Thames Party Boats — Local services in London

🚫 Extremely Disappointed with Thames Party Boats 🚫

I had a terrible experience with Thames Party Boats while planning my wife’s 40th birthday. I started organizing in January and after several discussions, paid a deposit to book the Hurlingham boat for late May. A few days later, I was told someone else had also paid a deposit for the same boat, and we were bumped. They offered us an alternative — Valula — and I agreed in good faith, signed the contract, and moved forward.

I spent weeks organizing everything else — booked a DJ, arranged catering, sent invites — all with the expectation the boat was locked in. Then, just weeks before the party, TPB called to cancel. Valula was “under maintenance” and wouldn’t be ready in time. That was it — no backup plan, just a cancellation.

It took over a week and multiple follow-ups just to get my deposit back. They referred me to other boat companies, but everyone was charging a premium at that point, knowing I was desperate. I had no choice but to cancel the entire surprise plan I had been working on for months.

The contract I signed turned out to be totally one-sided, giving them the right to cancel with no real protection for me. I didn’t share this earlier because I still hoped to pull something off for my wife. Now that her birthday has passed, I want to warn others: Be cautious before booking with Thames Party Boats. What should have been a joyful experience turned into a really stressful and...

Terrible company with HORRIBLE customer service and accountability. I alongside my mates and hundreds of other people turned up to a white themed party on one of their boats back in June 22nd 2024. We arrived only to be told that this cavalier organisation had cancelled our event though their poor communication with our event provider. They claimed the disappointing cancellation was driven by a "maintainance issue" on the boat but all black attendees were left with no boat to celebrate on while a small handful of white party goers were given priority and a boat we could have went on..that superseded almost 200 black professionals who were left with no boat to party on. This organisation is NOT to be trusted and their propriator ( Ali Johnson ) is - by all accounts - a crook with racial prejudice. Take this as a WARNING and avoid them at...

Had an Excellent time on Sunday 25th July '21 Celebrating Watty Jnr Obe 40th Anniversary in the Music Industry!! Congratulations WJnr Obe, it was off the Hook, Boat Rocking, Great time.🥂🎶💃🏽👏🏽💥💯 Its an absolute pleasure to do a review ⛴, staff Chris, Sam, Maise, Amy, Security and the rest of the crew were very helpful and accommodating, drinks reasonably priced, a cozy little vessel, with comfy seating on the upper and lower decks should the weather fail, it chucked it down on our day 🌧 but don't let that deter you, it didn't us😍, whats a little rain?👋...,choose them for your next party boat experience.. You won't be disappointed. Thank you Thames Party Boat. All I can say is Fantastic!!!⛴ will definitely book...