Christmas Day Lunch, 3.5 Hours

Festive London Christmas Day River Thames Lunch Cruise. Rated 4.5 across 47 reviews. Runs 3.5 hours. From $232.

Overview

This Christmas Day cruise from City Cruises Limited carries passengers along the River Thames from Westminster Pier for a three and a half hour sail past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the South Bank and St Paul's Cathedral, all while a traditional Christmas lunch is served at the table.

The meal is a set three-course affair. It opens with salmon gravlax infused with dill and lapsang, served with candied beetroot and lemon zest crème fraîche, followed by slow-roasted turkey with a sage, walnut and beef dripping stuffing plus seasonal trimmings, and finishes with a chocolate yule pudding. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available, and tea or coffee rounds things off. A welcome glass of sparkling wine is included, with further drinks sold at a cash bar.

The boat has a fully heated indoor saloon where food is delivered by waiting staff, plus an open-air upper deck for photographs of the illuminated riverside. Festive music and carols run throughout the sailing. A semi-formal dress code applies, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package, so travellers make their own way to Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment. It works well for anyone who wants a structured Christmas Day with lunch, river sights and entertainment in a single outing.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Board at Westminster PierMake your own way to City Cruises Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2JH, and board the boat there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
2. Settle into the saloonTake your seat inside the heated saloon. A welcome glass of sparkling wine is included with the cruise.
3. Sail past Parliament and the London EyeThe cruise departs Westminster and passes the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and the South Bank as it moves along the Thames.
4. Three-course Christmas lunchWaiters serve the set menu to your table: salmon gravlax to start, slow-roasted turkey with stuffing and trimmings for the main, and a chocolate yule pudding for dessert. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available, and tea or coffee follows.
5. Views toward St Paul'sThe route continues past St Paul's Cathedral, with the city's illuminated monuments visible along the banks of the Thames.
6. Carols and cash barFestive music and carols play during the sailing, and additional drinks can be bought from the cash bar at your own expense.
7. Disembark3.5 hours in total.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you decide whether this cruise fits your Christmas Day plans.

• Dress code. The cruise asks for semi-formal attire, described in the listing as smart casual or festive. Plan your outfit accordingly rather than arriving in casual walking gear.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Everyone boards at City Cruises Westminster Pier on Victoria Embankment, so plan your own route to the pier.
• Food and drink. The three-course lunch, a welcome glass of sparkling wine and tea or coffee are included. All other drinks come from the cash bar at extra cost, a point one reviewer raised after finding the drinks bill added up. Vegetarian and vegan main alternatives exist, though one reviewer found the child-friendly vegetarian options limited.
• Entertainment. Live festive music and carols run through the sailing, and one reviewer praised the entertainers for putting a lot of good energy into the cruise. Another reviewer noted there is no guide narrating the sights, so the commentary side of things is minimal.
• Seating and space. Food is delivered to your table inside the heated saloon. One reviewer appreciated the spacing between parties, which made for a more intimate setting, and staff were described as friendly and accommodating across several reviews.
• Photography. The open-air upper deck is the spot for photographs of the riverside landmarks and festive lights. Bring warm layers for deck time in December, since the heating is inside the saloon only.

Common issues. Drinks beyond the welcome sparkling wine are not included and must be bought at the cash bar, which one reviewer felt pushed the overall cost up. Another noted the absence of a guide explaining the views, so anyone wanting commentary on London's landmarks may be disappointed. A vegetarian reviewer found the options thin for a vegetarian child, though the same reviewer praised the staff for being accommodating. Transport to and from Westminster Pier is your own responsibility.

What To Decide Before You Go