Britain · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
The Thames, the Great Glen and a canal or two. The 15 below range from a twenty-dollar hop past the Tower to a full day on Loch Ness, each priced and clear about how long you are actually on the water.
Cruise from Westminster Pier to Greenwich in about an hour, passing Parliament, Tate Modern, The Shard, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London. Enjoy live English commentary, a six-language smartphone guide, open-deck views, and the choice of a one-way or return ticket.
“The captain was great! So much fun and a great way to get some photos if you are short on time!”
Board at Westminster Pier for a 25 to 30 minute Thames cruise past Parliament, St. Paul’s, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and The Shard. Choose a one-way ride to Butler’s Wharf or a return trip, which requires changing boats. Live English commentary, an app audioguide, and onboard refreshments are available.
“I loved this cruise and wish we'd booked the longer one. It's a great way to see London, the guide was entertaining and had obviously been doing this routine for years. I will likely do this every time we visit, it's a much prettier way to get around the the tube.”
See London by bus, boat, and sky with a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus pass, one-way Thames cruise, and London Eye time slot. Ride past Westminster, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, and Buckingham Palace, then add guided walks with the 48-hour option.
“I liked that the Hop on Hop off tour helped with moving around the city. We could explore a lot of stuff and don't feel rushed as long as we showed our ticket. The bus stops were easily marked so we knew where to wait for a bus and the audio was absolutely brilliant. I learned a lot about London in 2 days. I'm also happy about the London eye. While it was just one rotation it was good enough to get a lot of snaps. The river cruise was also great and the commentary was hilarious”
Use a 24, 48, or 72-hour Tootbus pass to see London’s major sights from an open-top bus. Hop off at 45 stops, follow audio commentary in 10 languages, try four self-guided walks, and add a one-way City Cruises trip between Westminster and Tower Pier.
“It was so easy. Staff helpful. Just what we needed bring our first time in London.”
Board at London Eye Pier for a 40-minute circular cruise toward Tower Bridge and back. An English-speaking guide such as Mitch, George, or Ben brings Big Ben, St Paul’s, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Tower of London to life. Add a London Eye ticket if you want both attractions.
“Our guide Paul was a tour master, blending historical facts and sites with a good sense of humor. Highly recommended this tour!”
Use three Big Bus routes and more than 50 stops to reach Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, museums, and shopping streets. Add a Thames cruise, Royal Walk, Jack the Ripper or Harry Potter tour, and a two-hour evening tour with a 48-hour ticket.
“Signed up for 48 hr ticket with cruise. Also did 10 am walking tour with Emma. She was Incredible Tour Guide… gave us best viewing area for changing of the Guards & Royal Marine Band. The Bus was ALWAYS at a stop. Never had to wait. Was an AWESOME way to see London. All drivers were very helpful & knowledgeable too!!!”
Board under the blue and white Millennium Lift bridge by The Lowry at Salford Quays for an English-narrated one-hour cruise. You’ll pass MediaCity, Old Trafford, Pomona Docks, Imperial War Museum North, Hulme Lock, and Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge before returning to Salford Quays.
“As a resident it was great to go out on the water on a sunny day”
Use a 24, 48, or 72-hour Tootbus pass to see London by open-top bus and river boat. Ride past Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s, and more, then hop off to explore. The app tracks buses, stores your ticket, and adds audio commentary and four self-guided walks.
“Great way to see London. Jasmine, our guide, was very knowledgeable and even with a diversion along the was she was still able to tell us interesting facts along our bew route.”
Board a Mersey Ferry at Liverpool Pier Head for a roughly 50-minute sightseeing cruise with recorded commentary. See Albert Dock, the 3 Graces, both cathedrals, Birkenhead, and the Razzle Dazzle Ferry Snowdrop while learning about Beatles performances and Mersey maritime life.
“Excellent river trip, included a really good view of the new Everton Football stadium at Bramley Dock. Staff all good.”
Board at Tower Pier for a 90-minute afternoon tea cruise past Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tate Modern, The Shard, the London Eye, and Parliament. Your allocated table comes with sandwiches, warm scones, cakes, unlimited tea and coffee, plus live or recorded commentary. Champagne and other drinks cost extra.
“Excellent cruise. Service was impeccable. We were able to see all the major tourist attractions. We had a lovely time as a family of four with 2 kids. Thank you!”
Cruise London’s Thames aboard an all-weather, wheelchair-friendly City Cruises boat. Ride between Westminster, London Eye Pier, Tower Pier, and Greenwich, hopping off for sights such as the Tower of London and Cutty Sark. Live crew commentary adds history and humor, with drinks and snacks sold onboard.
“Great option with kids to explore the city and have a short break for your feet! The guides on the boat also provide you with some additional insight to all the landmarks you're passing. Some of them even with a little added British humour ;-)”
Sail for 50 minutes from Clansman Harbour across Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle and back. You’ll hear stories about the loch, scan the water with onboard sonar, and enjoy castle views without leaving the boat. Guides have included Iain and Liall, with snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi available onboard.
“it was brilliant and the staff were excellent and very helpful. thank you”
See York from the River Ouse on a 45-minute sightseeing cruise from King’s Staith. A captain such as Andy, Sophie, or Dave may provide the live English commentary, with city history, jokes, riverside views, a heated saloon, toilets, and a stocked bar.
“Excellent all round experience from boarding to leisurely cruising along the river while hearing historical facts about the area and seeing amazing sights The crew were professional and friendly and the refreshments were ample and reasonably priced”
Cruise from Tower Millennium Pier for two hours as London changes from sunset to city lights. Enjoy one glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink, canapés, live chill-out pop, and views from the saloon or open deck. This is a scenic social outing, not a narrated history tour.
“it was wonderful having live music. everyone on the cruise was so friendly and helpful. the boat was clean and we had a fantastic time looking at London while enjoying a bottle of champagne and absolutely wonderful appetizers. it was easy, and a great way to relax during the evening.”
From South Queensferry, cruise beneath the Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge, and Queensferry Crossing, with English commentary and chances to spot seals, puffins, porpoises, and seabirds. You can add a landing at Inchcolm Island, though the pass costs extra and island access is not wheelchair-friendly.
“The whole trip was excellent. Staff on and off the boat were very helpful and professional. Great commentary. My friends from Australia were very impressed and will recommend the trip to any of their fellow countrymen who are coming to Scotland.”
Pick a city, a castle or a long drive north.
