London: Dinner Cruise with Elvis Tribute on the Thames River

The main event here is not the boat ride. It is Matt King’s Elvis tribute, with two live sets that turn a London dinner cruise into a singing and dancing night out. As the boat heads toward Tower Bridge, you get city views, a three-course meal, and plenty of Elvis tunes in one evening.

I like the simple mix: London scenery from the Thames and a full evening of entertainment without changing venues. I also like that sparkling wine is included, along with dinner and tea or coffee. The main drawback is value at $123 per person, especially since drinks beyond the welcome glass cost extra and the food is good rather than the star of the show.

Key Points

• Matt King performs two Elvis sets: He won the European Championships in 2015 and 2016, giving the musical part of the evening real weight.
• The cruise heads toward Tower Bridge: You get a moving view of London while dinner and the show unfold.
• The evening lasts about three hours: Boarding begins at 7:45 PM, though one evening finished closer to two hours and 40 minutes.
• A three-course dinner is included: The meal is followed by tea or coffee, though service may feel rushed near the end.
• Dancing is part of the plan: Elvis-themed music continues until the cruise ends, so this is not a quiet sightseeing supper.
• Extra drinks cost more: A glass of sparkling wine is included, but the fully stocked bar is paid separately.

A Thames Cruise With Elvis at the Center

This is a dinner show on the water, not a standard sightseeing cruise with a little music added. The boat provides the setting, but Elvis is the reason to book.

You board from 7:45 PM and receive a glass of sparkling wine. That gives you a relaxed start while you find your place, get familiar with the vessel, and settle into the evening before the performance begins.

The cruise runs for three hours and travels along the River Thames toward Tower Bridge. The route gives you changing views of London’s skyline, but the sights are best treated as part of the evening rather than the entire purpose of it.

I would choose this experience for a celebration, a date night, or an evening when you want a planned activity with music and food. If you want a quiet meal where conversation comes first, the entertainment may feel too lively.

Boarding at 7:45 PM and Getting Settled

The stated boarding time is 7:45 PM, so allow enough time to arrive ready to board. The available information does not give a separate address beyond the cruise meeting point, so check the confirmed booking details carefully before setting out.

Once aboard, the sparkling wine helps mark the start of the night. It is a small but useful inclusion, since you do not begin with the bar bill already running.

The opening period is also when you can get acquainted with the boat and the evening’s plan. Expect a social atmosphere rather than a formal restaurant mood. The ship, dinner tables, live performer, bar, and dance music all share the same three-hour schedule.

There is no stated group size, and no particular seating arrangement is promised. For that reason, I would not book this expecting a private table beside a window or a guaranteed front-row view of Matt King.

Cruising Toward Tower Bridge

The route heads toward Tower Bridge, one of the most recognizable sights along the Thames. Seeing London from the river gives the evening a useful sense of place, especially if you are looking for more than a meal in a restaurant.

The boat continues moving while the show takes shape, so the views come and go as part of the night. You may spend some stretches focused on the performer, then look out at the skyline between courses or songs.

This is a good way to combine sightseeing with entertainment because neither part needs to fill the whole evening. You do not have to set aside another block of time for a separate river cruise, and the dinner gives the ride a clear purpose.

Still, keep your expectations in check. The supplied details promise views of London’s skyline and a cruise toward Tower Bridge, but they do not provide a full list of landmarks or guarantee a particular view from every table. If seeing specific buildings is your top priority, choose a dedicated sightseeing cruise instead.

Matt King’s Two Elvis Sets

Matt King is described as an award-winning Elvis tribute artist and the European Championships champion in both 2015 and 2016. Those credentials matter here because the show is not a background playlist. The singer is the central attraction.

You get two live sets during the cruise. That split works well for a dinner show, giving you time to eat, talk, and enjoy the changing river views before the second performance brings the room back to the music.

The strongest praise in the available feedback focuses on the entertainment. Elvis is credited with keeping the evening lively, getting people singing along, and providing a convincing representation of the original performer. That tells you what to value most when deciding if this cruise suits you.

The show is designed for participation. You can listen, sing along, or get up and dance when the music shifts into party mode. You should not expect a restrained concert where everyone stays seated.

If you are a serious Elvis fan, the performer’s championship background gives the evening more appeal than a generic impersonator act. If you only have mild interest in Elvis, the dance music and London setting may still carry the night, but the performance remains the main event.

Three Courses, One Included Glass of Wine

The ticket includes a three-course dinner followed by tea or coffee. That makes the $123 price easier to assess, since you are paying for food, the cruise, live entertainment, and an included welcome drink rather than for a boat ride alone.

The meal receives a mixed but generally favorable assessment. It is described as better than expected by one diner, while another found it simply okay and suggested that a choice or pre-order system would improve it.

That is useful guidance. Treat dinner as part of the package, not as a destination restaurant meal. The entertainment, river setting, and convenience of having everything in one booking are likely to matter more than culinary choice.

The lack of a stated menu or meal selection is worth noting. If you have strong food preferences, do not assume you can choose from several dishes or pre-order a favorite. The provided details do not confirm special dietary arrangements, so check before booking if that is important to you.

Tea or coffee is listed after dinner, but one evening felt rushed and did not seem to offer enough time for that final touch. The cruise may end before you feel ready to leave, even though the advertised duration is three hours.

