Dinner Cruise on the Thames
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:47 AM
#1
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Dinner Cruise on the Thames
Our family will be traveling to London in September. One of the primary reasons for making this trip is to celebrate my parents' anniversary. They both love being on the water so I was thinking about surprising them with a dinner cruise on the Thames. When doing some research I saw that the prices were pretty high (coming to around $200 per person). I want to make this as nice of a night for them as possible so I am willing to pay on the upper end for this; however, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this at a more reasonable price. Anyone have a favorite company or service they would suggest? Or possibly know of any deals?
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:53 AM
#2
I'd do something else. Have a wonderful dinner in a fine restaurant - and then a champagne flight on the Eye or something like that. Or Fly the Eye first at sunset, and then have a nice dinner afterwards.
The cruise dinners are generally very overpriced for mediocre food.
The cruise dinners are generally very overpriced for mediocre food.
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:58 AM
#3
meant to include the link http://tinyurl.com/3sradxw
I did this w/ some friends a few years ago and it was great fun - you don't get a private capsule but you do have a hostess who serves your champagne (but because of how the cars load -- you have a good chance of being alone)
I did this w/ some friends a few years ago and it was great fun - you don't get a private capsule but you do have a hostess who serves your champagne (but because of how the cars load -- you have a good chance of being alone)
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:59 AM
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Although we've not done a dinner cruise, we have done a couple of lunch cruises with http://www.silverfleet.co.uk/
The two we did were champagne lunches and cost around £100+ VAT (20%) per head. The food was excellent and the drink flowed. (So did we when we got off the boat). They have two cruises in September, on the 9th and on the 23rd, so if you fancy a lunch instead of a dinner, I can fully recommend the Veuve Cliquot trips as excellent value.
http://www.silverfleet.co.uk/uploads...uise2011v2.pdf
The two we did were champagne lunches and cost around £100+ VAT (20%) per head. The food was excellent and the drink flowed. (So did we when we got off the boat). They have two cruises in September, on the 9th and on the 23rd, so if you fancy a lunch instead of a dinner, I can fully recommend the Veuve Cliquot trips as excellent value.
http://www.silverfleet.co.uk/uploads...uise2011v2.pdf
Jul 7th, 2011, 12:00 PM
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Jul 7th, 2011, 12:10 PM
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I agree with Janisj (surprise ha) those tours are very touristy and overpriced. There are so many lovely places in London in all price ranges that you will find better food for better value. Perhaps something with a nice view of the river?
Jul 7th, 2011, 12:13 PM
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How about this restaurant with a LOVELY view of Tower Bridge - its a short walk from London Bridge station:
http://www.lepontdelatour.co.uk/
http://www.lepontdelatour.co.uk/
Jul 7th, 2011, 12:55 PM
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Being on the Thames has been one of my favorite experiences of London, and I can't imagine thinking the London Eye is a substitute, and that a Champagne Flight isn't an overpriced rip-off.
I've never take a dinner or lunch cruise (and I gather no one else responding ahead of me has either) and I don't know which direction the dinner cruises take, but I would only go on a cruise of the Thames during the day, when I could enjoy the history on display. I'd rather be floating past the Tower among other great sights than just sitting with a view of it.
Most genuinely fine restaurants in London are extremely pricey anyway. I don't know how much Lifeman is a judge of great food, and whether that lunch price at today's exchange rate is still too much of an ouch for you budget, but it sounds more exciting to me that missing a trip on the Thames entirely for water lovers (and history lovers too).
Does this need to be a surprise gift? Without revealing price to your parents, could you sound them out about how excited they would be to be on a boat on the Thames? If they pop back: "Oh, won't we see the river from the London Eye? We were planning to do that", you can offer to upgrade them to the Champagne Flight.
I've never take a dinner or lunch cruise (and I gather no one else responding ahead of me has either) and I don't know which direction the dinner cruises take, but I would only go on a cruise of the Thames during the day, when I could enjoy the history on display. I'd rather be floating past the Tower among other great sights than just sitting with a view of it.
Most genuinely fine restaurants in London are extremely pricey anyway. I don't know how much Lifeman is a judge of great food, and whether that lunch price at today's exchange rate is still too much of an ouch for you budget, but it sounds more exciting to me that missing a trip on the Thames entirely for water lovers (and history lovers too).
Does this need to be a surprise gift? Without revealing price to your parents, could you sound them out about how excited they would be to be on a boat on the Thames? If they pop back: "Oh, won't we see the river from the London Eye? We were planning to do that", you can offer to upgrade them to the Champagne Flight.
Jul 7th, 2011, 02:39 PM
#9
"<i>I can't imagine thinking the London Eye is a substitute, and that a Champagne Flight isn't an overpriced rip-off.</i>"
Well since I've done it and others haven't . . . I'd probably know a bit more about the ripoff factor.
