The Best London River Cruise Lunch: City Cruises London Sightseeing Tour Review

This post is in collaboration with City Cruises, however, all opinions are my own. You can read more about this in my disclaimer here.

If you’re looking for a unique way to see some of London’s most iconic riverside landmarks in the glorious sunshine, then a sightseeing lunch cruise might be right up your street! I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a meal and sightseeing cruise on the Thames with City Cruises with my friend Kaye and thought I’d share my thoughts with you. Keep reading for my full review!

The City Cruises London Sightseeing Lunch Cruise lasts for just under two hours and departs from Tower Millenium Pier at 11:45 am. When you board the boat, you’re given a table number and shown to your seat in the dining area.

The tables are set with crisp white linen and sparkling glassware, and you’re given a drinks menu to peruse. We, of course, choose to order a glass of champagne each for £12pp, but there are other options available if you’re on a budget.

The food is the same set menu for everyone – a chicken dish in lemon and tarragon mushroom sauce and a three chocolate mousse truffle cake. While it was nothing too fancy, the food is tasty and definitely reflective of the overall cost of the sightseeing tour. I really enjoyed the mushroom sauce and honestly, couldn’t believe how good the mousse was.

Note: if you’re vegetarian or vegan, let them know beforehand so they can arrange a meal for you.

After lunch, you’re free to explore the boat. At the front of the boat, there is a place where you can sit and observe the landmarks through floor-to-ceiling windows but personally, I thought the upper deck was so much better.

As you walk up the metal steps, drinks in hand, you’re greeted with stunning 360 views of some of London’s most famous landmarks. From the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge, there really is no better way to see London!

Lunch took around 30 minutes so overall, we spent a good hour and fifteen minutes relaxing on the top deck and watching the city go by. The boat started at Tower Bridge and made its way down to The Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, before travelling back past Tower Bridge and all the way to Canary Wharf. We got to see Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and so much more while cruising along the Thames, enjoying each other’s company.

The service on board was absolutely amazing – our drinks were refilled regularly and the staff were so friendly and helpful. If you’re sitting on the top deck, you can even order drinks to your seats using a QR code, meaning you don’t miss a thing when it comes to London’s incredible sights!

Overall, I would definitely recommend the City Cruises London Sightseeing Lunch Cruise if you’re looking for a unique way to see some of London’s most iconic landmarks. The cruise is great value for money, the food is tasty and the service is impeccable. Plus, what could be better than enjoying a spot of lunch while taking in views of Tower Bridge, The Houses of Parliament and the London Eye?

The only downside I would say is that the cruise goes past some of the most popular landmarks while you’re enjoying your lunch so if you don’t have a window seat, chances are you may miss these if you don’t get up out of your seat to take a look. Had the journey been the opposite way round, there would have been a better chance of seeing landmarks such as Big Ben and the London Eye from the upper deck. Of course, you can get up and leave your chair mid-meal if you want, there’s nothing stopping you!

If you’re interested in booking a City Cruises London Sightseeing Lunch Cruise, you can do so here. You’ll need to select the date you want to travel, as well as the number of people in your party. The cost is £56 per person (and £44 for a child). There are also Afternoon Tea and Dinner Sightseeing Cruises available. I can only imagine how stunning it is watching the sunset over the city’s skyline as you enjoy a delicious meal, right?

@kirstyleannetravels AD ☀️ The perfect summertime London activity with City Cruises ❤️ #LondonFromTheWater #Travel #TravelBlogger #CruiseTheCity #London #LondonTravel #LondonTravels #BigBen #TowerBridge #TowerOfLondon #VisitLondon ♬ original sound – kirstyleanne•plus size travel

I hope you enjoyed reading my review of the City Cruises London Sightseeing Lunch Cruise! Have you ever been on a sightseeing lunch cruise? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!