not described as a family-oriented sightseeing trip; it is an evening of dinner, live music, and dancing.

I would hesitate if you need a precise finish time, expect a particularly memorable meal, or want drinks included beyond the first glass. Those are the main practical limits. For a birthday, a music-themed night, or a London evening where entertainment matters as much as the view, the mix is appealing.

Should you book?

Book if you want the Thames as a setting for a full evening, and Elvis songs as the evening’s soundtrack. The strongest reasons are the two live sets with Matt King, the chance to dance, and the convenience of dinner and a river cruise in one ticket.

Skip it if your priorities are a long, detailed sightseeing commentary, a guaranteed gourmet meal, or a tightly timed finish. At $123, it offers a lot of separate elements, but the night works best when you value the show and atmosphere more than fine dining. Plan for extra drink costs, and give yourself breathing room after the advertised three hours.

FAQ

How long is the dinner cruise?

The stated duration is three hours. One attendee reported that the cruise lasted about two hours and 40 minutes, so allow some flexibility if you have plans afterward.

When does boarding begin?

Boarding begins at 7:45 PM.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes a three-course dinner, tea or coffee, one glass of sparkling wine, two sets by an Elvis tribute artist, and Elvis-themed music for dancing.

Who performs the Elvis tribute?

Matt King performs. He won the European Championships in 2015 and 2016.

How many Elvis sets are included?

There are two sets featuring the tribute artist.

Are extra drinks included?

No. Extra drinks are not included, though there is a fully stocked bar aboard.

Does the cruise pass Tower Bridge?

The route heads toward Tower Bridge and is described as passing London landmarks. The exact route is not specified.

Is the activity suitable for children?

It is not suitable for children under 13.

What language is used?

The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the language listed for the activity.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund.