Cruises on the Thames - Sightseeing and Entertainment

City Cruises Tours

City Cruises plc is the number one provider of cruises on the Thames. We carry in the region of three quarters of a million people annually on our sightseeing, ferry, entertainment and charter cruises services. Our quartet of directors have a substantial amount of experience on the Thames; Gary and Rita Beckwith obtained their first sightseeing vessel, The King, in 1985. Paul Wilson, Waterman to HM The Queen, is now the fourth generation of his family to work on the River Thames. Marketing director David Steele is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in tourism.

Our Fleet

From our extensive fleet of Thames-faring vessels, there is an array of choices available to anyone wanting to plan a cruise to remember. If you are of a mind to off and see the sights close up, why not purchase one of our River Red Rover cruise tickets, enabling you to catch one of our regular cruises up and down the Thames and dismebark/reembark at Westminster Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich as many times as you like. Alternatively, if you would rather remain on the Thames and take in the sights from the comfort of one of our boats, then you might enjoy the sightseeing cruise, with a route guaranteed to sate your appetite for the sights of London. Starting from Westminster, home of Parliament, and making your way along the Thames under Tower Bridge towards Greenwich, on your cruise you will witness the magnificent buildings and vistas which make London one of the most visited and spectacular cities in the world.

Other Cruising Options Available to Customers

If you find yourself in the mood to relax and fully appreciate the ambience as you cruise down the River Thames, then you might be inclined to try one of our other options, for instance our lunch and tea cruises - a very civilised way to take in the splendours of London. If the idea of seeing the sights at night appeals, then you may consider taking one of our Thames dinner cruises, with spectacular views of London lit up. And if the sight of the city lights from the Thames aren't enough to distract you, the London Showboat offers a unique dinner and cabaret cruise with a four course meal and live music and dancing, so you may enjoy your repast to the accompaniment of hits from shows such as 'Cats', 'Me and My Girl' and 'Les Misérables' as you slowly cruise down the Thames alongside London's illuminated monuments.

Route along the Thames

Our cruise along begins at Westminster Pier, in the shadow of Big Ben's tower and just a few steps away from Westminster Abbey. Across the Thames is County Hall, and beneath it is the London Aquarium, while a few yards downriver we see the Millennium Wheel, otherwise known as the London Eye.

The journey continues past the London Dungeon, the Tate Modern Gallery and the modern re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe. Also in this area is Vinopolis, the World of Wine. On the opposite side of the River Thames is the South Bank, one of London’s major cultural attractions. Further down the Thames our cruise comes to London Bridge, where a thrilling Thames vista unfolds: the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast. The cruise continues past Docklands and Canary Wharf to finish at historic Greenwich, the home of time itself.

Here, nestled on the banks of the Thames are the Naval College and Seamen's Hospital, which have taken on a new role as the main campus of Greenwich University and Trinity College of Music. The National Maritime Museum, with Neptune Court, offers a great spot to rest by the river. Here you will find the historic clipper ship Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Observatory, Queen's House, Fan Museum, and other attractions which form the World Heritage Site of Greenwich.

The first choice for Thames cruises - please click here for more information on our range of services