London Showboat tickets and prices

How much is the London Showboat in 2026?

On Viator it starts from $109 per person; bought in pounds, expect about £99 to £119 depending on the night.

There is one standard ticket for everyone aged 13 and over: no child or senior rates. The VIP upgrade is an add-on to that ticket, not a separate cruise.

What does the ticket include?

A glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink on boarding, a 3-course dinner served at your table, tea or coffee, the live singer, and dancing until you dock.

City Cruises calls it a four-course meal because it counts the tea and coffee; Viator and the UK resellers say three courses. Either way, it is about three hours on the water: boarding at 7:30pm, sailing at 7:45pm and back at about 10:45pm.

Not included: wine, beer, cocktails and even bottled water after the welcome glass, gratuities, and any hotel pickup.

Is the VIP upgrade worth it?

For a birthday, anniversary or proposal, usually yes: you get welcome champagne, extra canapés, seating at the front and priority boarding, for about £45 per person.

Guests who upgraded tend to say so in their reviews. One wrote that the VIP service "made the whole event much more memorable"; another upgraded to sit right at the window and called it "extremely worth it". It is not flawless: one VIP couple reports they were never offered the menu choice the upgrade promised, so confirm any menu selections with City Cruises before the night.

Celebrating? Add the VIP option at checkout for champagne and the front seats.

★ 4.1 2,022 reviews · 3 hours · from $109

Explore the London Showboat →

How do you get a window table?

Book early: City Cruises has window tables for two, and they sell out first.

City Cruises' jazz dinner cruise allocates seats before sailing, so ask City Cruises how the Showboat does it before relying on turning up early for a table. The panoramic windows mean every table sees out, but the window seats see best, and they matter most in the first hour, before guests drift up to the open deck. If a window is the point of your evening, the VIP upgrade is the most reliable way to get front seating.

Which nights cost more?

Friday and Saturday: City Cruises' partners price Sunday to Thursday at £109 and "any night" at £119.

The Viator from-price of $109 is the cheapest date and seat, so weekends and the VIP option show higher on the calendar. The cruise does not run on 24, 25 and 31 December, when special festive and New Year's Eve cruises are sold separately. Saturday is also the night when London traffic is worst, which matters for getting to the pier on time.

Is it cheaper on Viator or direct?

It is close: the cruise is the same, and the real difference is the currency you pay in and the cancellation terms.

Viator charges in your currency and keeps the Showboat's 2,000-plus reviews in one place; City Cruises charges in pounds. Compare the final checkout price for your exact date in both, rather than the from-prices, because the cheapest date on one is rarely the date you want.

Can you cancel a Showboat ticket?

Yes, for a full refund up to 3 days before on Viator. That is stricter than the usual 24 hours.

All City Cruises products follow the same 3-day rule: the Showboat, the jazz dinner cruise, and the lunch, afternoon tea and evening cruises. Tea on the Thames and the London Eye cruise cancel free up to 24 hours before, and the Clipper Lounge afternoon tea is non-refundable. See Thames dinner cruises compared for the full line-up.

What else should you budget for?

Drinks from the bar, a tip if you wish, and your way home, which may start from Tower Pier rather than Westminster.

The bar is pay-as-you-go, and one guest complains that even water is extra, so budget for a bottle of wine or a couple of rounds. Gratuities are not included. Very occasionally the tide means the boat docks at Tower Pier, so check how boarding and docking work before you plan a late taxi.

Frequently asked questions