On Sunday guest blogger Sally Smith took her Father on a Lunch cruise with City Cruises. At Door2Tour we sell lots of great coach holidays with London cruises included in the itinerary or with free time to explore – these sightseeing cruises are a great way to see a different side of London.
Where did you go on your River Cruise?
We boarded our River Cruise at Tower Pier close to the Tower of London, London Bridge and the Shard. We started by sailing up river passing under London Bridge towards the London Eye and Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. When we reached the London Eye we turned around and began sailing back down the River under Tower Bridge and on towards Greenwich and Canary Wharf.
What did you see whilst you were on board?
We saw so many London landmarks whilst on board that you wouldn’t normally see all in one go. We saw the Dome at the top of St Paul’s Cathedral, the OXO Tower and even the ITV Studios where they film ‘This Morning’. We also sailed under the Millennium Bridge (famed for being wobbly when it first opened!) We saw the new Walkie Talkie Tower which has the Sky Garden at the top, plus the Golden Hinde an English Galleon ship captained by Sir Francis Drake. On that note when we sailed past Greenwich we saw the Cutty Sark and the replica of the Globe Theatre, which was rebuilt when the original burnt down. They had to get special permission to be rebuild the theatre with a thatched roof as thatched roofs were banned in the city following the Great Fire of London. We also saw the HMS Belfast moored close to City Hall and the HMS President which has been turned into a bar and restaurant.
Did you enjoy your lunch, what was on the menu?
Yes, we weren’t really sure what to expect for lunch, but the food on board was tasty and plentiful. On the menu was Thyme, Rosemary and Lemon Roasted Supreme of Chicken with a leek, tarragon and mushroom sauce with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Season Vegetables (carrots, courgettes and green beans). For dessert we had a dark, white and milk chocolate truffle cake with a raspberry sauce. This was followed by teas or coffees and drinks from the bar.
The Lunch cruise did not include drinks from the bar, however these were all very reasonably priced when buying them separately. We had soft and alcoholic beverages all of which were extremely reasonable.
Were the facilities on board suitable for all passengers?
I would say so yes, my Father is 85 and not as stable as he once was on his legs and now uses a walking stick. He managed to get on and off the ship with little difficulty. Once you have finished your meal you do have the option to go on the upper deck to watch some of the sights, however my Father did not venture up there as there was a few steps and the boat was in motion! However, like with all things it’s always best to check before you book especially if you plan on bringing a buggy or wheelchair on board.
What about the ship, was it modern and clean?
The ship was very nicely decked out with what looked like new carpets and interior furniture. The facilities on board were also clean and tidy.
Would you recommend a river cruise to a friend?
Definitely, there are so many different cruises available including Afternoon Tea Cruises, Dinner Cruises and even cruises down the Thames for New Years Eve! We might do a night time cruise next to see London all lit up.
Click here if you would like to see a selection of the coach trips to London available from Door2Tour.com