Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise in London
London, United Kingdom

Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise

Outty Ranking 45 4.2 · 12 traveler reviews3.3 hoursFrom $169

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$169
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Outty Ranking

45/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.2/5

Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise worth booking?

Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise is a 3.3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $169 per person. It scores 45 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 12 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
45 / 100
Rating
4.2/5 (12)
Duration
3.3 hours
From
$169 per person

Enjoy a sparkling Christmas Day with a festive lunch aboard a 3-hour and 15-minute sightseeing cruise along the River Thames. Admire stellar views of London's scenic and deserted riverbanks as you sail from Westminster t

What you get

  • Tea and coffee
  • Festive music & Carols
  • Fully Licensed Bar
  • 3-course Traditional Christmas Lunch with festive trimmings
  • 3 hours 15 minutes Cruise
  • Welcome glass of sparkling wine

About this experience

Enjoy a sparkling Christmas Day with a festive lunch aboard a 3-hour and 15-minute sightseeing cruise along the River Thames. Admire stellar views of London's scenic and deserted riverbanks as you sail from Westminster to Greenwich and back, while feasting on a traditional 3-course English Christmas dinner of roast turkey with all the trimmings. A vegetarian option is available, while your meal includes tea, coffee, and a glass of sparkling wine. Sample Menu: SALMON GRAVLAX Dill and lapsang scented, candied beetroot , lemon zest creme fraiche. MAIN SLOW ROASTED TURKEY Sage, walnut, beef dripping stuffing | Christmas seasonal trimmings | Cranberry sauce or roasting juices DESSERT PUDDING (V)(VG) Chocolate yule VEG & VEGAN OPTION STARTER (V)(VG) Jerusalem artichoke soup MAIN (V)(VG)(G*) Mushroom lattice | Christmas seasonal trimmings. DESSERT (V)(VG) Vegan Chocolate Yule

What's included

Included

  • Tea and coffee
  • Festive music & Carols
  • Fully Licensed Bar
  • 3-course Traditional Christmas Lunch with festive trimmings
  • 3 hours 15 minutes Cruise
  • Welcome glass of sparkling wine

Not included

  • Additional drinks (available to purchase)
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

What you'll see and do

  1. City Cruises

    This is where you will board the boat. Please arrive at Westminster Pier 20 minutes before the departure time.

    20 minutes here · Admission included

  2. London Eye

    Head to the upper deck and get the perfect picture opportunity of the Coca- Cola London Eye

    Pass by without stopping

  3. Tower of London

    Stop at Tower Pier where you will be in able to almost touch the Tower of London

    Pass by without stopping

  4. Tower Bridge

    Pass under Tower Bridge and head to the upper deck to see the bridge in all of its glory

    Pass by without stopping

  5. Canary Wharf

    Canary Wharf will appear on your left as you head down to towards Greenwich

    Pass by without stopping

  6. The Shard

    As you cruise along the River Thames you will be in perfect position to see London's highest viewing platform

    Pass by without stopping

  7. HMS Belfast

    Sail past the permanently moored for battleship which is now a floating Royal Naval Museum.

    Pass by without stopping

  8. SEA LIFE London Aquarium

    Sea Life sits on the the opposite side of the River Thames to where you will board and disembark the boat.

    Pass by without stopping

  9. St. Paul's Cathedral

    Catch the peak of St Paul's Cathedral dome where it will stand out from the rest of London's Skyline

    Pass by without stopping

  10. Houses of Parliament

    The Houses of Parliament are neighboring Westminster Pier

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

London

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Before you book

Cancellation
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Fri
Group size
Up to 15 travelers per booking
Operated by
City Cruises

Know before you go

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Any specific dietary requirements must be added at the time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Seating: Please note that as part of the relaxed atmosphere of this cruise experience, your table may be situated in close proximity to other guests.
  • Dress code is festive (no jeans or trainers)
  • Infant seats available on request at time of booking
  • We do not guarantee that products are free from nuts or traces of nuts.

