London Party Boats Cruise: 4-Hour Adults-Only Thames Night from Festival Pier
Quick answer
The London Party Boats cruise costs $39 per person for 4 hours on the Thames, sailing at 20:00 from Festival Pier on selected Saturdays.
A light buffet is included, drinks are not, and guests must be 18 or over; GetYourGuide rates it 3.9/5 from 22 reviews and refunds are not offered.
The London Party Boats cruise on the Thames is a 4-hour, adults-only night out from Festival Pier, with a live DJ, a dancefloor, a light buffet and a paid bar, from $39 per person (£29.25 at today's rate). It is the cheapest ticket in this city's party boat London group, and it is sold on specific Saturdays.
The detail that changes the decision is the clock. The operator lists the cruise as 20:00 to midnight, with boarding at 19:45, and sunset on 15 October is 18:09, so every sailing in the 2026 autumn calendar leaves in the dark.
If you want skyline views you will be looking at lights, and the upper deck will be cold from late October.
| Operator | London Party Boats Ltd (sold on GetYourGuide) |
|---|---|
| Boat | One of the operator's seven vessels, chosen by ticket sales; two heated indoor decks and an open deck |
| Price | $39 per person (£29.25); the operator lists a £29 standard ticket with food for 2027 dates |
| Duration | 4 hours, 20:00 to 00:00 (boarding from 19:45) |
| Departure dates | Selected Saturdays; the next dates are 24 and 31 October, then 7, 14 (20:15 start), 21 and 28 November 2026 |
| Pier | Festival Pier, Belvedere Road, South Bank |
| Food and drinks | Light buffet included; drinks are paid for at the bars |
| Age limit | 18 and over, with photo ID that may be checked |
| Cancellation | Non-refundable |
| Rating | 3.9/5 from 22 reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the London Party Boats cruise on the Thames?
It is a shared cruise run like a nightclub: you buy a ticket, board with other groups, and spend four hours on a boat that runs a DJ set, a dancefloor and a buffet while it sails the river and returns to the same pier. It is not a private charter.
- Music: a live DJ; the operator's reply to one review says sets mix chart, commercial and party classics.
- Food: a light buffet, which the operator calls a cold buffet, so do not expect hot dishes.
- Bars: two fully stocked bars on the operator's page; drinks are not part of the ticket.
- Decks: two heated indoor decks and an outdoor viewing deck.
- Seating: a few seats with no promise of one; the boat is built for standing and dancing.
If you would rather have a daytime version with Prosecco, the same operator sells a bottomless brunch party cruise that runs for 3 hours.
Where does the party cruise leave from, and how do you get there?
The cruise boards at Festival Pier on Belvedere Road, outside the Southbank Centre, and you walk down to the far end of the pier to meet the crew. The operator says boarding starts at 19:45 and tells you to check your ticket because the pier can change with river traffic.
| From | Walk | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo station | 11 min (819 m) | walking route |
| Embankment Underground station | 7 min (508 m) | walking route |
| London Eye | 6 min (465 m) | walking route |
The listing says Waterloo is roughly 10 minutes away, and my route agrees at 11. Embankment is 4 minutes shorter by my routing. With a midnight finish, check your last train on Transport for London before you board, because the walk back is the same distance in the dark.
What route does the cruise follow?
The operator names four highlights: Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Canary Wharf. The listing itself gives no route or order, and the cruise starts and ends at Festival Pier, so expect a river loop, not a one-way trip.
| Sight | How you will see it | Map |
|---|---|---|
| London Eye | Within a 6-minute walk of the pier | London Eye on Google Maps |
| Houses of Parliament | Upstream of the pier | Palace of Westminster on Google Maps |
| Tower Bridge | Downstream of the pier | Tower Bridge on Google Maps |
| Canary Wharf | The towers further down the river | Canary Wharf on Google Maps |
28 bridges cross the tidal Thames, so a long river loop passes under many of them after dark.
The outdoor deck is where the views are, and in autumn it is the coldest place on the boat. Take a coat and plan to move between the open deck and the heated rooms.
How long is it, and which dates can you book?
The cruise lasts 4 hours, with cast-off at 20:00 and disembarkation between 23:45 and midnight. Dates are listed Saturday by Saturday, so check the calendar before planning a weekday.
| Date | Cast-off | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 24 October | 20:00 | Boarding from 19:45 |
| Saturday 31 October | 20:00 | Falls on Halloween |
| Saturday 7 November | 20:00 | |
| Saturday 14 November | 20:15 | The only start that differs from 20:00 |
| Saturday 21 November | 20:00 | |
| Saturday 28 November | 20:00 |
The operator's page says "every Saturday", but its date lists show only some Saturdays, so I trust the lists. A 2027 calendar starts on 23 January. Dates are the operator's schedule and can change, so confirm on the checkout page.
What is included, and what costs extra?
The ticket covers the cruise, the DJ, the dancefloor, the buffet and the heated decks; every drink is extra. The operator's own ticket page offers veggie, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free menu choices.
| Item | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4-hour cruise, live DJ, dancefloor | Included | Deck access across the boat |
| Light buffet | Included | Cold; give 72 hours' notice for special diets |
| Drinks at the bars | Extra | Beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks are sold on board |
| Coat or locker | Not stated | Neither source mentions a cloakroom |
| Photo ID | Required | A copy is accepted on the listing; the operator says it may be checked |
| Under-18s, unaccompanied minors | Not allowed | Strictly 18 and over |
The menu may contain traces of nuts, according to the listing, so anyone with an allergy should write to the operator before booking.
Is the London Party Boats cruise worth it versus the brunch and dinner cruises?
