London Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

London Small Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

418 London trips. Tours from 75 tour companies. 1,427 reviews. 4.4/5 avg rating.

20 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise
The Euro Trip
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By Interrailing Packages
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Krakow, Ljubljana, London, Paris, Prague, Rome, Split, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Visiting the likes of Paris, Interlaken, Rome, Split, and Ljubljana
  • Overnight ferry
  • Enjoy exploring and discovering local life, without the added pressure of having to tick off those famous tourist sights.
  • Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital city is the hidden gem of Europe on this rail holiday, an interrail route favourite!
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Small Ship Cruise, Train & Rail Journeys, Photography

What travelers are saying

"Los funcionarios de Interraling son excelentes personas y atienden las inquietudes a tiempo y con amabilidad. Nos ayudaron a organizar nuestras vacaciones familiares en Europa, de acuerdo a nuestras solicitudes, las cuales llenaron todas nuestras expectativas. Gracias a ustedes disfrutamos al máximo este viajes. Las salidas de los trenes fueron en el horario previsto y los hoteles buenos y bien ubicados."

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Secret Isles of Great Britain and Ireland
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Edinburgh, Isles of Scilly, London

Highlights

  • Discover enchanting gardens including the subtropical Tresco Abbey Gardens.
  • Explore archaeological sites like the Callanish Standing Stones and medieval blackhouse villages.
  • Residents of Ireland’s Tory Island introduce you to their language, music and stories.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Cruising the Seine, plus Paris & London 2024
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

London, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Journey from London to Paris by way of a River Seine cruise filled with Tauck exclusive experiences... Private tasting tours
  • from wine to cheese to chocolate... discover treasured Parisian landmarks
  • steeped in history
  • culture and art... and return home with tales of adventures that become more exciting with each retelling. Wind through fishing ports and medieval towns
  • tasting Normandy cuisine
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

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Cruising the Seine, plus Paris & London 2025
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

London, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Journey from London to Paris by way of a River Seine cruise filled with Tauck exclusive experiences... Private tasting tours
  • from wine to cheese to chocolate... discover treasured Parisian landmarks
  • steeped in history
  • culture and art... and return home with tales of adventures that become more exciting with each retelling. Wind through fishing ports and medieval towns
  • tasting Normandy cuisine
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
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Cruising the Seine, plus Paris & London 2023
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

London, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Journey from London to Paris by way of a River Seine cruise aboard ms Sapphire filled with Tauck exclusive experiences... Private tasting tours
  • from wine to cheese to chocolate... discover treasured Parisian landmarks
  • steeped in history
  • culture and art... and return home with tales of adventures that become more exciting with each retelling. Wind through fishing ports and medieval towns
  • tasting Normandy cuisine
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
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Cruising the Seine 2021
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

London, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • By way of Paris
  • a River Seine cruise aboard ms Sapphire filled with Tauck exclusive experiences... Private tasting tours
  • from wine to cheese to chocolate... discover treasured Parisian landmarks
  • steeped in history
  • culture and art... and return home with tales of adventures that become more exciting with each retelling. Wind through fishing ports and medieval towns
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

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Cruising the Seine, plus Paris & London 2022
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

London, Paris, Rouen

Highlights

  • Journey from London to Paris by way of a River Seine cruise aboard ms Sapphire filled with Tauck exclusive experiences... Private tasting tours
  • from wine to cheese to chocolate... discover treasured Parisian landmarks
  • steeped in history
  • culture and art... and return home with tales of adventures that become more exciting with each retelling. Wind through fishing ports and medieval towns
  • tasting Normandy cuisine
Show more

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

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British & Irish Landmarks
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Derry, Dublin, Edinburgh, Galway, Loch Ness, London

Highlights

  • Enjoy the awesome Scottish & Irish Dinner/Shows
  • Great Scenery & Coastal Views
  • Enjoy watching Sheepdog trials on Ring of Kerry
  • Visits and admissions to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, York Minster, Edinburgh Castle
  • Opportunity to Loch Ness Cruise
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I waited 20 years for my dream trip to Scotland and Ireland and splurged $7000 on this tour. The second half of touring Ireland was great, the first portion in Scotland was horrendous. The tour guide for Scotland made sexual advances and inappropriate comments to me and I had to cautiously avoid him and stay with the group to not have any interaction with him. I also sustained an injury on the bus, caused by the driver, which I had to report to CIE myself. I filed a complaint with a CIE customer service manager when I returned and learned that another woman also filed a complaint regarding the tour guide (2 women from the same tour!) CIE has not responded from the initial report over a month ago and have DONE NOTHING!!! This sexual predator is still working as a tour guide for them which is a screaming indicator regarding the sexual harassment investigations and policy enforcement for this company. Beware if you are a single woman and are looking to book with CIE, there are better options and I strongly recommend you avoid this company!!"

