London: Christmas Party Lunch Cruise

London’s Christmas Party Lunch Cruise turns a sightseeing boat into a floating holiday meal. You sail from Westminster toward Canary Wharf, eating roast turkey while the London Eye, The Shard, Tower of London, and Tower Bridge pass by the windows. The live vocalist and dance floor give the trip its real purpose: this is a party with views, not a guided tour.

I like the hot, plentiful three-course lunch, especially the traditional turkey with all the trimmings. I also like the easy festive setup, with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, live music, and a chance to take photos from the upper deck. The main drawback is the seating: tables of 10 sit close together, and bench-style seats can make it awkward to get up or chat across your own group.

Key points to know before booking

• The cruise lasts three hours, leaving Westminster Pier and sailing toward Canary Wharf before returning to Westminster.
• The menu is a proper Christmas lunch, with salmon and prawn starter, roast turkey, trimmings, and a festive chocolate dessert.
• Live vocals and dancing matter as much as the views, so book this for a party atmosphere rather than detailed sightseeing.
• Tables seat 10 people in close quarters, and smaller groups share tables with other diners.
• The $101 price includes the cruise, meal, sparkling wine, tea, coffee, and entertainment, but drinks from the bar cost extra.
• This is an adults-only event, with smart-casual or festive clothing required.

Westminster Pier gives the day a strong start

You meet at City Cruises Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH. Staff are available at the pier to direct you to the correct boarding point, which is useful because Westminster is a busy part of the river and several boats use nearby landing stages.

The setting works well for a Christmas lunch. Before boarding, you are already close to some of London’s best-known sights, and the river gives you a different view of the city than you get from the pavement. Once on board, you are greeted with a glass of sparkling wine before the boat gets underway.

That first drink is included in the price, but do not confuse it with an open bar. The boat has a licensed bar, and any additional drinks are extra. One useful budget tip is to decide in advance how much you want to spend on wine, beer, or spirits. A recent experience included a complaint that wine was expensive, while another found that drink service could be slower when staff were busy serving lunch.

A three-course meal built around Christmas classics

The food follows a familiar festive pattern. Your starter is salmon and prawn, the main course is traditional roast turkey with the usual trimmings, and dessert is a festive chocolate creation. Tea and coffee are also included.

I like this menu for the setting. It is not trying to be an experimental restaurant meal. It gives you the food most people expect from a Christmas lunch, served while London slides past the windows. One particularly positive account described the meal as hot, plentiful, and good quality, which is exactly what you want on a three-hour lunch cruise.

The meal also helps set the pace of the trip. You are not rushing from sight to sight or trying to read a guidebook while standing on a moving boat. The food provides a comfortable reason to sit, talk, listen to the music, and look out at the river.

There are limits. The supplied information does not give vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or other special-menu details, so you should confirm dietary arrangements before paying. Because the boat serves a full meal to everyone, drinks service may not be instant. You may need patience if you order from the bar while the crew is carrying plates.

The London Eye appears early on the river route

After leaving Westminster, the boat passes the London Eye. You do not stop, and there is no separate commentary listed, but the river angle gives you a useful photo opportunity.

From the Thames, the wheel reads as part of the wider Westminster scene rather than as a single attraction you visit. If you have already ridden it, this is a pleasant outside view. If you have not, remember that the cruise does not include a ride or entry.

The best photos may come from the upper deck, where you can pose with friends and get a clearer view over the water. Weather will affect how long you want to stay outside, so treat the upper deck as a place for short photo breaks rather than your main seat for the whole meal.

The Shard changes the skyline as you sail east

The Shard is another pass-by sight on the route. Its sharp profile makes it easy to spot, and the river gives you time to frame it against the central London skyline.

This part of the cruise is less about learning facts and more about seeing how London’s newer towers fit beside older landmarks. You can take a few pictures, then return to the meal or entertainment. The boat is moving, so you will want your camera ready rather than waiting for a long stop.

That is also why I would not choose this trip as your main London sightseeing tour. The highlights are visible, but they are not explained in detail. You get a broad view of the city while eating and celebrating, not a structured history lesson.

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are the visual high points

As the boat continues toward Canary Wharf, it passes the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. These are likely to be the strongest sightseeing moments of the cruise.

The Tower of London brings medieval royal history to the riverbank, while Tower Bridge provides the classic London photograph. Seeing them from the water gives you a clean sense of their position along the Thames, something that can be harder to grasp when you visit each attraction separately.

Again, you only pass by. The cruise does not include entry to the Tower of London, a bridge exhibition, or any guided visit. If you want to explore inside, plan that for another part of your London schedule.

The upper deck is the natural place for photos, but seating arrangements affect how easily you can move around. Tables are set for 10 people and are close together. Smaller bookings share a table, and bench seating can mean asking several people to slide along before you can get out. That is not a major problem for a short meal, but it matters if you expect to move freely between the table, dance floor, bar, and upper deck.

Canary Wharf marks the far end of the three-hour trip

Canary Wharf is the eastern turning point before the boat returns to Westminster Pier. Its modern office towers give the route a different feel from the historic buildings near the Tower.

