One of the most spectacular ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in London is watching the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks from the river Thames aboard one of London’s New Year’s Eve River Cruises.
These river cruises offer the unique experience of watching the fireworks at the London Eye with privileged views. There are many options to choose from as there are many cruises available. You can choose to have a sit-down dinner with fantastic views of lit-up London at night before the fireworks start, a cruise with a disco on board or a family cruise to enjoy the best night of the year together.
London´s New Year´s Eve Cruises for December 31st, 2025, are selling out fast as the day approaches.
London New Year’s Eve Cruises: Cruises to Watch the Fireworks
Welcome 2026 the best way ever – on a cruise on the River Thames, with breath-taking views of London and first-line views of the fireworks. These fireworks cruises allow you to hop on a cruise just to watch the famous New Year´s Eve Fireworks at the London Eye. This is a fantastic option if you want to make the most of privileged views but don´t necessarily want a meal. Some of these cruises offer canapés or snacks and have a bar on board.
Silver Sockeye
4 hour New Year’s Eve London Cruise. Over 18’s only.
- Includes: Bubbly on arrival and at midnight. Live Music.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Bridge Quay at 9:30 pm, arriving at the London Eye to see the new year’s eve fireworks at midnight. Returns to Tower pier at 1 am. See Map.
- Find out more: Silver Sockeye
Monsoon Clipper *Family Friendly*
2.5 hour New Year’s Eve London Cruise, suitable for families with kids of any age.
- Includes: Drink on arrival and glass of champagne at midnight. Live Music and Bar.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs London Bridge Pier at 9:15 pm, arriving at the London Eye to see the new year’s eve fireworks at midnight. Returns to London Bridge Pier approximately at 1.15 am. See Map.
- Find out more: Monsoon
Galaxy Plus Cruise
- Details: 3.5 hours river cruise. Over 18-year-olds only.
- Includes: Canapes will be served during the cruise, and there will be two bars on board where you will be able to buy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There will be a live DJ, and you will be able to dance the year away on the dance floor.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier at 9.15 pm, and returns at 00.45 am.
- Find out more: See NYE Galaxy Plus Cruise
London New Year’s Eve Cruises 2025: Cruises with Canapés or Buffet Food and Fireworks Views
If you want to welcome 2026 the best way ever, why not go on a Thames River New Year´s Eve Dinner Cruise, with the bonus of watching the famous NYE´s fireworks with privileged views.
These Thames River cruises offer breath-taking views of London. The dinner options range from a sit-down evening meal to a buffet-style dinner.
Galaxy Cruise
3-hour New Year’s Eve Cruise. Over 18’s only.
- Includes: A glass of champagne upon arrival, with indoor and outdoor seating, canapés throughout the cruise, live music, champagne at midnight, and an onboard bar.
- Departure / Arrival: Departing from Tower Pier, Tower Bridge, London, at 9:15 pm., it takes a cruise along the Thames to the London Eye with live midnight fireworks in front of the London Eye, and returns to the Tower of London at 12:45 am. See Map.
- Find out more: Galaxy Cruise
MV Pearl of London
5-hour New Year’s Eve London Cruise. Over 21’s only.
- Includes: A glass of Prosecco upon arrival. There is an open bar with beer, wine, and Prosecco. Buffet-style food and two dance floors with DJs on board.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier at 8 pm. Watch the fireworks at the London Eye at midnight. Returns to tower pier at 1.00am. See Map.
- Find out more: MV Pearl of London
Jewel of London
5-hour New Year’s Eve London Cruise. Over 21’s only.
- Includes: A complimentary drink upon arrival, a buffet with light meals. A bar with an open bar of beer, wine, and Prosseco. An onboard DJ and dance floor.
- Departure / Arrival: Departing from Bankside Pier at 8:30 p.m., it takes a cruise along the River Thames to the London Eye with live midnight fireworks in front of the London Eye, and returns to Bankside Pier at 1:30 a.m.. See Map.
- Find out more: Jewel of London
Celestial Cruise
3-hour river cruise. Over 18-year-olds only.
- Includes: A glass of champagne upon arrival, and at midnight, canapés and live music. There will be live music and a bar on board. At midnight, you can go up to the sundeck to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks live.
- Departure / Arrivals: Departs Tower pier at 9.30 pm and returns to Tower Pier at 1 am. See Map.
- Find out more: Celestial Cruise.
London New Year’s Eve Cruises: Dinner and Fireworks Cruises
NYE Dinner Cruise *Family friendly*
5 hour cruise. Suitable for families with children over five years old. This is one of London’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve cruises.
- Includes: Glass of champagne on arrival and 4-course dinner plus tea/coffee. Half a bottle of wine per person plus a small bottle of water. Live music on board, dance floor and bar. Glass of champagne at midnight.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier at 9 pm and returns to the same pier at 2 am.
- Find out more: See NYE Dinner Cruise
NYE Plus Dinner Cruise *Family friendly*
5 hour cruise. Children over five years old welcome.
- Includes: Glass of champagne upon arrival. 3-course dinner with half a bottle of wine and a bottle of water per person, plus tea or coffee. Live music with a dance floor. Glass of champagne at midnight. Onboard bar.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Millenium Pier at 8:15 pm. Cruise along the river Thames with breath-taking views of London, reaching the London Eye to watch the fireworks at midnight. Returns to Tower Pier at approximately 1:15 am. See Map.
- Find out more: NYE Dinner Cruise
NYE Gala Dinner Cruise
5 hour cruise. Over 18’s only.
