London: Dinner Cruise with Elvis Tribute on the Thames River

Elvis meets London after dark. I like the mix of Thames views and live music, and the first glass of sparkling wine gives the evening a festive start without adding another decision to your night. I also like that Matt King is not simply billed as an Elvis look-alike: he won the European Championships in 2015 and 2016, giving the entertainment a serious musical pedigree.

The main thing to consider is the food and drink. The three-course meal is convenient and generally better than expected, but it is not the reason to book this cruise. Extra drinks can be expensive, and some diners have found the meal service a little rushed, especially near the end of the three-hour sailing.

Key points to know before booking

• Matt King performs two sets: His award-winning Elvis tribute is the main event, with songs, audience participation, and plenty of chances to sing along.
• The boat heads toward Tower Bridge: You get a moving view of London from the Thames rather than a standard stage show in a restaurant.
• Dinner is included: The package covers a three-course meal, one glass of sparkling wine, and tea or coffee after dinner.
• Dancing continues after the show: Elvis-themed music keeps playing until the cruise ends, so this is more party night than quiet sightseeing trip.
• Boarding begins at 7:45 PM: The full experience lasts about three hours, though one evening ended closer to two hours and 40 minutes.
• It is for adults and older teenagers: Children under 13 are not allowed, making the evening better suited to couples, friends, and Elvis fans.

A Thames evening with a very specific soundtrack

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a singer added as an afterthought. It is an Elvis-themed night out that happens to move along one of the best-known rivers in Europe.

At $123 per person, you are paying for several parts at once: a three-hour cruise, a three-course dinner, one glass of sparkling wine, two live performance sets, and music for dancing. That price can make sense if you want a complete evening with no need to arrange dinner and entertainment separately. It is less appealing if your main goal is a serious meal or a long, quiet look at London’s monuments.

I see the strongest value in the combination. You get skyline views, a changing backdrop, live music, and a social evening in one booking. The format also removes a common London-night-out problem: deciding where to eat, where to hear music, and how to get from one place to the next.

Boarding at 7:45 PM and settling in

Boarding begins at 7:45 PM. You start with a glass of sparkling wine, then have time to get acquainted with the vessel and settle into the evening before the performance takes over.

That opening drink matters. It gives the night a clear beginning and helps the cruise feel like a special occasion rather than a simple meal on a boat. The fully stocked bar is available for extra drinks, but you should budget for those separately. A drink that seems harmless before dinner can push the final bill well above the advertised price.

The boat itself is the evening’s dining room, music venue, and viewing platform. I would arrive ready for all three roles. If you want photos or a better look at the river, pay attention during the early part of the cruise, before the entertainment and dancing become the main focus.

The three-hour length is generous for a dinner show. It gives the program room to unfold instead of forcing the meal and performance into a short sitting. Still, the timing may not feel identical every night. One diner felt the trip lasted about two hours and 40 minutes and found the departure from the boat more hurried than expected.

Cruising toward Tower Bridge

As the boat heads toward Tower Bridge, London becomes the supporting act. The view changes while you eat, and the river gives you a different angle on the city than you get from a pavement restaurant or theater seat.

Tower Bridge is the key visual moment named for the route. Its towers and suspension structure are especially effective from the water, where the full span becomes easier to appreciate. You also have skyline views along the Thames, though the exact view from your table will depend on where you are seated and how much time you spend away from the dining area.

I like this part of the plan because the sightseeing is woven into the meal. You do not need to stop for photos or follow a guide through a packed attraction. You can simply look up between courses or during a song.

The trade-off is that a moving view is not the same as a dedicated sightseeing cruise. You may not get long stops beside every landmark, and the entertainment naturally draws your attention indoors. If London architecture is your top priority, choose a daytime river cruise instead. If you want a city backdrop for dinner and music, the arrangement works well.

The three-course dinner: useful, but not the star

Dinner is served during the cruise and is followed by tea or coffee. That makes the package easy: you do not have to leave the boat to find a meal, and the food gives the evening a natural rhythm before the dancing begins.

The meal has received a mixed but fair response. It has been described as good enough and better than expected, but also as an area that could improve. A choice of dishes or advance ordering would make the dinner more appealing, especially for people with firm food preferences.

Because no menu choices are provided in the details here, I would not book this as a destination meal. Think of it as a practical dinner that supports the main event. The setting and performance do more of the work than the food itself.

Tea or coffee is included after the meal, but service may not always make that final course feel fully settled. One diner specifically wished for tea or coffee and felt the evening moved too quickly at the end. If that closing drink matters to you, ask the staff about it before dinner service finishes.

The same advice applies to pacing. If you have arranged a lift or a later plan based on a full three-hour schedule, leave some flexibility. The advertised duration is three hours, but the actual evening may finish a little earlier.

Meeting Matt King, the Elvis tribute artist

Matt King is the reason to choose this particular cruise over a standard dinner sailing. He won the European Championships in both 2015 and 2016, so the performance is presented as a professional tribute rather than a casual impersonation.

