A cruise through London on the River Thames
Booking a River Thames Boat Cruise is an exciting and enjoyable way of viewing London’s most unique and famous landmarks – from the oldest to the newest. At night the visual feast is enhanced further with an interactive lighting system on key bridges and buildings in the heart of the city which changes the colour of the illuminations as boats pass by.
The River Thames carves it’s way through the very heart of London from West to East as it flows down to the sea from it’s source in the Cotswolds. The section of river downstream of Teddington, i.e. between Teddington, through London and down to the estuary is called the tidal Thames. As the name suggests the river here is tidal, rising and falling by around 7 meters a day.
The tide is actually one of the biggest factors on the river in London. It dictates where boats can go, how fast they will get there and what the river and London will look like. When the tide is low or out you
For more information on the tide and how it affects activity on the Thames see this link: http://www.livettslaunches.co.uk/page/2.45.html
When cruising through London the sights most people are excited to see are:
- Putney Pier – the start of the famous Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race
- Albert Bridge
- Battersea Power Station
- MI6 Building – where the James Bond chase scene began
- Big Ben and The House of Parliament
- BA London Eye
- Tate Modern and Tate Britain
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- The Millennium Bridge – The Blade of Light
- HMS Belfast
- Tower of London
- Tower Bridge
- Canary Wharf
- Cutty Sark
- The O2
- Thames Barrier
- QEII Bridge
There are many river boats in London of varying size and with different levels of quality. Some are very pretty and luxuriously appointed, designed for fine dining, others are much more simple, built for disco cruises, parties and club nights. The choice will usually be based around budget as the more you have available the more choice there is, as with most things in life!
It is worth pointing out that it doesn’t matter which boat you are on, the Thames and London’s sights will look the same…
For more information on the River Thames see this link: http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/thames.htm
Why Charter a Power Boat on the Thames in London?
London is full of large riverboat disco cruise and luxury party boats for hire. However these large Thames cruise boats lack the exciting image people often associate with boats and boating. The popular image, made famous by James Bond, of a large powerboat blasting down the Thames through London is what most people think of when you talk about chartering a boat in London, but until recently it was simply not possible to do.
Usually only the mega rich get the opportunity to cruise in a large powerboat, but now a company is offering the boats for hire on the Thames in London.
These boats are setting new standards of luxury for entertaining in London, but they can only cater for up to 12 guests making the charter costs expensive when compared with the traditional Thames riverboat.
The main difference between a large powerboat and a Thames Party Boat is that of the number of people they can cater for. As the boats are of a similar physical size and one caters for 150 guests and one 12 guests you can imagine the difference in the design! Also the wear and tear a traditional London River Boat goes through with so many party goers onboard means they have to be built strong which affects everything right down to the fixtures and fittings. The large Super yachts are built for a different use and therefore the level of quality and luxury is at another level. They do not receive the level of wear so can have pretty teak decks and mahogany panelled interiors.
I personally couldn’t afford on of these boats in London for private charter, but I can see the appeal for a unique venue for a business meeting, corporate entertainment or product launch. I guess even the mega rich may want to step aboard to entertain friends, after all why buy one of these monsters if you can charter it fully crewed with World class catering as and when you want it!?
The range available for private charter in London is relatively small and really concentrates on the larger, more exclusive boats. The bigger the boat the larger the boat hire cost!
So if you can’t afford to buy one of these beautiful machines you can still experience a few hours on one and know how it feels to be one of the mega rich!
A guide to chartering a boat on the Thames in London this Christmas
Searching for a unique venue to celebrate Christmas and New Year in London, be it a company Christmas party or group of friends or family, you will find a London Party Boat on the river Thames an exciting and different venue.
With festively decorated boats cruising the Thames you and your guests will get to take in London’s most famous landmarks lit up in all their splendour. The size of your group and type of boat party you want to have will guide your choice of vessel. The Thames in London has many different boats of different shapes and sizes. Options include:
- An exclusive meal for 2 on your own private luxury power boat
- Company Christmas party for 20 – 300 guests on a Thames party boat
- Tickets to join New Years Eve celebrations on a London Party boat
- Scheduled Riverboat Disco Cruises for small and large groups
Land venues simply cannot compete, the Thames offers views of the most famous of London’s landmarks, viewed through unique and exciting venues of every style and price range imaginable. Funky contemporary party boats such as the Erasmus or Silver Barracuda contrast with the traditional Elizabethan replica paddle steamer or Edwardian replica steam ship. For smaller parties charter a luxury powerboat or a traditional wooden speed boat for the ultimate in exclusivity. All are fully heated and comply with the most rigorous of Europe’s safety standards – the strictest in the World.
When researching which boat is best for your Christmas or New Year celebrations I strongly recommend you view the boats that match your requirements. You will get a better idea of the size and quality of the boat and straight away see the level of service you can expect when onboard. Generally you get what you pay for, but there are exceptions – London Party Boats that do not present the quality the price they are charging suggests they should.
Once you have chosen the boat make sure you provisionally hold the date and times you would like. Friday and Saturday evenings are very popular so I would highly recommend booking several months in advance if you are after a key date. For example New Years Eve tickets are usually sold out by the beginning of December.
Once booked the operator will take you through the process of designing your boat party. Be aware you will need to pay in advance, often in full.
A London Party Boat is truly a fantastic and memorable way to celebrate this Christmas and New Year.