"<i>I've never take a dinner or lunch cruise (and I gather no one else responding ahead of me has either)</i>"
I have -- probably 6 over the last 30 years. Most are not worth it --but when it is someone else's plan/wish one does what one has to do. The only one that was fabulous was a special holiday charter -- but over £250 per person.
If anyone is interested - this TR has a bit about the champagne flight http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-and-more.cfm
At the time the cost was £29, it has gone up to £35
I'm not saying that is what you should do --but just another idea to consider. What I wouldn't do is a dinner cruise. A cruise, sure -- just not a dinner cruise.
Well since I've done it and others haven't . . . I'd probably know a bit more about the ripoff factor.
"<i>I've never take a dinner or lunch cruise (and I gather no one else responding ahead of me has either)</i>"
I have -- probably 6 over the last 30 years. Most are not worth it --but when it is someone else's plan/wish one does what one has to do. The only one that was fabulous was a special holiday charter -- but over £250 per person.
If anyone is interested - this TR has a bit about the champagne flight http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-and-more.cfm
At the time the cost was £29, it has gone up to £35
I'm not saying that is what you should do --but just another idea to consider. What I wouldn't do is a dinner cruise. A cruise, sure -- just not a dinner cruise.
Jul 7th, 2011, 02:49 PM
#10
Meant to add - I agree w/ jamikins (separated at birth? 
) about Le Pont de la Tour. Or maybe the OXO Tower http://www.harveynichols.com/oxo-tower-london
) about Le Pont de la Tour. Or maybe the OXO Tower http://www.harveynichols.com/oxo-tower-london
Jul 7th, 2011, 03:01 PM
#12
"<i> It might be pricey, though.</i>"
I've eaten there (both the resto and the less expensive Brasserie) and yes it is pricey -- but not nearly as pricey as a dinner cruise.
The restaurant has starters in the £10-£15 range and entrees about £20-£30
The Brasserie does 2 and 3 course set menus which are a quite reasonable for London
I've eaten there (both the resto and the less expensive Brasserie) and yes it is pricey -- but not nearly as pricey as a dinner cruise.
The restaurant has starters in the £10-£15 range and entrees about £20-£30
The Brasserie does 2 and 3 course set menus which are a quite reasonable for London
Jul 7th, 2011, 05:15 PM
#13
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Food on those cruises is always mediocre at best. I would go to a real restaurant with excellent food for that price - then add something special afterwards. I don;t know what to suggest- but London locals should have some ideas.'
But I would NOT do that cruise.
But I would NOT do that cruise.
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:00 PM
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A couple more options with a view:
Champagne bar at Tower 42: http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/
Madison at One New Change: http://www.madisonlondon.net/
Champagne bar at Tower 42: http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/
Madison at One New Change: http://www.madisonlondon.net/
Jul 7th, 2011, 11:11 PM
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For the purposes of responding to zeppole and not to try and blow my own musical instrument, we have eaten at some of the best places wherever we've been, including El Bulli, so I think I can probably understand whether what's on my plate is good or not.
Over the last 3 years we've done two champagne lunch cruises with Silverfleet and we wouldn't have done the second one if the first one had been mediocre. The boat is modern, spacious and staffed by young and enthusiastic people. The food has been well presented and prepared and certainly value for money.
The cruise goes from the Savoy Pier to the Dome and back and there is plenty of time to stand on deck with a glass of champagne and see London slide past.
Over the last 3 years we've done two champagne lunch cruises with Silverfleet and we wouldn't have done the second one if the first one had been mediocre. The boat is modern, spacious and staffed by young and enthusiastic people. The food has been well presented and prepared and certainly value for money.
The cruise goes from the Savoy Pier to the Dome and back and there is plenty of time to stand on deck with a glass of champagne and see London slide past.
Jul 8th, 2011, 08:32 AM
#16
I haven't done the Silver Fleet lunch cruise Lifeman recommends - and the menu does look <u>really</u> nice.
But it is nearly £120 pp (£99.50 + VAT) so awfully close to that $200 gao25 wants to avoid if possible.
But it is nearly £120 pp (£99.50 + VAT) so awfully close to that $200 gao25 wants to avoid if possible.
Jul 8th, 2011, 09:02 AM
#17
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Thank you, everyone, for your helpful responses. I am definitely willing to spend more if it is worth it, and it sounds like there are much better options than the dinner cruise. The champagne flight on the Eye, with dinner at either OXO Tower or Le Pont de la Tour sounds like a great idea. The Silver Fleet lunch cruise sounds wonderful, but unfortunately I don't think it will fit with this trip's schedule. Thank you, everyone, once again!