Photos

Christmas Day Lunch CruiseChristmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise in London, photo 3Singer onboardFestive cruise in LondonPerfect with friendsOn board bar

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 12 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

Food and drink

8 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

Photo opportunities

2 mentions

The views and photo stops come up again and again.

Value for money

2 mentions

Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

Traveler reviews

12 verified traveler reviews for Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
7
4 star
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Squidgenan · December 2025

Amazing Christmas Day

I absolutely loved it! Everything was exceptionally well thought out—nothing felt overcrowded or cramped at the tables, and the seating arrangements showed real consideration. The food was magnificent, with just the right portions. While additional drinks were extra, the prices were reasonable, and it was clearly stated. The entertainment was lively, with people up dancing and a fantastic atmosphere throughout. I found the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable—the only downside was that the day seemed to fly by too quickly. Thank you to everyone on board for making my Christmas Day truly splendid

Response from the operator: Hi, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you loved your Christmas Day cruise and that every detail, from the seating and food to the lively entertainment, helped make it a memorable experience. It’s fantastic that you found the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable, and we truly appreciate your kind words about our team. We hope to welcome you back on board for another special experience soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

via Tripadvisor

michelleaH6986FW · December 2025

Underwhelming

Music very load could not hear conversations more pub music than xmas Food very low standard christmas decorations minimal Not a very xmas vibe No drinks included in purchase price including water

Response from the operator: Hi, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your expectations, particularly regarding the music volume, food quality, and the overall Christmas atmosphere. This is not the festive standard we aim to deliver, and we regret that the decorations and ambience felt underwhelming. We also understand your disappointment regarding drinks not being included and appreciate you highlighting this. Your comments have been shared with our team and will be carefully reviewed as we work to improve the experience for future guests. Thank you for taking the time to let us know. Kind regards. City Cruises.

via Tripadvisor

karlsG2370NO · December 2024

Christmas day traditional lunch

Staff and service perfect made Christmas lunch a little different many thanks on board music was just to correct level could talk and enjoy the singer

Response from the operator: Hello karlsG2370NO, Thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed your Christmas lunch with us and that the staff and service made it a special experience. It’s great to know the onboard music hit the right note, allowing you to enjoy both the singer and good conversation. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more memorable moments in the future! City Cruises

via Tripadvisor

Lollywood2005 · December 2023

Overall great experience

The cruise was well organised and the food was lovely (albeit the vegetarian option was a bit uninspiring), and the entertainer was fabulous. She really worked hard to engage people and create a great mood with carols and then more contemporary music. This cruise is great way to spend Christmas. Two things marred the experience somewhat. One was that at the end of a lovely meal, we were presented with a bill for the water and juice! I understand alcoholic drinks not being included, but at £150 a head, I would expect water and juice to be included. At the very least, people should have been warned; several were fumbling for credit cards and looked stunned to be presented with petty invoices in the context of the event. It spoiled the tone of the day a bit. The second thing that needs to be addressed is the staff proffering a tray for tips as guests exit the ship, embarrassing those who chose not to tip. We were paying guests and it’s not a cheap event. If people wish to tip, that’s fine. But the overt expectation was inappropriate and awkward. Overall a great cruise and I would recommend it. If it weren’t for those two issues, it would have been perfect.

via Tripadvisor

Nanette_Z · December 2022

Christmas Day Cruise

Excellent for Christmas Day in London. The entertainment, service and atmosphere were wonderful. You will be entertained by live music and incredible scenery.

via Viator

Good to know

Duration
3.3 hours
Free cancellation
Non-refundable
Minimum age to book
5+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Fri
Price range
$169 to $175
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
4
Verdict
Worth a Look

Why this scores 45

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)64
Review evidence (18% weight)34
Booking momentum (14% weight)25
Value for money (12% weight)33
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)28
Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

How much does Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise cost?

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Prices start at $169 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise take?

+

Plan for about 3.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.

Is Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise worth it?

+

It holds an Outty Ranking of 45 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable food & drink in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise?

+

No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

Is Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 3.3-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise?

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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 3.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Christmas Day Traditional Lunch Cruise start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in London?

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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit London?

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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in London?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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