The Bar and the Real Cost of the Evening

One glass of sparkling wine is included. Additional drinks are not, even though the boat has a fully stocked bar.

This is where the final cost can rise. At $123 per person, the package already sits in the special-evening price range. Add several paid drinks, and the value depends heavily on how much you care about the Elvis show and the river setting.

I think the price makes the most sense if you plan to use the whole package: eat the included dinner, watch both sets, enjoy the cruise, and dance. It makes less sense if you mainly want river views or a meal, since less expensive options may cover those parts more directly.

The comments about expensive drinks are a practical warning, not a reason to reject the cruise outright. Decide your drink budget before boarding. The included sparkling wine gives you a festive start, but it does not cover the rest of the night.

Dancing Until the Boat Returns

The final part of the evening is built around Elvis-themed music for dancing. This changes the mood from dinner show to party.

You can stay seated and listen, but the format clearly invites you to join in. The dancing is one of the experience’s strongest social features, especially if you are celebrating with friends or want an easy way to meet the energy of the room without planning anything yourself.

I like that the music continues until the end of the cruise. There is no need to find another venue after dinner, and the evening has a clear finish rather than fading out after the main course.

That same structure may not work for everyone. A three-hour schedule with live music, dancing, dinner, and river views can feel full. If you prefer a slow meal or early night, check the timing before booking.

One important detail is the ending. Although the advertised duration is three hours, one experience finished after about two hours and 40 minutes, with some people feeling rushed off the boat. Do not plan a tight connection immediately after the stated end time.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

This cruise is best for adults and older teenagers who like live entertainment, classic pop music, and a social dinner setting. Children under 13 are not suitable for the activity, so families with younger children should choose another Thames option.

I would especially suggest it for:

• Elvis fans who want a full tribute performance rather than background music
• Couples looking for a planned evening with dinner and live entertainment
• Groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Visitors who want a Thames cruise without booking sightseeing and dinner separately
• Anyone who enjoys dancing and singing along in a relaxed setting

I would be more cautious if you are booking mainly for food. The dinner is included and can be perfectly serviceable, but there is no confirmed choice of dishes, and the meal is not the part receiving the strongest praise.

I would also think twice if your top priority is detailed sightseeing. You will cruise along the Thames and head toward Tower Bridge, but the evening’s focus is the performer, not a narrated tour of London’s landmarks.

Timing, Cancellation, and Practical Details

The cruise lasts three hours, with boarding beginning at 7:45 PM. The exact starting time should be confirmed when you check availability, since the activity information directs you to do so.

The host or greeter speaks English, and the listed language for the experience is English. The performance and announcements should therefore be expected in English.

Free cancellation is available up to three days in advance for a full refund. After that point, the supplied details do not state the refund terms, so do not leave cancellation decisions until the last minute.

The activity is provided by City Cruises Limited. The listed price is $123 per person, though any additional drinks are separate.

Because the evening includes a live show and a moving boat, I would wear something comfortable enough for sitting and dancing. That is general practical advice rather than a stated dress code, since no dress requirement is provided.

Is the Dinner Cruise Good Value?

The strongest value comes from the combination. You get a three-hour Thames cruise, a three-course dinner, one glass of sparkling wine, two Elvis sets, and dancing in one evening.

The value weakens if you separate those parts. The food is not presented as a high-end dining experience, paid drinks can be expensive, and the cruise may run slightly shorter than the full advertised time. You are paying for the atmosphere and entertainment as much as for the meal.

A rating of 4.6 from 43 ratings suggests a strong overall response, and the most positive comments center on Matt King, the singing, the dancing, and the beautiful river views. That matches the design of the activity: it works because the live show gives the cruise a lively purpose.

For me, the decision comes down to your idea of a good London night. If you want a polished concert, gourmet dinner, and carefully timed sightseeing, this may feel too casual and too fixed. If you want a fun evening with a recognizable performer, a moving view of London, and no need to plan a second venue, the package is easier to justify.

Should You Book the Elvis Thames Dinner Cruise?

Book it if Elvis is a real draw for you, you like dancing, and you want dinner and entertainment wrapped into one Thames evening. Matt King’s championship credentials and the two-set format give the show enough substance to justify choosing this over a plain dinner cruise.

Think carefully before booking if food quality, drink value, or precise sightseeing are more important than music. The dinner is decent rather than destination-worthy, extra drinks cost more, and the end of the cruise may feel rushed.

My practical advice is to book this for the show and the mood, then treat the meal and skyline as welcome extras. That is where the experience offers its best value.

FAQ

How long does the Elvis Thames dinner cruise last?

The advertised duration is three hours. One evening ended after about two hours and 40 minutes, so allow some flexibility at the end.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding begins at 7:45 PM.

Where does the cruise go?

The boat cruises along the River Thames and heads toward Tower Bridge. The activity also includes views of London’s skyline.

Who performs the Elvis tribute?

Matt King performs the tribute. He is described as an award-winning artist and the European Championships champion in 2015 and 2016.

How many Elvis performances are included?

Two sets featuring Matt King are included.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The experience includes a three-course dinner followed by tea or coffee.

Is a drink included?

One glass of sparkling wine is included. Extra drinks are not included and are charged separately.

Can you dance during the cruise?

Yes. Elvis-themed music is played for dancing until the end of the cruise.

Are children allowed?

Children under 13 are not suitable for this activity.

Can you cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to three days in advance for a full refund.