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, 2024, are selling out fast as the day approaches.
London New Year’s Eve Cruises: Cruises to Watch the Fireworks
Welcome 2025 the best way ever – on a cruise on the River Thames, with breathtaking 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.
Galaxy Cruise
- Details: 3-hour river cruise. Over 18-year-olds only.
- Includes: Glass of champagne on arrival. Indoor seating and outdoor terrace. Canapés during the cruise, live music, a glass of champagne at midnight and a bar on board.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier at 9.15 am. Watch the fireworks at the London Eye at midnight. Returns to tower pier at 12.45 am. See Map.
- Find out more: Galaxy Cruise
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: Picnic and Fireworks Cruises
If you want to welcome 2025 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 breathtaking views of London. The dinner options range from a sit-down evening meal to a buffet-style dinner.
Stargazer Cruise
- Details: 2.5 hour river cruise. Kids over 5 welcome.
- Includes: Picnic Box q with sandwich, crisps, small chocolate bar and mini bottle of champagne or soft drink. Glass ceiling with panoramic views and bar on board. Indoor and outdoor seating.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier (next to Tower Bridge) at 10 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: Stargazer Cruise
Celestial Cruise
- Details: 3.5 hour river cruise. Over 18-year-olds only.
- Includes: Deluxe individual hamper which includes a small bottle of champagne (or soft drink), a small bottle of Prosecco, and two Bagels as well as other snacks. There will be live music and a bar on board. At midnight you’ll be able to go up to the terrace located on the upper deck to watch the fireworks.
- 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: Meal and Fireworks Cruises
NYE Gala Dinner Cruise
- Details: 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 8 pm and returns to the same pier at 1 am.
- Find out more: See NYE Gala Dinner Cruise
NYE Dinner Cruise *Family friendly*
- Details: 5 hour cruise. Children over five years old welcome.
- Includes: Glass of Champagne on arrival. Three-course meal which includes half a bottle of wine per person and tea or coffee. Live music and dance floor. Glass of champagne at midnight. Bar on board.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Pier at 9 pm. Cruise along the river Thames with breathtaking views of London, reaching the London Eye to watch the fireworks at midnight. Returns to Tower Pier at 2 am. See Map.
- Find out more: NYE Dinner Cruise
NYE Dinner Plus Cruise *Family friendly*
- Details: 5 hour cruise. Children over five years old welcome.
- Includes: Glass of Champagne on arrival. Three-course meal, including half a bottle of wine and a bottle of water per person and tea or coffee. Live music and dance floor. Glass of champagne at midnight. Bar on board.
- Departure / Arrival: Departs Tower Millenium Pier at 8.15 pm. Cruise along the river Thames with breathtaking views of London, reaching the London Eye to watch the fireworks at midnight. Returns to Tower Millenium Pier at 1.15 am. See Map.
- Find out more: NYE Dinner Plus Cruise
Dinner at a Restaurant + 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 Refinery and NYE Cruise on the Tornado Clipper
- Details: Enjoy NYE dinner at Refinery and then enjoy a NYE river cruise on the River Thames to see London’s Eye New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Over 18s only.
- Cafe Rouge Restaurant: The restaurant is located at 110 Southwark St, London SE1 9AN. You’ll need to be here at 7.30 pm. This deal includes a welcome drink, a three-course meal and half a bottle of wine per adult. See map.
- Information about the River Cruise: The boat departs at 10:30 pm from Blackfriars 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 00:30. See map.
- See walking route: Route to go from the restaurant to Blackfriars Pier.
- Find out more: See Refinery + Tornado Clipper
Dinner at Traitor’s Gate and NYE Cruise on the Aurora *Family Friendly*
- Details: Enjoy NYE dinner at The Traitor’s Gate and a NYE river cruise on the River Thames afterwards to see London’s Eye New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Over 18s only.
- The Provisioners Restaurant: The restaurant is located at Traitors Gate, 14 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AA. Included in this deal is a welcome drink, a three-course meal and a glass of wine per adult. See map.
- Information about the River Cruise: The boat departs at 9:45 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 and it also includes a glass of bubbly at midnight. It returns to the same pier at 00:30. See map.
- See walking route: Route to go from the restaurant to London Bridge Pier.
- Find out more: See The Traitor´s Gate + Aurora
Meal at 1751 and NYE Cruise on the Neptune Clipper
- Details: Enjoy NYE dinner at 1751 and a NYE river cruise on the River Thames afterwards to see London’s Eye New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Over 18s only.
- The Provisioners Restaurant: The restaurant is located at Hilton London Tower Bridge, 5 More London Pl, Tooley St, London SE1 2BY. You’ll need to be here at 7.30 pm. Included in this deal is a welcome drink, a three-course meal and a glass of wine per adult. See map.
- Information about the River Cruise: The boat departs at 10:30 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 00:30. See map.
- See walking route: Route to go from the restaurant to London Bridge Pier.
- Find out more: See 1751 + Neptune Clipper
Shakedown and Galaxy Clipper
- Details: Combine a delicious evening meal at Shakedown near Tower Bridge and a NYE River Cruise to see the NYE fireworks at the London Eye. As it´s not Westminster it is away from most of the crowds so this is probably one of the best options in my opinion.
- Restaurant information: Shakedown, 4 Queen Elizabeth St, London SE1 2LL. Arrive at the restaurant at 7 pm and enjoy a welcome drink, a three-course meal, and half a bottle of wine per adult. See map.
- River Cruise Information: Board the boat at London Bridge Pier at 22.00, and return at approximately 00.30 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 Shakedown to London Bridge Pier
- Find out more: Shakedown and Galaxy Clipper
Special NYE: Thamesjet
Unfortunately this option is unavailable
- Details: 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.
- Find out more: 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!