You get two sets during the cruise. That split is helpful because it lets the evening alternate between dinner, sightseeing, performance, and dancing. You are not asked to sit through one long show while trying to eat.

The performance style is designed for participation. Expect familiar Elvis songs, singing along, and an artist who keeps the room involved. The strongest reactions have focused on his ability to represent Elvis convincingly and keep the mood moving. One especially successful evening had the room singing along throughout.

This is important when setting expectations. You are not booking an intimate concert or a museum-style portrait of Elvis. You are booking a lively tribute show built for a dinner crowd. If you enjoy the songs, the costume, the stage presence, and a bit of friendly theatrical fun, the format should suit you. If you prefer a restrained performance, the audience interaction may feel like too much.

Dancing, champagne, and the second half of the night

After the main performance sets, Elvis-themed music continues until the cruise ends. Dancing is not a small extra here. It is one of the central reasons the evening feels like a party rather than a meal with background music.

You can dance, sing along, or stay at your table and watch the room. That flexibility makes the cruise work for mixed groups. A dedicated Elvis fan can get fully involved, while someone who mainly wants the river views can enjoy the music at a distance.

The sparkling wine included at boarding helps set the tone, but extra drinks cost more. If you plan to dance and stay for the whole program, check bar prices early so the final cost does not surprise you.

The energy also explains why the cruise is not aimed at young children. Anyone under 13 is excluded, and the evening is better suited to adults and older teenagers who enjoy live entertainment and a late dinner.

What the $123 price really buys you

At $123 per person, this is a mid-to-high priced London night out. The value depends on how many parts of the package you would otherwise pay for separately.

The price includes:

• A three-hour cruise on the Thames
• One glass of sparkling wine
• A three-course dinner
• Tea or coffee after dinner
• Two sets from Matt King
• Elvis-themed music for dancing through the end of the cruise

That is a solid bundle for a special evening. A river view alone does not justify the cost, and the dinner is not positioned as fine dining. The live show, the boat, and the all-in-one format carry most of the value.

I would compare it with the cost of a London dinner, a live music ticket, and drinks. If you would happily pay for those three elements, the cruise can be a convenient choice. If you want to spend $123 mainly on food, look elsewhere.

Extra drinks are not included. This is the biggest budget warning. The included sparkling wine is a welcome touch, but a fully stocked bar can tempt you to add several drinks during a three-hour evening.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it first to Elvis fans, couples celebrating something, and groups of friends who want a lively night rather than a formal meal.

It also suits people who like sightseeing with an event attached. You get London views without spending the whole night on foot, and the route toward Tower Bridge provides a strong visual setting for the performance.

The cruise may not suit you if:

• You want a quiet dinner
• You care more about menu choice than entertainment
• You dislike audience participation or dancing
• You need a firm end time
• You are looking for a detailed tour of London landmarks
• You are bringing children under 13

For a first-time visitor, I would treat this as a fun evening activity, not your main introduction to London. The river views are attractive, but the show remains the focus.

Practical tips for a smoother night

Arrive with enough time for the 7:45 PM boarding period. The opening moments include the sparkling wine and orientation to the boat, so arriving late could mean missing the calmest part of the evening.

Keep your schedule flexible after the cruise. The listed duration is three hours, but one evening finished at roughly two hours and 40 minutes, and the final departure from the boat felt rushed to one diner. A little flexibility helps with either outcome.

If food choice matters to you, check what dinner options are available before booking. The supplied details confirm a three-course meal, but they do not provide a menu or promise advance selection.

For drinks, decide on a rough budget before you board. The included wine gives you a start, while anything else is extra. This simple step protects the value of the package.

Finally, bring the right expectations. You are going for Elvis, dancing, and London at night. The food and sightseeing support those features, but they do not replace them.

Should you book the Elvis Thames dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a complete, upbeat evening with a strong central performer. Matt King’s championship record gives the tribute real credibility, and the combination of two show sets, dancing, dinner, and Thames views creates more variety than a standard concert or restaurant meal.

I would hesitate only if you are highly particular about food, need exact timing, or dislike paying extra for drinks. The dinner is serviceable rather than the main attraction, and the end of the cruise may feel slightly rushed.

For the right audience, this is a cheerful London night out with a clear personality. You get Tower Bridge, sparkling wine, a moving city view, and a room full of Elvis songs. That is a very specific package, but if it sounds like your kind of evening, the $123 price can be fair.

FAQ

How long does the Elvis dinner cruise last?

The advertised duration is three hours. One evening was reported to last about two hours and 40 minutes, so leave some flexibility in your schedule after the cruise.

What time does boarding begin?

Boarding begins at 7:45 PM.

Is dinner included?

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

Is a drink included with the booking?

Yes. You receive one glass of sparkling wine. Other drinks from the bar are not included.

How many Elvis performances are included?

The evening includes two sets by award-winning Elvis tribute artist Matt King.

Are children allowed on the cruise?

Children under 13 are not allowed. The activity is conducted in English.