Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise in London
London, United Kingdom

Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise

Outty Ranking 55 5.0 · 9 traveler reviews1 hoursFrom $22

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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$22
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Outty Ranking

55/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise worth booking?

Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise is a 1-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $22 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
55 / 100
Rating
5/5 (9)
Duration
1 hours
From
$22 per person

Embrace the festive spirit with a 1 hour circular cruise on the River Thames. Sailing past numerous historic riverside sights in the comfort of a fully heated and modern river boat that also has an open upper deck. Infor

What you get

    About this experience

    Embrace the festive spirit with a 1 hour circular cruise on the River Thames. Sailing past numerous historic riverside sights in the comfort of a fully heated and modern river boat that also has an open upper deck. Informative and entertaining commentary will be provided live by the crew, while a variety of drinks and snacks will be available for purchase from the on-board bar.

    What's included

    Included

    • 1-Hour Circular Sightseeing Cruise
    • Live commentary on board

    Not included

    • Gratuities
    • Hotel drop-off
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Snacks and Drinks (Available for purchase)

    What you'll see and do

    1. City Cruises

      Boarding point for sightseeing cruise.

      Pass by without stopping

    2. Houses of Parliament

      The Houses of Parliament will be just over Westminster Bridge and within eye shot of the upper deck of your cruise

      Pass by without stopping

    3. HMS Belfast

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

      Pass by without stopping

    4. 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

    5. Tower of London

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

      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.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    City Cruises

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Food and beverages available on-board

    Photos

    Christmas 2018Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise in London, photo 3Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise in London, photo 4Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise in London, photo 5Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise in London, photo 6Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise in London, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

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

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    9 verified traveler reviews for Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    9
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    Cory F · December 2025

    Great way to spend an hour on Christmas Day!

    Saw all the sites and had great commentary from the guide. Everything was on time and they gave us a lovely mince pie to start.

    Response from the operator: Hi, Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad you enjoyed seeing the sights and appreciated the guide’s commentary. It’s great to hear that everything ran on time and that you enjoyed the mince pie to start your tour. We hope to welcome you on another trip soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

    via Tripadvisor

    Shabana_W · December 2025

    Fun time and great pictures!

    Great tour! So easy to see landmarks and tour guide gave good insight. We did this on Christmas Day and the wind and cold was a bit hard but nothing not manageable.

    Response from the operator: Hi, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and found it easy to see the landmarks, and that our guide’s insights added to your experience. We appreciate your patience with the chilly Christmas Day weather, glad it didn’t stop the fun! We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon, maybe in a slightly warmer season. Kind regards. City Cruises.

    via Viator

    kristal835 · December 2025

    Christmas Day at its best !

    Christmas Day at its best!!! My teenage kids & I booked this tour for Christmas Day in London & it was an unforgettable experience on the Thames. 1 hour tour & saw all the right sites; tour guide gave great historical information & some short fun stories. Lots of fun & good history. Will book again next year. Dress warm. Was a tad chilly on the upper outside deck but great views!

    via Tripadvisor

    Scott_C · December 2025

    Thames Christmas Cruise

    Very crowded but well done. Chris was the tour guide and great! Would recommend for first time visitors

    Response from the operator: Hi, Thank you for your review! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that Chris did a great job as your guide. We appreciate your recommendation for first time visitors and hope to welcome you back in the future, hopefully with a little more breathing room next time! Kind regards. City Cruises.

    via Viator

    Renee_L · December 2025

    Fun, informative 1 hr tour

    Great tour, fabulous commentary. Very friendly operators. We boarded on Christmas Day and they had treats for us and made it so fun!

    Response from the operator: Hi, Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and the commentary, and that our team helped make your Christmas Day so special with little treats and a fun experience. Your kind words about our staff mean a lot, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another memorable cruise soon! Kind regards. City Cruises.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    1 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $22 to $32
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    3
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 55

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)31
    Booking momentum (14% weight)21
    Value for money (12% weight)82
    Listing quality (10% weight)69
    Local standing (8% weight)63
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise cost?

    +

    Prices start at $22 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 Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise take?

    +

    Plan for about 1 hour 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 Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing 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 Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise?

    +

    Around 3 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?

    +

    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 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Thames River Christmas Day Sightseeing Cruise start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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