City Cruises — Attraction in London

I really wanted to take my mum and niece for afternoon tea when they came to London. I love afternoon tea, it’s such a quintessentially British thing but it’s also pretty pricey, especially in London, and a lot of places charge the same price for children as they do for adults or only offer deals for even numbers of people. After a bit of investigation I discovered that CityCruises do an afternoon tea cruise and given that mums favourite thing about their first visit was the boat this seemed like a perfect compromise!

Included in the price was your afternoon tea platter and unlimited tea/coffee, other drinks were optional at an additional cost and as you would expect given they have the monopoly on the supply slightly overpriced but not crazily so. My mum and I wanted to start with tea but my niece had wanted a cold drink. She doesn’t drink fizzy juice and there was only fresh orange on the menu so instead we asked for a glass of milk – which we were refused due to it not being on the menu… What? There’s a ton of milk on board due to the fact that people are going to require it for their hot drinks yet a child cannot get a glass despite the fact that you fail to cater for them in any other way… OK then. I had planned on treating my mother and myself to a glass of champagne but this totally changed my mind.

Anyway, on to the food! It was adequate, nothing to write home about and again nothing specially aimed for children. My niece wouldn’t eat any of the sandwiches as they all had one ingredient or another that she didn’t like. The scones were all fruit which meant both she and I had to pick out the raisins – blergh. The desserts were the only really nice thing about it and even they weren’t particularly exciting. But we weren’t on the cruise for the food specifically, we were there to enjoy each others company and the unique views that a cruise on the Thames has to offer.

I’m not entirely sure if I’d recommend the afternoon tea cruise from CityCruises or not. While the venue is unique it’s not cheap and I wasn’t very impressed with their service to be honest. You’d be better off paying for afternoon tea at a more upper class hotel and then hopping on the Thames Clipper for a soothing journey...

Wife and I were in London for a few days and thought it would be nice to end our stay with an evening dinner cruise on the Thames. So on Sep 27, 2019, we stopped by the booth at Westminster Pier and purchased two tickets totaling close to 180 pounds (at the time close to $200) for a cruise on Sept 29, 2019. There were 2 employees in the booth, a gentleman and lady. We were working with the lady and while she was ringing us up, the gentleman advised her that due to the tides, the boat would not be leaving from the Westminster pier on the 29th, but rather the Tower Pier at 7:45 pm. She wrote it on the ticket and explained why the tides affected certain piers. Fine, no problem. We'll go to Tower Pier. Show up to Tower Pier at 7:15 pm. No boat. The booth there was closed. No employees. We waited until 7:45 pm just in case. Nothing. So, dejected, disappointment, hungry and out $200, we walked back to our hotel. I called the next morning as we were at the train station waiting to head to Scotland. Spoke with a nice lady, Lina, there and advised her of the situation. Sent her pictures of the tickets and receipt. Finally they agreed to refund our money but they wanted my bank account information and some IBAN #?!? I gave you a credit card, just reverse the charge! I sent a copy of the receipt as well so they could simply reverse the charge on the card. I was told it would take 5-10 business days since it's an international charge. It has now been 13 business days, 2 1/2 weeks in total. I can pay you with a card in seconds and have it clear ACH in a few days but you can't refund my money after your screw up and after you said you'd do it? What a horrible way to do business. I was attempting to do this the nice, easy way dealing directly with the merchant but I will be calling my credit card company to dispute the charge I guess and giving them all the emails and copies of tickets so they can chase it down. What a HORRIBLE way to end our otherwise nice visit to London. The cruise may be lovely...but...

Stepping into the heart of London, I found myself captivated by the timeless elegance and rich history of Westminster and the City of London. My journey began with a visit to the iconic Westminster area, where the grandeur of the Palace of Westminster and the stunning Westminster Abbey left me in awe. The intricate architecture and the profound sense of history in every stone made it a truly humbling experience.

The highlight of my day, however, was embarking on a delightful City Cruises voyage to the Tower of London. As I boarded the boat, the anticipation of the adventure ahead filled the air. The scenic journey along the River Thames offered breathtaking views of London’s skyline, with iconic landmarks like the Shard and the Gherkin towering above.

Arriving at the historic Tower of London, I was transported back in time. The medieval fortress, with its imposing walls and the mesmerizing Crown Jewels on display, was a window into centuries of British history. The Beefeaters’ tales added a touch of intrigue to the visit, making it an unforgettable experience.

Throughout the day, City Cruises provided impeccable service, with knowledgeable guides who shared fascinating anecdotes about London’s past and present. The gentle sway of the boat, the soothing sounds of the water, and the stunning backdrop of London’s landmarks created a serene and enchanting atmosphere.

As the sun set behind the Tower Bridge, I couldn’t help but reflect on the beauty and majesty of this vibrant city. My journey through Westminster and the City of London, culminating in the enchanting boat trip to the Tower of London, was a testament to the enduring charm and allure of the British capital. It’s a memory I will cherish forever, and I can’t wait to return to explore even more of...