The contrast is part of the appeal. In one direction, you see the ceremonial center of London and its older landmarks. Farther east, the skyline becomes more modern and commercial. You do not stop at Canary Wharf, so think of it as a route marker and a change in scenery rather than a destination visit.

The return journey gives you another chance to photograph the river and settle back into the entertainment. Since the cruise lasts three hours, the experience has enough time to feel like a full event rather than a quick sightseeing loop.

The vocalist and dance floor shape the real atmosphere

The live vocalist is central to the experience. Festive music is performed during the cruise, and dancing is included as part of the entertainment. One especially successful outing had a dance floor that filled after two diners got things started, while another had a quieter atmosphere because the boat was not very full.

That difference is worth understanding before you book. The music is provided, but the energy of the room depends partly on the people on board. If you enjoy joining in, dancing, and helping create the mood, you may have a lively afternoon. If you prefer a calm meal with plenty of personal space, the close tables and music may feel less comfortable.

The singer has received strong praise, including a direct note about having a great voice. Still, the party atmosphere is not guaranteed to feel identical on every sailing. A full boat may feel social and noisy. A lightly booked boat can feel more subdued, even with a talented performer.

This is one reason the experience suits a group of friends or colleagues who are ready to take part. It is less ideal for someone who wants a quiet meal, private conversation, or a serious look at London’s architecture.

Is $101 good value for this Christmas cruise?

At $101 per person, the price is not cheap, but it bundles several separate elements: a three-hour Thames cruise, a welcome glass of sparkling wine, a three-course Christmas meal, tea and coffee, live music, dancing, and access to the upper deck views.

For a festive lunch in central London, that package can make sense. You are paying for an event, not just transport on the river. The meal and entertainment fill most of the three hours, and you avoid arranging a restaurant booking, live music, and sightseeing separately.

The value becomes weaker if you mainly want landmarks. You pass the London Eye, The Shard, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf, but you do not stop at any of them. There is no listed sightseeing commentary, and extra drinks cost more.

I would call it fair value for a Christmas party lunch, especially if you care about the music and social side. I would not call it the best choice for a budget sightseeing cruise. One previous booking described it as excellent value because the food was hot, generous, and good quality. That assessment depends on treating the cruise as a complete festive outing.

Who will enjoy the close table setup?

You sit at tables of 10, with tables placed close together. A booking for fewer than 10 people shares a table, so you should expect to sit beside people outside your own party.

This arrangement can help create a communal Christmas mood. It also limits privacy and movement. If you want to get up, you may need to ask others to move along the bench. That can make it harder to circulate or speak with every member of your group during the meal.

For a larger group, the setup may be easier because you already know most of the people at the table. For two people or a small booking, it is important to accept that this is shared seating, not a private restaurant table.

Dress is smart-casual or festive. You do not need formal evening wear, but holiday clothing fits the occasion and makes the lunch feel more like a special event.

Practical details that can affect your decision

The cruise is for people aged 18 and over. Children under 18 cannot join, so this is aimed at adult Christmas parties, couples, friends, and work groups.

The activity is non-refundable. That makes it sensible to check your date, group size, clothing plans, and dietary needs before booking. Starting times can vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Allow time to reach Westminster Pier and find the boarding point. The listed meeting place is Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment, and staff direct you from there. Once on board, the route returns to the same pier after visiting the river sights toward Canary Wharf.

There is no named guide listed for the cruise. The entertainment comes from the vocalist, while the sightseeing is self-directed through the windows and upper deck. If you want detailed stories about each landmark, combine this with a separate walking tour or attraction visit.

Should you book the Christmas Party Lunch Cruise?

Book it if you want a three-hour adult Christmas party with a hot traditional lunch, live singing, dancing, and changing Thames views. It works especially well for friends or colleagues who are happy to share a table and join the festive mood.

Think twice if your main goal is sightseeing, quiet dining, or a private table. The landmarks are attractive but pass by quickly, and the seating can be tight. Also keep extra money aside for bar drinks.

My practical verdict: this is a festive lunch with sightseeing built in, not a sightseeing tour with lunch added. At $101, it offers a reasonable package for a special Christmas outing, provided you value the food and entertainment as much as the river views.

FAQ

Where does the Christmas Party Lunch Cruise depart from?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Does the boat return to Westminster Pier?

Yes. The route leaves Westminster Pier, sails toward Canary Wharf, and returns to Westminster Pier.

What landmarks can I see?

The boat passes the London Eye, The Shard, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf.

Is the meal included?

Yes. The price includes a three-course traditional festive lunch, with a salmon and prawn starter, roast turkey with trimmings, and a festive chocolate dessert.

Is a drink included?

A welcome glass of sparkling wine is included. Tea and coffee are also included. Additional drinks from the licensed bar cost extra.

Is live entertainment provided?

Yes. A vocalist performs festive music, and dancing is included during the cruise.

What should I wear?

The required dress code is smart-casual or festive clothing.

Can children join the cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 18.

Will my small group have a private table?

No private table is promised. Tables seat 10 people, and bookings of fewer than 10 share a table. The tables are close together, with bench-style seating.