Celebrate special occasions with a Thames Party Cruise

Set sail on the majestic River Thames and treat your guests to unparalleled panoramic views of London’s landmarks. From the Tower Bridge to the London Eye, your celebration will be framed by the beauty of one of the world’s most iconic cities.

People celebrating on a boat drinking champagne

Birthdays

Birthdays are worth celebrating, whether it’s an intimate dinner or a surprise party. From catering and entertainment to decorations and transportation, we’ll get every detail just right.
anniversary

Transfers

Host your next anniversary bash on the water. Whether you’re looking for a formal dinner, a drinks reception or a fun filled party, let’s gather to celebrate you both!

Summer & Overseas Schools

Reunite with classmates by hosting your reunion or Alumni event on board a City Cruises vessels. Whether informal drinks and canapes or a sit down dining experience with presentations and speeches, make it an event everyone will be talking about till the next reunion!
Brunch in London

Private Dining

Escape the classroom and host your teacher training or team bonding event on a boat instead. With great spaces for presentations and activities, and potentially fresh perspectives, make the most of your next student free day.
group on a boat

Summer Parties

Gather your friends and family for a unique summer party on London’s River Thames. On our private boat hire you can quench your thirst with refreshing drinks, enjoy a delicious BBQ, and dance listening to lively music, all while you soak up the sun, and enjoy the beautiful views on the iconic London skyline. Book with City Cruises and let the good times roll!
christmas party

Christmas Parties

Celebrate the festive season in style with a private boat hire! Enjoy the twinkling lights of London’s stunning skyline while you sip a glass of champagne or indulge in a delicious festive dinner. From live music to dancing, there is plenty of onboard entertainment available to make this a memorable Christmas celebration with your loved ones.

SEE WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

“I decided to try the cruise while on holiday in London. You never really know what to expect, but it was worth every penny. The boat was clean, had excellent management, service and food was really top notch.”
- David K.
- David K.
“Booked this for ourselves and two friends, it was a birthday treat. Staff were very professional and friendly, the cruise was a great experience, the food was excellent, we really didn't expect to find a first class two course meal aboard a lunch cruise boat, but it really was that good.”
- Sean J.
- Sean J.
“Excellent service, punctual and polite. Good food and good commentary. We were made welcome and looked after well throughout the experience.”
- Asher E.
- Asher E.

WHAT MAKES CITY CRUISES SPECIAL

  • Unparalleled Service

    City Cruises are committed to making your special event truly unforgettable with live entertainment, and themed cruises, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for passengers.
  • Bespoke Options

    We offer a diverse range of cruise offerings, experienced and knowledgeable staff, safety standards, and innovative experiences.
  • Best Views in London

    City Cruises provide unique perspectives of urban landscapes and waterfronts, allowing passengers to enjoy breathtaking views of city skylines and landmarks.

Tell us about your event

Our dedicate event planning team are waiting to help plan and deliver your perfect event. After form submission, you’ll receive a customised proposal and options available to turn your vision into reality.
or Call us now on 0207 740 0411

Our Fleet

FAQ - PRIVATE HIRE

Where does the London private boat hire go?

The London private boat cruises from your chosen embarkation pier, up and down the river so you can see all the sights of London and then will drop you back at your chosen disembarkation pier. Our Thames private boat hire would typically cruise to Greenwich, through the City to Westminster – may go further depending on timings and river tides.

What sights will I see on the London private boat hire?

Depending on the timings, tides and where you embark/disembark, you would typically see Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, The London Eye, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, HMS Belfast, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the skyscrapers at Canary Wharf, Cutty Sark, Greenwich, and The O2 London.

How long is the London charter boat cruise?

Our average Thames private boat hire would be for 4 hours. You can cruise for shorter (Hire rate is a min 4-hours), or you could cruise for longer at an additional cost.

What is the maximum/minimum number of guests we can have onboard your London private boat hire?

You can have anywhere from 1 guest to 300 guests onboard your Thames private boat hire. Depending on your numbers and requirements, we would have your London private boat hire on the boat that would be best suited for you.

Does your London charter boat have an outside deck?

Yes, all our London charter boats have outside decks so you can get some fresh air and see the beautiful sights of London. Some London charter boats have completely open spaces, some have fixed seating, and some have outdoor furniture.

Are kids allowed on board your London charter boat?

Yes of course! They would just need to be accompanied by an adult.

Can we have decorations on the London charter boat? Yes of course!

You can decorate the London charter boat in whichever way you wish, ie. Balloons, banners, flags, bunting etc. However, some items are not allowed such as glitter, confetti, small streamers or open flames such as candles.

Is the London charter boat wheelchair accessible?

Depending on which London charter boat it is, it may be wheelchair accessible. If you have any accessibility requirements, that’s no problem just let us know and we have put your boat on the most suitable boat for you.

Which pier can we embark/disembark at?

You can embark and disembark at whichever pier you like (subject to availability and is tide dependent). The most popular piers we would use would be Westminster Pier, London Eye Pier, Blackfriars Pier, and Tower Pier. Let us know where you are based or which area of London you will be in, and we can see which pier would be best for you.

Can we have our London private boat hire event go past 11:30pm?

Yes, your London private boat hire event can go past 11:30pm. There will be a late finish surcharge applied.

Do you cater for all dietary requirements?

Yes, we cater for all dietary requirements, including gluten free. The only dietary requirement we wouldn’t cater for would be Kosher. If you would like Kosher meals please speak to our friendly sales team. We would need to know the dietary requirements no later than 7 working days prior to the Thames private boat hire event.

Do you do vegetarian and vegan options?

Yes, we do vegetarian and vegan options. If you see a dish on our menu that isn’t vegetarian or vegan, we can discuss it with our talented chefs and see if we can make them vegetarian or vegan.

Do you do halal food?

Yes, all our food is halal, except for the dishes containing pork.

Can we bring our own food and drinks on the London private boat hire?

If your London private boat hire event is off peak, you may be able to bring your own food onboard. This would need to be with a licensed caterer, and we would need to discuss their requirements and see proof of insurance. You wouldn’t be able to bring your own soft drinks or alcohol. The only exception would be for specialty drinks we cannot supply. There will be a corkage fee in these cases.

When do you need to know final numbers?

We would need to know final numbers at least 2 weeks prior to the London charter boat event.

When do you need the final payment?

We would need final payment at least 2 weeks prior to the Thames private boat hire event also.

Do you allow ticketed events?

We do not allow third party, promoted ticketed events. If the event is found to be at such it can be cancelled at any time, including during the event.

Do you allow 18th and 21st birthday parties?

We do not host birthdays under 25 as standard. If it is a small sit-down family event, an exception may be granted.

Do you allow smoking on the London charter boats?

Yes, we allow smoking on board London private hire boat in the designated smoking areas only.