Booking choice: The London Showboat, from $109 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
City Cruises asks for smart casual on the London Showboat and the jazz dinner cruise. That is easy to meet, and there are only a few hard nos.
What makes more difference to your evening is what you wear on the open deck after dinner, and what is on your feet.
The quick answer
Smart casual. City Cruises asks guests to avoid flip-flops, leisurewear and ripped jeans; clean trainers are fine. Bring a jacket or wrap for the open deck, which is cooler than the street, and wear shoes you can walk and dance in on a moving boat.
What is the dress code for the London Showboat?
Smart casual: City Cruises asks you to avoid flip-flops, leisurewear and ripped jeans.
Think of what you would wear to a nice restaurant on a Friday night. Nobody expects a suit or a cocktail dress, but many guests dress up a little because it is a special night out, and a birthday or anniversary table often goes further.
Outfit sorted? Check the date before the window tables go.
Check dates for the London ShowboatCan you wear trainers on a Thames dinner cruise?
Yes: Visit London's listing for the dinner cruise says trainers are permitted.
Keep them clean and plain rather than gym or running shoes, which read as leisurewear. On a boat, a flat shoe with grip is a better choice than a smart shoe with a slippery sole.
Can you wear jeans?
Yes, as long as they are not ripped: City Cruises only rules out ripped jeans.
Dark, tidy jeans with a shirt, a smart top or a knit are the easiest smart-casual outfit there is. Joggers, tracksuits and sportswear count as leisurewear.
What should men wear?
A collared shirt or smart knit with chinos or dark jeans; a jacket is optional and useful on deck.
No tie is needed. A blazer or light jacket does double duty: it looks right at dinner and keeps you warm when you head outside after dessert.
What should women wear?
A dress, a jumpsuit or smart trousers with a nice top, plus a layer and comfortable shoes.
Very high or thin heels are a poor fit for gangways, wet decks and a moving dance floor. Block heels, smart flats or clean trainers all work. A wrap or a light coat is worth carrying even in summer.
Do you need a jacket for the open deck?
Yes: it is noticeably cooler on the river than on land, and the best views come at the end of the evening on deck.
The dining saloon has panoramic windows, but glass reflects the lights inside. Guests rate the top deck after dinner as a highlight, so bring something warm and windproof rather than leaving it in the cloakroom of your hotel.
Planning to head up on deck? The best views come after dessert, under Tower Bridge.
Explore the London ShowboatWhat should you wear in each season?
Dress for the evening temperature on the water, not the afternoon in town.
| Season | On the Showboat | On deck |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Smart casual with a light knit | A coat or warm jacket |
| Summer | Lighter smart casual; sunset on the way out | A light jacket or wrap |
| Autumn | Smart casual with layers | A warm coat, scarf optional |
| Winter | Smart casual inside the saloon | A heavy coat, hat and gloves |
Cold-weather plans? The views are all lights by the time you reach Tower Bridge.
Check dates for the London ShowboatIs the dress code the same on other Thames cruises?
The jazz dinner cruise is also smart casual; the daytime lunch and afternoon tea cruises do not list a dress code.
For the daytime cruises, dress for a day of sightseeing with a layer for the deck. For the evening wine and canapés cruise, smart casual fits the mood. Compare them in Thames dinner cruises compared.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a jacket and tie for a Thames dinner cruise?
No. The dress code is smart casual. A jacket is useful on the open deck, but a tie is not needed.
Can I wear shorts on the London Showboat?
Sporty shorts count as leisurewear, which City Cruises asks guests to avoid. Trousers or a dress are the safer choice, and warmer on deck.
Are flip-flops allowed?
No. City Cruises asks guests to avoid flip-flops, and they are a poor choice on a gangway and a moving deck anyway.
Should I bring an umbrella?
A compact one helps on the walk to the pier. On board you will be inside the saloon, and you can choose when to go out on deck.
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Free cancellation on every option except the Clipper Lounge tea: 3 days before on City Cruises, 24 hours on the others. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the date.
London Showboat: Thames Dinner Cruise
- Glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink on boarding
- 3-course dinner served at your table, plus tea or coffee
- Live singer, then music and dancing until you dock
Thames Jazz Dinner Cruise
- Welcome glass of sparkling wine
- 3-course dinner in a heated, glass-sided saloon
- Live jazz quintet through the evening