- Includes: Glass of champagne upon arrival. 4-course dinner plus tea or coffee, with half a bottle of wine per person and a small bottle of mineral water per person. Live band with dance floor. Glass of champagne at midnight. Onboard bar. Formal attire required. Tables for 2, 4, 6, or 8 people available.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier at 8.00 pm. Cruise along the river Thames with breath-taking views of London, reaching the London Eye to watch the fireworks at midnight. Returns to Tower Millenium Pier at 1 am. See Map.
- Find out more: NYE Gala Dinner Cruise
Dinner at a Restaurant + NYE Thames River Cruise to see the fireworks
If you like the idea of going for a nice meal at one of London’s restaurants and then going on a river cruise to see the new year’s eve Fireworks at the London Eye at midnight, then you’re in luck, as there are a few different combinations to choose from.
Dinner at Balls Brothers and NYE Cruise on the Aurora *Family Friendly*
Enjoy NYE dinner at Balls Brothers and a NYE river cruise on the River Thames afterwards to see London’s Eye New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Over 2 year olds welcome.
- Balls Brothers Restaurant: The restaurant is located at 1 Mincing Ln., London EC3R 7PP, near the Tower of London. Included in this deal is a welcome drink and a three-course meal. See map.
- Information about the River Cruise: The boat departs at 9:15 pm from Tower Pier and cruises the River Thames until it gets to the London Eye to see the New Year’s Eve Fireworks at midnight. During the river cruise there will be live music. It returns to the same pier at 01:45. See map.
- See walking route: Route to go from the restaurant to Tower Pier.
- Find out more: See Balls Brothers + Aurora
Dinner at Balls Brothers and NYE Cruise on the Tornado Clipper *Family Friendly*
Enjoy NYE dinner at Ball Brothers Restaurant and then enjoy a NYE river cruise on the River Thames to see London’s Eye New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Children welcome.
- Balls Brothers Restaurant: The restaurant is located at 1 Mincing Ln., London EC3R 7PP, near the Tower of London. Included in this deal is a welcome drink and a three-course meal. See map.
- Information about the River Cruise: The boat departs at 9:00 pm from Tower Millenium Pier, and cruises the River Thames until it gets to the London Eye to see the New Year’s Eve Fireworks at midnight. During the river cruise, there will be live music, including a glass of bubbly at midnight. It returns to the same pier at 01:15. See map.
- See walking route: Route to go from the restaurant to Tower Pier.
- Find out more: See Balls Brothers + Tornado Clipper
Dinner at Brown’s and NYE Cruise on the Neptune Clipper *Family Friendly*
Enjoy NYE dinner at Brown’s and a NYE river cruise on the River Thames afterwards to see London’s Eye New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Children over 12 years old welcome.
- Brown’s Restaurant: Brown’s Restaurant is located at Butlers Wharf, 26 Shad Thames, Greater London SE1 2YG. You’ll need to be there by 5 pm. Includes a welcome drink and a three-course dinner. See map.
- Information about the River Cruise: The boat departs at 9:45 pm from London Bridge Pier and it cruises the River Thames until it gets to the London Eye to see the New Year’s Eve Fireworks at midnight. During the river cruise there will be live music and it also includes a glass of bubbly at midnight. It returns to the same pier at 01:30. See map.
- See walking route: Route to go from the restaurant to London Bridge Pier.
- Find out more: See Brown’s + Neptune Clipper
Dinner at Doggett’s Coat and Badge and Cruise on the Sapele
Combine a delicious evening meal at Doggett’s Coat and Badge near London Bridge and a NYE River Cruise to see the NYE fireworks at the London Eye.
- Restaurant information: Located at 1 Blackfriars Bridge, London SE1 9UD. Arrive at the restaurant at 5 pm and enjoy a three-course dinner. See map.
- River Cruise Information: Departs at London Bankside Pier at 21.00, and return at approximately 01.45 hrs. It cruises the River Thames and positions itself opposite the London Eye for the NYE Fireworks. Background music and a glass of sparkling wine at midnight per adult. See Map.
- See walking route: See walking route from Restaurant to London Bankside Pier
- Find out more: Doggett’s Coat and Badge and Sapele
London NYE on a speedboat
Unfortunately this option is currently unavailable for 2025.
If you are looking for an unforgettable way of welcoming the New Year, why not consider going on a jet boat to watch the fireworks from a prime location on the river Thames? With only 24 spaces it’s not surprising it gets booked up quickly, so don’t hesitate if this is how you’d like to celebrate New year’s Eve this year!
- Includes: 2.5 hour VIP experience on the river Thames with views to London’s New year’s Eve fireworks at midnight. Celebration hamper including 75cl bottle of champagne each, 2 bottles of water, sandwiches, 2 bags of crisps, cake, nuts and a chocolate box.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Blackfriars Pier no later than 10.10 pm and returns to the same pier at 00.40. See Map.
- More information: Thamesjet
Visit London at Christmas
Spending New Year’s Eve in London means you’ll see London during Christmas, a wonderful time of the year to see London in all its glory. Make the most of your visit to London with our itineraries.
5 Comments
Hi, do you know if there are any cruises we can take our baby on or do they have to be over 5 on them all?
Hi Sam,
I believe most cruises don’t accept children under 5 years old. I would recommend contacting City Cruises directly and checking with them.
Thank you.
hi
I have a child that is 17 and a half years old (and looks much older.)
For some of these NYE cruises, it says 18 and over. How stringent are these cruises in terms of checking for age verification? Do you think we’ll have any issues if we book a party of 4 with our child?
Thank you,
Hello,
I’m interested in the new year cafe rouge dinner and firework cruise.
Could you tell me whether the boat has a retractable roof or provide any reviews from last year?
Hi Allison,
There are two options for cafe rouge and cruise above, neither of the vessels used have a retractable roof, but the Tornado Clipper is slightly bigger. Both vessels have panoramic windows and outdoor space. Hope that helps!