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20 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Small Ship Cruise

London Reviews & Ratings

4.4/5  Great
1,427  Reviews
See all London tour reviews
Excellent
500
Great
277
Average
56
Disappointing
16
Terrible
10
T

Trusted Customer

Apr 2024

Written on

London to Bordeaux, the Basque Country and the Beach

Five stars for Magdalena as tour leader who went over and beyond to ensure w...

P

Paula

Sep 2023

Written on

London to Bordeaux, the Basque Country and the Beach

Excellent tour. Train travel was a new experience. Very good

M

Mary

Sep 2023

Written on

London to Bordeaux, the Basque Country and the Beach

The lovely city of Bordeaux, the two days in San Sebastian, especially the ...

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London Tour Selection Trips

  • Choosing Central London as the basepoint of your trip will be easier and cheaper to move around the whole city and explore the major destination through the central area. The cost of accommodation is a bit higher, but it gets covered in what you save in traveling from distant hotels to the main hub, also saving you lots of time.
  • As soon as you reach London, get an Oyster card. You can get it from mostly tube stations and can preload an amount that you can use on the go during your travel. Once you reach the daily cap after 3 to 4 journeys, then you can travel around for free for the rest of your day.
  • You can also purchase an Oyster card online and have it mailed to you before you depart for London! But be sure to leave enough time to receive it.
  • Plan your trip well before arriving. Choose the desired destinations, mode of transportation for every point, make advanced bookings, etc. The busy city is always filled with people, and you will waste your time and money if you don't preplan your trip.
  • Don’t try to explore every point in the city in one trip. The enormous city is full of worth visiting places that you can’t completely explore even in weeks. So, plan your trip conveniently for 3 to 4 days and map your route accordingly.
  • London is undoubtedly not a cheap city, but there are various free to visit great spots in the city. There are various parks, gardens, and museums like the British Museum, National Gallery, National History Museum, Science Museum, and many more.
  • You can pay through your credit card, but no currency is acceptable other than a sterling pound, so keeps a sufficient amount with you.
  • Keep a travel adapter because the UK plugs are different from what you find in other European countries and the US & Canada.
  • Tips are usually not expected in the UK as the service charges are included in the restaurant bill, and they charge you 10 - 15% service charges in addition to the bill. But you can leave a 10% tip if you are happy with the service.
  • Choose your transportation mode according to the destination and the distance. The fastest and most convenient method is through the underground tubes that save you from the traffic hassle, but you will miss the sights in that. At times the distance between your destinations will be so small that it would be better to walk between the two stops instead of spending time in getting on and off the tube/bus.
  • One of the best ways of sightseeing across London is to rent a bike and go on paddling.
  • The unpredictable weather of the city demands you to keep an umbrella with you all the time. Winter or summer, you never know when it will start to rain, so pack your umbrella or raincoat with you and check the weather forecast every time you step out of your hotel.

Additional details

Best time to visit London

The largest city and capital of the England attracts millions of people annually, round the year. Every season has its own perks and benefits, and it depends very much on your interest that which time suits you the best. There is no offseason in London; hence, if you expect empty streets to have the region all to yourself is nearly impossible.

The busy city is the hub of the country and is always crowded with local or international visitors. There are times when the crowds are small when a huge bunch of tourists has not yet arrived but still expect crowd everywhere. No matter what time of the year you choose to travel to London, one thing that you have to keep with you always is an umbrella. The unpredictable weather in London can get you trapped in the rain anytime. So, better be ready for it.

Summertime, June – August, is the most popular time, and various people choose to travel to London during these months. The main reason is the pleasantly warm weather that will make you so comfortable that you won't mind the huge tourist crowds.

It is also the best time to visit if you want to visit the royal sites as they are open to the public during summer when the occupants are away for a holiday. From late June to early July you will have the chance to enjoy Harrods's summer sale and many other good summer sales.

Autumn, mid-September to November, brings with it a mild chill, signaling the approaching winters, but the weather is still comfortably pleasant. Streets are still crowded with tourists to some extent. If you are interested in experiencing the local culture, then you might get a chance to witness any of the annual events like Guy Fawkes Night, The Lord Mayor's Show, etc.

Being a low tourist season, due to the freezing temperatures, wintertime is best to get the discounted deals on everything, except December. The post-Christmas sales in January, along with discounts on airfare and accommodation, can let you save a lot. If you don’t mind all packed up in warm clothes, then you should travel to London during winter as that will help you save a lot in every aspect. Also, there will be fewer people and shorter queues for everything, saving you lots of time as well.

The second best time after summer is the spring season with its beautiful blooming flowers. Enjoy the beauty of royal gardens and parks with various colors inviting you to indulge in the natural beauty. The winter chill has left already, and the summer warmth welcomes you with open arms. Tourists have not yet arrived, so you will find lesser crowds everywhere during early spring. This time of the year has minimum rainfall and is considered to be the best time of the year concerning the weather.

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