The Avontuur is an adults-only New Year’s Eve party cruise on the River Thames, boarding at Westminster Pier and sailing past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge on 31 December 2026. Boarding is at 8:45pm for a 9:00pm departure, returning to Westminster Millennium Pier at approximately 1:00am. Beer, wine, Prosecco and soft drinks are unlimited and included, with a DJ playing all night across a large open top deck, a spacious saloon and a lower dance floor. From £369 per person, with free cancellation up to 30 days before.
Say goodbye to the year from the water
By nine o’clock on 31 December the Embankment is already shoulder to shoulder and the roads have closed. The Avontuur casts off and leaves all of that behind: from the moment you step aboard the glass is full, the DJ is on, and the city starts sliding past the windows lit up for the last night of the year.
Beer, wine, Prosecco and soft drinks are included from cast-off to the last song — no rounds to count, no queue at the till. There is a large open top deck for the air and the view, a spacious saloon when you want to be warm, and a lower dance floor for when the night really gets going.
How the night unfolds
From 8:15pm — Westminster Pier
Check-in opens on Victoria Embankment, in the shadow of Big Ben. Come early: central London closes to traffic hours before midnight and the boat will not wait. Boarding at 8:45pm.
9:00pm — cast off
The Avontuur pulls into the river and the party starts immediately. The bar is open, the DJ is playing, and the first landmarks begin to pass.
Along the way — the city lit up
The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge, all illuminated and seen from the middle of the Thames rather than from a pavement six deep.
Midnight — and into 2027
The music stops for the countdown, everyone moves to the deck, and the sky goes up over the river. Then the DJ comes back and the dancing carries on until the boat returns at about 1:00am.
Before you book
The Avontuur is strictly 18+, with no exceptions. Dress to impress — it is that kind of night. Food is not included but can be bought on board, and no outside food or drink may be brought onto the vessel.
Luggage and large bags are not allowed and there is nowhere to leave them at the pier. Bring your ticket and boarding pass: without them entry to the pier can be refused, and there are no refunds for anyone who arrives after the boat has gone. Cancellation is free up to 30 days before the cruise.