It is worth it if the music is the point and you want the lowest ticket price, because $9.75 an hour is under half the city median. The brunch cruise costs more but includes Prosecco, and the dinner cruise is a seated meal.
| Tour | Price | Length | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Party Boats night cruise (this page) | $39 per person | 4 hours | 3.9/5 from 22 reviews |
| Bottomless brunch party cruise | $64 per person | 3 hours | 4.8/5 from 5 reviews |
| City Cruises dinner cruise | $105 per person | 3 hours | 4.3/5 from 2,529 reviews |
| Camden Lock canal boat ride | $31 per person | 1.5 hours | 4.6/5 from 1,326 reviews |
For a seated, quieter evening, the dinner cruise London page lists the options. The wider list of everything on the water is on the London boat tours page.
When is the best time to go?
The best nights for light are May to August, when the sky is still bright at the 20:00 cast-off; from October the whole cruise is in the dark. The table shows sunset against the cast-off.
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Sky at 20:00 | Avg high 2025 | Rain days 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16:22 | Dark | 6.6 °C | 13 |
| Feb | 17:16 | Dark | 7.8 °C | 10 |
| Mar | 18:06 | Dark | 12.7 °C | 3 |
| Apr | 19:58 | Dusk | 17.5 °C | 3 |
| May | 20:47 | Daylight | 20.0 °C | 8 |
| Jun | 21:21 | Daylight | 24.5 °C | 8 |
| Jul | 21:13 | Daylight | 24.4 °C | 9 |
| Aug | 20:25 | Daylight | 23.5 °C | 7 |
| Sep | 19:17 | Dusk | 18.8 °C | 11 |
| Oct | 18:09 | Dark | 14.9 °C | 9 |
| Nov | 16:13 | Dark | 11.7 °C | 16 |
| Dec | 15:53 | Dark | 9.7 °C | 10 |
The rain-day column counts days with rain in 2025, not a forecast, and a UV index was not available. Weather matters less than on a daytime cruise because most of the party is inside, but an outdoor deck in November is a short stay.
What do passengers say?
The score is 3.9/5 from 22 reviews, with a transport sub-score of 4.4 and value at 3.9. Of the six reviews shown on the listing, four are positive and two are one-star, so opinions are split.
- Positives: a lively atmosphere, friendly bar staff, good cocktails and a birthday-friendly crowd.
- Food: one reviewer found the buffet cold; the operator replied that it is a cold buffet by design.
- Boat: a one-star review found the boat smaller than expected and different from the advertised photos; the operator says it runs 7 vessels and chooses by ticket sales.
- Crowd and music: one reviewer found the crowd mostly women and the playlist weak; the operator says the DJ reads the room.
Who should skip the London Party Boats cruise?
Skip it if you want a guaranteed boat, a hot meal, a seat all night or a quiet sightseeing trip. The ticket is non-refundable and the vessel can change.
- Sightseers: take a daytime Thames river cruise with commentary instead.
- Anyone under 18: not allowed, with or without an adult.
- Groups wanting a private boat: a hire such as the GoBoat Canary Wharf rental is the opposite, a self-drive boat you control.
- People who need to sit: the operator says seating is limited.
How do you book the London Party Boats cruise?
The London Party Boats cruise is $39 per person (£29.25) for 4 hours with a DJ, dancefloor and light buffet, but the ticket is non-refundable.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the London Party Boats cruise?
It lasts 4 hours, from 20:00 to midnight, with boarding from 19:45 at Festival Pier. The boat returns to the pier and guests disembark between 23:45 and 00:00.
Where does the London Party Boats cruise leave from?
It leaves from Festival Pier on Belvedere Road, outside the Southbank Centre, SE1 8XZ. The listing says Waterloo station is roughly a 10-minute walk, and the pier can change, so check your ticket.
How much does the London Party Boats cruise cost?
The listing price is $39 per person, about £29.25 at the 16 October 2026 rate. The operator's own page shows a £29 standard ticket with food for 2027 dates, so the two agree.
Is there an age limit on the party boat?
Yes, it is strictly 18 and over, with valid photo ID that may be checked at boarding. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.
Is food included on the London party boat?
A light buffet is included, and the operator describes it as a cold buffet. Tell the operator 72 hours ahead about any special diet.
Are drinks included on the party boat cruise?
No, drinks are bought at the bars on board. The listing says there are fully stocked bars, and the operator names beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.
Which dates does the party boat run?
Selected Saturdays, not every night. The 2026 dates on the operator's page are 24 and 31 October and 7, 14, 21 and 28 November, all at 20:00 except 14 November at 20:15.
Can you get a refund on the London party boat?
No, the listing says the activity is non-refundable. Choose your date carefully and check the vessel and pier on your ticket.
Will it be dark on the party boat cruise?
Yes from October to March; the sky is dark at the 20:00 cast-off. Sunset is 18:09 on 15 October and 16:13 on 15 November, and only May to August leave daylight at cast-off.
Do you have to dance on the London party boat?
No, but seats are few and cannot be reserved. The boat is built around a dancefloor, so expect to stand for much of the 4 hours.
Is the London Party Boats cruise a sightseeing trip?
Partly. The operator names Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Canary Wharf as views, but the focus is the DJ and the dancefloor.
Sources: London Party Boats, Party Boat Cruise ticket page; London Party Boats homepage; Port of London Authority, Visiting the Thames; Transport for London; sunrise-sunset.org API; Open-Meteo archive API; Frankfurter (ECB rates); OpenStreetMap foot routing (FOSSGIS); GetYourGuide listing.
